Hair Analysis – Could it Help You?

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Joy

Hair Mineral Analysis – Could you benefit?

If you have a disease or illness that has not responded to conventional treatment, you may wish to explore other possibilities and hair analysis is an excellent place to start. As the name suggests, it is hair testing and is sometimes referred to as Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis.

If you are suffering from ‘unexplained’ health problems such as headaches, backaches, weakness or tremors, Hair Mineral Analysis (also known as HMA) may help you to get to the bottom of it. If you can answer ‘yes’ to five or more of these questions an HMA may provide information which, if acted upon, could benefit your health.

  • Do you live in a city, or exercise/walk by a busy road?
  • Do you spend more than two hours a week in traffic?
  • Do you smoke more than five cigarettes a day?
  • Do you live or work in a smoky atmosphere?
  • Do you buy foods exposed to exhaust fumes (i.e. on display at a road-side stall)?
  • Do you generally eat non-organic produce?
  • Do you drink more than 1 unit of alcohol per day?
  • Do you spend a lot of time in front of a TV or VDU?
  • Are you exposed to pollutants in your job (e.g. printing) or hobby (gardening)?
  • Do you have two or more amalgam dental fillings?
  • Do you usually drink unfiltered tap water?
  • Are you just feeling under par without knowing why?

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How to take a hair sample for Hair Mineral Analysis

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Joy

When taking a sample for hair mineral analysis it is best to wash the hair first, as it should be free of gels, oils and hair creams. Also this will remove any extraneous pollutants collected in the atmosphere.

Location of hair sample

The hair should be taken in small portions from at least 4 or 5 different locations of the scalp. The recommended areas for collection are the nape of the neck and temporal regions, towards the back.

Length of hair sample for testing

Using high grade stainless steel scissors, cut the hair as close to the scalp as possible. The sample length should not exceed 1.5 inches. Retain the 1.5 inches closest to the scalp and discard the excess.

Quantity of hair required for Hair Mineral Analysis

You need to send in at least 150mg of hair, or one heaped teaspoonful.

Sending the hair sample

Please keep the hair in a clean sealed envelope. There’s a very simple form to fill in too. You will either have this on the back of a sample envelope, or in the ebook. The address for posting is specified on either of those, but if you’re in any doubt about where to send it, check with me via the Contact Page.

Please DO NOT put your cheque in the same envelope as the hair – the envelope needs to go unopened to the lab.

Please DO NOT send by postal services that need signature, as I am often unable to be present to sign.

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Your Questions About Science Behind Hair Loss

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Joy

William asks…

What causes hair loss?

I understand one thing is genetics. My brother lost a significant amount of hair from the ages 19-23. I am 18 and now going through the same thing. I want to at least attempt to stop it before it gets worse. What is the science behind hair loss? Also, is there any natural way to prevent it?

Joy answers:

1.Check your diet. If you are not eating a balanced diet, your entire body will be affected, and your hair is a part of your body. Certain proteins, minerals, and oils are critical for normal hair health.  The Hair Mineral Analysis test described on this site can check whether you have specific mineral deficiencies, or excesses of toxic minerals.

2.Check your stress levels. Anxiety and stress are common causes of hair loss. Some stress cannot be avoided, but you can take steps to reduce their affect on your body. One of these is regular exercise. As well, you need to develop relaxation techniques, such as breathing therapy, Yoga, or meditation. Whatever works for you, increase it!

3.Hair loss can be a symptom of a disease – Lupus and Diabetes are two common causes. When hair loss appears to have no other cause, you need to check with your doctor. Diabetes and Lupus are more dangerous than the hair loss they cause.

4.How about mom and dad? Hair loss, particularly pattern hair loss, is partially a result of heredity, and heredity from both sides. Unfortunately, this one can’t be reversed.

5.Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss. Usually, you will see the signs of these on your scalp. Have them diagnosed and get them treated!

6.Harsh shampoos can cause increased hair loss. There is an ingredient in shampoo which causes it to lather – surfactant. Too much of this can cause itchy, dry, and scaly scalps, and those conditions can cause hair loss.

If you find that you are doing everything right and have no diseases or scalp conditions, you will want to try other remedies, which fall into three categories.

Medicines developed specifically for hair loss. There are a multitude of creams, pills, and ointments available to try. Everyone is different and what works for one will not necessarily work for you. You will need to experiment to find one that seems to work best for you.

Gadgets and gizmos! Some of these are very expensive and may even worsen/weaken your hair.

Natural, drug-free approaches – check out my natural approach to Hair Loss website.

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Technorati Claim

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Joy

Technorati claim

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Does Hair Mineral Analysis Detect Thyroid Problems?

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Joy

While Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA) is not a specific thyroid test, it does show disturbed relationships in and between the endocrine glands, as one gland does not become over- or under-active without affecting another. So for instance if thyroid function is already low, other hormonal fluctuations (such as an otherwise normal rise in oestrogen) can suppress it further.

HMA categorises people into “fast” or “slow” metabolisers. In “fast” types the thyroid and adrenals are working over-time, accelerating metabolic activity. In “slow” metabolisers, the thyroid and adrenal glands become sluggish.

Categorisation is based upon the different levels of minerals detected by the test.

A few examples of mineral levels that affect thyroid function:

  • Copper is “antagonistic” to the thyroid and thyroid activity is reduced in the presence of too much copper
  • Low thyroid activity and adrenal sufficiency are commonly found in individuals with raised calcium levels, because calcium is a sedative mineral and slows the metabolic rate
  • Selenium is connected with good thyroid function
  • There is a close relationship between the thyroid gland and iron status
  • Normal thyroid requires manganese (involved in formation of thyroxin) and studies have found low manganese levels in patients with an inactive thyroid.
  • Individuals with low thyroid activity have an increased need for chromium
  • Low magnesium levels are often found in patients suffering from hyperthyroidism and the opposite is true for those with underactive thyroid glands.

