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WHY USE HAIR ANALYSIS TO DESIGN NUTRITION PROGRAMS? |
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WHY USE HAIR ANALYSIS TO DESIGN NUTRITION PROGRAMS?by Dr. Lawrence Wilson This is an introductory article on tissue mineral analysis.
Hair mineral analysis is screening test to
measure the levels of 22 or more minerals in the hair tissue. Hair is
tested because it is a rapidly-growing tissue that can be sampled easily
and safely. The site of metabolism is the tissues, not the blood or
urine. Hair provides a unique, biopsy type of reading of metabolic
activity.
The test is performed by burning the sample of
hair a a high temperature in a mass spectrometer The technique has been
used in laboratories for about 80 years. Computer-controlled
instruments have improved the accuracy and reduced the cost of mineral
analysis.
Minerals tested include the electrolytes - calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Trace minerals
tested include copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, iron, molybdenum,
lithium, cobalt, zinc and others. Toxic metals tested include lead,
mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, aluminum and others.
Nutritional balancing science employs hair
mineral analysis. By interpreting the test properly, one can construct
a biochemical picture of the way the body is responding to stress.
Based upon this picture, deep correction can be initiated. Progress can
be monitored with repeat hair mineral tests. The science incorporates
and integrates many disciplines including physiology, biochemistry,
natural healing theory, metabolic typing and the stages of stress.
Many physicians offer mineral analysis, but use
the test symptomatically, supplementing only those minerals that read
low. This is called replacement therapy and is not effective. Others
use the test just to detect toxic metals. This is not the best use of
the test, as often the heavy metals are not revealed on the first test.
Proper test interpretation takes several years to learn, which
discourages many practitioners. However, laboratory consultants can
help one learn to use this excellent nutritional method.
A Window Into The Cells.
Hair analysis provides information directly about metabolism at the
level of the cells ‑ the main site of many nutritional processes.
Glucose Tolerance.
Many minerals are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates including
manganese, zinc, chromium and vanadium. Ratios of sodium to potassium
and calcium to magnesium also provide information about glucose
tolerance. Toxic metals interfere with glucose metabolism. Inefficient
carbohydrate metabolism drastically reduces cellular energy production,
leading to many serious health conditions. Detecting Toxic Metals. Hair mineral analysis is one of the few accepted methods to detect chronic toxic metal poisoning in the body. Toxic metals may contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, fatigue, depression, anxiety, infections and many other conditions. Metals that are deeply buried may require a year or more before they are revealed on repeated mineral analyses.
Assessing Organ and Gland Activity.
Mineral levels and ratios reflect the activity of glands such as the
thyroid and adrenal glands. By calculating these ratios on a tissue
mineral test, organ and glandular activity can be assessed.
Measuring The Energy Level.
Energy is a common denominator of health. Many minerals
are required for the production of energy within the cells. ‚Hair
analysis can help assess and guide the enhancement of the energy level.
When energy efficiency is low, many body
systems break down. When cellular energy production improves, many
symptoms and conditions resolve by themselves. This is a basic
principle of many natural healing methods.
Determining The Oxidation Type.
Some people metabolize carbohydrates and fats at a more rapid rate than
others. The rate at which food is burned has been designated the
oxidation rate. Each chemical reaction in the body has an ideal rate of
reaction. Hair analysis can help determine this rate, and identify
which foods and supplements would be most helpful to optimize the
oxidation rate.
Identifying Disease Trends.
Prediction and prevention are important concepts in health care. Over
thirty disease trends can be identified from a properly interpreted
tissue mineral analysis. Tendencies are often revealed long before they
show up on x‑rays and blood tests.
Reducing the Guesswork In Nutritional
Therapy.
The precision nature of hair mineral analysis offers a method of
reducing the guesswork in recommending diets and supplement dosages.
For instance, very low hair calcium and magnesium levels indicate an
alarm stage of stress in which the body excretes these minerals as part
of the fight-or-flight response.
In this stage of stress, one needs more
calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, choline, inositol and vitamin A.
These will help balance the body chemistry. Other vitamins may be
detrimental in this stage of stress. Excessive vitamin C, for example,
can lower copper and worsen this stage. Amino acids, herbs and other
nutrients may also be recommended based on the mineral ratios.
Monitoring Progress.
Comparing the results of repeated tissue mineral tests over a period of
months is an excellent way to monitor subtle changes in body chemistry,
regardless of which type of therapy is used. Understanding Behavior. Tissue mineral analysis is a powerful tool to identify and correct biochemical causes of mental and behavioral conditions. Minerals control neurotransmitters and other neuroactive chemicals. All the toxic metals are neurotoxic. Conditions that often respond include depression, anxiety, epilepsy, phobias, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, attention-deficit disorder and learning disorders.
Replacing Less-preferred Minerals.
When mineral deficiencies occur, toxic metals replace the missing vital
minerals in enzyme binding sites. This allows the body to survive in
the face of nutrient deficiencies. Nutritional balancing science
involves reversing this process, replacing the toxic metals with the
preferred vital minerals. Improving Energy Efficiency. When the metabolic rate is too slow or too fast, energy efficiency declines. This is analogous to pedaling a bicycle too fast or too slow. Restoring health to the biochemical system allows thousands of chemical reactions to proceed at their optimum rate.
Hair tests versus blood tests. Blood
tests do not provide the same information as a properly performed hair
analysis. Hair analysis measures a different body compartment.
Minerals are shifted from the tissues to maintain blood levels. This
means that deficiencies or excesses often show up earlier in the hair
than the blood.
Toxic metals rarely remain in the blood for
long, but often deposit in the hair where they can be measured. Blood
levels of minerals vary very little, while hair values may vary 10-fold,
providing information not available from the blood.
Blood tests give an instantaneous reading that
may be affected by many factors. Hair analysis gives a long‑term
reading that is unaffected by recent meals, activities such as exercise,
or emotional states. These and other differences make blood and tissue
testing very different, with each providing valuable information.
Trace mineral analysis is an inexpensive,
accurate screening method that can be of great help to understand body
chemistry and design individualized diet and supplement programs. These
can relieve biochemical stress to help restore and maintain optimum
health.
By correcting tissue mineral levels and ratios
with proper diet, supplementary nutrients and lifestyle modifications,
many physical and behavioral health conditions, including those of long
standing, will improve. Related Site: Related Sites: Products
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