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THE
IMPORTANCE OF TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS USING HAIR
Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
The analytical
assessment of minerals using hair tissue samples has been
an effective diagnostic tool for over 30 years. We know
that minerals are very important for biological functions
of the human body. With the
devitalization of our food and the manner in which
our foods are grown (pesticides, chemical fertilizers etc),
mineral deficiency has become a growing problem.
Tissue mineral
analysis (TMA) is a test that measures the mineral content
in hair. A hair sample is taken and sent to a processing
lab that through extensive laboratory procedures
assessments are determined and sent back in a detailed
report of mineral residues present. Thirty six mineral are
tested. They are broken down by essential nutrient
minerals, toxic minerals and additional non-essential
minerals that have not yet been established as nutritive or
toxic.
How did the use
of hair become a diagnostic tool? Human hair has been
accepted as an effective tissue for the monitoring of heavy
metal toxicity by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
since the early 1980’s. It is ideal for the following
criteria:
·
Hair accumulates all the important trace elements.
·
It
is commonly available tissue
·
It
is widespread geographically.
·
Hair is easily collected, stored, and transported.
·
Samples can be resampled.
·
It
is present in polluted and non polluted areas.
·
The
content of the hair correlates with the environmental
gradients of metals.
·
The
use of hair has advantages over other tissues.
When comparing
the mineral status with the use of hair analysis in
relationship to blood analysis and urinalysis ; hair shows
the past metabolic activity, the blood shows the current
level that are appearing in the blood and urine show what
is being excreted or already metabolized. All are very
effective in a total assessment of a
persons state of health.
Why test for
minerals and what can cause a mineral imbalance? According
to the late Dr. Henry Schroeder “trace elements are more
important factors in human nutrition than vitamins.
The
body can manufacture many vitamins, but it cannot produce
necessary trace minerals or get rid of possible excess.” He
further states that “minerals are the basic spark plug in
the chemistry of life, on which the exchanges of energy in
the combustion of food and the building of tissues depend.”
Many disease conditions can be attributed to mineral
deficiency for example zinc is necessary for production of
growth hormone, proper insulin levels and certain immune
functions. Magnesium is necessary for proper muscle
functions especially the heart. Potassium is needed for
nutrient transport of nutrients into the cells.
There are many
factors that can contribute to mineral deficiency or
excess.
The following
have been established:
·
Diet- the standard American diet is good example. Overly
refined, containing chemical additives etc.
·
Stress- physical and emotional can deplete nutrients while
reduce capacity to absorb and utilize nutrients.
·
Medications- both prescription and over the counter
medicines can deplete stored mineral and can increase toxic
metals for example, diuretics, antacids and aspirin.
·
Pollution- the numerous toxins found in water and air and
our environment.
·
Nutritional supplements- taking the incorrect type of
supplements or improper amounts can produce mineral
excesses or other biochemical imbalances.
·
Inherited patterns-they can be inherited form parents.
As in nature
there is balance so it is with the nutrients in our bodies.
We call these relationships synergistic or antagonistic.
Synergism means that the nutrients work together in
cooperation. Antagonistic relationships exist when
nutrients work against each other. TMA reveals when this
relationship is present. A few examples of this are:
Zinc can reduce the beneficial effects of vitamin D
Calcium can reduce beneficial effects of vitamin A
Excessive vitamins can affect mineral balance.
Vitamin C can reduce effects of copper.
Vitamin D can cause deficiency of magnesium.
Too
much iron can contribute to symptoms as arthritis, high
blood pressure, and headaches.
Frontal headaches are associated with too much copper.
Taking too much calcium alone can contribute to
osteoporosis, weight gain and fatigue.
Toxic metals can contribute to learning and behavioral
problems in children.
Another aspect
of the role of testing minerals in our bodies
is understanding our metabolic
type. Biochemical individuality is what separates us from
each other like a set of fingerprints. As humans we all
operate basically the same but we all have our own program.
TMA establishes and separates our metabolic type into two
categories; the fast metabolizer
and the slow metabolizer.
The
neurological and endocrine systems largely govern cellular
metabolism and nutritional status so it is important to
know your type. The fast metabolizer
will have accelerated cellular activity and be governed
more by overworked thyroid and adrenal function.
Basically a type A
personality. The slow metabolizer
exhibit a slowed down metabolic activity. The thyroid and
adrenals under produce their hormones and accumulations of
sedative minerals can contribute to certain symptoms like
low blood pressure, dizziness, reduced circulation and
feeling of coldness. Approximately 80 percent of the
American population is of the slow type.
Vitamin and
minerals can also be classified according to their
stimulating or sedating effects upon the
neuro-endocrine system.
Stimulating nutrients include vitamins A, B’s, vitamin E,
phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and
selenium. Sedative minerals include vitamin B2 and B12,
vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and chromium.
There are established health conditions attributed to the
effects of each classification of sedative or stimulatory
mineral patterns.
These effects correlate with your
metabolic type.
Once an
assessment has been made the report makes recommendations
with changes in diet and nutritional supplements to help to
correct imbalances in the body. The nutritional program is
intended to be followed for a period of 60-90 days and then
another sample retested to see if the presenting conditions
have improved. Hair analysis is a very effective tool when
designing a nutritional supplement program. Ask your health
care professional when considering this testing.
For more
information read Trace Elements and Other Essential
Nutrients-Clinical Applications of Tissue Mineral Analysis
by Dr. David Watts.
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