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The Key to Optimal Health: Understanding Nutritional Deficiencies

Posted on by Heather Gunn

healthy-familyWhy do we get sick? Can we blame it on age? Is it because a co-worker or family member shared their germs? Maybe it’s because we are genetically at risk? Each of these factors has some influence on your wellness, but the bigger influence may be your micronutrient status. Micronutrients are the small compounds we identify as vitamins and minerals and include vitamins A, C, D and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. Everybody needs them and everybody should be getting their own required amount of them. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has given us a system of nutritional recommendations to follow for wellness, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now monitors these guidelines. Their purpose is to inform us on how much nutrition a normal, healthy person needs to be healthy... but these guidelines are very general. Some questions that should be asked are, “What does a normal, healthy person look like?” and “Does every normal, healthy person need the same amount of nutrients?” Vitamin deficiencies are worldwide. Our soils are depleted of nutrients and our world is toxic. On top of this, many people take at least one prescription medication. Many of us are stressed, overworked and burning the candle at both ends. Each of these inputs can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, and it is because of this that I think the new “normal” in this world is an individual who is likely nutrient deficient. Examples of common deficiencies and related diseases can include:
  • Vitamin D – prolonged deficiency can result in rickets and osteoporosis.
  • Vitamin B12 – deficiency can cause neurologic problems and blood diseases.
  • Vitamin C – deficiency can lead to bleeding gums, and even scurvy.
  • Vitamin K – deficiency can lead to hemorrhagic disease.
  • Zinc – deficiency can contribute to acne, hair loss and weak immune response.
Micronutrient deficiencies have been found to contribute to disease and are associated with the overall condition of your health. Numerous scientific studies have documented the integral role nutrients and micronutrients have on optimal health. Knowing this, wouldn’t it make sense to correct the nutritional deficiencies in order to prevent disease from occurring? We are each biochemically different, and that makes each of us unique. With advanced technology we can now test for a person's nutritional deficiencies, allowing us to better understand individual risk factors, and perhaps even prevent degenetarive diseases that are linked to particular nutrient deficiencies. At Village Green Apothecary, we offer the SpectraCell Micronutrient Test that evaluates 33 nutrients your body needs to function optimally. Some of the benefits of the this micronutrient test include:
  • Use of lymphocytes (white blood cells) for testing, instead of serum. Lymphocytes reflect nutrient status over the last 3-6 months.
  • Measurement of how micronutrients and antioxidants function within the white blood cells.
  • A more accurate measurement of long-term functional nutritional levels.
  • Clear test results that allow you and your practitioner to customize a supplement and dietary protocol that is individually specific to you.
If you are interested in understanding your micronutrient deficiencies and how you can improve and optimize your health, we offer blood draws for SpectraCell testing at Village Green every Friday from 10 am – 1 pm, with no appointment necessary. Most insurance plans are accepted. Please feel free to contact me at hgunn@spectracell.com for additional information. Photo from here, with thanks.
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