Hair Mineral Analysis

Minerals in the body are involved in almost all enzyme reactions, metabolic activity, and detoxification cycles. They  are vital for the effective absorption and proper function of nutrients and vitamins. Our bodies cannot utilize  vitamins and other nutrients without a correct balance of minerals: even in trace amounts. Improper mineral balance  has been linked to chronic fatigue, weight gain/loss, headaches, depression, osteoporosis, and malabsorption.  Various mineral imbalances as revealed in the hair analysis indicate metabolic dysfunctions before any physical  symptoms manifest. An affordable, non-invasive Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA) can help establish a nutritional profile to  be used to guide the development of effective wellness and nutritional balancing protocols. HMA is a screening test that measures the levels of up to 60 essential minerals and toxic metals. With correct testing  and interpretation, one can construct a complete metabolic profile of the human body.  Hair is an excellent biopsy material. It is easy to sample, easily preserved, and transported, represents a soft tissue of  the body, and is a storage and eliminative tissue. As hair grows it forms a permanent record of the body’s nutritional deficiencies or excesses.

• Mineral deficiencies and excesses
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Metabolic rate (fast or slow)
• Immune
• Mental health
• Nervous system imbalance
• Liver & kidney stress
• Diabetes and insulin resistance
• Energy levels & fatigue
• Cardiovascular health
• Adrenal & thyroid function
• Sports endurance & recovery

For example, with Hair Analysis significant ratios, you can find out your:

• Metabolic type via the calcium:phosphorus ratio
• Stress supportive mineral balance via the sodium:potassium ratio
• Thyroid supportive mineral balance via the calcium:potassium ratio
• Hormone supportive mineral balance via the zinc:copper ratio
• Adrenal supportive mineral balance via the sodium:magnesium ratio
• Blood sugar supportive mineral balance via the calcium:magnesium ratio

WHY TEST FOR MINERALS? Trace minerals are essential in countless metabolic functions in all phases of the life process. Minerals are essential for growth, healing, vitality and wellbeing. They provide structural support in bones and teeth, and maintain the body’s pH, water balance, nerve activity, muscle contractions, energy production and enzyme reactions. They are the basic ‘spark plugs’ of life.

IMBALANCES AND TOXINS?

Our health and wellbeing may be aggravated by mineral imbalances and toxic metal excesses, aggravating conditions including cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, migraines, learning difficulties and hyperactivity in children, to name just a few.

HTMA VS BLOOD TEST?

Blood tests will not reflect the actual levels of stored tissue and cellular levels of metals and minerals as compared to hair testing. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis ( HTMA) is much more accurate and reliable method of testing. Hair testing will show the precise tissue levels of minerals and heavy metal toxins as compared to blood tests. Hair is an ideal tissue for sampling and testing. It can be sampled easily and painlessly by the client at home, without the need for a physician. The sample can be sent to the lab without special handling requirements. Clinical results have shown that a properly obtained sample can give an indication of mineral status and toxic metal accumulation following chronic or acute exposure. HTMA reveals a unique metabolic world: intracellular activity, which cannot be seen through most other tests. This provides a blueprint of the biochemistry occurring during the period of hair growth and development. 

WHAT CAN CAUSE A MINERAL IMBALANCE? 

There are many factors to take into consideration, such as: DIET – Improper diet through high intake of refined and processed foods, alcohol and fad diets can all lead to a chemical imbalance. Even the nutrient content of a “healthy” diet can be inadequate, depending upon the soil in which the food was grown or the method in which it was prepared. STRESS – Physical or emotional stress can deplete the body of many nutrients while also reducing the capability to absorb and utilize many nutrients. MEDICATIONS – Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can deplete the body stores of nutrient minerals and/or increase the levels of toxic metals. These medications include diuretics, antacids, aspirin and oral contraceptives. POLLUTION – From adolescence through adulthood the average person is continually exposed to a variety of toxic metal sources such as cigarette smoke (cadmium), hair dyes (lead), hydrogenated oils (nickel), anti-perspirants (aluminum), dental amalgams (mercury).

By correcting tissue mineral levels and ratios with proper diet, supplementary nutrients and lifestyle  modifications, many physical and behavioral health conditions can be prevented or reversed

Advantages of HTMA

• Safe, scientific, non-invasive pathology test.
• Reliable data on nutrient and toxic minerals, and  important mineral ratios.
• Discovery of nutrient mineral imbalances or toxic mineral excesses that may be affecting your health.
• Valuable health information often not revealed in standard blood and urine tests.
• Unlike blood, hair is less susceptible to the homeostatic mechanisms that quickly affect trace elements levels.
• Long term deviations of mineral retention or losses are more easily detected in hair that blood. Hair provides a record of past as well as present trace element levels.

REASONS TO HAVE HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS

• Hair specimens can be collected more quickly and easily than blood, urine, or any other tissue, using a non-invasive method.
• Hair analysis is more cost-effective than mineral testing through other means.
• Unlike blood, hair is less susceptible to the homeostatic mechanisms that quickly affect trace element levels.
• Long-term deviations of mineral retention or losses are more easily detected in hair than blood.
• Hair testing reveals key information about your level of metabolic activity.
• Concentrations of most elements in the hair are significantly higher than found in the blood and other tissues.
• Hair provides a record of past as well as present trace element levels, i.e. biological activity.
• Hair provides information of substances entering the hair from the blood serum as well as from external sources.
• Hair is invaluable in the assessment of toxic metal levels.
• Hair testing measures mineral imbalances that can directly affect related vitamin activity.

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? The sampled hair, obtained by cutting the first inch and one-half of growth closest to the scalp at the nape of the neck, is prepared in a licensed clinical laboratory through a series of chemical and high temperature digestive procedures. Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results.
1. Take hair sample from clean, new hair growth at the nape of the neck  - A sample length of 1 to 1.5 inches is optimal  - A sample size of about 500mg or about one tablespoon is sufficient 2. Seal in a plastic bag 3. Submit to your health care professional for analysis.
Best results are obtained when hair has not been treated. Dandruff shampoos containing zinc (Head & Shoulders),  selenium (Selsun Blue) and lead (Grecian Formula) or other medicated shampoos/conditioners should not be used  prior to taking a sample. If hair is very short, clean thinning shears may be used.

HOW MUCH DOES HAIR ANALYSIS COST? See pricing and Order Here