Micronutrient Testing

Micronutrients play an important role in energy production, hemoglobin synthesis, maintenance of bone health, adequate immune function, and protection of the body against oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, co-factors, amino acids, metabolites, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. These nutrients are found in small amounts in foods and are essential for human health.

What are micronutrients?

Micronutrients, as opposed to macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat), are comprised of vitamins and minerals which are required in small quantities to ensure normal metabolism, growth and physical well‐being.

No single food contains all of the vitamins and minerals we need and, therefore, a balanced and varied diet is necessary for an adequate intake of all micronutrients.

Blood stream

EXTRACELLULAR MICRONUTRIENTS

Micronutrients that are free floating in your blood and exist outside the cells, determined in serum are called extracellular micronutrients.


These extracellular micronutrients are a static measure of what is in your blood at any given time. These are dependent on your short-term intake of
supplements or diet and give a direct assessment of your baseline micronutrient levels.

Extracellular nutrient tests reflect a person’s diet over a relatively narrow time frame.

INTRACELLULAR MICRONUTRIENTS

Intracellular micronutrients are the micronutrients absorbed by your circulating white blood cells and red blood cells.

Cellular micronutrient absorption is an important step in maintaining and promoting optimal functioning of all our cells.

It is important to understand that, even though you may be consuming an adequate or healthy diet or supplements, your cellular intake levels of those nutrients may not be sufficient and may still provide risks for deficiencies and the disorders associated with them.

Your genetics, aging, lifestyle, chronic illness, and medications all affect your cellular nutrient absorption. The intracellular portion of Vibrant’s micronutrient test takes all the above factors into consideration to identify your cellular nutrient absorption status. This test can reveal a person’s functional nutritional status over a much longer time (4-6 months) than extracellular testing.

ROLE OF MICRONUTRIENTS

Almost every physiological function in your body requires micronutrients to function optimally. Vitamin, minerals and anti-oxidants play a key role in:

  • Producing and releasing energy.
  • Strengthening the immune system.
  • Reducing systemic inflammation.
  • Protecting against free radical damage.
  • Maintaining a healthy hormonal balance (i.e. thyroid, sex hormones, adrenal hormones, neurotransmitters/brain hormones, etc.).
  • Maintaining insulin sensitivity.
  • Slowing down cellular aging.
  • Promoting the health of all tissues: skin, bone, brain, breast, gut, prostate, heart, muscle, organs, etc. Protecting against the development, progression, and recurrence of cancer.

Which patients can benefit from Micronutrient testing?

Individuals  who have the following symptoms, diagnoses, or risk factors should consider testing:

  • Advanced Age
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Arthritis
  • Skin Problems
  • Numbness or tingling in extremities
  • Weakened immune system
  • Digestive disorders with malabsorption (Celiac, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)
  • SIBO
  • Long-term use of prescription medication
  • A diet high in processed foods
  • Obesity
  • Intense athletic training
  • Vegan or vegetarian diet
  • Neurological symptoms
  • Stubborn weight gain
  • Sudden unexplained weight loss
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Digestive abnormalities

      The Vibrant Advantage

      • Vibrant Micronutrients is the only test on the market to measure direct levels of extra- and intracellular micronutrients, giving advanced providers the most complete and accurate picture of a patient's micronutrient status.

      • Mass spectrometry provides the highest accuracy of direct measures of micronutrients in serum and within cells.

      • Treating complex diseases and conditions requires the most comprehensive tests to assess all facets of a patient's risk and health profile. Assessing absorption of nutrients at both the gastrointestinal barrier and cellular membrane by measuring extra- and intracellular levels is the only way to objectively determine root causes of malnutrition and inflammation.

      • The holistic view of nutrient status can aid providers in differentiating between dietary, genetic and other factors that impair nutrient metabolism or absorption.

       

      For additional information and pricing, call (908) 658-4900 Monday- Friday 10am-5pm EST.