All these mineral levels are checked in the test, and then the metabolic type is determined at the lab.

Part of the HMA report will recommend a supplement program designed to correct the mineral imbalances that could be causing glandular problems.

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Your Questions About Hair Mineral Analysis And Arsenic

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Joy

Carol asks…

Where could the Arsenic in our hair have come from?

We had our hair analyzed after a year of health problems within our family and the results were extraordinary. We all have very high levels of arsenic, and chromium. My four year old daughter has extremely high sodium and potassium, rubidium, strontium and vanadium. Actually, she is not low in any of the nutrient minerals. she is above the reference range of aluminum. Please somebody shed some light on our situation, even if its just an opinion. I have the Council coming tomorrow to test the water from our tap. We live by the Bog and when i contacted them about testing the soil, they laughed at me. The Department of Environment were nice but say they cant do anything to help find out where the arsenic is coming from. We had a Holiday in the USA in March. The hair analysis was taken last week. Thoughts/ information please….
Our house is three years old. We bought from the builder. The levels are dangerously high and the report suggested we use chealation to remove the toxic metals from our bodies. I am very worried because we dont know where its coming from and we continue to be ill. My daughter has behavioural problems, poor muscle tone and has had all the nasty illnesses including septecemia, shingles, and measles. They may not be as a result only of the minerals and heavy metals but looking at the hair reports scares me.

Joy answers:

It could be your water supply. Outside of that how old is your house? Is there a lot of treated wood around? Arsenic could be the in the wood preservative. Sorry to read you’re going through this.  I say get sneaky and take a soil sample, send it to a lab and get your results. Good luck and wish you well.

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Hair Mineral Analysis and Food Allergies

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Joy

Hair Analysis Testing in Allergies and Food Intolerances

I am often asked if I recommend Hair Mineral Analysis for food allergies and intolerances. The short answer is no. I do not!

Quoting from Dr Adrian Morris’s excellent website:

“Hair is analysed for allergies in two ways.  First of all, the hair is tested for toxic levels of heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury and Cadmium and then deficiencies of Selenium, Zinc, Chromium, Manganese and Magnesium. There is no scientific evidence to support the hypothesis that these heavy metals have any bearing on allergic diseases.  Hair samples are usually sent away for analysis and numerous studies have failed to find any accuracy in hair analysis diagnosing allergies.”

If you suspect a food intolerance you will find much helpful information and contact details on Dr Morris’s website: http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/

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Detecting mercury levels

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Joy

Very interesting article about mercury levels and sources of mercury in the paper today, by Kali Simmonds, ND, a doctor of naturopathic medicine.

As well as listing some of the sources of mercury (including amalgam fillings and excess tuna consumption) it confirms my own belief that hair mineral analysis is a better way to detect mercury than blood and urine analysis.

However, very wisely the article cautions against the hasty removal of amalgam fillings in the teeth without very careful planning.The procedure should only be carried out under the supervision of a dentist specialising in safe extraction of mercury fillings, otherwise you run the risk of worsening your exposure by freeing up mercury that was otherwise stable (even if it were best not to have been there in the first place!)

While it is wise to avoid further exposure to mercury, and to avoid releasing it – for instance by regular gum-chewing – before taking any action to remove it, you would be well advised to have a hair mineral analysis done, to assess levels of toxicity.

It may be that the levels can be controlled with supplements, or extraction could be advisable. However, without proper assessment, you are merely guessing.

The hair mineral analysis test I use for my clients is available worldwide; results can be delivered by email. You can learn more about mercury and hair mineral analysis in the ebook on my hair analysis website, or contact me with specific questions.

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Weight Loss and Hair Analysis

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Joy

Although I am very much in favor of Hair Analysis, I had never made the connection between mineral imbalances and weight gain – which is remiss of me really, because Hair Mineral Analysis is a great test for checking out endocrine activity.

Correct mineral balance is vital for the efficient functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands, so if you are confident that you are following a sensible diet to lose weight steadily, yet having no success, it’s well worth having a hair analysis test to check on your mineral levels.

As ever, with minerals, it’s not the absolute levels that are the most important issue, but the ratio between pairs of minerals.  For a hypothyroid pattern in a hair analysis report, the important ratios are primarily calcium / potassium, but also calcium / phosphorous, sodium / magnesium and calcium / magnesium.

You can read a more technical analysis on the Doctors Hangout site, and if you are in South Africa do contact Dr Ellis-Lee as recommended. She uses the same laboratory that I use, and although I have clients world-wide, Dr Ellis-Lee will be better placed to help you in South Africa.

So next time someone tells you “I can’t lose weight”  and blames their glands or hormones, don’t dismiss it out of hand. Suggest they have a Hair Mineral Analysis, and if mineral imbalances are found, they can consider implementing the supplement program supplied as part of the report.

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How accurate are Hair Mineral Analysis results?

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Joy

Clients are often skeptical about how much information can be determined from a hair analysis – especially when they have previously specified their medical conditions and which medication they are using.

So, I was delighted to receive the following testimonial from A.N. of Norway, which she gave me permission to publish , when she ordered her re-test.

“When I sent my first hair sample I didn’t include any information about my health problems. This was because I didn’t have a diagnosis at the time and I also wanted to see if it was possible to identify my problems without me providing any facts to you.  Indeed it was!  I was quite amazed reading my report. Almost everything I had experienced was in it. And with an explanation!”

Click to download a sample hair analysis report or to learn more about hair mineral analysis and download an ebook with much more explanation about this powerful and amazingly accurate test.

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