The typical approach to determining nutrient levels in the blood involves consulting a doctor and requesting a blood test. Blood is then drawn, sent to a reputable laboratory, and a few days later, the doctor communicates the test results. Test as such can be carried out in pharmacies, health food stores, naturopathy and doctors‘ surgeries, for example.
However, since this can be a relatively expensive procedure, with costs potentially exceeding 100€ depending on the nutrient being measured, alternative testing methods online are on the rise. But which different methods are available for determining our nutrients? In the following, I have examined and compared the most common alternative tests.
1. Bioresonance Diagnostics
Bioresonance device measures electromagnetic vibrations through two sensors that patients are supposed to hold in their hands, allegedly allowing conclusions about biochemical processes in the body. Supposedly, the magnetic field of human cells provides insights into the health condition and individual micronutrient requirements. For €29, 200 pieces of medical data can be read out – including cholesterol and testosterone levels, for example. However, there is no scientific evidence for this method, and experts consider the measurements to be unreliable. Various tests have shown that the device simply outputs arbitrary values – for instance, the same person received different results in consecutive tests, and tests with lifeless objects, such as a liver sausage, also produced results. A court in Reutlingen determined that the devices are fraudulent. The manufacturers have been sentenced to two or three years in prison for fraud.
2. Kinesiology Diagnostics
A specific muscle test is claimed to provide insights into the increased need for vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in the body. This method is fundamentally an alternative approach to diagnosis and therapy that lacks scientific recognition and evidence of effectiveness. It remains a mystery how muscle tests, in particular, can provide indications of a deficiency in specific micronutrients.
3. Antioxidant Scanner
Such a scanner measures the content of antioxidants, especially carotenoids, in the inner palm of the hand. An optical measuring method is utilized, aiming to determine the levels of antioxidative vitamins in human tissue. LED light is directed into the skin, and the reflected light is analyzed to provide detailed information about the type and quantity of „health markers“ present in the tissue. Through specific algorithms, the concentration of antioxidants in the skin is then determined, drawing conclusions about the antioxidative level.
However, a test conducted by the Consumer Center NRW a few years ago yielded no comprehensible results. It is possible that simple activities such as cleaning carrots may already produce good results. It is important to note that these devices are not approved as medical products and may not be used for medical diagnoses. Additionally, there are many more antioxidative substances in the body than just carotenoids. You can learn more about antioxidants here.
4. Hair Mineral Analysis
The analysis values for the same individual fluctuate from one laboratory to another, with discrepancies of nearly 300% observed in calcium levels. One provider identified normal magnesium levels, while the next reported levels as too low and strongly recommended the use of a dietary supplement. Similar inconsistencies were found in selenium levels. Moreover, laboratories employed significantly different reference ranges for normal values. Hair analyses have only proven effective for detecting drug use and for forensic evidence, such as arsenic poisoning; they are not reliable for examining vitamins. Hair mineral analyses are not recognized as a valid diagnostic procedure. Recent investigations by MedWatch conclude that these methods are „unqualified“ and provide „worthless values“. To understand why, let’s take a closer look at how a proper hair test actually works:
- Wash hair
- Grind hair
- Mix hair powder with solvent
- Metabolites are dissolved out
- separated by mass with mass spectronomy device
- Addition of different substances, depending on signal strength
This works well in criminal technology. However, the following three problems arise for the detection of micronutrients:
- The Growth Phase
During the hair growth cycle, which includes 1. growth, 2. transition, and 3. fallout phases, the blood supply to the hair is cut off during the fallout phase, resulting in reduced nutrient supply. If a hair in the fallout phase is accidentally included in the sample, it can distort the test results. While this is not significant for forensic evidence, it is crucial for assessing nutrient levels. - Environmental Influence
Hair not only reflects internal conditions but also external exposures. Factors such as the use of hair cosmetics or swimming in a pool can introduce external substances and nutrients into the hair. Merely coming into contact with a substance can leave traces in the hair, potentially leading to inaccuracies in tests, including drug tests. - Lack of Scientific Basis
The hair testing method lacks scientific rigor, as there are no evidence-based reference values for the quantity of nutrients in hair. Each laboratory establishes its own reference values, contributing to inconsistencies and a lack of standardized measurements.
Summary
In conclusion, none of the researched alternative tests prove truly helpful in obtaining accurate results. These tests have consistently been either deemed incorrect or unreliable or, in some cases, have not been tested at all. Therefore, it is advisable to invest a bit more money and have nutrient levels professionally tested by doctors and certified laboratories if there is suspicion of a nutrient deficiency.
Sources
- https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2022/12/13/sind-selbsttests-fuer-vitamin-d-zuverlaessig
- https://medwatch.de/alternativmedizin/bioresonanz-geraete-betrug-hersteller-verurteil/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KICF2zK70Zs
- https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/projekt-klartext-nem/vitamine-und-mineralstoffe-wie-laesst-sich-ein-naehrstoffmangel-feststellen-80117
- https://www.fitbook.de/gesundheit/redaktion-macht-vitamin-d-selbsttest
- https://www.mybiozoom.com/light60
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