What is a Hair Analysis?   > Click here to download information sheet in a PDF format Hair analysis (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, HTMA) gives an accurate, long-range view of the minerals crucial to the function of every organ, gland and structural system in the body. Minerals are the source of life, energy production and health since we are literally made of dust. For instance, did you know that Copper is necessary to formulate Oestrogen? That Zinc is needed to produce and release the hormones that give one energy and endurance under stress? That heart attacks can be linked with a major imbalance in the ratio of Calcium and Magnesium in the body? Well, these and many more facts about minerals make them worth their weight in gold for our health. Yet, one of the most dangerous moves a person can make is to take one or two minerals alone for any length of time. The minerals all work together and require balance, for too much of a good thing is often worse than the deficiency you are trying to correct. This is why a hair mineral analysis is so beneficial. You can have an initial reading (HTMA) and then monitor your progress with periodic re-tests, we suggest every 4-6 months and adjust your intake of supplements accordingly. Why Hair Analysis? A hair analysis will take you on a tour inside your cells to the site where metabolism takes place. There you will be able to see: 1. TOXIC METALS such as lead & aluminium and excess elements such as iron & copper. These contribute to many conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and depression. Depending on what metal it is and where you are being exposed, you may need to make dietary changes, have your water checked or even rid yourself of your aluminium cookware or even consider the amount of aluminium you are absorbing by using anti-perspirant/anti-transpirant products. Did you know that hair is so reliable as a resource that when tests on strands of hair supposedly taken from Napoleon's body immediately after his death, this hair was tested and arsenic was found in the sample. Apparently his captors slowly feed Arsenic to him, causing his mysterious illness and ultimate death. 2. ORGAN & GLAND ACTIVITY may be calculated since certain minerals and their ratios correlate with the activity of your organs and glands. 3. UNDERSTANDING OF PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIOR becomes possible considering the role nutritional imbalances have on body chemistry. Few avenues exist which can predict, explain and suggest nutritional solutions to depression, anxiety, phobias, insomnia and hyperactivity. Hair analysis, properly interpreted, is one. 4. ASSESSMENT OF THE BODY'S ENERGY SYSTEM which is essential for health and wellbeing, is possible since specific minerals such as manganese and magnesium are required for energy production, determining the quantities of these minerals will provide information on individual energy output. Hair analysis can be used to assess the efficiency of the energy system of the body including sugar and acid cycles. In fact, it reveals increased sugar intake immediately. One client was very surprised when his re-test (second or third test) came with an admonition to "leave the sugar alone." He was surprised and wanted to know how the doctor knew he'd been sitting in front of the TV devouring 1/2 price sweets his wife had bought! 5. DETERMINE OXIDATION TYPES (how you burn/metabolise your food) with pinpoint accuracy. Dr. George Watson discovered that people metabolise food at differing rates. This discovery brought the realization that food intake should therefore be different. For instance, someone who burns food very quickly a Fast Oxidizer needs food like meat and fats to slow his or her metabolism down. By the same token, Slow Oxidizers need more easily digestible foods to burn as quickly as possible. Many of us do this naturally. Any vegetarian will tell you how harmful meat is to their metabolism, not to mention their digestion. (This is because they are almost invariably slow oxidizers and copper toxic to boot.) Well, just as food intake should be altered according to oxidation rates, so should nutritional supplements. As a consequence we add if the client is a Fast or Slow Metaboliser, and give appropriate nutritional guidance re food groups that should be chosen in the support of overall good health management and possible weightloss. Why Not Just Depend On Blood Tests? The nature of the bloodstream is one of balance (homeostasis). It is absolutely essential for the blood to rid the body of toxins as quickly as possible, if it cannot excrete them it will store them. Therefore, organs, glands, tissues, even bones become toxic waste dumps. Depending on the concentration and the mineral, this "dumping" can take mere minutes to several days. Thereafter, no trace may be found in the blood. In fact, your blood is so efficient in maintaining balance that it will reveal different minerals and hormones when you first wake up than after that harrowing drive to the doctor's office and different even again by the time you finally see the doctor. This means that blood tests give you a "right now" analysis. If I SHOUTED at you, your blood chemistry will be instantly effected. Hair analysis tells you what's been going on in the cells respective to the distance of the hair sample from the scalp, i.e. a 2 inch cutting, 1 inch from the scalp is approximately representative of the last 1.5 to 2 months. Not to mention, HTMA is substantially much less invasive! What Type of Hair is Tested and How? The Hair Analysis, or more accurately, Tissue Mineral Analysis is performed by clipping a sample of hair. The lab recommends the hair at the back of the head between the nape and the crown as the first choice since it grows more evenly. However, if it is not available, other body hair including arm, leg or pubic hair may be cut (don't shave because skin particles would contaminate the test). If no body hair is present, fingernail clippings may also be used. Each substitution inhibits accuracy but a general reading is still possible. Once the sample reaches the lab, it is dissolved in an acid so that only the minerals and metals are left. Thereafter it is tested by a computer-controlled machine called a 'inductive coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometer'. Each of the 28 test are quality-controlled by comparing the reported concentration of a certified standard with the machine's results and repeated 3 times, totalling 84 tests for each individuals sample. If there are any discrepancies, the whole process is repeated. Is It Accurate and Reliable? If you follow the guidelines mentioned above and have a reputable laboratory running the test, as we have, you can be sure of the test's accuracy. Note: Some companies have an unfortunate habit of "washing" the hair once it reaches the lab. As mentioned before, this washes away most of the watersoluble minerals and thus alters the test. The proof comes in trying it. Many of our clients have been amazed at how accurately their current health problems are noted and their reasons explained. Some have cried, "For the first time, someone truly understands me, it's not just all in my head'. When in fact it's all been 'on their head'. What Do I Get With A Report? The very comprehensive, easy to read, individualized written report explains the intricacies of the tissue mineral analysis. The consequences and effects of an excess or deficient element, when found, are explained in fine detail, in language written for both the consumer and practitioner alike. Your report covers the following 19 MINERALS: Boron, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Gold, Iodine, Iron, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur, Vanadium, and Zinc. Plus the following 9 TOXIC MINERALS: Aluminium, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Silver and Strontium. It also covers "SIGNIFICANT RATIOS" and "TOXIC RATIOS" which often have more to do with your health than the actual levels of the minerals in your body. By adding if the patient/client is either a Fast or Slow Metaboliser, calculated by the Significant Ratios, our Nutritionalist/Dietician gives appropriate nutritional guidance, supporting good health through nutrition and supporting possible weightloss. The report also concludes with dietary recommendations allowing for the intricate balancing of trace minerals, again potentiating optimum health. SERVICE DRIVEN: Bio-Medicals, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), provides a fully comprehensive, written report service. The HTMA report is specific to the individuals analytical results. This service succinctly constructs a written clinical mosaic of the patient/clients mineral health and toxic element status. Each report concludes by listing, for each of the deficient elements found via the testing procedure, the ten (10) best foods, enabling the body to extract the minerals needed, hence supporting the bodies health through good nutrition guidance. Please note: This page is for information purposes only because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have not evaluated it. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe and is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please see your healthcare professional.