With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting the world, people are becoming more focused on preventive health.
At Coral Gables Executive Physicians in Coral Gables, Florida, Robert H. Thomas, MD, FACP, takes a proactive approach to preventing a variety of acute and chronic illnesses. Dr. Thomas specializes in several preventive medicine services, including micronutrient tests, to boost your immunity and help you enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.
Understanding micronutrients
Micronutrients are a major group of nutrients your body needs to function optimally. The most common types of micronutrients include:
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds made by plants and animals. These compounds can be broken down by acid, air, or heat.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic materials that are found in water or soil. These materials can’t be broken down but are instead absorbed in your body.
Your body doesn’t produce very many vitamins and minerals naturally. Instead, you get most of what you need through your diet. To ensure you get sufficient amounts of micronutrients daily, you need to eat a variety of different foods.
For instance, you can get the vitamin B12 you need to form new red blood cells and maintain healthy brain function from eating fish and meats. To get enough vitamin D, needed for immune function and bone growth, you need to include milk and fish oil in your diet.
Unfortunately, not everyone follows a diet that can prevent micronutrient deficiencies. For this reason, Dr. Thomas offers in-office micronutrient tests to learn more about what your body needs to keep you healthy and energized while preventing illness.
Benefits of a micronutrient test
A micronutrient test measures how your body is functioning at a cellular level. Through testing, Dr. Thomas assesses more than 33 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids your body has – all of which play a vital role in your health.
By identifying nutritional deficiencies, Dr. Thomas can better understand your risk factors for a variety of chronic health conditions, including:
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Immune disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
These risk factors exist because there’s a strong link between nutritional deficiencies and certain diseases. Once Dr. Thomas identifies those vitamins and minerals you’re lacking, he can recommend ways to supplement what your body needs to thrive.
Boosting your micronutrient levels
Based on the results of your micronutrient test, Dr. Thomas works closely with you on a plan to increase levels of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Many people are able to supplement what their body needs through simple dietary changes. You can increase your intake of fresh vegetables and fruits to ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs to function properly and reduce your risk for disease.
If dietary changes aren’t enough to increase your micronutrient levels, you may need over-the-counter or prescription-strength supplements.
Because the micronutrient test is effective at identifying which nutrients you lack, Dr. Thomas can create exactly the right treatment plan to meet your needs.
To find out more about the benefits of a micronutrient test, schedule a consultation with Dr. Thomas by calling Coral Gables Executive Physicians or by requesting an appointment through the online booking feature.
