WHY TEST FOR NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES?
Studies show that a lack of certain dietary nutrients contribute to the development of mental disorders!
Nutritional neuroscience is an emerging discipline shedding light on the fact that nutritional factors are intertwined with human cognition, behavior, and emotions.* The field of Nutritional Psychiatry is relatively new; however there are observational data regarding the association between diet quality and mental health across countries, cultures and age groups – depression in particular. If your brain is deprived of good-quality nutrition, or if free radicals or damaging inflammatory cells are circulating within the brain’s enclosed space, further contributing to brain tissue injury, consequences are to be expected. What’s interesting is that for many years, the medical field did not fully acknowledge the connection between mood and food. Today, fortunately, the burgeoning field of nutritional psychiatry is finding there are many consequences and correlations between not only what you eat, how you feel, and how you ultimately behave, but also the kinds of bacteria that live in your gut.*
Although the determinants of mental health are complex, the evolving and compelling evidence for nutrition as a crucial factor in the high prevalence and incidence of mental disorders suggests that diet is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. Evidence is steadily growing for the relation between dietary quality (and potential nutritional deficiencies) and mental health, and for the select use of nutrient-based supplements to address deficiencies, or as monotherapies or augmentation therapies. Sarris J, et al. Lancet Psychiatry 2015 advocates for the recognition of diet and nutrition as central determinants of both physical and mental health.*
The dietary intake pattern of the general population in America reflects that they are often deficient in many nutrients, especially essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. A notable feature of the diets of patients suffering from mental disorders is the severity of deficiency in these nutrients. Studies have shown that daily supplements of vital nutrients often effectively reduce patients' symptoms. Nutrition can play a key role in the onset as well as severity and duration of depression. Supplements that contain amino acids also reduce symptoms, because they are converted to neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) that alleviate depression and other mental disorders. Based on emerging scientific evidence, this form of nutritional supplement treatment may be appropriate for controlling major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), addiction, and autism.* * *
Overwhelming scientific evidence also confirms that vitamin deficiencies are associated with disease processes and the overall condition of one's health. Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress immune function and contribute to chronic degenerative processes such as arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This body of research has been reaffirmed by the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 19, 2002-Vol. 287, No. 23).
Learn more about: Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Effect on Various States of Poor Health, Disease and Cancer
WHY USE SPECTRACELL MICRONUTRIENT TESTING?
Researchers have observed that the prevalence of mental health disorders has increased in developed countries in correlation with the deterioration of the Western diet. Previous research has shown nutritional deficiencies that correlate with some mental disorders. The most common nutritional deficiencies seen in mental disorder patients are of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are precursors to neurotransmitters.*
Nutrition is at the core of integrative health and Spectracell's Micronutrient Testing is the most advanced diagnostic tool available offering the most accurate, scientifically proven method of assessing nutritional deficiencies. The SpectraCell Micronutrient Test measures 35 nutritional components including vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids and how these micronutrients are functioning within our white blood cells. This testing allows your nutritional assessment for a broad variety of clinical conditions, general wellness (mentally, emotionally and physically) and the prevention of chronic diseases including arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, various immunological disorders and metabolic disorders.
Learn more about: Individual Micronutrients Tested
WHAT RESULTS WILL I RECEIVE?
SpectraCell's Micronutrient Test Lab Results Include:
- An easy-to-read overview page listing all deficiencies
- Repletion and supplemental suggestions based on each patient’s deficiencies
- Numerical and graphic representations for each micronutrient identifying deficiencies
- Supplement information explaining the role of each nutrient found deficient, its deficiency symptoms, and how to obtain that nutrient in food and/or supplements
Click here to see: Sample of the Complete Micronutrient Test Results & Supplement Information
HOW DO I ORDER MY SPECTRACELL MICRONUTRIENT TEST?
THREE WAYS TO PURCHASE YOUR TEST
- ORDER THROUGH STEPHANIE’S DREAM
The cost of the micronutrient test through Stephanie's Dream is $350 plus an estimated $35 blood draw fee. To order test: Purchase Test Through Stephanie's Dream To locate nearest draw site: Find Draw Site The test results will be received and mailed to you within three weeks.
- ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN
Check with your physician to see if he/she is already a SpectraCell provider. If your physician is a provider, request to have the micronutrient test faciliated. The test is covered (in part or in full) by most insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. If your physician is not a provider, enter your zip in the following link to locate one near you: Find Nearest Clinician
- ORDER DIRECTLY FROM SPECTRACELL LABORATORIES
The cost of the micronutrient test when directly purchased from SpectraCell is $390 plus a $75 home blood draw fee. Order Test Online
You may utilize one of SpectraCell's draw sites to facilitate the blood draw. Find Draw Site
It is not recommended that you interpret your own lab results. With any medical report, best clinical outcomes are achieved when results are reviewed with a professional.
If you prefer to place your order over the phone, please call SpectraCell's Client Services: (800) 227-5227