NUTRITION & DEFICIENCY TESTING

Nutrition creates the basic building blocks of your body

WHY IS NUTRITION IMPORTANT?

If you’ve ever listened to a health and wellness podcast, speaker, or have attended a healthy living workshop, the chances are that part, if not all, of the workshop, focused around one of the key factors to healthy living – nutrition.

Nutrition creates the basic building blocks of your body – namely creating, breaking down and getting rid of old cells your body doesn’t need anymore. This body function is a complex and challenging process known as metabolism.

THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES OF NUTRIENTS, AND THESE ARE CALLED MACROS.

Micronutrients, as the name implies, are nutrients our body needs, except in smaller quantities. There are hundreds of micronutrients we eat every day. Familiar micronutrients, you have likely heard of are B vitamins, Vitamins C, D, E, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Both macronutrients and micronutrients play a significant role in your body. When you are deficient in one of these nutrients – or have an overabundance of a specific nutrient, your body can be thrown out of balance and health issues can occur.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NUTRITION?

You may have a deficiency in nutrients, even if you “feel healthy.” For example, a deficiency in Vitamin D won’t create a change in your energy level; however, a deficiency in Vitamin D over some time can leave you susceptible to a loss of bone density. Low bone density can cause broken bones and osteoporosis. A recent study also correlated a low vitamin D level to having a higher risk of catching COVID.

Even if you live in a sunny area, are participating in outdoor activities, and take a vitamin D supplement, you could still have a deficiency. A myriad of health conditions, including high cholesterol, gastric bypass surgery, auto-immune diseases, kidney and liver disease, and several different types of cancer, can all diminish the absorption of Vitamin D, leaving you with low Vitamin D levels.

NUTRITION AS A PART OF YOUR FIT LIFESTYLE

The example of Vitamin D used above is just one micronutrient in the balance your body needs to stay fit, healthy, and working efficiently.

Did you know that our current FDA guidelines for nutrition were created back in 1973? This old and outdated research is what is found on the back of many bottles as the FDA requires manufacturers to show the amount of nutrition in their food product relative to their standards.

The fact is, you wouldn’t drive around a car from 1973 or use technology from this era daily, so why would you use nutrition information that is almost 50 years old to guide your daily intake of nutrients?

Many western medical doctors have little training in nutrition – they are trained to prescribe drugs for symptoms and perform surgery. A more holistic approach to health and wellness comes from our food and supplements.

While eating plenty of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables is the best choice for optimal health, reality dictates that eating right every day isn’t a realistic expectation for many Americans.

Supplementation is critical to bridge the gap between the nutrients we receive from our daily food to the number of nutrients needed to have enough energy to get us through our busy days.