Nutritional Biochemistry

The article frames nutrition assessment around how an individual diet affects biochemistry rather than dietary ideology. Cronometer can track dietary intake in detail but cannot account for gut-level malabsorption. Proteins are built from amino acids, which are acids by chemical definition. DNA consists of nucleic acids, which are acids by chemical definition. Fats are composed of fatty acids, which are acids by chemical definition. Dopamine production requires phenylalanine, tyrosine, and vitamin B6. The NutriVal panel evaluates organic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, oxidative stress markers, toxic markers, and methylation status. NutriVal can distinguish a B12 deficiency caused by gut malabsorption from one caused by inadequate intake. The goal of nutrition is to supply the raw materials — nutrients — that support the body's self-regulation, not to override it by chasing alkalinity.