My Calcium is Deficient
I would like to think that being a Nutritionist means that I am always making the healthiest choices, but even I need a reminder about which foods I need to eat.
If you did not know, I not only consult with clients regarding weight loss and nutrition, but also am the Nutritionist at Embody Wellness. I go over patients’ micronutrient tests with them. What does that mean? We have this awesome micronutrient blood test by Cell Science that tests all of your vitamins and minerals levels and I get to explain the results to the patients.
I have been doing this for the last 5 years, and the results are a peek into the health of an individual. These test results show if you are getting the adequate amount of nutrients your body needs to feel radiantly healthy. This means you feel like you have enough energy throughout the day to do all the things that life requires you to do, like take care of your family.
The coolest thing about this test is that is shows how adequately you have been eating and supplementing for the past 6-9 months. This test not only shows if you have been eating the right amounts of protein, fruits and veggies, but it shows if you’re absorbing them too.
I got my micronutrient test done and this is how I know my calcium is deficient. If you are close to me then you know that last year I was dealing with gut issues from a stomach bug from Hell. I got the flu the year before and my stomach was never the same. I cut out many foods that were bothering my digestion and I added lots of anti-inflammatory foods like herbs and teas to strengthen my digestion.
The only thing I can’t seem to get rid of is heartburn. When you have heartburn you actually don’t have enough stomach acid. When your stomach acid is low you can’t absorb your minerals or fat soluble vitamins. So that is why my micronutrient test is so disappointing for being a Nutritionist. I am eating healthy and supplementing, but when you have gut issues you are also not absorbing your nutrients.
Most people think, I can’t feel my micronutrient deficiencies so who cares? These aren’t causing me any problems now so it won’t matter. I don’t know how many people I have told that you don’t feel that your calcium is low until you have osteoporosis or you won’t feel that your B12 is low until you get numb sharp pains in your hands and feet. Your micronutrients matter!
Here are three things I am going to be doing to work on my calcium levels
#1 Eat More Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens are high in calcium. I hate kale, but I do like spinach. The only way I will eat kale is in a soup so I see lots of soups in my future! I don’t know how people eat it raw because it is too tough to chew? I will also be eating more spinach in omelets and salads.
#2 Drink High Calcium Tea
I have had this recipe in my tool box for a while and have never drank it consistently. This tea is from Rosemary Gladstar’s book Herbal Remedies for Vibrant Health. My goal is to drink this 10 days before my period to add more calcium.
#3 Take Metagenics Bone Builder with Magnesium
Calcium supplements are controversial, but because I am deficient and I have a food intolerance to dairy (it gives me acne) I am going to take a supplement. If you take calcium with magnesium before bed it will enter your bones and will not deposit in your arteries and give you a heart attack. I’m taking the supplement daily as my back up plan, in case I get lazy and stop making the tea. You can get this through my website if you’re interested.
I love this Cell Science micronutrient test so much that I signed up for an account myself! I am now able to send my clients out for micronutrient testing.
Are you interested in getting your micronutrients checked? Do you know if you are eating enough fruits and vegetables? Do you have food intolerances or food sensitivities? Are you absorbing all of your nutrients?
Let me know if you want to test your vitamin and mineral levels to see you are eating and absorbing enough nutrients.
