Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

Why is HTMA different from having a blood test?

When we test mineral levels in a blood test, it provides a current snapshot of what minerals are being transported around the body, but it doesn’t accurately measure minerals stored in our tissues. Our bodies have processes to store important minerals in our tissues as a safeguard to prevent significant mineral loss and toxicity. To keep minerals essential for body functioning, the body can access these stored minerals from our tissues every day. Similarly, to prevent toxic minerals (eg. heavy metals) from poisoning the body and causing illness these excess toxins are stored in tissues like bones, hair, skin, nails, and body fat.

I like to use the comparison  ”Our blood is a like freeway, with minerals racing in and out and our  tissues are like a carpark where most minerals sit waiting to be requested by the body.”

Ideally, we should get all the minerals we need from a balanced diet. Unfortunately, today this is rarely possible. Modern farming techniques, fertilisers and depleted soils reduce the mineral content of foods. Environmental pollutants, chemical food additives and stressful lifestyles also have a detrimental effect on our nutritional status.

What can Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Reveal?

*MINERAL DEFICIENCIES AND EXCESSES        * HEAVY METAL TOXICITY

*METABOLIC RATE (FAST OR SLOW)               * IMMUNE

*MENTAL HEALTH                                               * NERVOUS SYSTEM IMBALANCE

*LIVER & KIDNEY STRESS                                   * DIABETES AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

*ENERGY LEVELS & FATIGUE                             * CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

*ADRENAL & THYROID FUNCTION                   * SPORTS ENDURANCE & RECOVERY

What is required for this test ? 

Just a small amount of hair about a tablespoon.