Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?

Hair, like all body tissue, contains minerals. A tissue mineral analysis is a do-it-yourself lab test that measures the mineral content of a sample of hair to assay the mineral content of the body’s tissues. If a mineral deficiency or excess is present, then a hair tissue mineral analysis will indicate that a mineral deficiency or excess exits, or that the minerals are at least bio-unavailable to your system.

Mineral Blueprint 

Providing a mineral blueprint of your biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity. A hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a standard test used around the world for the biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in humans and animals. It represents a screening for the level of 15 minerals (Boron, Calcium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybedenum, Nickel, Phosphorous, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Zinc) and 5 toxic metals (Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury).

 The same technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to detect mineral levels. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.

Benefits of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

Hair analysis can identify:
  • Glucose tolerance
  • Heavy metal toxicity
  • Cellular energy levels
  • Trace element deficiencies
  • Kidney and liver stress
  • Adrenal and thyroid activity
  • Trends for over 30 health conditions
  • Trends for psychological and emotional conditions
  • Which foods and nutritional supplements are right for you

Why Use Hair?

Hair makes an excellent biopsy because:
   1. Sampling is simple.
   2. Mineral levels in the hair are ten times that of the blood, making them easy to detect in the hair.
   3. The hair provides a cellular reading of the mineral levels. The cells are the major site of metabolic activity in the body.

Preparing the Hair for Testing

The accuracy of the hair test is dependent upon cutting the hair samples properly. All that is needed is a small sample, about the size of a tablespoon. The hair needs to be cut as close to the scalp as possible. This enables us to see the most recent metabolic activity. Any hair longer then one inch long, needs to be cut off and discarded. To reiterate, the hair sample should only be 1 inch long. If hair is short, use a clipper.

How to Cut Hair

For detailed instructions on how to prepare a hair sample, please click here. To order a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test kit, click here.

How the Hair is Analyzed

Hair is analyzed at Analytical Research Labs, Inc. (ARL) in Phoenix, Arizona. ARL uses the most sophisticated technology to interpret the minerals found in a hair sample. For further information about ARL, please click here.

Disclaimer: Neither the statements made above nor any of the products offered on this web site have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to cure, treat, prevent or diagnose any disease or illness. The information on this web site and all the materials included with the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test kits are designed for educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for medical care or advice.