Why use hair for mineral testing?
Hair is used for mineral testing because of its unique makeup. Hair is formed from clusters of specialized cells that make up the hair follicle. During the growth phase, the hair is exposed to components of the body’s internal environment such as blood, lymph, and extra-cellular fluids. As the hair continues to grow and reaches the surface of the skin, its outer layers harden and lock in the metabolic products accumulated during the period of formation. This biological process provides a blueprint and lasting record of mineral status and nutritional metabolic activity that has occurred during this time. The precise analytical method of determining the levels of minerals in the hair is a highly sophisticated technique: when performed to exacting standards and interpreted correctly, it may be used as a screening aid for determining mineral deficiencies, excesses, and/or imbalances. HTMA provides you with an economical and sensitive indicator of the long-term effects of diet, stress, toxic metal exposure, and their effects on your mineral balance that is difficult to obtain through other clinical tests.
Why is mineral status so important?
Minerals are involved in and are necessary for cellular metabolism, structural support, nerve conduction, muscular activity, immune functions, anti-oxidant and endocrine activity, enzyme functions, water and acid/alkaline balance, and even DNA function. Many factors can affect mineral nutrition, such as food preparation, dietary habits, genetic and metabolic disorders, disease, medications, stress, environmental factors, as well as exposure to heavy metals. Multiple nutritional imbalances are quite common, contributing to an increased incidence of adverse health conditions. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is the best first step in figuring out your personal biochemistry. Minerals are at the core of our health, and deficiencies or toxicities can give insight into your:
- Adrenal Heath
- Thyroid Health
- Hormone Balance
- Blood Sugar Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Underlying Infections
- Metabolic Rate
Minerals which are tested in the HTMA
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Copper
- Zinc
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Manganese
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Boron
- Selenium
- Sulfur
- Molybdenum
- and 14 trace minerals
Heavy metals which are tested in the HTMA
- Antimony
- Aluminum
- Arsenic
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Uranium
Interested in an HTMA? Contact me here!