Micronutrients & Personalized Supplements: Measure, Don't Guess

At a glance

• Micronutrient deficiencies often go unnoticed — and “more” isn’t automatically better. Some nutrients can even harm in overdose.
• Measuring beats guessing: blood values show where a gap really exists — the basis for sensible, targeted supplementation.
• care’s personalized supplements are formulated by a doctor from your values, produced in Switzerland and delivered to your door — as a follow-up step after a test.

Walking the supplement aisles is overwhelming: hundreds of jars, big promises, little guidance. So you grab whatever’s trending — and hope you picked right. The problem: without knowing where you actually stand, that’s guessing.

It can be done better. Micronutrients aren’t a lifestyle accessory but building blocks your metabolism genuinely needs — in the right amount, not the greatest number. This article shows why measuring pays off, which values matter, and how personalized supplements close real gaps precisely.

What are micronutrients — and why do they matter?

Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals and trace elements the body needs only in small amounts but can’t make itself. Unlike macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate) they provide no energy — they are the spark plugs and tools of the metabolism.

A few examples of what individual nutrients do, within permitted claims:

• Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and normal oxygen transport, and to the reduction of tiredness.
• Vitamin B12 and folate (B9) contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism and normal blood formation.
• Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness.
• Zinc, selenium and copper contribute to the normal function of the immune system; omega-3 (EPA/DHA) contributes to normal heart function (from 250 mg/day).

The pattern is clear: if a building block is missing, a process stalls. But — and this is decisive — that only holds if a deficiency actually exists.

Why guessing doesn’t work (and sometimes harms)

Two reasons argue against the “just take some” logic:

First: deficiencies go unnoticed. A low vitamin D, iron or B12 level produces no clear symptoms for a long time — tiredness or trouble concentrating are unspecific. Without measuring, you’re in the dark.

Second: more isn’t better. With some nutrients, too much can be a burden — fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and iron accumulate. Supplementing iron without a proven deficiency isn’t harmless. “More helps more” is simply wrong for micronutrients.

The conclusion is logical: measure first, then supplement in a targeted way. Only then do you close the gaps that really exist — without spending on the unnecessary or overdosing. Why a single value alone still isn’t enough and the overall picture matters is in the linked article.

Which values are worth measuring?

For most people, a few markers are especially informative:

• Vitamin D — often low in Switzerland, especially in winter.
• Ferritin / iron status — relevant with tiredness, for women and athletes.
• Vitamin B12 and folate — important for blood formation and the nervous system.
• Omega-3 Index and homocysteine — markers around healthy ageing and cardiovascular health.
• Zinc, selenium, copper, manganese — trace elements linked to the immune system and cell protection.

At care, these values can be measured via the Full Body Check-up and targeted add-on modules — such as Longevity Insight (Omega-3 Index, homocysteine) or Immune Support (zinc, copper, manganese, selenium); existing customers can also use a Vitamin Check.

How do personalized supplements work at care?

The idea behind it: don’t buy 13 separate jars, but one formula that fits your values. Here’s how it works:

• Test & values: the basis is your blood values from a test — plus gender and weight. The service is therefore offered only in combination with a test (e.g. Full Body Check-up).
• Doctor’s formula: care’s doctors review your results and put together an individual formula — targeted to your measured needs.
• Made in Switzerland: a partner produces your mix to high quality standards — all nutrients in one capsule instead of a handful of jars.
• Delivered to your door: your tailored box arrives within around four weeks after medical review, straight to you.

In short: personalized supplements cost CHF 180 and last three months. They are the step from knowing to acting — turning “I have my values” into “I’m doing something targeted about them”.

What’s inside — and why the form matters

Depending on your results, up to 13 ingredients are used. What matters isn’t only which, but the form — because it affects how well the body absorbs a substance:

• Omega-3 as lysinate (AvailOm®) — in free fatty-acid form for good absorption, without aftertaste.
• Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin and folate as methylfolate — the bioactive forms, directly usable.
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) as a sensible partner.
• Vitamin C as a co-factor supporting iron absorption.
• Plus iron, zinc, manganese, selenium, vitamin B6 and a magnesium from six compounds for steady absorption.

Everything is doctor-reviewed, made in Switzerland and matched to your values — not an off-the-shelf product.

Honestly framed: what supplements can — and can’t — do

Supplements are a tool, not a miracle. Three honest points:

• They don’t replace a balanced diet. The plate remains the basis; supplements fill measured gaps in a targeted way.
• They aren’t a treatment for illness. With symptoms, assessment belongs with a doctor.
• They only make sense with a proven need — not as a permanent catch-all “just in case”.

And on cost: the Full Body Check-up is co-funded by many supplementary insurers — but supplements and add-on modules generally are not. They are self-pay.

Measure first, then supplement in a targeted way. The cleanest start is a Full Body Check-up: measured broadly, doctor-reviewed. Based on your values, the care medical team creates your personalized supplement formula if needed. → Book your Full Body Check-up

The bottom line

Micronutrients matter — but only the ones you actually lack. Instead of supplementing on suspicion, the simple, smart path pays off: measure, interpret medically, supplement in a targeted way. Personalized supplements turn your values into a concrete formula — conveniently in one capsule, made in Switzerland. Not guesswork, but prevention with a plan.

Frequently asked questions

Are supplements worth it at all? Targeted, yes — when a deficiency has been measured. As a blanket catch-all without measuring, rather not: you risk taking unnecessary nutrients and missing relevant gaps.

Why measure my values before supplementing? Because deficiencies often go unnoticed and "more" isn't better. Some nutrients (e.g. iron, fat-soluble vitamins) can be a burden in overdose. Measuring shows what you really need.

How is my personal formula created at care? Based on your blood values plus gender and weight, care's doctors create an individual formula. The service is offered only in combination with a test.

What do the personalized supplements cost? CHF 180 for around a three-month supply. They are produced in Switzerland and, after medical review, delivered to your door within about four weeks.

Does supplementary insurance pay for supplements? Generally not. Supplementary insurers may contribute to the preventive check-up, but not to supplements and add-on modules — those are self-pay.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general information and health education. It does not replace individual medical or nutritional advice. Food supplements do not replace a balanced diet and are not a substitute for treating illness. Whether and which supplementation makes sense for you is decided based on your values and medical interpretation.