Test, Don’t Guess! How Nutritional Testing Can Help Identify Your Unique Nutrient Needs

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Do You Know Your Exact Nutrient Needs? Personalized Nutritional Testing Can Help

How do you know if your body is lacking nutrients? Can you “feel” a nutrient deficiency? It often takes a long time for a nutrient deficiency to be diagnosed. And by then, the damage may already be done. Even those who eat a healthy diet can still lack certain nutrients. A complete vitamin and mineral test reveals your exact nutritional needs and can help guide you to better health. Let’s dive in and break this down a bit!

Is Your Health Condition Caused By A Nutrient Deficiency?

We all know that nutrition is important. But did you know that virtually ALL health conditions can in part be traced back to nutritional imbalances? It’s important to be able to assess the broad spectrum of nutrients for a more targeted therapeutic approach. This chart shows some common conditions treated at Glowspring Health and nutrients important for optimal function.

Condition	Important Nutrients [1,2]
Hormonal Imbalance: Menopause, Hot Flashes, Infertility, Andropause, Low Testosterone, Low Sex Drive, Low Thyroid, Hair Loss, Mood Swings, Loss of Muscle and Bone, Insomnia	Zinc, selenium, boron, chromium, calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, iodine, manganese, B-vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, E, choline, carnitine, amino acids, glutathione
Musculoskeletal Pain: Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Loss of Muscle and Bone, Osteoporosis, Headaches, Autoimmune Disorders	Calcium, vitamins A, C, D, E, omega fatty acids, magnesium, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, B-vitamins, antioxidants, inositol
Metabolic & Heart Problems: Diabetes, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Heart Disease, Weight Gain	CoQ10, omega fatty acids, vanadium, magnesium, manganese, chromium, zinc, copper, calcium, vitamins C, D, E, B-vitamins, choline, amino acids, carnitine, antioxidants
Skin Conditions: Eczema, Acne, Rashes, Psoriasis, Aging Skin, Dermatitis, Hair Loss, Dry Skin	Vitamins A, C, E, D, B-vitamins, selenium, zinc, copper, silicon, omega fatty acids, antioxidants [3]
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diarrhea, Constipation, Reflux, Heartburn, Bloating, Gas, Abdominal Pain, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)	Zinc, vitamins A, C, D, K, B-vitamins, glutamine, choline, magnesium, antioxidants, selenium, omega fatty acids
Brain Issues: Depression, Anxiety, Brain Fog, Memory Loss, Dementia, Mood Swings, Headaches, Migraines, Sleep Problems	Magnesium, selenium, folate, vitamins A, C, D, B-vitamins, chromium, zinc, copper, serine, antioxidants, inositol, choline, carnitine, omega fatty acids, CoQ10, amino acids
Energy Issues: Chronic Fatigue, Exercise Intolerance, Insomnia and Sleep Problems	CoQ10, B-vitamins, vitamins A,C,D, E, magnesium, zinc, copper, carnitine, amino acids, glutamine, antioxidants

The important nutrients in the chart above can be grouped into 4 general categories. These key nutrient categories play a role in healthy cellular function so your organs and systems can function properly:

Antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, and others protect your body from oxidative cell damage. Oxidative damage from environmental toxins impairs normal cell function and leads to degenerative diseases. Antioxidants also help with energy production and metabolism.[4]
Vitamins and minerals are needed as cofactors in most cellular reactions in your body. A common mineral deficiency is magnesium. Magnesium is needed for almost all major metabolic reactions in the body. Low levels are linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, poor sleep, …and the list goes on.[5]
Fatty acids play a major role in healthy brain function, heart health, and controlling inflammation throughout your body.[6]
Amino acids are protein building blocks for muscle and for certain hormones and neurotransmitters that can affect mood. Low intake or deficiencies of amino acids (protein) can result in depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, and weakness.[7]

Unless you’ve studied nutrition yourself, you may not know the numerous details revealed by nutritional science. But you don’t have to for good health. What you do need to know is that the right foods and sometimes supplements can help restore your health. Nutritional testing with expert guidance can help design the right protocol for you.

What is Nutritional Testing?

There are many types of nutritional tests. Conventional lab testing such as what you might get from your primary care doctor does include a few nutrient tests. However, this testing is limited and doesn’t address the entire spectrum of nutrients for your body to function optimally. Most nutrients listed in the chart above are not included in routine blood work.

Then there’s specialized lab testing that includes a more complete nutrient assessment. For example, we use the SpectraCell micronutrient test with our patients to identify their unique set of nutritional needs. This blood test measures vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that slow aging and degenerative disease progression.[2] The SpectraCell test measures many of the nutrients listed in the chart above. This type of testing is typically not offered at a conventional medical office.Comprehensive nutritional testing goes beyond basic labs to help you identify the root cause of your health issues.

Why is Nutritional Testing Important?

You might wonder why a nutritional deficiency can’t just be diagnosed through a physical exam at your doctor’s office or through a diet diary evaluation. There certainly are symptoms and clues that make us suspicious of a nutrient deficiency, but testing is still needed to confirm. A good example is anemia. People who are anemic may look pale, feel extremely fatigued, and have shortness of breath. Nutritional deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, or folate can cause anemia. These tests are readily available through conventional bloodwork.

However, the majority of nutrient deficiencies have more subtle symptoms. This makes diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies difficult without testing. Furthermore, nutrient levels may not be frankly deficient but borderline, which can still cause problems. Our goal is to optimize nutrient levels, so your body has enough of what it needs to thrive.

Testing provides a more accurate way to tailor protocols for quicker healing. People have nutrient deficiencies for many reasons including age, lifestyle, diet, metabolism, medications, illnesses, gut absorption rate, genetics, and more. Everybody’s needs are different – that’s why we test and don’t guess.

Nutrition in Practice

We focus on nutrition as one of the pillars in our 5-Point Model System to restore and regenerate prime health. A thorough intake, exam, and SpectraCell nutritional testing helps our practitioners design your personalized plan. Our Integrative Health Coaching Program helps you get on track to heal yourself with the right foods and additional supplementation for nutrient repletion. Many patients benefit from the rapid relief that IV nutrient therapy provides. Nutrition is a foundational tool for every health condition and we’re ready to help you transform your health.

We’re here for you in your journey to Vibrant Health! To learn more, call us at 407-478-9797 or fill out our contact form and we’ll respond promptly by the next business day.

Located in Longwood, Florida, we serve Seminole County, Orange County and nearby counties and cities such as Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Orlando, Oviedo, Heathrow, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Sanford, Windermere and more. We also offer telemedicine for all Florida residents.

References

[1] SpectraCell. Online Library – References. https://www.spectracell.com/online-library-references, 2024.

[2] Kiani AK, Dhuli K, Donato K, et al. Main nutritional deficiencies. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E93-e101.

[3] Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2021;13(1).

[4] Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS. 2008;4(2):89-96.

[5] Pickering G, Mazur A, Trousselard M, et al. Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited. Nutrients. 2020;12(12).

[6] Harwood JL. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Conversion to Lipid Mediators, Roles in Inflammatory Diseases and Dietary Sources. International journal of molecular sciences. 2023;24(10).

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