Unlocking Personalized Functional Nutrition Testing
If you've been searching for a powerful, science-backed approach to your health, let me introduce you to functional nutrition testing with NutrEval. This advanced assessment uncovers nutrient imbalances, metabolic stress, and detox challenges.
Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, functional nutrition is all about understanding your unique biology. Through advanced testing, we uncover the real reasons behind your symptoms and build a plan tailored just for you. Let’s walk through how it works, why it matters, and what to expect.
Components of Functional Nutrition Testing
What Is NutrEval Functional Nutrition Testing?
NutrEval is our go-to test to understand how your body uses nutrients and processes toxins. This comprehensive panel—using both blood and urine—evaluates over 125 biomarkers across areas like antioxidants, fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, methylation, and toxic elements.
The test is divided into five functional pillars of metabolic health:
· Oxidative Stress
· Mitochondrial Dysfunction
· Omega Imbalance
· Toxic Exposure
· Methylation Imbalance
Each of these pillars is given a functional imbalance score so you can prioritize your need for support.
Five Functional Pillars of Metabolic Health
Why NutrEval Is the Gold Standard for Functional Nutrition
Unlike generic blood labs, NutrEval gives us a window into how your body is functioning biochemically. The test uses "functional imbalance scores" to guide treatment for digestion, inflammation, dysbiosis, metabolic irregularities, and infections—all rooted in advanced systems-based analysis.
Personalized Nutrition Protocols Based on Real Data
Once we review your NutrEval results, we create a personalized nutrition plan tailored to your needs. That might include specific dietary adjustments, targeted supplements, detox protocols, or enzyme support—all designed to balance the biomarkers your body needs most
How it Works: Simple, Insightful, and At-Home Friendly
Getting started is easy. We provide you with a NutrEval kit for a first-morning urine sample and a blood draw (or you can choose an all-urine option). After your samples return, typically within 2–3 weeks, we detail what the results mean and guide your tailored nutritional support.
Who Benefits from NutrEval Functional Nutrition Testing?
f you're dealing with fatigue, mood issues, digestion problems, or even skin concerns—this test shines. It’s also beneficial for optimizing performance, supporting detox, and stabilizing metabolic or immune imbalances. Essentially, NutrEval empowers functional nutrition by revealing hidden imbalances that traditional labs often miss.
Dr. Leopold's Experience with NutrEval Functional Nutrition Testing
My report was overall very good but shows a few key areas where I can improve:
My antioxidant status is great! This means I am in a good position to minimize the negative effects on cells and DNA by things like UV light, air pollution, toxins, infections, decreased oxygen, and excess exercise.
Nutrient Need Overview for Dr. Leopold
B-vitamins need some attention, specifically B1, B3 and B6. I should be on top of this because I know I am a carrier of the MTHFR gene variant (subject of another article), and that I need to pay extra attention to my B-vitamin status. I usually take methylated B9 and B12, but I was unaware that B6 was an issue. Looking further down the report on page 4 we see that B6 deficiency (of which I am clinically low) leads to things like irritability, depression, seizures, oral inflammation, impaired immunity and increased homocysteine. This needs to be addressed right away.
Results for B-Vitamins
Minerals are ok, but deserve a tweak. Magnesium is a little low, and that is no surprise. A 2012 study found 48% of Americans consumed less than the required amount of magnesium.[v] Magnesium is used in over 900 enzymatic reactions, many of which are neurological. Magnesium is easy to supplement and low in cost. It helps us to relax our muscles, destress and even helps us poop.
Results for Minerals
Manganese is also low. This can contribute to impaired connective tissue growth, fat and sugar dysregulation inflammation and oxidative stress. Luckily, Manganese is easily obtained from dark leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and organ meats. Personally, I will try to eat more variety of dark leafy greens and add some grass-fed beef liver to my diet.
Omega-3’s was a little surprise for me. I started supplementing with fish oils several years ago and noticed a dramatic effect on my mood and mental clarity. Fish oil, especially DHA has been a cornerstone of my supplementation. I generally take around 1,500 mg/ day of EPA and DHA, but with this data I am going to double that to 3,000 mg and make sure to eat cold water and tinned fish at least 2 times per week to get those numbers up. Fish oils are more expensive, especially DHA, but are critical for cardiovascular and neurological health. They are called “essential” fatty acids, because we require them from our diet; our bodies can’t manufacture them. If you don’t have enough omega-3’s, your body will substitute an inferior fat molecule which will literally stiffen our cell walls. If you don’t eat fish or are disgusted by fish oils, Omega-3’s can be obtained from flax and certain algae.
