5 Benefits of Testing for Nutrient Deficiencies (and how it can save your HEALTH & MONEY!)

Many of you who are reading this have taken or are currently taking essential nutrients, such as a multivitamin, mineral, essential fatty acid and antioxidants. We do this because we are told by our moms and dads (mostly moms), media, doctors, and friends to do so. “But what if I didn’t have to take any?! How do I know what I really need out of all my supplements? Can’t I get these nutrients through my diet?” These are all questions we hear daily from our patients at Innovative Health Partners.  Good questions!

Something we stress to our patients is that there is no one-size-fits-all remedy. Everyone’s biochemical makeup is different and that is why an individualized approach to your health is necessary and in your best interest. Because each of us is biochemically unique, the micronutrient requirements for one person may be significantly different than the person next to you.

No longer are the old school days of thinking that the recipe to a healthy lifestyle is eating right and exercising. While both of those are vital, as we all know, it takes a lot more to be healthy nowadays. Unfortunately, as a society, our foods are becoming more depleted of essential nutrients which means WE are becoming depleted of essential nutrients…even our supplements are not what they seem! How do we know which ones are depleted?! That’s what we are here for. Knowing what nutrients you are deficient in can not only save your health, but it can save you money! Awesome! Who doesn’t like to save money?

Let’s talk about how you can test for nutrient deficiencies in an innovative way. The best way we have discovered is through SpectraCell Laboratories. Their specialty is having the best unique means to scientifically assess the intracellular (inside the blood cell) requirements of micronutrients. Mounting studies are developing a new and more effective way of testing and assessing the absorption and utilization of the nutrients you are taking in. It’s being realized that blood serum (the standard way of testing) is not always adequately reflecting the biological efficacy or functionality of nutrients within your body. Because of this, more and more integrative doctors are shifting their way of assessing and treating nutrient deficiencies. When we need a more authentic blueprint of your nutrition, intracellular testing is the way to go because:

1. Blood serum measurements of nutrients represent a quick snapshot rather than a history of nutrient intake.
2. Serum levels may not reflect intracellular nutrient status. This does not allow us to see if nutrients are being transported from blood into cells and tissue. For example: Two patients may show similar serum levels of magnesium, but may differ in intracellular levels of magnesium, meaning it’s not being absorbed or utilized….that’s for us to figure out.

Patients come to us at Innovative Health Partners for a variety of reasons, but they usually have the same ultimate goal…that is to get healthy or maintain health. This looks different for each patient, but starting with your micronutrient levels can help offer a baseline and give the answers you may be looking for. There are 5 main benefits of testing for micronutrient deficiencies:

1. We bypass the guessing game of which nutrients you may need, and we can create an individualized nutrient plan based on your lab findings
2. Symptoms can be eliminated just by introducing the correct nutrients that your body needs
3. Improve function of your organs by providing the right nutrients
4. Prevent illness by boosting the immune system and function of total antioxidants
5. You can save money! By eliminating the guessing game and taking supplements just to take supplements, we can help you pin point and streamline your nutrients that you actually need!

These conditions can be affected by nutrient status:

• diabetes
• generalized pain
• fatigue
• mood disorders
• weight management
• sports nutrition
• bone health
• cardiovascular disease
• migraines
• women’s health
• hypertension
• gastrointestinal issues
• many other common conditions

Ask the doctors at Innovative Health Partners how YOU can get started on the correct nutrient plan for you and your family! Call us at 314-219-1888