Nutritional status is the foundation of health. Nutrient deficiencies play a role in the root cause of many chronic health conditions, and in order to experience long-term relief and complete remission this factor has to be addressed. True prevention and wellness cannot take place without correcting nutritional deficiencies
What are micronutrients?
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals in contrast to macronutrients, which are the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that we consume through our diet.
What is a micronutrient lab test?
A micronutrient lab test is a blood test that tests the levels of 35 vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional components that are involved in healthy function of the human body.
How is this different from the blood-work I get from my annual checkup?
It’s more thorough. Your primary care doctor is not able to run enough tests to give a complete picture of your nutritional status because tests they run are controlled by insurance.
It gives the level available in your cells. Serum tests that are done in conventional medicine do not give an indication of the levels of vitamins and minerals that active within your cells that your body is actually able to use
It measures a longer period of time. Serum levels are a short-term measure. They only reflect levels outside of the cell at the snapshot in time when you have your blood drawn whereas a cellular level a vitamins and minerals gives an average of 4-6 months based on the lifespan of a white blood cell.
Antioxidants
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Coenzyme Q10
Cysteine
Glutathione
Selenium
Vitamin E
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Chromium
Fructose Sensitivity
Glucose-Insulin
Metabolism
Metabolites
Choline
Inositol
Carnitine
Vitamins
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Folate
Pantothenate
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Minerals
Calcium
Magnesium
Manganese
Zinc
Copper
Amino Acids
Asparagine
Glutamine
Serine
When would someone consider having a micronutrient analysis?
Because nutritional status is the foundation of good health. A micronutrient analysis would be beneficial for anyone. Below are some conditions that are known to be correlated with vitamin-mineral levels.
Wellness/Prevention
Arthritis
Autoimmune Conditions
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Fatigue
Headaches/Migraines
Healthy Aging
Heart Disease
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Hormone balance
Hyper/Hypothyroidism
Immunodeficiency
Pregnancy (before & after)
Skin Conditions
Sports Nutrition
Stress Tolerance
& many others
Factors that can cause vitamin-mineral deficiencies
Alcohol
Aging
Digestive health/Poor absorption
Medication (many medications cause nutrient depletion)
Physical activity/Weight training
Pregnancy
Smoking
Stress
Surgery healing
Learn which vitamins you’re deficient in. Get started with a micronutrient analysis
Why you should re-test micronutrients
Nutrient status is dynamic. It changes with our lifestyles and as the demands on our body change. Depending on whether you have a health condition and the severity, this would impact how often you would need to re-test your nutrient status.
Did you like this post? If so, “like” or comment below and share it with your friends.
References:
Knekt P, Reunanen A, Marniemi J et al. Low vitamin E status is a potential risk factor for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Intern Med 1999;245:99-102.
De Mattia G, Bravi M, Laurenti O et al. Influence of reduced glutathione infusion on glucose metabolism in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 1998;47:993-997.
Natella F, Fidale M, Tubaro F et al. Selenium supplementation prevents the increase in athero- genic electronegative LDL (LDL minus) in the postprandial phase. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2007;17:649-56
Vance D. Role of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in the regulation of lipoprotein homeosta- sis.Curr Opin Lipidol 200819:229-34.
Head K, Kelly G. Nutrients and botanicals for treatment of stress: adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitter imbalance, anxiety, and restless sleep. Altern Med Rev 2009;14:114-140.
Huskisson E, Maggini S, Ruf M. The role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being. J Int Med Res 2007;35:277-289.
Acin-Perez R, Hoyos B et al. Control of oxidative phosphorylation by vitamin A illuminates a fundamental role in mitochondrial energy homoeostasis. FASEB J 2010;24:627-636.
Bryer S, Goldfarb A. Effect of high dose vitamin C supplementation on muscle soreness, damage, function, and oxidative stress to eccentric exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2006;16:270-280.
Pitkanen H, Mero A, Oja S et al. Effects of training on the exercise-induced changes in serum amino acids and hormones. J Strength Cond Res 2002;16:390-398.