Results for Essential Fatty Acid Needs
Microbiome and digestive support is another area for me to focus on. I was surprised to see some pancreatic enzyme deficiency. These are the enzymes which break macronutrients down into their small absorbable components. This can be addressed with digestive enzymes and more chewing, but warrants looking deeper in to things like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and villous atrophy (aka celiac disease, which does run in my family). Microbiome imbalance makes sense as well, as I haven’t been focusing on it leately. Increasing fermented foods, eating a brightly colored spectrum of fresh vegetables and taking a probiotic will help. Interestingly, many of the B-vitamins are synthesized in the gut by bacteria. This may also be one of the root causes of my imbalance.
Results for Microbiome & Digestive Support
I’m happy to see there is no need for methylation support, toxic exposure, or mitochondrial dysfunction. I attribute that to clean living, vigorous exercise and regularly supporting glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant.
Results for Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Toxic Exposure, and Need for Methylation
What I will do going forward is implement these dietary and supplement changes into my routine and then retest in 6-12 months. Because of the gut dysbiosis, it would behoove me to run further tests such as a stool panel and a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth breath test.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About [keyword].
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It assesses nutrient levels (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids, amino acids), detox markers (organic acids), mitochondrial and oxidative stress indicators, and toxic exposures.
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Not really. It uses a simple blood draw plus a first-morning urine sample—or you can choose a urine-only kit. Then we analyze the results together in-office.
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Typically, results arrive in 2–3 weeks. During our follow-up, we review your personalized nutrition support plan.
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Yes! It can reveal imbalances in neurotransmitter metabolism, mitochondrial function, and nutrient cofactors tied to mood, focus, and energy levels.
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Anyone with chronic fatigue, digestive distress, unclear food sensitivities, mood disorders, autoimmune tendencies, or those pursuing peak performance can benefit.
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We typically pause supplements for 5 days prior to testing to ensure accurate nutrient readings—always a small (but important) step to get the right data.
Key Takeaways
Functional nutrition testing with NutrEval provides vital insights into your biochemistry.
Over 125 biomarkers are assessed, including nutrient and toxin levels.
We use that data to craft personalized nutrition plans tailored to your health goals.
Testing is simple and insightful—done from home with guided, expert support.
NutrEval is ideal for chronic symptoms, mood challenges, energy, digestion, immunity, and performance.Summary of key points
At Leopold Chiropractic, we embrace a deeper approach to health. Functional nutrition testing through NutrEval gives us the power to pinpoint imbalances and create truly personalized nutrition strategies. If you're ready to move past guesswork and make meaningful change—inside and out—this test could be your breakthrough.
[i] Nicolson GL. Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease: Treatment With Natural Supplements. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Aug;13(4):35-43. PMID: 26770107; PMCID: PMC4566449.
[ii] Grosso G, Galvano F, Marventano S, Malaguarnera M, Bucolo C, Drago F, Caraci F. Omega-3 fatty acids and depression: scientific evidence and biological mechanisms. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014;2014:313570. doi: 10.1155/2014/313570. Epub 2014 Mar 18. PMID: 24757497; PMCID: PMC3976923.
[iii] Troesch B, Weber P, Mohajeri MH. Potential Links between Impaired One-Carbon Metabolism Due to Polymorphisms, Inadequate B-Vitamin Status, and the Development of Alzheimer's Disease. Nutrients. 2016 Dec 10;8(12):803. doi: 10.3390/nu8120803. PMID: 27973419; PMCID: PMC5188458.
[iv] Refsum H, Ueland PM, Nygård O, Vollset SE. Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Annu Rev Med. 1998;49:31-62. doi: 10.1146/annurev.med.49.1.31. PMID: 9509248.
[v] Rosanoff A, Weaver CM, Rude RK. Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated? Nutr Rev. 2012 Mar;70(3):153-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00465.x. Epub 2012 Feb 15. PMID: 22364157.
About Leopold Chiropractic
Leopold Chiropractic is a holistic clinic in Oakland, California, founded by Dr. Peter Leopold. The practice specializes in root-cause healing through chiropractic care, functional neurology, and functional medicine. Services include corrective exercise, neuroplasticity-based therapies, and personalized nutritional counseling, all aimed at restoring nervous system balance and long-term wellness. Dr. Leopold offers both in-person and intensive programs for individuals seeking comprehensive, integrative care.
Dr. Peter Leopold is a chiropractor and board-certified functional neurologist who specializes in neuroplasticity, nutritional counseling, and root-cause healing. He’s trained in the Melillo Method™ and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.
