Both Blood Ph balance and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to pain. Looking at a patient’s blood also tells us about the pH balance of the blood. When we see solids such as plaque in the blood, this can indicate a less than healthy pH balance, and that there may be oxidative stress. In humans, oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the development of many diseases or may exacerbate their symptoms.

Many people needlessly suffer from pain as a result of insufficient levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Even when a person takes supplements at what appear to be the correct levels, if your body is not absorbing them, the result can be nutritional deficiencies. In some cases, the body needs to metabolize other nutrients, or that the supplements a person is taking is not bio-available.

For example:
Vitamin B12
This vitamin is found in many animal products, and it is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function and DNA synthesis. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. Neurological problems like numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can also occur. Other symptoms include difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and soreness of the mouth or tongue. Vitamin B12 has also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin C
Humans need to get vitamin C from food, and this is where citrus fruits, and tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C. Other sources include broccoli, green and red peppers, kiwi and strawberries. The body needs vitamin C for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine and certain neurotransmitters, and for protein metabolism. Deficiencies in Vitamin C can contribute to fatigue, inflammation of the gums, loosening or loss of teeth, joint pain, and poor wound healing.

Vitamin D
The best natural food sources from Vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and fish liver oils. Vitamin D regulates calcium in the body and helps it to maintain strong bones. It is required for healthy muscle movement, your nervous system needs Vitamin D, and it improves immune function as well as helping to reduce inflammation.

Iron
According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the number one nutritional disorder in the world. Dietary iron comes in two forms, heme and nonheme. Red meats, fish and poultry are good sources of heme iron, which is absorbed better than non-heme iron; nonheme iron is found in plants, like lentils and beans. Iron is an essential nutrient;  it aids in blood cell creation, helps to transport oxygen to cells, and other important functions.

Symptoms of iron deficiency can include fatigue and weakness, cognitive issues, difficulty maintaining body temperature, decreased immune function, and other wellness issues. Additionally, because iron is largely responsible for the transport of oxygen to our tissues, a lack of oxygen, as with iron deficiency and anemias, can contribute to “ischemic pain”, which is pain that results from a lack of oxygen to our tissues. An analogy for ischemic pain would occur if we wrapped a rubber band tightly around the end of our finger. Our finger would eventually turn purple and begin to hurt due to lack of adequate blood supply carrying oxygen; this is an example of ischemic pain.

Magnesium
Magnesium is found in legumes, nuts, whole grains and vegetables, but American magnesium levels have dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. Magnesium helps the body regulate more than 325 enzymes and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions like muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins. Early signs of magnesium deficiency can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms and coronary spasms can occur. One prominent study revealed that a magnesium-rich diet may lower stroke risk.

We use a number of diagnostic tools to help us identify deficiencies in the blood as well as indicators of oxidative stress and blood pH issues. When we see solids such as plaque or uric acid (and to what degree they form), this indicates that the blood’s pH isn’t where it needs to be.  While ideally we would like patients to come into our office, we also work with long distance patients.

Using our Blood Cell Microscopy Analysis (Darkfield Phase Contrast Microscope) we can provide you with immediate results that can be performed in our office. We also enjoy using the TRIAD Blood spot nutritional assessment and metabolic profile lab test for both patients who can, and cannot come into our office. The TRIAD Blood Spot test by Metametrix labs can be ordered by a doctor, mailed to you so you can perform this test at home using only a small sample of blood. An additional packet is used to collect a urine sample. For specifics on insurance reimbursements, please contact our office.