Do you have anxiety and are prone to panic attacks? Do you have trouble sleeping, muscle weakness, depression, memory loss, fatigue, inability to lose weight, hair loss, weak immune system, brittle nails, heart and blood pressure irregularities, sexual dysfunction? These are a few of the symptoms and conditions associated with micronutrient deficiency.
We try eating ‘right’ in a GMO world and we all think that we’re doing the right thing by taking the supplements that have been recommended to us from well-meaning sources like Dr. Oz, the Doctors, and a plethora of Internet sources but we still have symptoms that continue to vex us and wonder what we’re doing wrong.
Knowing the nutritional deficiencies that have been keeping you from living your best life with your best health can get you back on a path of wellness and quality of life. Micronutrient testing could be the critical piece of the puzzle that can help you find out what your body is thirsty for and needs to fill up.
What Are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals which are required in small quantities by your body to ensure normal metabolism, cognitive function, hormone production, bone and skin health, immune response, growth and physical well-being. Vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B-complex, as well as trace minerals like selenium, sodium, iodine, copper, zinc and fluoride (to name a few), all play a big part in chemical reactions involved in converting the macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water) into energy and body tissue.
Although you may eat a balanced diet, if you do not absorb vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and/or other essential micronutrients properly, you can have deficiencies. Food you think is nutrient-rich might not really be so. Soil quality, storage time, and processing can all adversely affect nutrient levels in food.
Statistically, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of the general population is vitamin D deficient,
regardless of age. About 70% of elderly Americans are vitamin D deficient. The United States Department of Agriculture states that:
- 9 out of 10 Americans are deficient in potassium
- 8 out of 10 are deficient in vitamin E
- 7 out of 10 are deficient in calcium
- 50% of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium
These are some daunting statistics but the good news is that micronutrient deficiencies are easily reversible or even avoided if we know what the missing nutrients are in our bodies.
Why Micronutrients Are Important For Functioning
Micronutrients serve as strict components of hormones. For example, the amino acid called aspartic acid is a key structural component of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Micronutrients regulate enzymes that act on hormones. Vitamin C inhibits aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol. Vitamin C has also been shown to increase progesterone. This nutrient/hormones/enzyme relationship is very intricate and critical for normal functioning.
Micronutrients also detoxify dangerous hormone metabolites, folic acid, B6, B12 as well as minerals like magnesium and antioxidants like glutathione are needed to convert dangerous estrogen metabolites into benign or beneficial metabolites. A deficiency of specific micronutrients increases the risk of certain cancers (breast, uterus, ovary, prostate) by inefficient metabolism of cancer-causing estrogen by-products.
Micronutrients are essential in the energy production within the mitochondria (your cellular engine) of the cells. Many of the B vitamins, magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine are all co-factors involved in this energy production. Deficiencies of any of these micronutrients will inhibit energy production contributing to cellular dysfunction of the liver, inhibiting detoxification processes, and heart contraction ability reducing oxygenated blood throughout the body.
Micronutrients affect neurotransmitters that regulate hormones. For example, Vitamin B6 is a co-factor for dopamine, which inhibits prolactin secretion, thus telling the pituitary to increase testosterone. Micronutrients also activate genes that regulate hormones. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants directly affect genetic expression, including genes that regulate hormones. A good example would be Vitamin A, which activates the gene that controls the release of TSH.
In addition to the key role micronutrients play in nearly every physiological function in your body (such as those mentioned above), they also are instrumental in:
- Strengthening the immune system
- Reducing systemic inflammation
- Protecting against cellular damage
- Maintaining a healthy hormonal and neurotransmitter balance
- Slowing cellular aging
- Protecting against the development, progression, and recurrence of cancer
- Maintaining insulin sensitivity (helps in diabetes)
- Promoting the health of all tissues, i.e.. skin, bone, breast, heart, brain, gut, prostate, etc.
Some Symptoms Of Micronutrient Deficiency
Tired eyes/cataracts: Vitamins A, C, B2, B12 all play a role in eye health.
