Nutritional testing: A smarter way to monitor your diet

Maintaining overall health starts with understanding what your body needs. Many people wonder if they are getting enough vitamins and minerals through their balanced diet, especially those following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle or who do a lot of sports. A nutrient deficiency or mineral deficiency can lead to various symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, or even more serious conditions like heart disease and infectious disease. For example, a simple vitamin D test can reveal deficiencies that may impact bone health and immune function. Deficiencies can cause a wide range of health issues, making it crucial to monitor nutrient intake. But thanks to advances in nutritional testing, tracking your nutrient levels and taking action toward better health and wellness is now easier.

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Then, there are options like nutritional analysis, such as Withings U-Scan Nutrio¹, which offers a convenient, non-invasive solution to monitor key markers related to nutrition from the comfort of your home. For a more comprehensive vitamin or mineral deficiency test, including a blood test, you should always consult a healthcare provider.

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Understand your nutritional needs with nutritional testing

Monitoring your nutrient levels is the first step toward improving your general health and feeling your best. Many common signs of nutrient deficiency often go unnoticed—such as low vitamin levels, weight loss, hair loss, or fatigue—but over time, they can cause complications. For example, iron deficiency can lead to anemia and reduced red blood cells, while vitamin D deficiency may make you susceptible to a higher risk of bone weakness and immune system dysfunction. A healthcare provider can easily perform a vitamin D test to determine if you have a deficiency.

Traditional nutritional testing offers a comprehensive view of nutritional health by quantifying vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients in biological samples like blood, urine, or hair. Beyond simple nutrient levels, it also assesses metabolic markers such as cholesterol and blood sugar, providing a detailed picture of how the body processes and utilizes nutrients.

Now, shifting focus to U-Scan Nutrio, this system provides a unique approach to nutritional analysis through urine monitoring. Specifically, it allows you to keep an eye on these metrics that reflect your body's ability to absorb nutrients:

• Vitamin C levels: Track your vitamin C levels, which are essential vitamin levels for strengthening the immune system and supporting the absorption of iron from your diet.

• Ketone levels: Monitoring ketones can provide insights into how your body is processing fatty acids, particularly if you follow a keto or low-carb diet or if you exercise intensively.

• Bio-Acidity levels (pH): Balancing your bio-acidity helps regulate your overall health by ensuring your body operates in an optimal pH environment.

• HydroStatus (specific gravity): By analyzing the specific gravity of your urine, U-Scan Nutrio can provide insights into your hydration levels, which is key for maintaining health and wellness.

For broader vitamin and mineral analysis—like measuring iron levels, vitamin D levels, or micronutrient tests covering key vitamins—you may need an at-home vitamin deficiency test that requires a blood sample. These blood tests measure a wider range of nutrients than urine analysis, and these blood tests often involve venous blood or a collection method using finger prick, and they are usually processed by CLIA-certified labs. The results will often be available within days, giving you a full picture of your vitamin and mineral status.

Which deficiency tests require a blood sample?

While at-home tests and nutritional analyses like U-Scan Nutrio focus on non-invasive urine analysis, a blood sample is typically necessary to measure levels of vitamins and minerals in your bloodstream. A micronutrient test through a blood test can provide valuable data about your red blood cells, vitamin D levels, iron deficiency, and other common vitamin deficiencies.

You may need a blood type analysis or comprehensive health test if you're experiencing:

• Common signs of deficiency, such as hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, or low energy.

• Symptoms linked to celiac disease, which can lead to impaired nutrient absorption.

• Sexual health issues related to nutrient deficiency.

• Concerns about women's health or men’s health, including heart health and immune system function. Women’s health concerns, such as hormonal imbalances, can be linked to vitamin deficiencies.

For these, a collection kit will be sent to you to collect your sample at home, or you may need a doctor's visit for sample collection. Your test results will be available within a few days, and you’ll typically be able to view results online, along with guidance on your next steps.

How U-Scan Nutrio can help you maintain nutritional balance

Withings U-Scan Nutrio can help you track specific health metrics related to your nutrition, hydration, and overall health. Its at-home urine testing can give you immediate insights without the need for a doctor's visit or blood tests.

• Vitamin C optimization boosts your immune system and enhances your body's ability to absorb iron.

• Ketone tracking provides insights into metabolic shifts, useful for people on balanced diets, keto diets, or those who do a lot of sport.

• pH monitoring can help you balance your bio-acidity levels, which can lead to better health and wellness.

• HydroStatus offers personalized hydration tracking to ensure you stay properly hydrated.

For additional vitamin deficiency tests—such as vitamin D tests, iron levels, or mineral deficiency tests—consult your healthcare provider to arrange for lab tests. These more comprehensive evaluations can provide further insights into your nutrient deficiency and vitamin or mineral status.

FAQ - Nutritional testing and vitamin deficiency

What is the best nutritional testing at-home option?

The best nutritional testing depends on what you need. If you want nutritional analysis that tracks hydration, vitamin C levels, ketones, and pH, Withings U-Scan Nutrio offers an innovative at-home test option that does not require a blood sample. For broader vitamin and mineral testing, a micronutrient test involving a blood sample is often necessary, processed in CLIA-certified labs.

What are the common signs of vitamin deficiency or nutrient deficiency?

Signs and symptoms of vitamin deficiency or mineral deficiency can include hair loss, fatigue, weight loss, low energy, weakened immune system, and even complications like heart disease. If you notice these common signs, a vitamin deficiency test or mineral levels blood test can help you understand if you're getting enough of the key vitamins and minerals your body needs.

How soon will I get my test results from an at-home vitamin deficiency test?

If you choose an at-home vitamin deficiency test that requires a blood sample, your results will typically be available within a few days. Many services allow you to view results online and provide guidance on the next steps. For nutritional analysis from U-Scan Nutrio, you’ll get instant feedback through the app on your vitamin C levels, ketone levels, pH, and hydration, helping you manage your health and wellness proactively.

We are excited to share that with the advancement of at-home testing, people can get a better understanding of their health without always the need to take time out for a full medical workup. A simple at-home urine test or a finger-prick test for vitamin levels can be used to quickly find out if there are any areas of concern.

¹ U-Scan Nutrio measurements can only be used for self-tracking purposes, they can’t be used for diagnosis of any disease or condition including clinical dehydration, kidney disease, diabetes, any deficiency, or any other disease and conditions. U-Scan Nutrio measurements are not intended for medical use, including self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor, and are only designed for general fitness and wellness purposes. Always consult your healthcare provider for any medical concerns or before making decisions about your health. Do not disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on information derived from this device.