Many people suffer from hidden nutrient deficiencies without even realizing it, leading to fatigue, inflammation, and poor health. The good news is that advanced testing can uncover these imbalances before they turn into serious health concerns.
Table of Contents:
The Role of Nutrients in Health and Well-Being
Why Nutrients Matter
Common Nutrient Deficiencies and Their Impact
Why Are Deficiencies So Common
How to Detect Nutrient Deficiencies
What is the Organix® Comprehensive Test
Who Should Consider the Test
How Is the Test Performed?
What Does the Organix® Test Analyze
How Does the Test Work
What Do the Results Mean
About me
I am Adriano dos Santos,MSc, rNutr, IFMCP, MBOG, RSM, a Functional Registered Nutritionist, Sleep Medicine & Microbiome Researcher and Educator.
Introduction
Good nutrition is key to overall health, yet many people unknowingly suffer from deficiencies. Even with a balanced diet, missing essential vitamins and minerals can lead to fatigue, weakened immunity, and chronic issues (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
Nearly 95% of adults lack enough vitamin D, 84% are low in vitamin E, and 46% don’t get enough vitamin C (Reider C., et al, 2020). Factors like poor diets, soil depletion, and chronic stress contribute to these widespread gaps.
Standard blood tests often miss functional deficiencies at the cellular level (Tourkochristou E., et al, 2021). Organic Acid Testing (OAT) provides a deeper look, identifying imbalances before they cause disease (Chen Y., et al, 2018). The Organix® Comprehensive Test helps assess nutrient levels, mitochondrial function, and detoxification to create a personalized health plan.
The Role of Nutrients in Health and Well-Being
Why Nutrients Matter
Nutrients are essential for maintaining energy, supporting immune function, and preventing chronic diseases. The human body requires a balance of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and trace elements) to function optimally (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
Despite following a seemingly balanced diet, many people unknowingly suffer from nutrient deficiencies. According to NHANES data, nearly:
95% of U.S. adults are deficient in vitamin D (Reider C., et al, 2020).
Vitamin D
84% lack adequate vitamin E (Reider C., et al, 2020).
Vitamin E
46% fall short on vitamin C intake (Reider C., et al, 2020).
Vitamin C
Common Nutrient Deficiencies and Their Impact
A lack of essential nutrients can manifest in various ways, often mistaken for unrelated health issues:
Fatigue & Brain Fog - Could be due to low B vitamins, iron, or magnesium (Zavitsanou A. & Drigas A. 2021).
Weakened Immunity - Deficiencies in vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D impair immune function (Reider C., et al, 2020).
Chronic Inflammation - Poor omega-3 intake and excess processed foods contribute to inflammatory disorders (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
Digestive Issues - An imbalance of gut microbiota linked to inadequate fiber and probiotics (Gentile C. & Weir T. 2018).
Long-term insufficiencies have been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and metabolic disorders (Zavitsanou A. & Drigas A. 2021).
Why Are Deficiencies So Common?
Several factors contribute to widespread nutrient gaps:
Modern Diets – Processed foods lack essential nutrients, while high sugar and unhealthy fats disrupt absorption (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
Soil Depletion – Industrial farming reduces the vitamin and mineral content of crops (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
Gut Health Issues – Poor digestion and gut dysbiosis hinder nutrient absorption (Gentile C. & Weir T. 2018).
Chronic Stress – Depletes magnesium, B vitamins, and antioxidants (Zavitsanou A. & Drigas A. 2021).
Genetic Variations – Some individuals have higher nutrient needs due to genetic polymorphisms (Reider C., et al, 2020).
How to Detect Nutrient Deficiencies
Traditional Blood Tests
Standard blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) or metabolic panel (MP), are commonly used to check for health imbalances. However, these tests often fail to detect functional nutrient deficiencies, as serum levels don’t always reflect what’s happening inside cells (Tourkochristou E., et al, 2021).
A more advanced approach is Organic Acid Testing (OAT), which evaluates metabolic byproducts in urine to reveal biochemical imbalances before they manifest as disease (Chen Y., et al, 2018).
