What is “Hair Analysis” and how does it work?

Hair analysis is about testing for trace minerals in the cortex of your hair. Mineral testing is a test that has been pondered by many for years as to its efficiency and value. Personally, I use this form of testing and have found great benefit in finding a foundation of information that complements my other practice protocols.  When combined with a good understanding of functional body chemistry, many insights to a person’s health can be uncovered.

The actual testing is done in one of several labs here in the United States.  The hair is prepared according the each lab’s specific instructions and mailed directly into the lab. A small sample of
the hair must be taken  from the lower-back portion of the head and only the first two inches from the scalp are tested. This tells the practitioner what the body has been doing for the last four to
six months.

Minerals are often called the sparks of life. They are part of most all enzymatic activity on
which life is based. Minerals can become out of balance within the body by the following:

• Improper diet, excessive carbohydrate intake, sugar, strict dieting habits
• Nearly 80% of our population do not have the proper minerals and
  enzymatic function to digest food 
• Use of minerals or vitamins that are not compatible with the body chemistry
• Medications, including birth control
• Stress
• Genetic patterns
• Toxic metals from the environment

Some conditions connected with mineral imbalances are:

• Depression
• Headaches
• Arthritis
• Hair Loss
• Anemia
• Thyroid imbalances
• Digestive disturbances
• Skin Rashes
• Allergies

One of the best indicators of calcium absorption is hair analysis.  Low calcium indicates a trend toward osteoporosis, dental caries, gum disease, and muscle cramping.   Elevated calcium can be indications of toxic levels of calcium no longer available to the cellular health of the body.  I see mostly very high levels of calcium due to stress and improper supplementation of calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Excess calcium is deposited into the joints and soft tissues (including the hair and skin) and becomes bio-unavailable to the cellular needs of the body – thus it is actually at a toxic level.  It is the practitioner’s skill and knowledge that can determine where the starting point is to help the body heal.  Again, individualizing the tools for each body is very essential.  These assessments can be intricate because you are essentially unlocking the body’s secrets.  The body did not get to a place of poor balance overnight, so give it time to heal.

Remember, most medical doctors will not acknowledge alternative testing modalities. They are trained to only observe the standard blood and urine tests. Once your condition has created an “out of range” blood or urine test, you are truly in the illness or dis-ease. Your blood is the most sacred part of your body and your body will fight to maintain the most perfect levels it can, until there is no way to maintain the blood levels. Why wait?

— Joan    © 2009  Joan Goodman

Joan Goodman, CTN, MH
1950 Eldridge Parkway, Suite #5101
Houston, TX  77077

281-493-9473 

All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission.

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