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Hair Analysis and Your Health
A hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a
standard test used globally for the biological monitoring of trace
elements and toxic metals in humans and animal species. The same
technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to
detect mineral levels.
Minerals
are involved in and are necessary for cellular metabolism, structural
support, formation of hormones, nerve conduction, muscular activity,
immune functions, anti-oxidant and endocrine activity, enzyme functions,
water and acid/alkaline balance and even DNA function. According to the
late Dr. Henry Schroeder, trace elements (minerals) 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
many possible excesses."
Unlike blood tests, hair tissue mineral analysis will not vary from
day to day, and provides a long-term metabolic blueprint. A
hair analysis indicates the overall level of minerals stored in
your body over a period of time. It reveals the metabolic activity
that occurs within the cells of your body and provides a blueprint
of the biochemistry occurring during the period of hair growth and
development. In other words, hair provides a record of past as
well as present levels of trace elements in your body
Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are
deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals
remain as the hair continues to grow. A sample of hair cut close to
the scalp provides past health history information about the
mineral activity in the hair-because hair has the long-term memory of
the body's health status.
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Trace Mineral Analysis
Hair tissue mineral analysis (TMA),
is an analytical test that measures the mineral content of the hair.A hair sample when
properly obtained, analyzed, and interpreted, can provide important
information about your overall nutritional status. This includes the
effects of diet, supplements, and stress. (We recommend that a
nutritional hair test be updated every
4 to 6 months).
Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection
equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results.
Human hair has been accepted as an
effective test tissue for
biological monitoring of toxic heavy
metals by
the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and is being used for this
purpose throughout the world. The use of hair has advantages over
other tissues. The blood measures the component that is absorbed and
temporarily in circulation before it is excreted and /or sequestered
into storage depots. The status of a mineral can also give a strong
indication of a vitamin need, especially when vitamin-mineral
synergisms and antagonisms are taken into consideration.
Minerals
comprise approximately four percent of our total body weight and
include a wide variety of nutrients. Their functions range from
providing structural support in the formation of bones and teeth, to
maintaining the acid-base balance, water balance, nerve conduction,
muscle contraction, and enzyme functions. Some minerals participate in
hundreds of biochemical processes, while others participate in only
limited functions. Their role in health and disease is just now being
validated via scientific research.
Why Should I Have a Hair Analysis?
Hair
tissue mineral analysis can help anyone who is ill and has no
explanation as to why, or the cause seems to be identified but the
therapy is not effective. Hair tissue mineral analysis can open up a
whole new approach to solving your own particular problem.
Hair
tissue mineral analysis is unique in that it is non-invasive
and an inexpensive way to give information directly about cellular
activity—the main site of nutritional metabolism. It indicates the
nutritional content of the body's tissue, toxic heavy metals,
the ratio of nutrients to heavy metal toxins, and the metabolism type.
Blood work provides different
information.
Hair is the second most metabolically
active tissue in the body. The hair tissue is affected by the blood,
perspiration, environment, genetics, hormones and enzymes. The hair
represents what is occurring inside the cells and the sub-molecular
figures of the body. A blood test shows what is happening outside the
cell and the waste material being discarded. The hair gives a reading
of what is being stored in the body. For example, if mercury is high
in the hair, a higher concentration of it would also be found in
organs like the kidney and liver.
A hair analysis gives a more
complete picture of a person's health history. Our hair analysis
test can show heavy metal toxicity, mineral deficiencies, nutritional
deficiencies and some vitamin deficiencies which have occurred over a
long period of time. For instance, magnesium is a "calming" mineral,
so if it is low in your tissues, you may have muscle twitches or
anxiety. Our hair analysis test will also show if there is an
elevated mineral toxicity. This means that your minerals are getting
stuck in the connective tissues of your body, instead of being
utilized by your body. For instance if the "calming" mineral magnesium
is elevated is your tissues it can also cause twitches or anxiety
instead of relaxation. The key is that your minerals need to be in
balance with each other so they can nourish your body properly as they
are supposed to do. All minerals should be functioning optimally in
your body so you can function at your optimal level.
Even
without a severe health problem, abnormal changes in body chemistry
and nutritional deficiencies may result in early, subtle changes in
the body such as the following:
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White spots in the
nails, stretch marks, and lack of nail growth can indicate a
possible zinc deficiency.
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Longitudinal
ridging in the nails may indicate an iron deficiency.
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Brittle hair and
nails can show a calcium and copper imbalance.
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Autistic behaviors
and mood swings can be linked to possible toxic metal accumulation
like lead, mercury, or cadmium.
Hair
tissue mineral analysis can help detect these early warning signs and
help you prevent potential health problems.
Hair
tissue mineral analysis is a screening test. Screening tests are
extremely valuable in medicine, although they are not given the
importance they deserve. No claims are made for the diagnosis,
treatment, or cure of any disease or condition using hair tissue
mineral analysis.
For Detailed information on Hair Analysis, visit
www.energymedc.com
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