Hair Mineral Analysis

Assessing the mineral and heavy metal content in the hair is often a good way to evaluate body chemistry and how we handle stress. We can also see toxic blockages of enzyme function, as well as nutritional deficiencies. Minerals and heavy metals in the body are only partially present inside cells. Therefore, measurement of urine or blood is often not accurate.

The amount of a mineral in the hair does not necessarily reflect the amount in the body. The values of the hair analysis do not necessarily tell us whether there is too much or too little of the mineral in the body, but rather how the body is utilizing the mineral in its metabolism. In other words, a high calcium level does not mean we have too much calcium. Rather, it may indicate a low thyroid function, and a need for calcium supplementation until the metabolism improves.

Hair mineral analysis helps us to prescribe supplements correctly. By helping to balance body minerals, correct deficiencies, and improve glandular function and digestion, our body is much better able to heal. Hair analysis also gives a picture of our metabolic function over the past two to three months.

Since the body compensates and adapts in layers, as we move toward health we may actually at times go backward in layers. The first hair analysis may not reveal the deeper problems. Often it requires reevaluation with several hair analyses over a year to monitor progress. For example, as nutritional supplementation improves health, heavy metals may begin to be excreted by the body and show up in the hair, though these metals were not initially present in hair. (We recommend having a hair analysis only with a laboratory that does not wash the hair sample before testing.)

Hair mineral analysis also provides measurements for heavy metals. A healthy metabolism prefers minerals to metals. For every body function there is a preferred mineral. But if that mineral is not there, the body will take the next best option. For example, if we are deficient in zinc, which many people are, the body will hold on to cadmium, which is a very toxic metal, in order to metabolize. A hair analysis comes in the form of a graph of the metals and minerals found in the hair sample. What is most important is the pattern on the graph. For example, high calcium and magnesium, coupled with low sodium and potassium, suggests that a different dietary and supplement program will be needed compared to low calcium and magnesium and high sodium and potassium.

Some of the information included on this page is borrowed with permission from Robert Zieve, MD, www.pinetreeclinic.com