In Functional Nutrition, each person is understood as a unique organism, with individual nutritional needs that go far beyond generic recommendations. This is where clinical analyses play a fundamental role: they serve as a veritable internal map of the body, helping to identify imbalances that often haven't yet shown visible signs or developed into a diagnosable disease. Thus, they become a powerful tool in disease prevention and health promotion.

How the body transforms (or wastes) the nutrients you consume

It's common to think that a healthy diet alone is enough to ensure a balanced nutritional status—but the reality is more complex. Between what we put on our plates and what actually reaches our cells, there are several intervening factors: food quality, preparation method, additives, digestive system function, gut microbiota balance, age, genetics, daily stress, medication, and potential illnesses, among many other factors that affect how the body absorbs and uses nutrients.

Diagnosis, monitoring and prevention: the strategic role of clinical analysis

In Functional Nutrition , clinical tests are used for a variety of strategic purposes, going beyond simply confirming a disease. They allow for:

● Confirm a clinical suspicion (e.g., a vitamin B12 deficiency in cases of persistent fatigue);
● Monitor the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention or supplementation;
● Assess the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on individual biochemistry;
● Identify dysfunctions even before clinical symptoms or diagnosable diseases appear;
● Support personalized decisions in the prevention of health problems.

Reference values ​​vs. optimal values

It's crucial to understand that laboratory reference values ​​are not synonymous with ideal health. In fact, they are merely population averages, obtained from a selection of individuals who meet certain criteria—but this doesn't mean everyone is in perfect health. Being within the "reference range" doesn't eliminate the possibility of dysfunction or even disease, especially in the case of chronic conditions that aren't always clearly defined.

Functional Nutrition works with the notion of optimal values —ranges that, according to epidemiological studies, are associated with a lower risk of disease, greater longevity, and a better quality of life. These values ​​help us identify subtle imbalances and intervene early, focusing on prevention.

For example, a woman may have ferritin (an indicator of iron stores) "within reference values" and still be functionally iron deficient, which can negatively affect her menstrual cycle, energy levels, or even cognitive ability. It's therefore crucial to take a broader view and use optimal values ​​as a guide, rather than relying solely on conventional reference ranges.

Other examples illustrate this approach well:

● Hemoglobin between 12 and 16 g/dL is considered “normal” in women, but values ​​below 12.8 g/dL increase the likelihood of iron deficiency ¹ ;
● A TSH — a marker of thyroid function — can be considered “normal” up to 5.5 mIU/L, but values ​​above 2.6 mIU/L are already associated with a higher risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases ² .

How to interpret analyses functionally?

A laboratory result should never be interpreted in isolation. It's essential to integrate it with the individual's clinical context—including health history, current symptoms, medications, lifestyle, menstrual cycle phase, and even recent physical activity. Some examples that help understand it:

● An elevated TGO value (a liver transaminase) may be due to intense physical training the day before, and may not indicate any liver injury ³ ;
● A low ferritin soon after menstruation may not reflect a true iron deficiency ⁴ ;
● An elevated GGT value in someone exposed to toxins in the workplace may be an early sign of liver overload ⁵ .

Furthermore, the evolution of markers over time is often more informative than a single point-in-time result.

Clinical analysis as the key to truly personalized nutrition

Each organism is unique and can react very differently to the same stimuli. A nutritional plan that works well for one person may not be suitable, or even counterproductive, for another. Clinical analyses are a key tool in the personalized process of Functional Nutrition, allowing for the adaptation of strategies such as:

• Adjust the most appropriate type, dose and form of supplementation for each case;
• Monitor the effectiveness of interventions aimed at balancing the hormonal axis or reducing inflammatory processes;
• Identify subclinical changes — imbalances that do not yet cause symptoms, but that already deserve attention;
• Intervene early to prevent disease progression.

Before the tests: simple precautions that make all the difference

For laboratory results to be reliable and accurately represent your health status, it is important to follow some basic guidelines before collection:

● Fast for 12 hours, with the collection ideally carried out before 10 am;
● Confirm whether any of the prescribed tests should be done after the meal;
● Avoid intense physical activity until at least one day before collection;
● Maintain regular sleep, with your usual rest pattern;
● In the case of women, it is important to adjust the collection date to the phase of the menstrual cycle, especially for hormonal tests.

The path to balance begins with knowledge — and its analysis

In Functional Nutrition, clinical analyses are not just a routine exam—they are a true window into the unique inner workings of each organism. They represent the starting point for more informed decisions, more assertive interventions, and, above all, a truly personalized approach.

At Bioself Natura, we value an integrative approach, based on scientific evidence and centered on each person's individuality. We encourage our clients to understand their results, actively participate in their choices, and recognize that health goes far beyond the absence of disease—it is the dynamic balance of all the body's systems.

If you are looking for a complete and personalized assessment of your nutritional and metabolic status, schedule your Functional Nutrition Consultation with us.

The path to well-being begins with knowledge — and clinical analysis is one of your best allies.