"You are what you eat." But what is the truth behind this? Your diet affects not only your overall performance but also your bones, muscles, and even your tendons. Depending on which foods and nutrients you consume, you will feel differently. Your body processes the food you take in and reacts to the nutrients supplied. If you lack a nutrient or have too much of something, this will also impact your body. Micronutrients have a direct effect on your metabolism. How can you find out what your body needs and what it doesn’t? What is a nutrient analysis, and what exactly are micronutrients?

What is a Micronutrient Analysis?

Giving your body exactly what it needs is difficult and challenging. Therefore, you should supply your body with everything necessary. However, taking vitamins, trace elements, and supplements uncontrollably is not recommended. To find out what your body needs, you should have a micronutrient analysis performed.

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Before you give your body supplements, you need to know what it needs and what it doesn’t. The micronutrient analysis is a way to determine the supply status in your body. According to current findings, the body requires about 45 different nutrients to function optimally. The micronutrient analysis measures the blood levels. In contrast, a standard blood count determines the cellular blood components. This means the number of red (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (leukocytes) is measured, as well as the proportion of platelets. Platelets indicate the inflammation level in the blood.

The micronutrient analysis provides information about which vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and trace elements are present in the body. Through a special analysis, the nutrient supply of the body can be ensured. This is especially important during a special diet or a particular condition such as pregnancy. But anyone who regularly exercises, experiences stress, or has symptoms like fatigue or exhaustion should urgently have a micronutrient analysis performed.

What Does a Whole Blood Analysis Show?

To achieve an accurate diagnosis of nutrients in the human body, values must be taken from the so-called blood serum as well as from whole blood. Blood serum refers to the liquid part of the blood. When a blood sample is taken, the collected blood is then centrifuged. The liquid portion that remains as the final result is the blood serum. The nutrient content in blood serum is about two percent. The remaining percentage consists of water and protein.

However, to determine the exact nutrient content of a person, an analysis should be taken from whole blood. Whole blood contains all important blood components. Some nutrients are only found in whole blood. Therefore, exact information about the levels of zinc or magnesium in the blood can only be determined in whole blood. If an analysis for these elements were taken from serum, the results would very likely be distorted.

A whole blood analysis also provides holistic information about the condition of the body. It is a reliable analysis and not just a snapshot. The whole blood analysis gives precise information about the body's supply status. Nutrients such as iron, copper, iodine, B vitamins, as well as zinc and chromium, are measured.

What is Micronutrient Therapy?

Giving your body exactly what it needs is difficult and challenging. Therefore, you should supply your body with everything necessary. However, taking vitamins, trace elements, and supplements uncontrollably is not recommended. To find out what your body needs, you should have a micronutrient analysis performed.

The micronutrient analysis provides information about which vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and trace elements are present in the body. Through a special analysis, the nutrient supply of the body can be ensured. This is especially important during a special diet or a particular condition such as pregnancy. But anyone who regularly exercises, experiences stress, or has symptoms like fatigue or exhaustion should urgently have a micronutrient analysis performed.

What Does a Whole Blood Analysis Show?

To achieve an accurate diagnosis of nutrients in the human body, values must be taken from the so-called blood serum as well as from whole blood. Blood serum refers to the liquid part of the blood. When a blood sample is taken, the collected blood is then centrifuged. The liquid portion that remains as the final result is the blood serum. The nutrient content in blood serum is about two percent. The remaining percentage consists of water and protein.

However, to determine the exact nutrient content of a person, an analysis should be taken from whole blood. Whole blood contains all important blood components. Some nutrients are only found in whole blood. Therefore, exact information about the levels of zinc or magnesium in the blood can only be determined in whole blood. If an analysis for these elements were taken from serum, the results would very likely be distorted.

A whole blood analysis also provides holistic information about the condition of the body. It is a reliable analysis and not just a snapshot. The whole blood analysis gives precise information about the body's supply status. Nutrients such as iron, copper, iodine, B vitamins, as well as zinc and chromium, are measured.

What is Micronutrient Therapy?

Micronutrient therapy is also called vital substance therapy. It belongs to the family of orthomolecular medicine. The main component of this medicine is supplying the body with important and necessary nutrients. After a successful medical history, the doctor will tell you which nutrients your body needs and where there is an oversupply or deficiency.

The basis of this therapy is the assumption that the human body requires certain micronutrients for optimal functioning. Only then can organs and cells work properly. Micronutrient therapy is also suitable as a preventive measure against diseases or as a treatment for existing illnesses.