What is the Organix® Comprehensive Test?
The Organix® Comprehensive Test is a cutting-edge urine analysis that measures organic acids—key metabolic markers that indicate nutrient status, mitochondrial function, and detoxification efficiency.
Who Should Consider the Test?
This test may be beneficial for individuals experiencing:
Low energy, chronic fatigue, or muscle pain.
Digestive imbalances, including bloating, gas, and gut dysbiosis.
Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, or OCD.
Cognitive decline, ADHD, autism, or neurodegenerative conditions.
Inflammation and poor detoxification symptoms.
How Is the Test Performed?
Specimen Requirement: First-morning void (FMV) urine sample, stored frozen.
Age Suitability: Available for children over 2 years old.
Methodology: Uses advanced GCMS and LC/MS/MS technology, with age- and gender-specific reference ranges.
What Does the Organix® Test Analyze?
Organic acids are naturally occurring byproducts of metabolism that can provide valuable insight into nutrient deficiencies, metabolic inefficiencies, and cellular dysfunction. While conventional medical tests, such as a CBC or metabolic panel, assess general health markers, organic acid testing goes deeper—identifying biochemical imbalances that may not yet show up in routine bloodwork.
Mitochondria, the energy-producing centers of our cells, rely on a precise sequence of reactions to convert food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary energy source. Organic acid testing can detect metabolic roadblocks caused by missing vitamins or minerals, genetic polymorphisms, enzyme dysfunction, and toxin exposure.
Functional medicine practitioners use this test to assess six key areas of metabolism:
Malabsorption & Dysbiosis Markers – Identifies gut microbiome imbalances, bacterial overgrowth, and yeast infections.
Cellular Energy & Mitochondrial Markers – Assesses energy production, mitochondrial efficiency, and oxidative stress.
Vitamin Markers – Detects functional deficiencies in vitamins B, C, D, and antioxidants.
Neurotransmitter Metabolites – Measures dopamine, serotonin, and other brain chemical imbalances.
Toxin & Detoxification Markers – Screens for oxidative stress, environmental toxins, and detox pathway efficiency.
Oxalate Markers – Identifies risks for kidney stones and metabolic disorders.
How Does the Test Work?
The Organix® Comprehensive Test is a urine-based analysis that offers a detailed look at an individual's metabolic health. Unlike traditional blood tests, which measure vitamin and mineral concentrations in the bloodstream, this test evaluates how well nutrients are actually being used at the cellular level.
What Do the Results Mean?
The Organix® test does not diagnose diseases but provides a functional overview of metabolic health. The results help practitioners develop personalized treatment strategies, including:
Nutritional adjustments to address deficiencies.
Targeted supplementation based on specific metabolic needs.
Gut health optimization to improve digestion and microbiome balance.
Detoxification support for toxin elimination and oxidative stress reduction.
Most individuals benefit from follow-up testing every 3-6 months to monitor progress and refine their nutrition plan.
Conclusion
Nutrient deficiencies often go unnoticed, yet they can significantly impact energy levels, immune function, and overall well-being. Understanding what your body truly needs is essential for maintaining optimal health.
By identifying hidden imbalances, you can take proactive steps to improve your nutrition, support digestion, and enhance metabolic function. Small, targeted changes in diet and lifestyle can make a lasting difference, helping you feel and perform at your best.
References:
Chen Y., Michalak M., Agellon L. (2018). Importance of Nutrients and Nutrient Metabolism on Human Health. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 91, 95 - 103.
Reider C., Chung R.Y., Devarshi P., Grant R., Hazels Mitmesser S. (2020). Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005–2016 NHANES. MDPI. doi.org/10.3390/nu12061735
Tourkochristou E., Triantos C., Mouzaki A. (2021). The Influence of Nutritional Factors on Immunological Outcomes. Frontiers in Immunology. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.665968
Zavitsanou A. & Drigas A. (2021). Nutrition in mental and physical health. Technium Social Sciences Journal. doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v23i1.4126.
Gentile C. & Weir T. (2018). The gut microbiota at the intersection of diet and human health. Science, 362, 776 – 780 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau5812
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