You Are What You Absorb: Functional Testing for Micronutrient Deficiencies

We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” But in functional and integrative medicine, we know the truth goes deeper: you are what you absorb.

No matter how healthy your diet looks on the outside, if your body isn’t properly absorbing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, you may still be running on empty. That’s where functional testing for micronutrient deficiencies comes in.

Why Micronutrients Matter

Micronutrients—vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants—are the raw materials your body needs for energy, immunity, focus, hormone balance, and long-term disease prevention. Even subtle deficiencies can contribute to:

• Fatigue and brain fog

• Frequent colds or slow recovery

• Poor skin, hair, and nail health

• Mood imbalances

• Slow wound healing

• Increased inflammation and chronic disease risk

And unlike calorie deficiencies, micronutrient deficiencies often go unnoticed until symptoms build over time.

The Absorption Factor

It’s not just about what you consume—it’s about what your body can utilize. Many factors can interfere with absorption, including:

• Digestive issues (like IBS, celiac, or leaky gut)

• Chronic stress and elevated cortisol

• Medications (such as antacids, birth control, or statins)

• Aging, which naturally reduces digestive efficiency

• Inflammation in the gut lining

That’s why two people eating the same “healthy” diet may have very different nutrient levels.

Functional Testing for Micronutrient Deficiencies

At Progressive Medical Center, we use advanced laboratory testing to go beyond standard blood work. Traditional labs often only measure what’s circulating in the blood, but functional diagnostic testing measures what’s actually getting inside your cells—the real story of nutrient absorption and utilization.

These tests can identify deficiencies long before they show up on routine labs, helping us create a personalized plan to restore balance.

How Testing Helps You Heal

By uncovering your body’s unique nutrient needs, our team can create a targeted treatment plan that may include:

• Customized supplementation (not one-size-fits-all vitamins)

• IV nutrient therapy for direct absorption

• Gut-healing protocols to improve digestion

• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support long-term balance

This precision approach helps patients move from “managing symptoms” to optimizing health—with more energy, stronger immunity, and improved vitality.

Take the Next Step

If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or unexplained health concerns despite eating well, it may be time to look beneath the surface. Functional testing at Progressive Medical Center can reveal the hidden deficiencies holding you back.

📞 Call us today at (770) 676-6000 or schedule your consultation online to discover what your body is truly missing.

Because when it comes to your health, you’re not just what you eat—you’re what you absorb.