Nutrient Deficiencies in Chronic Diseases

Nutrient deficiencies can be caused by a variety to reasons – inadequate intake being the one that is the first to come to mind.  Other causes include improper absorption by the GI tract, lack of activity, lack of cofactors and failure to transport to appropriate tissue.  The underlying cause can be anything; the end result is the same – a defect in the metabolic pathway that relies on that particular nutrient.  These defects can build up over time and then present themselves as a variety of symptoms.  Frequent infections and decline of immune function can be the result of nutrient deficiencies.  Zinc is a critical player in an effective immune response, research indicates that a decreased zinc level can present itself as an increased number and severity of infections.  B Vitamins and amino acids are also critically important to immune function.  The bioavailability of these nutrients affects a person’s immune status in many ways.

Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolism of homoecysteine depends on the B vitamins as cofactors.  Studies suggest that therapy of elevated homocysteine levels with folic acid and vitamins B6 & B12 is reasonable.  By the age of 85 the average person has a 50% possibility of developing dementia.  Brain tissue is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, and low plasma levels of antioxidants have been correlated with a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease.  Elderly patients also are prone to B12, B6 and Folic acid deficiencies and these can also contribute to loss of cognitive function.  Diabetes and Metabolic Disease have also been associated with several nutrient deficiencies, in particular magnesium, Vitamin C, E, B6 and B1 have been found lower in diabetic subjects.

In addition to the illnesses discussed above, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders are all exacerbated by nutrient deficiencies.  MicroNutrient testing can help detect functional deficiencies and these can be addressed with a tailored diet and specific vitamins.  A general Multi-Vitamin can help most people with vitamin deficiencies but to shed light on your specific nutrient deficiencies a simple blood test can be used.  Dr. Mundeir offers SpectraCell MicroNutrient Testing and this lab accepts most PPOs and any HMO Insurance Plan!