Functional Nutrient Assessment with the Cellular Micronutrient Assay: Evidence, Use Cases, and Interpretation

Micronutrient testing can help identify nutritional gaps that may influence energy levels, immune resilience, cognitive function, and overall well-being. 

Instead of taking supplements that might not be necessary, you could focus on those that support cellular health and maintain healthy levels through the intentional use of food to support wellness.

Cellular micronutrient assays are now available from a variety of clinical laboratories and may help guide personalized nutrition strategies. This test can be used to personalize and target your nutritional approaches.  

Micronutrient deficiencies are common. NHANES data from 2007–2010 indicate that nearly all U.S. adults have at least one deficiency. Globally, approximately 69% of non-pregnant women aged 15–49 are affected by some form of micronutrient malnutrition. 

Since micronutrient levels can influence various aspects of health, assessing for imbalances may help inform clinical decisions.

What’s a Cellular Micronutrient Assay test?

The Cellular Micronutrient Assay is a functional test designed to assess long-term micronutrient insufficiencies using immune cell activity as a marker.

Micronutrients play essential roles in cellular metabolism, and when they are lacking, metabolic processes may slow down or become impaired. Over time, insufficient nutrient availability can affect cellular function and may contribute to the development of nonspecific symptoms.

This assay evaluates B and T lymphocytes—types of immune cells—after they are stimulated to replicate. 

First, a baseline replication rate is established. The cells are then exposed to individual micronutrients to observe whether the rate of replication changes. A significant increase in replication in response to a particular nutrient may suggest a suboptimal long-term supply of that nutrient within the body.

Since immune cell replication is a key part of the body’s ability to respond to stressors, this approach offers a functional view of how nutrient availability may influence cellular health and immune performance over time.

What does the Cellular Micronutrient Assay test measure?

The Cellular Micronutrient Assay evaluates how specific micronutrients influence immune cell function. If cell performance improves when a particular nutrient is introduced, it may indicate that the nutrient hasn’t been available in sufficient amounts to support optimal cellular activity over time.

This test offers insight into the longer-term micronutrient status within cells—typically reflecting stores over a six- to nine-month period. Unlike serum nutrient tests, which capture recent intake and are more susceptible to short-term fluctuations, the Cellular Micronutrient Assay provides a functional perspective on how nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are utilized at the cellular level.

Nutrients included in the Cellular Micronutrient Assay include the following:

Amino acids

• L-Arginine
• L-Asparagine
• L-Cysteine HCL
• L-Glutamine
• Glycine
• Histidine
• L-Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• L-Serine
• Taurine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Tyrosine
• Valine

Vitamins

• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
• Delta gamma tocotrienol (Vitamin E)
• Folate (Vitamin B9)
• Nicotinamide (Niacin, Vitamin B3)
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K1
• Vitamin K2 (MK4)
• Vitamin K2 (MK7)

Minerals

• Boron
• Calcium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Iodine
• Iron
• Lithium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Selenium
• Strontium
• Vanadium
• Zinc

Other nutrients

• Carnitine
• Choline
• Coenzyme Q10
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Glutathione
• Inositol
• Lipoid acid
• Oleic Acid (omega-9)  

When to consider the Cellular Micronutrient Assay test

While full-blown nutrient deficiencies are relatively uncommon in industrialized countries, low or borderline levels—known as subclinical insufficiencies—are actually quite common. These aren’t always obvious and often go unnoticed without testing. Even people who appear generally healthy can be at risk. 

Busy schedules, work or family demands, and high stress levels can lead to skipped meals, processed food choices, or habits like excessive caffeine or alcohol intake. Over time, these patterns can increase the body’s need for certain nutrients and reduce overall micronutrient status.

Heavy exercise or frequent dieting—especially when used to cope with stress or maintain weight—can also raise nutrient demands. In these cases, even a diet that seems balanced might not fully meet the body’s needs.

There are also certain stages of life when nutrient needs naturally increase, such as early childhood, teenage years, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and older adulthood. Nutrient status is especially important during transitions like perimenopause, menopause, and when planning for pregnancy.

Some health conditions can make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients properly. This includes digestive issues like Celiac disease, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or problems with the stomach or pancreas. Even with a healthy diet, these conditions can increase the risk of micronutrient gaps.

Other factors that may contribute include eating disorders, highly restrictive diets, chronic illness, long-term stress, or alcohol use. People following vegan or medically limited diets may also need to pay closer attention to how they’re meeting their nutrient needs.

Micronutrient testing can be especially helpful in these scenarios. It’s often used alongside dietary review to help guide personalized nutrition strategies—whether for stress recovery, athletic performance, pre- or post-surgery care, or just general wellness.