Vital substances refer exclusively to those substances that the body can produce on its own. That means all micronutrients are already present in the body. Nutrients include, for example, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, plant compounds, as well as minerals and trace elements.

In micronutrient therapy, a body is considered healthy when all vital substances are present in sufficient amounts. The decisive factor is the correct concentration of these substances to maintain or restore a healthy organism. The therapy is tailored individually to you and your body, as well as your life circumstances.

Is Taking Micronutrients Sensible?

The effectiveness of dietary supplements is still controversial. Micronutrients are now also known as miracle substances. They support bodily functions and positively influence the body. This strengthens the immune system, bones, muscles, as well as joints and cells. Micronutrients are responsible for a functioning metabolism and also keep you mentally active and fit.

From a certain age, nutrient intake through food alone is no longer sufficient. The demand becomes so high that it usually cannot be met through food alone. Is it then sensible to take micronutrients additionally? There is still the rumor that if you eat a balanced diet, you can get all the nutrients you need from food. However, this does not reflect reality. External factors such as stress or medication can change nutrient requirements. Often, a deficiency arises that can no longer be compensated for by food intake alone.

Especially for nutrients like magnesium, iron, and calcium, it becomes critical for most people. Vegetables and fruits containing these nutrients usually no longer have enough nutrients to meet the body's needs. Therefore, a balanced diet is not enough. You can usually recognize a deficiency by changes in your body. These include exhaustion, fatigue, but also changes in skin, hair, or nails.

Therefore, taking micronutrients is not only sensible but even advisable. However, before you add micronutrients to your body, you must definitely discuss this with a doctor, because not only a deficiency but also an oversupply can be harmful to your body. If you also suffer from the symptoms mentioned above, be sure to consult a doctor before starting micronutrient therapy. The symptoms could also be caused by an illness.

When taking micronutrients, be sure not to exceed your doctor's recommended dosage. If the nutrients are overdosed, they can disrupt your body's balance. If you take medication, you should also discuss this with your doctor to avoid possible interactions in the worst case.

Where Can You Have a Micronutrient Analysis Performed?

More and more people are interested in a healthy lifestyle and a healthy, balanced diet. Interest in the micronutrients present in the body is therefore increasing significantly.

The best option is to ask your general practitioner if they can perform a micronutrient analysis. This requires a special laboratory report. Not all general practitioners already work with the appropriate laboratories. Alternatively, you can contact an orthomolecular medicine specialist directly. This is a doctor who deals exclusively with micronutrients and other substances present in the body.

If there is no orthomolecular medicine specialist near you and your general practitioner does not offer the corresponding analysis, you can also get advice online. There are many portals that offer special nutrient analyses. All you have to do is have your blood drawn by your general practitioner and then send the blood to the respective provider.

How Much Does a Micronutrient Analysis Cost?

The cost of a micronutrient analysis usually ranges between €80 and €190, depending on what is tested. This usually includes blood collection and the laboratory. Depending on the doctor, an additional fee for consultation may apply. The possibly necessary supplements are also not included in this amount.

Does health insurance cover the costs? Unfortunately, health insurance usually does not cover the cost of a micronutrient analysis. In rare cases, and with a proven acute vitamin deficiency that is harmful to health, some health insurers temporarily cover the costs for the required preparations. Health insurers justify this by stating that the effectiveness of dietary supplements has not been sufficiently proven. It is best to contact your health insurance in any case and ask whether and, if so, which costs are covered.

Is a Micronutrient Analysis Sensible?

If your body shows symptoms such as exhaustion, fatigue, or tiredness and you have already had other possible causes ruled out by a doctor, determining the micronutrients in your body is not only sensible but even advisable. Your body may be missing important nutrients that should be supplemented. A micronutrient analysis is also sensible if your life circumstances have changed. That means, for example, if you are pregnant, have changed your diet, or are more physically active than before.

Experience reports also show that a micronutrient analysis can significantly improve physical condition. A middle-aged woman, for example, reported years of heart palpitations. Despite multiple visits to her general practitioner, the cause could not be found. The blood count at the general practitioner was unremarkable for years. However, the micronutrient analysis revealed a deficiency of vitamin B6. After regular intake of the vitamin, the heart palpitations stopped. The symptoms were therefore due to the vitamin deficiency and could be successfully managed through a micronutrient analysis.

A micronutrient analysis can also be performed as a check-up. After a dietary change, it is very sensible to have an analysis done. The analysis can also confirm the success of a healthy lifestyle. Supplements in the form of dietary supplements are not always necessary to supply the body with everything it needs. To find this out, a micronutrient analysis is always advisable.