Micronutrient Testing
Micronutrient insufficiencies increase the risk of diseases, which places strain on health care systems and economies as well as the quality of life for seniors. Adequate and effective testing for micronutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies allow for proper supplementation to curb deficiency related disorders. Studies overwhelmingly show that proper micronutrient supplementation can slow the progression of ageing related disorders.
A Complete Wellness Program Includes Micronutrient Testing
As part of a complete Wellness Program, Mainsail is offering advanced, functional micronutrient test for seniors. The test focuses on intracellular micronutrient deficiency vs. static serum deficiencies (See details below). Once the tests are evaluated by the facilities medical doctor, Mainsail will recommend the appropriate Senior specific supplement.
Intracellular Testing vs. Static Testing
- Static serum testing for micronutrients give a snap shot of the circulating micronutrient levels at a single point in time. The circulating levels can be influenced by what the individual consumed the day before or even the time of day the sample was taken.
- Static serum testing does not account for utilization of nutrients. A serum level of a particular nutrient may be high, but the cellular utilization of that nutrient may be low due to absorption issues.
- Static serum testing requires fasted samples. A conscious effort must be made to ensure the patient has fasted appropriately and has not consumed any supplements or medications that can affect the test.
- Intracellular testing offers the opportunity to look at deficiencies at the cellular level by measuring cell nutrient uptake. This is a functional test that can show nutrient deficiencies over time.
- Intracellular testing gives an accurate measure of nutrient utilization and not just serum concentration. If utilization of a nutrient is low, the daily allowance has to be adjusted to factor in the low absorption rates.
- Intracellular testing does not require fasting or any changes to consumption or behavior prior to sampling.
- Intracellular testing requires no special handling or preparation of test sample.
Intracellular testing is simply the better way to test for and understand an individual’s micronutrient needs. The test provides a powerful portrait of each patient’s long term nutrient status. This is analogous to the use of a glycosylated hemoglobin test to evaluate blood glucose levels over a 1-3 month period.
Standard Micronutrient Testing:
- Covered by Medicare (semi-annually)
- 23 target nutrients in the micronutrient test
- Uses active peripheral lymphocytes instead of serum
- Reflects nutrient status over the last 4-8 months
- Measures how micronutrients and antioxidants are actually functioning within the white blood cells
- Demonstrates the intracellular function of micronutrients simultaneously
- No refrigeration or freezing of the sample required
- Complete test kit and transportation will be provided
- No centrifugation required.
Collection is done in 2 small tubes provided – venous blood sample required
Micronutrient Test Results
The tests results will be sent directly to the medical doctor who ordered the test. The report comes with complete explanations on each segment of the test along with the results. The results are reported with the patient’s actual control test results and a comparison to a Reference Range. Functional Abnormalities are also clearly indicated for each micronutrient. Lastly, reference guides to what the causes the functional deficiencies as well as supplementation recommendations will be provide.