Symptoms of micronutrient insufficiencies are broad, but some would include:

• Fatigue, especially if labs and physical exams remain relatively normal
• Increased susceptibility to challenges
• Decreased exercise performance
• Impaired cognitive function (i.e., memory, concentration)
• Decreased mood

What’s the difference between a Cellular Micronutrient Assay test and a Cellular Nutrition Assay test?

The Cellular Micronutrient Assay test is one component of a Cellular Nutrition Assay test, which also includes the Redox Assay and the Antioxidant Protection Assay. 

Both the Redox and Antioxidant Protection Assays look at the support of cells from oxidative stress. The Redox Assay looks at the overall antioxidant function in the immune cells. 

The Antioxidant Protection Assay tests response to specific antioxidants to identify which may significantly support an individual's antioxidant function. All three tests can be completed together as a Cellular Nutrition Assay or individually.  

How to use a Cellular Micronutrient Assay test in practice

When using a Cellular Micronutrient Assay, a few things will help to optimize the results of this knowledge.

Providers interested in a more personalized nutritional assessment may consider micronutrient testing as part of a broader clinical picture in areas such as fertility, physical performance, or recovery. However, these tests shouldn’t be used in isolation to guide treatment decisions.

The results may help identify potential areas where micronutrient status could be insufficient, guiding further nutritional assessment. 

Generally, the approach should be more intensive for critically low nutrients (i.e., iron affecting significant anemia) or during highly vulnerable times (i.e., iodine insufficiency around pregnancy/early life). In less critical situations or later phases of support, once the nutrient status is restored, increasing the intake of micronutrients in foods is often a sustainable long-term approach.

As micronutrient inadequacies in more developed nations are often the result of a calorically dense but nutrient-depleted (SAD) diet, a whole-foods, plant-based diet will likely provide many additional benefits over those of specific nutrient insufficiencies.

In both the supplementation and food as wellness routes, it’s important to maintain focus on the nutrient for an adequate period of time to address the insufficiency. This will vary by person and nutrient, but one way of ensuring sufficient progress is to re-test after a period of supplementation/increased dietary intake. 

As cellular metabolism takes some time to respond to changes, re-testing too soon may be inaccurate. An average follow-up for re-testing could be after six months of intervention. Any urgent insufficiencies should be followed up on sooner.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

These are common questions patients and providers may have about cellular micronutrient testing, with concise, evidence-informed answers.

What’s a Cellular Micronutrient Assay?

It's a functional test that assesses how immune cells respond to the addition of specific micronutrients. If cell function improves when a nutrient is introduced, it may indicate a long-term insufficiency at the cellular level.

How is this different from a blood (serum) test?

Unlike serum tests, which reflect recent nutrient intake, cellular assays are designed to evaluate how well micronutrient stores support long-term immune cell function — typically over 6 to 9 months.

Who might benefit from this type of testing?

This assessment may be useful for individuals under physical or emotional stress, with restricted diets, chronic illness, or life stages with increased nutritional demands (e.g., pregnancy, aging, recovery).

Is this test diagnostic?

No. Cellular micronutrient assays are exploratory and not diagnostic. They are intended to complement clinical judgment and dietary analysis, not replace standard diagnostic methods.

Can results guide supplement use?

The test can help inform decisions about nutrition and supplementation, especially when used alongside clinical context, symptoms, and dietary patterns. It shouldn’t be the sole basis for prescribing.

How often should someone retest?

Re-testing is often considered after about six months of targeted dietary or supplement intervention, allowing enough time for changes in cellular nutrient status to manifest.

Key takeaways

• Micronutrient insufficiencies are common and can exist even when caloric intake is adequate, especially during times of stress, illness, or dietary restriction.
• The Cellular Micronutrient Assay evaluates immune cell responses to specific nutrients, potentially revealing longer-term nutritional gaps.
• This test provides a functional measure of nutrient availability at the cellular level rather than reflecting only short-term intake seen in blood tests.
• Use cases may include support for fertility, athletic performance, recovery, stress management, and general wellness — when interpreted as part of a full clinical picture.
• Interpretation should be cautious and combined with clinical assessment, diet history, and patient goals; the test isn’t diagnostic.
• A whole-foods, plant-forward diet remains foundational for improving micronutrient status, with testing serving as a supportive tool when needed.

Disclaimer:

This content is intended for healthcare professionals for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical judgment or individualized patient care, or for financial or legal advice. Providers should rely on their own professional training and judgment, and consult appropriate legal, financial, or clinical experts when necessary.