Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is used to measure the mineral content of the hair. It can also detect heavy metal levels that are coming out in the hair. This test evaluates how your body responds to stress and ultimately how resilient you are. It also gives insight into nutritional deficiencies, gut infections, sex/adrenal/thyroid hormone health, metabolic health, and blood sugar balance.

Mineral imbalance is rampant these days given that most people are taking an array of pharmaceuticals or high dose vitamin supplements that end up doing more harm than good and depleting key minerals. Trace minerals are involved in countless metabolic functions and it is nearly impossible to heal from acne, digestive, or hormonal issues until we have addressed these foundations.

Some examples of the various roles minerals play:

• Zinc is involved in the production, storage and secretion of insulin and is necessary for growth hormones.
• Magnesium is required for normal muscular function, especially the heart. A deficiency has been associated with an increased incidence of abnormal heart conditions, anxiety and nervousness.
• Potassium is critical for normal nutrient transport into the cell. A deficiency can result in muscular weakness, mild depression and lethargy.
• Excess sodium is associated with hypertension, but adequate amounts are required for normal health.

Hair tissue mineral analysis is supported by an impressive body of literature in a variety of respected national and international scientific publications. Over the past 25 years, hair mineral testing has been extensive. Each year in the United States alone, federally licensed clinical laboratories perform over 150,000 hair mineral assays for health care professionals interested in an additional screening aid for a comprehensive patient evaluation.

• It is easy and painless. Hair mineral testing requires one hair sample that weighs about 100-125mg, which is about one heaping tsp of hair (depending on your hair). You take the sample from the middle-lower part of your head (ideally), which is nice because it is easy to cover. You then cut the hair sample so that it is only 1.5" long.
• This sample shows the body's mineral status for the last 90 days, which is a massive draw for us for using this with clients. The reason is most tests are only looking at a moment in time or a span of about a day. 
• HTMA looks inside the cells. This is especially helpful for intracellular minerals like magnesium and potassium since 99% reside inside the cell. 
• HTMA is affordable, which makes it easier to retest in the future and keep track of your progress. 
• The HTMA is mailed directly to your home.  No doctors visits or long waits for an appointment.

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 and cadmium), copper and aluminum cookware and lead-based cosmetics. These are just a few of the hundreds of sources which can contribute to nutrient imbalances and adverse metabolic effects.

Nutritional Supplements: Taking incorrect supplements or improper amounts of supplements can produce many vitamin and mineral excesses and/or deficiencies, contributing to an overall biochemical imbalance.

Inherited Patterns: A predisposition toward certain mineral imbalances, deficiencies and excesses can be inherited from parents