Our simplest tests for beginners

• Zinc Tally - A taste test for the accurate determination of body tissue zinc levels.
• Potassium Gauge - A taste test for estimation of Potassium levels.
• Vitamin C test - A strip indicator using a saliva specimen.
• Iron Status - This is a physical examination of fingernails, nail bed, sclera/whites of eyes discoloration. (This is just a quick pre-screening to determine if blood work is needed.)
• Potassium - A taste test using tartaric acid. Two levels of "tastes good" = deficient; two levels of "tastes bad" = adequate.
• Vitamin C - Done two different ways. One by litmus paper designed for C assessment. The other is the Lingual Ascorbic Acid Test using just one drop of a blue dye reagent indicator.
• B-Vitamins test is by physical exam:
  • Folate deficiency: cracks and grooves on the surface of the tongue.
  • B12 deficiency: Glossitis/enlarged tongue, scalloped edges, dark red/purple color.
  • B6 deficiency: pitting edema, (pressing a fingertip on the ankle leaves a dent, which takes several seconds to dissipate.
  • B2 deficiency: Chelosis - cracks at the corners of the mouth.

Here's a few "Beginner" tests.

Calcium Quick Test

Place a blood pressure cuff around the calf of your leg. Gradually inflate the cuff while being alert to any sign of muscle cramping, even the earliest, twinge of a cramp phase. As long as you are not cramping at all, continue inflating to 220 mmHg or slightly higher if tolerated. (A very tight, even uncomfortable pressure is common, and should be distinguished from cramping.) Interpretation: If you reach this level your muscle tissue Calcium level is normal. If you cramped between 180-220 mmHg your body Calcium Level is borderline/low-normal. If you cramped before reaching 180 mmHg your tissue Calcium level is low. (Do not perform this test if you have any type of vascular disease or if your muscles cramp easily. This test is best performed by a professional who is familiar with such nutrition assessment techniques and may properly interpret the results. If somebody tests low, taking more Calcium may not be the best approach and could possibly upset ones overall mineral balance. See article "The Calcium Quick Test answers question of individuality" for a brief comparison of this and other mineral tests.

Iodine Patch Test

Using liquid tincture of iodine (available at most pharmacies, not the colorless type) paint a single-layer two inch patch on your inner arm. Interpretation: If it completely disappears in less than 8 hours your body iodine level is very low. If it disappears between 8-24 hours your iodine status is normal. (Monitoring and re-evaluation, as well as any supplemental iodine therapy, is best done under the guidance of a nutritionally oriented professional in conjunction with thyroid evaluation such as the basal body temperature, since iodine is vital for proper thyroid function.)

Vitamin D Status

Listen to your joints for the sound of Vitamin D deficiency. The sound of snapping, crackling, or popping joints is a very "rough", general indicator of Vitamin D deficiency. (While deficiency of this vitamin is very common, even near epidemic levels, especially in the winter time and among the elderly, a true deficiency should be determined only by a qualified nutrition professional before any long term supplementation with Vitamin D is used.)

Not sure which test is right for you? Click here to contact Karl or Call Karl directly at 360-770-8486