Next question from Heidi, “Do you use SpectraCell or Genova ION for nutrient deficiencies? Is there a way to get all the deficiencies compounded into one supplement, or do you have to take each substance separately?”
Chris: Oh, I wish there were easier answers to this question. Genova ION is a good choice. I don’t believe SpectraCell is. I don’t think there’s research to support the idea that testing white blood cell level of nutrients is accurate. I highly highly recommend that you all spend the $20 or whatever it is to get Chris Masterjohn’s nutrient cheat sheet. We can link to it. Some of you know who he is. He has a PhD in nutritional science. He is one of the smartest people I know in the realm of nutritional science, and he has created this PDF that tells you everything you need to know about testing for nutrients. We’re covering many of the nutrients that he covers, but he goes into to detail on some of the nutrients that I don’t include on my case review panel. It’s insanely valuable, and what you will learn if you get it is that every different nutrient. There’s no single test you can order for measuring the level of each nutrient. It’s extremely disappointing, but that’s the way it is. Some you need to look at serum. Some you need to look at whole blood. Others you need to look really more at urine or possibly hair or a combination, and still others, you can’t really screen for at all with any of the available testing that we have accurately including calcium and phosphorus. It’s really valuable to have that, and then the same thing kind of applies to nutrient supplementation. Different nutrients require different forms, citrate, glycinate, maleate, and even different methods of administration. Zinc, for example, for most people in most situations, should be taken at relatively small doses on an empty stomach more frequently throughout the day than in one big dose like 50 mg with a meal, which is how people often tend to take it. It’s very complex. It’s a thorn on our side as clinicians because it would be so much easier just to have one test that we can do, but unfortunately, that’s not the way it is.