Leg, feet or toe muscle cramps: Deficiencies in magnesium, calcium and/or potassium contribute to these symptoms.
Fatigue/low energy: Deficiencies in folic acid, iron, iodine, copper, B12, B1, B5, and sodium all contribute to these symptoms.
Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet: This could be due to low levels of B6, B12, folate, or calcium. This symptom is related to the deficiency’s effect on the peripheral nerves which may also be exhibited as anxiety, depression, fatigue and hormone imbalance.
Acne-like bumps on arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks: This could be due to low levels of vitamins A, D and/or insufficient omega-3s.
Altered sense of taste: This could be due to low levels of zinc or copper.
High blood pressure/heart issues: Deficiencies in magnesium, potassium, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, calcium, phosphorus, selenium contribute to these conditions.
Cracks at corners of your mouth: Could be due to low levels of iron, B2, or zinc.
Clotting and bruising: Low levels of Vitamin C, folic acid, and iron can cause these conditions.
Hair loss or a red, scaly rash on the face: Low levels of vitamin B7 (Biotin) can contribute to these issues.
Allergies: Insufficient selenium and vitamin B6 could cause allergic reactions and play a role in heart muscle disorders and immune system deficiencies.
Factors Contributing To Micronutrient Deficiencies
There are several factors that can contribute to micronutrient deficiencies:
Absorption – Many people think they are eating a balanced and clean diet, but their gut health is compromised due to stress or toxins accumulated over time, creating poor absorption of nutrients.
Biochemical Uniqueness – Micronutrient requirements for each of us are different because we are metabolically and biochemically unique.
Aging – Our micronutrient requirements are different per decade of life. Absorption difficulties, especially of vitamin B12, quite commonly occur as we age.
Lifestyle – Smoking, alcohol, prescription drugs, sedentary habits and excessive physical activity can all impact micronutrient demands.
Chronic Illness – Medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, to name a few, can be affected directly or indirectly by micronutrient deficiencies.
The Downside of Not Knowing Your Micronutrient Status
Micronutrients are essential for all systems in your body to function properly. Every vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, and amino acid has important and specific roles for your body to maintain good health. However, most of us don’t know what we need or how much. Many micronutrients can be toxic or cause unwanted side effects if taken in too high a dose. More than 60,000 instances of vitamin toxicity are reported each year to poison control centers in the United States. Too much of certain vitamins and minerals can cause milder symptoms such as numbness, fatigue, irritability, sleeplessness, and inability to concentrate. Toxic levels of other micronutrients can cause more severe troubles including nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nerve damage and even hair loss.
Testing
Be in the know of what you’re missing or what you really need to fill up your engine’s tank to provide you with optimum functioning through testing. Many tests determine only the quantities of vitamins and minerals present in serum. This only reflects recent dietary intake. However, there is a micronutrient test offered at TLC Pharmacy that can give insight into long-term intracellular needs using the information found in each individual patient’s lymphocytes. The nutrient profile accumulated in these lymphocytes represent a history of an individual’s nutrient status that reflects up to 6 months of cellular data. The amount of growth lymphocytes sustain directly relates to the nutrients they have available. This information makes it possible to determine functional intracellular deficiencies, which might not be detected by standard serum diagnostics.
Conclusion
Start your New Year out right by being in the know of your micronutrient status to manage your health more effectively for wellness and quality of life. Be proactive with your health and get tested. Those nagging symptoms are a natural way that our bodies alert us that something is not right and that key missing piece of the puzzle could be a deficiency in nutrients that are vital for normal body functioning. Once you know if it’s a nutrient deficiency that is causing your symptoms, you are well on your way to restoring your health.
Micronutrient testing is available at TLC Medical Centre Pharmacy. For your convenience we have an in-house phlebotomist to draw your blood. Once your results come in, you will be guided by our functional pharmacist in interpreting the results and getting your nutritional therapy started.
