SpectraCell’s micronutrient testing measures 35 specific nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and metabolites that are essential contributors in mitochondrial energy production, the detoxification of dangerous hormone metabolites, the regulation of neurotransmitters, gene regulation, and hormone synthesis, and immune response.
Specatracell’s micronutrient test includes: (vitamins) – Vitamin A, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, biotin, folate, pantothenate, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, (minerals) – calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, (amino acids) – aspargine, glutamine, serine, (fatty acids) – oleic acid, (antioxidants) – alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, cysteine, glutathione, selenium, Vitamin E, (metabolites) – choline, inositol, carnitine, (carbohydrate metabolism) – chromium, fructose sensitivity, glucose-insulin metabolism, Spectroxtm (for total anti-oxidant function), and Immudextm (immune response score).
Micronutrients profoundly affect hormonal health. Conversely, hormones profoundly affect nutrient levels. The nutrient hormone interaction is quite intricate, so evaluating one in the context of the other provides a clearer picture of what is going on with each patient. The ways micronutrients influence hormones are many and varied.
Micronutrients act on hormone percussions. Vitamin D which is not a vitamin but actually a hormone is also a hormone precursor for other steroid hormones.
Micronutrients catalyze hormone synthesis. Zinc is a required co-factor in the synthesis of Testosterone, as well as over 300 other enzymatic functions. Similarly, selenium is required to convert thyroid hormone T4 into the biologically active hormone T3. The intermediary, androstenedione can either convert to testosterone or estrone. Decreased conversion to testosterone is related to deficiencies in Coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, Vitamin E, and zinc. Co-factor deficiencies directly impact hormone conversion and production.
Micronutrients serve as strict components to hormones. The amino acid, aspartic acid, is a key structural component of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Micronutrients regulate enzymes that act on hormones. Vitamin C inhibits aromatase which in an enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol. Vitamin C has also been shown to increase progesterone. The nutrients/hormones/enzyme relationship is both powerful and intricate.
Micronutrients 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 even beneficial metabolites. In fact deficiency of specific micronutrients increases the risk of certain cancers (breast, uterus, ovary, prostate) by inefficient metabolism of carcinogenic estrogen by-products.
Micronutrients affect neurotransmitters that regulate hormones. A good example of this is the interaction of B6, prolactin, and dopamine. Vitamin B6 is a co-factor for dopamine, which inhibits prolactin secretion, thus telling the pituitary to increase testosterone.
Micronutrients activate genes that regulate hormones. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants directly affect genetic expression, including genes that regulate hormones. For example, Vitamin A activates the gene that controls the release of thyroid stimulating hormone.
Conversely, hormones alter nutrient levels. Hormones directly impact the function of several nutrients. For examples: thyroid hormone stimulates the production of copper transport protein, ceruloplasmin. Similarly, prolactin stimulates intestinal calcium absorption. The hormonal influence on micronutrients states is complex.
Micronutrients are essential to the healthy tissue function of organs. The prostate gland has more zinc than any other tissues in the body. Zinc is essential in the production of HCL in the stomach. Zinc is essential in the immune response. It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
Micronutrients are essential in the energy production within the mitochondria 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 contract ability reducing oxygenated blood throughout the body.
SpectraCell’s Micronutrients Testing provides the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available measuring functional deficiencies at the cellular level.
This service is provided through Hoffman Clinic for Optimal Health. Call (813) 985-1322.
Bibliography
SpectraCell Laboratory Manual
* Excerpts from a chapter from 22 Tests Your Physician Never Heard of That Can Change/Save Your Life, by Kelly Miller DC NMD FASA FBAARM CFDM*
* There is currently no licensure for Naturopathic physicians (NMD) in the state of Florida and the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine does not currently recognize the credentialing of the the Fellowship from the Brazil-American Academy for Aging and Regenerative Medicine (FBAARM), or the Certification in Functional Diagnostic Medicine (CFDMP) from Functional Medicine University.