The Importance of Micronutrient Testing 

Did you know that approximately 90% of Americans suffer from at least one vitamin deficiency?

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Why Are Vitamin Deficiencies So Common? 

The loss of nutrients in the American diet is due to multiple factors. 

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First, overfarming, modern agricultural practices, and the increased prevalence of environmental toxins have all left our soil and food nutrient-depleted. Research shows that crops grown decades ago were far more nutrient-dense than the crops we have today.  In fact, a study from the Kushi Institute analyzed nutrient data across 12 different vegetables over a 2-year period. They found that average calcium levels decreased by 27%, iron levels dropped 37%, vitamin A levels were reduced by 21%, and vitamin C levels declined by 30%.

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On top of all that, the commercialization of processed and packaged foods have made whole, fresh foods a less prevalent part of our diet.  Despite their convenience, processed foods do not provide the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need. One 18-year study that measured the increase in industrially manufactured foods found that Americans get over 50% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. 

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Symptoms of a Vitamin Deficiency

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Vitamin deficiencies may seem like minor annoyances, but their compounded effect can impact how you feel and function, even leading to chronic conditions and diseases. 

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Symptoms of vitamin deficiencies include: 

• Brain fog 
• Skin problems 
• High blood pressure 
• Susceptibility to illness 
• Hair loss 
• Brittle nails 
• Fatigue 
• Poor quality of sleep 
• Mood swings 
• And so much more 

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In order to avoid symptoms such as those above and stay on top of your health, it is best to get your micronutrient levels tested. 

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What is Micronutrient Testing?

Micronutrient Testing is detailed blood testing that measures the function of specific vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids within your cells. 

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It can be used to determine specific micronutrient deficiencies to guide dietary and supplementation protocols. 

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What Markers are Included in a Micronutrient Test?

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Vitamin A:  Critical for vision, immune function, and reproduction. 

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Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, & vitamin B12: Important for making sure the body’s cells are functioning properly, converting food into energy, creating new blood cells, tissues, and more. 

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Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps protect cells against free radical damage as well as promote immunity, heart health, and disease prevention. 

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Vitamin D3: Fat-soluable form of vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous for bone health, immunity, hormone function, and more. 

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Vitamin D 25-OH: The active form of vitamin D in your blood. 

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Vitamin E: Helps keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria, form red blood cells, and promote skin & hair health. 

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Vitamin K1 & K2: Critical in the absorption of vitamin D and proteins needed for blood clotting as well as building healthy bones. 

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Folate: Important in red blood cell formation, healthy cell function, hair health, and fetal development. 

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Sodium: Essential for brain health, nerve impulses, muscle responses, and maintaining the proper balance of water and minerals throughout the body. 

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Potassium: Helps maintain normal levels of fluid inside cells while sodium helps maintain fluid levels outside of cells. 

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CoQ10: As a potent antioxidant, CoQ10 helps maximize your cellular function, combat inflammation, and prevent chronic disease and cancer. 

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Cysteine: Critical in metabolic function as well as hair, skin, and nail health. 

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Selenium: Important in making DNA, protecting cells, reproductive health, and thyroid function. 

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Glutathione: As the “Master Antioxidant,” glutathione protects cells from environmental toxins, supports immune function, combats inflammation, and more.  

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Asparagine: Needed to produce proteins that play many roles such as breaking down toxins, sending signals in the brain, supporting a healthy stress response, and more. 

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Glutamine: A building block for making proteins, amino acids, and glucose in the body and promotes gut function, immune health, and more. 

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Serine: Essential in complex metabolic reactions as well as the maintenance of cell membranes and neurons in the brain. 

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Citrulline: Helps the body get rid of harmful substances, particularly ammonia. It is also involved in muscle building and the health of blood vessels. 

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Arginine: Converts to nitric oxide in the body, which is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and helps improve circulation. 

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Choline: Vital nutrient that helps the liver and brain function correctly. Reduces risk of fatty liver disease. 

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Inositol: Plays a structural role in the body as a major component of cell membranes. Also influences the action of insulin, serotonin, and dopamine. 

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Carnitine: Critical in energy production and helps transport toxic compounds out of the body. 

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MMA: Can indicate a B12 deficiency as this compound reacts with 

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Calcium: Not only important for healthy teeth and bones, but also blood clotting, muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and nerve function. 

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Manganese: Helps the body form connective tissues, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. 

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Magnesium: Involved in over 300 reactions in the body and is essential for supporting muscle and nerve function as well as energy production. 

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Zinc: Critical in the creation of DNA, growth of cells, building proteins, healing damaged tissues, and supporting immune function. 

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Copper: Enables the body to form red blood cells as well as help maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves, immune function, and more. 

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Chromium: Can improve insulin sensitivity and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. 

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Iron: Helps red blood cells transport oxygen to every cell, making it critical to our overall energy. 

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Leucine: Critical for protein synthesis and muscle protein. 

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Valine: Helps stimulate muscle growth and energy production as well as maintain the elasticity of skin.  

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Isoleucine: Involved in whole-body processes such as growth, immunity, protein metabolism, and glucose transportation. 

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Omega-3 fatty acids: Integral part of cell membranes throughout the body and affect the function of the cell receptors, particularly in the brain. 

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Who Can Benefit from Micronutrient Testing 

Given that 90% of Americans suffer from a vitamin deficiency, micronutrient testing is a great option for anyone who is not feeling their absolute best. Vitamin deficiencies can be the hidden cause behind less energy, less mental clarity, and more. 

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Even for those wellness-minded individuals, addressing a vitamin deficiency is a great way to go from “healthy” to healthier. 

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Utilize the Next Health Micronutrient Test to empower your health journey and feel even better. This test can be conducted at one of our modern and vibrant locations or shipped straight to your front door. 

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If you are interested in a next-level biomarker review, consider the Total Wellness Package. As an analysis of over 500 biomarkers, the Total Wellness Package bundles together some of our most valuable and popular functional medicine tests including: 

• Total Baseline Test 
• Food Sensitivity Test 
• Micronutrient Test 
• Wheat Sensitivity (Gut Microbiome) Test
• 3x4 Genetic Blueprint Test
• Color Gene Test (Cancer Screening) 

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To book your appointment, call or text us at: (310) 295-2075

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If you have questions and would like to speak to a Wellness Expert, you can do so here. 

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Sources 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014102038.htm

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