You Are What You Absorb – Not Just What You Eat
Fatigue, hair loss, muscle cramps, poor immunity, mood changes, brain fog – these common symptoms often have a surprisingly simple explanation: your body is not getting the micronutrients it needs. And even if your diet seems healthy, deficiencies are far more common than you might think.
At our practice in Zürich Seefeld, micronutrient assessment is a cornerstone of my approach. I have seen countless patients whose chronic, unexplained symptoms resolved once specific deficiencies were identified and corrected.
Why Deficiencies Are So Common
Modern food supply: Soil depletion, long transport chains, and processing reduce the nutrient density of even “healthy” foods compared to a generation ago.
Poor absorption: Gut inflammation, low stomach acid (common with age and PPI use), coeliac disease, and SIBO all impair nutrient absorption regardless of dietary intake.
Increased demands: Chronic stress, intense exercise, pregnancy, illness, and medications all increase nutrient requirements beyond what a normal diet may provide.
Restrictive diets: Vegan, vegetarian, keto, and other restrictive dietary patterns can create specific deficiency risks if not carefully managed.
The Most Common and Impactful Deficiencies
Vitamin D: Deficient in an estimated 50-80% of the Swiss population, especially in winter. Affects immunity, mood, bone health, muscle function, and hormone production.
Iron: The world’s most common nutritional deficiency. Causes fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, cold intolerance, and impaired immunity – even before anaemia develops.
Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell production. Deficiency causes fatigue, neuropathy, cognitive decline, and mood disturbances. Common in vegans, older adults, and PPI users.
Magnesium: Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Deficiency causes muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and constipation. Estimated to affect 50% or more of the population.
Zinc: Critical for immune function, wound healing, taste/smell, skin health, and hormone production. Deficiency is common in vegetarians, older adults, and those with gut issues.
Folate: Essential for methylation, DNA repair, and neurotransmitter production. Particularly important in pregnancy and for mental health.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Not technically a micronutrient but critically important – most Western diets are severely deficient. Affects inflammation, brain function, cardiovascular health, and mood.
Selenium: Important for thyroid function and antioxidant defence. Swiss soils are relatively low in selenium.
Our Diagnostic Approach
I run a comprehensive micronutrient panel: vitamin D (25-OH), vitamin B12, active B12 (holotranscobalamin), folate, ferritin and iron studies, magnesium (red blood cell, not just serum), zinc, selenium, and omega-3 index. I interpret results in the context of your symptoms, diet, and health conditions – not just against laboratory reference ranges.
What We Do: Targeted Repletion
Correct deficiencies: Using the right form, dose, and route of administration for each nutrient. Not all supplements are equal – bioavailability matters enormously.
Address absorption issues: If deficiencies persist despite supplementation, I investigate gut health, stomach acid production, and absorptive capacity.
Infusion therapy: For severe or refractory deficiencies, intravenous nutrient therapy bypasses absorption barriers and achieves rapid repletion.
Dietary optimisation: Practical guidance on nutrient-dense eating patterns that support long-term micronutrient adequacy.
Ongoing monitoring: Re-testing after repletion to confirm levels have normalised and adjusting maintenance supplementation accordingly.
Conclusion
Micronutrient deficiencies are a hidden epidemic with outsized health consequences. Before accepting chronic symptoms as “normal,” a comprehensive nutrient assessment may reveal the cause and the solution. Book a consultation at our practice in Zürich Seefeld for a thorough evaluation.
