Functional Biology & Micronutrition

Micronutrients are nutrients that the body needs in relatively small amounts but that play important roles in normal physiological function.

They include vitamins, minerals and trace elements, as well as other nutritionally relevant compounds.

Micronutrition looks at how diet, nutrient intake, absorption, individual requirements and the wider health context may influence nutritional status.

The objective is not to recommend supplements automatically.

At Centre Algos, micronutrition helps us determine whether changes to food and nutrition, targeted micronutrient support or further investigation may be relevant to the individual patient.

Functional biology uses selected biological information, together with your symptoms, health history and nutrition, to help answer specific questions about how your body is functioning.

At Centre Algos, laboratory information is considered in context rather than interpreted as isolated numbers.

Sometimes the information and laboratory results you already have are sufficient.

In other situations, selected additional investigations may help clarify a particular nutritional or biological question.

The objective is not to search everywhere for abnormalities. It is to use biological information when it can make the assessment and the next steps more precise.

People consult Centre Algos for micronutrition for different reasons.

Some want to understand whether their nutrition or micronutrient status could be relevant to persistent symptoms or recovery.

Others have questions about laboratory results, possible deficiencies or supplements they are already taking.

Some simply want more individual guidance than a generic diet or supplement programme.

Reasons for consultation may include:

These situations do not automatically mean that a deficiency is present. Persistent fatigue or digestive symptoms can have several possible explanations.

Persistent or unexplained symptoms can sometimes require conventional medical investigation, which takes priority where appropriate.

Sometimes patients come to Centre Algos because they continue to feel tired, recover poorly or simply do not feel at their best despite previous investigations.

That does not mean a nutritional deficiency is necessarily responsible.

The consultation allows us to review the wider picture and determine whether nutrition, micronutrient status or another factor deserves further attention.

The consultation begins with your situation rather than with a predefined test panel.

We discuss your symptoms, health history, nutrition, medications, supplements, previous investigations, lifestyle and priorities.

If you already have laboratory results, imaging or relevant medical reports, bring them with you if possible.

If you do not have laboratory results, that is not a problem.

We first assess the situation and then decide whether any additional investigation would actually be useful.

When testing is appropriate, it is selected according to the question being asked rather than from a universal package.

Once the relevant information is available, we discuss what appears important, what may not require action and which next steps make sense.

Laboratory testing can provide useful objective information when it helps answer a specific question.

Depending on the situation, we can use existing results or consider targeted investigations to explore selected nutritional and biological markers.

These may include areas such as:

This is not a standard package offered to every patient: the question determines the test.

Where digestive symptoms are relevant, selected stool or other investigations may sometimes be considered when there is a clear reason for doing so.

A result within a laboratory reference interval is important information and should not automatically be described as abnormal.

At the same time, laboratory results are only one part of an assessment.

When symptoms persist, we can review existing results together with your health history, diet, medications, supplements and other relevant factors and determine whether a specific question remains unanswered.

Sometimes no further testing is needed.

In other situations, a selected marker that has not previously been assessed may provide useful additional information.

The objective is not to reinterpret every normal result as a problem. It is to determine whether there is a meaningful unanswered question.

Laboratory results are not a treatment plan.

They need to be understood alongside your symptoms, health history, nutrition, medications and individual goals.

When a relevant nutritional issue is identified, the next steps may include:

The objective is to focus on what is relevant rather than trying to optimise every possible number.

No. Micronutrition does not automatically mean taking supplements.

Depending on your situation, improving food choices or correcting an imbalance in the diet may be the most relevant first step.

In other situations, a targeted supplement may be useful.

If you already take several supplements, we can also review what you are taking and consider whether each product, dose and combination still makes sense in the context of your situation.

Supplements are not automatically harmless simply because they are available without prescription.

Some can be unnecessary, poorly dosed or inappropriate in certain situations, and some may interact with medications or other supplements.

The objective is targeted use rather than accumulating a long list of products.

Food remains an important source of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein and many other nutrients.

For many patients, improving dietary patterns may therefore be an important part of the plan.

However, there is no single healthy diet that is appropriate for everyone.

Recommendations depend on the patient's current diet, symptoms, health context, preferences and practical circumstances.

In some situations, dietary changes may be sufficient. In others, targeted supplementation or further investigation may also be appropriate.

Functional biology and micronutrition can form part of the broader naturopathic approach at Centre Algos, but patients can also consult specifically for this service.

Naturopathy looks broadly at symptoms, health history, lifestyle and possible contributing factors.

Functional biology can add targeted biological information where it is useful.

Micronutrition can then translate relevant nutritional findings into practical decisions about food and micronutrient support.

You do not need to be receiving another Centre Algos treatment to book a micronutrition consultation.

Functional biology and micronutrition should complement, not replace, appropriate medical investigation.

Conventional laboratory testing is essential for diagnosing and monitoring many diseases.

Existing medical diagnoses, reports and laboratory results can provide important information for our assessment.

If symptoms or results suggest that further medical investigation is needed, this takes priority.

At Centre Algos, we do not recommend stopping prescribed medication without discussing it with the healthcare professional responsible for that treatment.

The objective is not to choose between conventional medicine and micronutrition. It is to use the appropriate approach for the individual patient.

At Centre Algos, Functional Biology & Micronutrition does not begin with a predefined laboratory package or a shelf of supplements.

We begin by understanding the patient's situation and identifying the questions that matter.

When additional biological information would be useful, investigations can be selected accordingly.

We then interpret the information in context and determine which interventions, if any, deserve priority.

This may involve nutrition, targeted micronutrient support, reviewing existing supplements, lifestyle changes, monitoring, further medical assessment or another Centre Algos treatment, for example as part of care for chronic pain.

The plan can evolve according to the patient's progress, response and changing needs.

Centre Algos is based in Fribourg, and patients come to the practice from different parts of Switzerland, including Lausanne, Neuchatel, Bern and Zurich.

You do not need to know in advance whether you need blood tests, supplements or a specific nutritional programme.

We first take the time to understand your symptoms, health history, nutrition and priorities. From there, we can decide together whether targeted testing, micronutrient support, changes to nutrition or another approach may be useful.

Consultation fees are listed on our dedicated page.

You do not need to know which tests, supplements or dietary changes you need before you come.

We begin by understanding your symptoms, health history, nutrition and any previous results.

From there, we can determine together whether targeted investigation or micronutritional support would be useful. You can request a consultation in a few minutes.