One of the services I'm offering is HTMA which is hair tissue mineral analysis.
Why test for minerals?
Trace minerals are essential in countless metabolic functions in all phases of the life process.
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 heart attacks, anxiety and nervousness.
Potassium is critical for normal nutrient transport into the cell. A deficiency can result in muscular weakness, depression and lethargy.
Excess sodium is associated with hypertension, but adequate amounts are required for normal health.
In the words of author researcher, 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 the necessary trace minerals or get rid of the many possible excesses.
What can cause a mineral imbalance?
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 of store of nutrient minerals and/or increase the levels of toxic metals - for example: 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), antiperspirants (aluminum), lead based cosmetics, copper and aluminum cookware, and dental amalgams (mercury and cadmium) These are just a few of the hundreds of sources which can contribute to nutrient imbalances and adverse metabolic effects.
Nutritional Supplements
Taking the incorrect type of supplements of improper amounts of nutritional supplements can produce many mineral excesses and/or deficiencies contributing to an overall biochemical imbalance.
Inherited Patterns
A predisposition toward mineral imbalances, deficiencies and excess can be inherited from parents.
Did you know?
Excessive mineral intake can negate the beneficial effects of vitamins, for example:
* Zinc can reduce the beneficial effect of Vitamin D.
* Calcium can reduce the beneficial effect of Vitamin A.
Excessive vitamin intake can negate the beneficial effects of minerals, for example:
* Vitamin C can reduce the beneficial effect of copper.
* Vitamin D can cause a deficiency of magnesium.
Taking too much iron can contribute to symptoms as arthritis, high blood pressure and tension headaches with dizziness.
Frontal headaches ( behind the eyes) 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 disabilities in children.
Designing a Nutritional Program
It is essential in order to design an effective nutritional program that your doctor is able to distinguish the basic underlying cause of the symptoms that you may be experiencing. It is for this reason that upon evaluation, your doctor may request a HTMA to be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. A HTMA can assist in providing your doctor with a more comprehensive picture on which to base the most appropriate therapy.
HTMA Computer Designed Reports
Each test report will provide you with the most complete and comprehensive computer evaluation of significant mineral levels and ratios as tested in the hair. Included is a list of foods to eat or avoid in accordance with food allergy indicators and individual requirements. In addition, each analysis contains a highly specific listing of nutrients that may assist in balancing body chemistry.
" Through proper interpretation, there exists a unique ability to recognize abnormal metabolic process from trace mineral patterns found in the hair and other tissues. With specific dietary modifications, restoration of a more normal biochemical balance can be achieved, thereby eliminating many nutritional related endocrine, neurological and even emotional disturbances."
Dr. David L. Watts Ph.D.
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?
Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), is an analytical test which measures the mineral content of the hair. The sampled hair, obtained by cutting the first inch and one half of growth closet to the scalp at the nape of the neck, is prepared in a licensed clinical laboratory through a series of chemical and high temperature digestive procedures. Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results.
Why is the Hair Used?
Hair is the ideal tissue for sampling and testing. First, it can be cut easily and painlessly and can be sent to the lab without special handling requirements.
Second, clinical results have shown that a properly obtained sample can give an indication of mineral status and toxic metal accumulation following long term or acute exposure.
A HTMA reveals a unique metabolic world; intracellular activity, which cannot be seen through most other tests. This provides a blueprint of the biochemistry occurring during the period of hair growth and development.
Examples
* Thirty to forty days following acute exposure, elevated serum levels of lead may be undetectable. This is due to the body removing the lead from the serum as a protective measure and depositing the metals into such tissues as the liver, bones, teeth, and hair.
* Calcium loss from the body can become so advanced that severe osteoporosis can develop without any appreciable changes noted in the calcium levels in a blood test.
* Symptoms of iron deficiency can be present long before low iron levels are detected in the serum.
Hair is used as one of the tissues of choice by the Environmental Protection Agency in determining toxic metal exposure. A 1980 report from the E.P.A. stated that human hair can be effectively used for biological monitoring of the highest priority toxic metals. This report confirmed the findings of other studies in the US and abroad, which concluded that human hair may be a more appropriate tissue than blood or urine for studying community exposure to some trace elements.
Call me today to book your hair tissue mineral analysis the cost is $155 this includes an initial appointment for hair sample collection ( not more than 15-20 min. to collect a small sample of natural, untreated hair -new growth), the lab fee for the test, report and a 1 hour consultation to go over the results. Once the hair sample is mailed to the lab in the US it can take about two weeks to get the results at which time we would schedule a second appointment to go over the results. Please note the entire fee is due at the collection time.
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