Feeling bad and don't know why?
A simple hair analysis can determine if element imbalances or toxicity may be causing your symptoms.

What are elements?
Elements are atoms that are either essential to health or potentially toxic to the body, depending on the type and amount. Some nutritive elements are present in large quantity, such as calcium and zinc, while others are present only in trace amounts, such as chromium and selenium. Toxic elements, such as mercury or cadmium, may accumulate in the body due to chronic exposure and may lead to illness at very small amounts.

How do elements affect my health?
Many elements are essential to life, assisting in the production of energy and other important biochemical processes. Element insufficiencies, excesses, or imbalances can lead to illness. Some elements, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, become toxic when too many sneak into the body. This can lead to chronic symptoms, both physical and mental.

Essential Elements
These elements are required for the body's structural tissues and for metabolic functions, particularly enzyme reactions. However, deficiencies or imbalances among elements can lead to problems.

• Low zinc is associated with poor wound healing, weight problems, depressed libido, hair loss, and impotence.
• Low magnesium is associated with cardiovascular problems, depression, and anxiety.
• Low copper is associated with joint pain, elevated cholesterol, anemia, and reduced resistance to infection.
• Low manganese is associated with back and joint problems, hypoglycemia, and allergies.

Such imbalances can result from toxins, an improper diet, genetic predisposition, maldigestion or malabsorption of food, some medications, excess stress or an improper balance of nutritional supplements.

Element imbalances are linked to: fatigue, headaches, osteoporosis, malnutrition, depression, hypoglycemia, cancer, aggressive behavior, allergies, joint pain, diabetes, digestive disorders, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism, and hypothyroidism.

Toxic Elements
Toxic element accumulation is likely in an environment plagued by pollutants. Toxic elements, many of which are metals, normally are present in the body in small amounts. However, they accumulate with excessive or continual exposure or if your body's detoxifying defenses aren't up to par.

These elements may inhibit enzymes in your body, weaken cell membranes, or impair nutrient delivery, which can lead to illness. Exposure most commonly occurs through everyday living but may result from an industrial work environment. Examples include exposure to cigarette smoke (cadmium), hydrogenated oils (nickel), antiperspirants and antacids (aluminum), some toothpastes and cans (tin), tap water (lead), and tooth fillings and fish (mercury).

Excess lead is associated with fatigue, constipation, insomnia, emotional disturbances, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities in children.

Excess aluminum is associated with Alzheimer's disease and may also lead to the depletion of phosphorus in the body, which is critical for bone heath.

Excess arsenic is associated with fatigue, skin problems, and tingling in the extremities.

Excess cadmium is associated with fatigue, tissue aging, musculoskeletal pain, anemia, and hypertension.

How are elements measured?
Elements can be measured in hair, blood, or urine. Each method has its strengths and limitations, and your clinician will select the appropriate method. Hair analysis is regarded as the best evaluation of long term element status, and a blood or urine test is sometimes used as a follow up to a hair test. A blood test might be used to identify more recent exposure.

Why use hair?
Hair analysis is an inexpensive and noninvasive means of measuring elements, often revealing abnormalities not detected through other routine tests. Teeth, nails, and hair concentrate minerals and toxic metals and thus are useful indicators of element status. As most of us are reluctant to part with our teeth or nails, hair is generally used. Also, while elements in blood are kept constant, hair is not subject to this same homeostasis and so can reflect changes before abnormalities are apparent. Because hair element levels correlate closely with organ levels, hair analysis is a valuable tool to be used in conjunction with a physical exam, health history, and other lab tests.

When is hair analysis the wrong choice?
Hair is subject to external contamination, particularly from hair products such as bleaches, perms, or dyes. Therefore, hair treated within the past two months will not provide accurate information. Also, if your clinician suspects very recent toxic exposure, the suspected element may not be reflected in the hair growth. In this case, your physician may choose a blood or urine test.

How much hair is required?
Only about one-quarter of a gram of hair is needed--or about one heaping teaspoon. Hair is generally cut at the nape of the neck, and the hair closest to the scalp is used. Because tiny amounts are taken from several places, it is nearly impossible to notice hair was taken.

How are element imbalances treated?

Element imbalances usually are corrected with a diet change and/or nutritional supplements. For example, your clinician may suggest certain vitamins, minerals, or amino acids that bind with toxic elements and are consequently excreted through the urine. A urine element test is sometimes used to see if the detoxification program is working.

Ask yourself:

• Do you regularly use antiperspirants or antacids?
• Do you have metal tooth fillings or regularly consume seafood?
• Do you live or work in an industrial setting?
• Do you spend a great deal of time in traffic?
• Do you have chronic symptoms that haven't been diagnosed or treated successfully?
• Do you have chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, or gas?
• Do you take minimal amounts of vitamin C?
• Do you suffer from periodontal symptoms, allergies, or hypertension?
• Do you suffer from mood changes that are difficult to explain?
• Do you have trouble with concentration, memory, or learning?
• Do you get infections easily or recover slowly?
• Do you experience a reduced sense of taste or smell, poor night vision, rough skin, or poor wound healing?