Nutrition Focused Lab Testing: Uncover the Missing Link to Optimal Health

Despite the increased attention Americans are paying to eating healthfully, and supplementation, there is still a significant mismatch between the amount of time and energy we spend thinking about our diet and our actual outcomes. This is likely due to several factors, including the abundance of highly processed and nutrient-poor foods in our food environment, as well as conflicting and often confusing nutrition information in the media.

A more personalized approach to nutrition, such as functional nutrition, can help individuals determine what diet and lifestyle patterns will best support their health and wellbeing. By using personal nutrition data, including nutrition focused lab test results, to guide dietary and lifestyle recommendations, individuals can optimize their nutrient status and reduce their risk for chronic disease.

Research has shown that personalized nutrition interventions can be highly effective in creating lasting change. By empowering individuals with the knowledge of what will work best for their unique needs and preferences, they are more likely to make sustainable changes that support their long-term health and wellbeing.

Functional nutrition along with nutrition focused lab testing focuses on understanding the individual’s unique nutrient needs and how those nutrients are functioning in the body. It looks beyond just the quantity of nutrients consumed and instead aims to optimize the quality and bioavailability of those nutrients in the body.

Vitamins and minerals are called “essential” for a reason

Understanding how nutrients operate to switch on biological processes is a key aspect of functional nutrition. For example, certain nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (chemicals from plants) are necessary for virtually every biochemical process in the body. By optimizing nutrient intake and absorption and identifying any nutrient imbalances or deficiencies through nutrition focused lab testing, we can help support top functioning of these processes.

Nutrients from our food can be considered as signals or information for our body. They provide the building blocks and energy needed to support biological processes and can switch on various physiological functions such as:

• Detoxification
• Bone development
• Brain function
• Inflammation resolution
• Immune function
• Energy production and blood sugar regulation
• Hormone balance

When we test nutrient levels, we can get a better understanding of how well these signals are being received and utilized by the body. This information can help us identify any nutrient deficiencies or imbalances that may be interfering with these biological processes and support the body’s nutrient requirements more effectively.

Top 5 risk factors for nutrient deficiency

It can be challenging to know if you are at risk for a nutrient deficiency, as the symptoms can be vague and non-specific, and sometimes may not appear for a long time. However, there are some risk factors and signs for you to consider…

1. Dietary restrictions: If you follow a restricted diet or avoid certain food groups, you may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies. For example, vegans and vegetarians may be at risk of zinc, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, while those who avoid dairy products may be at risk of calcium and vitamin D deficiency.
2. Chronic medical conditions: Certain conditions can impact nutrient levels. For example, individuals with celiac disease may have difficulty absorbing nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D, while those with GERD/heartburn may have difficulty absorbing magnesium and vitamin B12.
3. Medications: Certain medications can interfere with nutrient absorption or increase nutrient excretion, leading to a higher risk of deficiency. For example, some cholesterol-lowering drugs can decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D, while diuretics can increase the excretion of minerals like potassium and magnesium. The use of acid-blockers, prednisone and oral contraceptives are other common drugs that can deplete specific nutrients.
4. Age: As we age, our bodies may become less efficient at absorbing and using certain nutrients. For example, older adults often have an increased need for vitamin B12 and protein.
5. Family history: Some nutrient deficiencies may run in families, such as a risk for vitamin D deficiency, or need for specific forms of folate or vitamin B12. Hemochromatosis, due to a genetic variation can causes excess iron accumulation and associated inflammation.

A proactive approach:  Catch disease before it happens

Conventional lab testing is an important tool in diagnosing and monitoring disease. However, it often does not provide a complete picture of an individual’s overall health status and may not identify suboptimal function until it has progressed to a more serious stage. Functional nutrition lab testing and interventions can be used alongside conventional medicine to help individuals prevent or manage chronic diseases. By taking a holistic approach that addresses both the underlying causes of suboptimal function and any disease that may be present, individuals will improve their overall quality of life.

