What can our hair tell us about health?
Hair analysis using good quality laboratory equipment , is slowly gaining recognition as a really helpful way to help assess levels of substances that are difficult to measure by other methods. Blood and urine samples can tell us a lot about the way the body is working but are less helpful when measuring some substances. For example blood tests can vary during the day due to the food eaten.
Toxic metals such as mercury and lead can be present in the body and damage the body but not present in the blood or urine in measurable amount. Hair analysis can be helpful to assess whether such toxic metals may be high.
Hair analysis can also be used to help assess the levels of minerals we need to be healthy. Recent research now shows that hair analysis can give a true indication of the level of important minerals [ 1]. For example selenium is essential for a healthy immune system, so helps us to fight disease. A recent study of hair samples from children with leukaemia and lymphoma showed low levels of selenium [ 2]. Many other studies have also shown low selenium intake to be linked to an increased risk of cancer. Selenium is a nutrient that is naturally low in New Zealand soil and our intake of this mineral is often low [ 3].
Studies indicate that hair analysis can help analyse the connection between some conditions and toxic metals and nutritious minerals. Hair samples from children with autism spectrum disorders show these children to have low levels of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iodine, chromium, potassium [ 4, 5]. Hair samples have shown that children who have autism may have difficulty in eliminating toxic metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium these can build up in the brain and effect the way it works [ 6, 7]
Another research study looked at the levels of mineral the body needs and toxic metals in the hair samples of 124 people with cancer compared these to a control group of 86 people without cancer. The results showed low selenium levels and high arsenic levels in the hair samples were more likely to occur in the group of people with cancer but unlikely in those with no cancer[8].
Hair analysis can show imbalances long before a major disease is identified. I see this happening with couples who are having fertility problems. Both the man and woman appear well but are unable to have a child. The hair analysis shows minerals important for long term health and conception are low[ 9]. By guiding the couple to make changes not only are they able to have a healthy baby but they are less likely to develop a serious illness.
Read More: About the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test and costs.
Order your Hair Mineral Analysis; Call 07 542 1364 or email Jaine today .
Refererences
1. Dlugaszek M, Szopa M, Rzeszotarski J, Karbowiak P: Magnesium, calcium and trace elements distribution in serum, erythrocytes, and hair of patients with chronic renal failure. Magnesium Research 2008, 21(2):109-117.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18705539
2. Ozgen IT, Dagdemir A, Elli M, Saraymen R, Pinarli FG, Fisgin T, Albayrak D, Acar S: Hair selenium status in children with leukemia and lymphoma. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2007, 29(8):519-522.http://journals.lww.com/jpho-online/Abstract/2007/08000/Hair_Selenium_Status_in_Children_With_Leukemia_and.2.aspx
3. Thomson BM, Vannoort RW, Haslemore RM: Dietary exposure and trends of exposure to nutrient elements iodine, iron, selenium and sodium from the 2003-4 New Zealand Total Diet Survey. British Journal of Nutrition 2008, 99(3):614-625. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1700364
4. Adams JB, Holloway CE, George F, Quig D: Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of Arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers. Biological Trace Element Research 2006, 110(3):193-209. http://www.springerlink.com/content/8608777m457v8675/
5. Wecker L, Miller SB, Cochran SR, Dugger DL, Johnson WD: Trace element concentrations in hair from autistic children. J Ment Defic Res 1985, 29(Pt 1):15-22.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4009700
6. Desoto MC, Hitlan RT: Blood levels of mercury are related to diagnosis of autism: a reanalysis of an important data set.[see comment]. Journal of Child Neurology 2007, 22(11):1308-1311. http://jcn.sagepub.com/content/22/11/1308.abstract
7. Kern JK, Grannemann BD, Trivedi MH, Adams JB: Sulfhydryl-reactive metals in autism. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2007, 70(8):715-721. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/uteh/2007/00000070/00000008/art00007
8. Yasuda H, Yoshida K, Segawa M, Tokuda R, Tsutsui T, Yasuda Y, Magara S: Metallomics study using hair mineral analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis: relationship between cancer and minerals. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2009, 14(5):261-266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0092-y
9. Foresight Association For The Promotion Of Pre-Conceptual Care [http://www.foresight-preconception.org.uk/]
Read More About the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test
Order your Hair Mineral Analysis; Call 07 542 1364 or email Jaine today .
All information contained in this site is for general interest and not a substitute for professional advice.
