What Nutrients Does Your Unique Body Need?

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Written by Susan Brady

You are probably familiar with the phrase “you are what you eat.” This is pretty accurate, but what is even more accurate is “you are what you eat, digest, absorb and metabolize.” But how do you know if the nutrients from the food you eat are getting into your cells? Your muscle cells, bone cells, brain cells, where nutrients are needed to produce energy and perform cellular metabolism. Even people that eat a well-balanced diet and live a healthy lifestyle can still have nutrient deficiencies.

Here’s why:

We are all biochemically different. Each of us is metabolically and biochemically unique, so the nutrients required for one person’s body to function optimally are very different than those required for another.
Poor absorption can lead to deficiencies. If you are not fully digesting or have an unhealthy gut, you are going to struggle with absorbing the essential nutrients your body needs.
Chronic illnesses can impact nutrient absorption. Health conditions like arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, just to name a few, can directly or indirectly cause nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, in order to help control these conditions, you may also require more of a particular nutrient.
Medications can create nutrient deficiencies. Long-term use of certain medications can deplete your body of critical nutrients through multiple mechanisms, including increased excretion of vitamins and minerals.
Aging can impact your nutrient needs. Your nutrient requirements back when you were 30 are very different than your nutrient requirements as you age. As you age you don’t absorb your nutrients as well. Also, hormonal changes, like a decline in estrogen or testosterone, can increase the excretion of certain nutrients through the kidneys. For example, as you age you’re not only less able to absorb nutrients such as calcium, but then hormonal changes may result in calcium also being excreted through the kidneys.
Your lifestyle also affects nutrient levels. If you are exercising hard every day to maintain muscle and bone mass, chances are you are going to need more nutrients. Stress also depletes the body’s nutrient stores. When you are stressed, you rapidly use up nutrients as part of the body’s stress response. If you smoke or drink alcohol you are more likely to have nutrient deficiencies as well.

As you can see there are so many things that can affect your nutrient status making it hard to know which nutrients you are getting enough of, which nutrients you may be lacking, and which nutrients your unique body may need more of.

Luckily there are some targeted tests that can help determine nutrient levels in your cells. The test I most frequently use is the SpectraCell Micronutrient test (MNT).

The SpectraCell MNT measures 31 different vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. It also gives you a good idea how well you are metabolizing carbohydrates, how well your immune system is functioning, how well your cells can withstand oxidative stress. So it is a very comprehensive test and provides great insight into the nutrients your unique body needs.

If you are dealing with a chronic health condition, like osteoporosis, or striving for optimal health, instead of just swallowing down a lot of different supplements that you think you need this is a great test to find out exactly what your body really needs.

Because March is National Nutrition Month, I am offering you the ability to get the SpectraCell Micronutrient Test at my cost. So, my cost is your cost.

If you are interested in learning more about the test …please reach out to me at susan@nurturedbones.com

Proper Exercise and Nutrition

“Susan Brady is very knowledgeable about osteoporosis. In 2016, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lower back. Through proper exercise and nutrition, Susan was able to guide me towards a regimen that would in turn almost reverse my symptoms. Because of her method, I have been able to curb my bone loss, gain strength, and improve my overall health. I feel that I am on the road to a happier, healthier lifestyle thanks to Susan.”~ B.L.

Osteoporosis Nutrition

After being diagnosed with osteoporosis, I began sifting through all the information available on nutrition and osteoporosis, but it was confusing and time consuming. Even though I thought my diet was good, Susan gave me advice on how to make it even better! I benefited very much from Susan’s nutritional advice and guidance for safe and effective exercises. My recent bone scan showed improvements in both my hip and my spine, so I am encouraged that all the changes that I have made are working! ~ M.R.

Prescription Holiday

Initially, I went to Susan Brady because my family doctor told me to take a holiday from the prescription bone density medicine that I had been taking it for many years. I avoid dairy since I am lactose intolerant and sensitive to dairy protein. I was confident that Susan could recommend a superior quality calcium, balanced with other supplements that would help provide the nutrients I needed for bone health. In addition to recommendations for supplements, she has evaluated my diet and my exercise regimen, making suggestions as needed. With guidance from Susan I have been able to maintain bone health without additional bone density medicine for several years now. ~K.N.

Goodbye Osteoporosis!

Guess who no longer has osteoporosis in her spine?? DEXA says now -2.4 osteopenia where was -3.2 before. HUGE improvement. No medication, just exercise and nutrition. I still have a ways to go with my hips and femoral neck, but this is really great news for me! ~D.S.

Surgery Rehabilitation

While providing rehabilitation after my two hip surgeries, Susan also educated me in the importance of proper nutrition for strengthening my bones and improving my bone density. She encouraged me to eat an alkaline-based diet and to eliminate the junk food I was so fond of. Not only did I heal quickly, but also the doctors were amazed by the rapid bone growth as noted on my x-rays. I continue to include chia and pumpkin seeds in my diet, as well as other foods that are alkaline based. I honestly have Susan to thank for this complete transformation in my diet which has allowed me to go back to wearing heels which I thought I would never be able to do again. Nutrition matters. I am a perfect example of good bones from good food!” ~R.G.

Alkaline Based Diet

While providing rehabilitation after my two hip surgeries, Susan also educated me in the importance of proper nutrition for strengthening my bones and improving my bone density. She encouraged me to eat an alkaline-based diet and to eliminate the junk food I was so fond of. Not only did I heal quickly, but also the doctors were amazed by the rapid bone growth as noted on my x-rays. I continue to include chia and pumpkin seeds in my diet, as well as other foods that are alkaline based. I honestly have Susan to thank for this complete transformation in my diet which has allowed me to go back to wearing heels which I thought I would never be able to do again. Nutrition matters — I am a perfect example of good bones from good food! ~R.G.

Is Walking Enough to Build Bones? Consider adding a Weighted Vest.

My favorite weight vest is through a company called Challenge Weighted Workoutwear. It meets all of the criteria for what to look for in a weight vest and is very comfortable to wear.

Check out the weighted vests on their website: Weighted Vests.

At checkout, enter the discount code "Brady" and you will receive $10 off the vest of your choice along with FREE shipping.