Functional nutrition lab testing and interventions can be used to support a wide range of health goals, from

• Improving digestive function
• Reducing inflammation
• Boosting energy
• Promoting optimal brain function
• Excelling mental and physical performance
• Supporting weight loss
• Mental wellbeing

It is important to note that nutrition interventions should be used in conjunction with conventional medical care and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment when necessary.

Could you be at risk for nutrient deficiencies?

Many people feel “off” due to nutrient deficiencies. Let’s take a deeper dive into several reasons why nutrients may be low, and why our nutrient status may be less than optimal. Some common reasons include:

1. Nutrient gaps in the diet: If our diet is lacking in certain nutrients, or we avoid or eliminate certain food groups, we may not be getting all the nutrients we need to support optimal health.
2. Less than optimal digestion and absorption: Even if we are consuming adequate amounts of nutrients, if we are not digesting and absorbing them properly, our nutrient status may be compromised.
3. Medication/drug-nutrient interactions: Certain medications can interfere with the absorption or utilization of nutrients in the body, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
4. Increased nutrient needs: There are many factors that can increase our nutrient needs, including:

•  Genetic variations
• Chronic infection or inflammation
• Toxin exposure
• Poor elimination
• Natural hormone shifts
•  Aging
• Dieting
• Exercise and recovery
• Quality of sleep
• Stress

When our nutrient needs are higher than normal, we may require additional nutrient and digestive support to maintain optimal health. It’s important to work with a qualified healthcare professional to determine your individual nutrient needs and develop a personalized nutrition plan that meets your specific health goals.

Test, don’t guess

The nutrition-focused lab tests that may benefit you

There are several lab tests that can be used to evaluate nutrient status and determine if nutrient levels are optimal. A nutrition professional can help you decide which test is most beneficial relative to your personal health history and goals. These tests include:

1. Micronutrient testing (blood): This type of testing evaluates nutrient levels in the body, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Micronutrient testing can provide insight into nutrient digestion, absorption, and cellular uptake.
2. Genetic testing (saliva/cheek swab): Genetic testing can inform us how our genes impact our nutrient requirements. Certain genetic variations may require extra nutrients to support optimal health and function.
3. Stool evaluation: Stool testing can provide information on digestive function, including the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, inflammation levels, and the presence of parasites or other pathogens that may be affecting nutrient absorption.
4. Hormone testing (urine or saliva): Hormone testing can provide insight into hormone imbalances that may be affecting nutrient status, particularly in the case of fat-soluble vitamins.
5. Food sensitivities (blood): “Mediator release testing” evaluates sensitivities for 145 different foods, and 29 chemicals in foods. Test results are used in conjunction with an elimination diet help reduce food-related inflammation and discover which foods are contributing to skin, gut, pain, or migraine symptoms.

Ideally these nutrition lab tests are combined with a complete dietary analysis to give a comprehensive picture of nutrient intake, digestion, absorption, and assimilation, and requirements relative to medical and family history.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I provide personalized nutrition advice that marries your conventional and functional lab testing with an in-depth diet and nutrition assessment to provide you targeted and powerful diet and lifestyle interventions.

Book a Complimentary Discovery Call 

If you suspect that you are at risk for a nutrient deficiency, due to increased needs, decreased intake, or decreased absorption, it is important to consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who can review your dietary intake and make recommendations for optimizing your nutrient status.

I can help. Here is my link  to book a chat about making sure you meet your dietary needs.

I can also help you determine if additional lab testing is necessary to identify any nutrient deficiencies or imbalances. Together we can create a personalized nutrition plan that meets your unique needs and supports your overall health and wellbeing.

Book a Complimentary Discovery Call 

Feeling “off” or having symptoms that concern you? Want inspiration on how to meet your health goals through a nutritious diet? Need a personalized list of recipes and a plan to help you enjoy eating well? Book a Complimentary Discovery Call  with me to see if my program can help you.

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Support your biology and get back to, or keep doing, the thing you love to do!

References

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537775/

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Kudryashova KS, Burka K, Kulaga AY, et al. Aging biomarkers: From functional tests to multi-omics approaches. Proteomics. 2020,20 DOI:10.1002/pmlc.201900408.

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