Hair Mineral Analysis

Hair mineral analysis is a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive and biologically stable sampling technique. There are over 1200 references from respectable institutions and medical journals that have confirmed its value as a screening tool. Hair closely reflects the minerals the body is accumulating. It is the second most metabolically active tissue in the body (second only to bone marrow) and trace elements in particular are accumulated in hair at concentrations 10-50 times higher than those present in blood or urine.

Certain blood mineral levels may not reflect the true status of the nutrients because the blood is buffered against significant changes in these concentrations. Assessing mineral imbalances and toxicities should be considered in the maintenance of human health:

• Metabolic problems have been related to deficiencies of one or more of the essential trace elements.

• Toxic metal accumulations in the body may interfere with proper vitamin and mineral utilization and can induce unfavorable consequences.

• There are over 3,000 biochemical reactions that control metabolism and 85% of these depend upon selective trace minerals for their activity.

• Hair tissue mineral analysis is responsive not only to trace mineral levels in the diet but to factors influencing their metabolism including stress, exercise, endocrine and gastro- intestinal function, etc

• It is not simply the performing of a hair analysis, but the interpretation and subsequent follow-up to correct metabolic imbalances that is of prime importance.