Micronutrient Testing

Darci Barman, MSN, RDN, LD

Did you know that many common ailments are just symptoms of underlying micronutrient deficiencies? For example, hypertension, depression, anxiety, fatigue - all associated with deficiencies in micronutrients.

What are micronutrients? Micronutrients are the foundation of your health. They are ESSENTIAL to your day-to-day bodily functions and most of us are deficient in 1 or more! They include your vitamins (B, C, D, K, etc), minerals (copper, zinc, chromium, etc), antioxidants (glutathione, selenium, vitamin E, etc) and some amino acids and metabolites.

So why not just take a supplement? Multivitamins generally provide 100% of all nutrients needed in a day, right? Not exactly....

For one, not all supplements are created equal. Synthetic vitamin E, vitamin C and minerals in the wrong form are not even recognized or absorbed by the body therefore, useless. Vitamins and minerals without the appropriate co-factors to absorb and assimilate them are useless (for example, calcium without magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and boron, has a low absorption factor).

Second, we are all biologically independent. Joe may need more calcium due to the proton pump inhibitors he takes for his gastroreflux while Betsy may need more B-vitamins for her high-stress job and lifestyle. Cindy the hairstylist needs a LOT of antioxidants to constantly fight the free radicals she encounters in a salon. Those taking medications, with stress (who doesn't have stress!?), with certain diseases or smokers, all need MORE nutrients than the standard guidelines. So even if you are taking a broad spectrum multivitamin/mineral, your body probably needs MORE of something depending on your diet and lifestyle.

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