Blood Testing
Nutritional Health
What is Nutritional Health?
Nutritional health is crucial to overall well-being and plays a major role in preventing disease, maintaining energy levels, and supporting proper body function. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats is essential for maintaining good health. Testing for nutritional health helps identify deficiencies or imbalances, guiding effective treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Why is Nutritional Health Important?
Maintaining proper nutritional health is important for:
- Preventing chronic diseases: such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis
- Boosting immune function: reducing risk of infections
- Managing energy levels: ensuring your body has the necessary nutrients to function
- Supporting growth and repair: keeping your body in good condition.
If you’re feeling fatigued, have unexplained weight changes, or experience digestive issues, nutritional testing can provide answers and guide treatment.
Key Tests for Nutritional Health
These tests assess your nutritional status and detect potential deficiencies:
- Lipid Profile – Measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels to assess heart disease risk. High LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides increase cardiovascular risk, while HDL (good cholesterol) helps protect heart health.
- Plasma Glucose – Measures blood sugar levels at the time of the test. High levels may indicate diabetes or prediabetes, while low levels could signal hypoglycaemia.
- Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) – Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. A key test for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
- Ferritin – Indicates stored iron levels in the body. Low levels can suggest iron deficiency or anaemia, while high levels may signal inflammation or chronic conditions.
- Iron – Measures circulating iron in the blood, which is crucial for oxygen transport. Deficiency can lead to anaemia, fatigue, and weakness, while excess iron may indicate hemochromatosis.
- Calcium – Essential for bone health, muscle function, and nerve signalling. Both low and high levels can indicate underlying health conditions, such as bone disease or parathyroid disorders.
- Vitamin D (25-OH) – Supports bone strength and immune function. A deficiency can lead to weak bones, increased fracture risk, and immune dysfunction.
- Albumin – A liver-produced protein that maintains fluid balance and transports nutrients. Low levels may indicate liver disease, kidney problems, or malnutrition.
- Magnesium – Important for muscle and nerve function, heart health, and energy production. Deficiency can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and irregular heart rhythms.
- Vitamin B12 – Essential for red blood cell production, nerve function, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency can lead to anaemia, fatigue, and neurological issues.
- Folate (Serum) – Also known as vitamin B9, folate is crucial for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. Low levels can contribute to anaemia, fatigue, and increased cardiovascular risk.
These tests help identify deficiencies and imbalances, allowing for early intervention to support overall health.
Improving Nutritional Health
To support overall health and correct and deficiencies, consider the following:
- Eat a well balanced, nutrient-rich, diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health
- Consider supplements if recommended by your healthcare provider
For more information or to schedule a nutritional health test, please contact your M&D Green pharmacy clinic.
