chopping your hair for science?

If you haven’t heard of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) before, I’m not at all surprised. Despite loads of research backing its use, this super affordable, reliable, and noninvasive test is severely underutilized in the traditional medical setting.

I’ve been utilizing HTMA in my own health journey and have been so impressed by the vast amount of information it provides that I finally set up my systems to start offering it to my clients (wahoo!). So, in preparation, consider this your crash course on all things HTMA and why you may want to consider it on your health journey.

What is HTMA?

HTMA is a diagnostic test that uses a small sample of hair to measure the levels of minerals and heavy metals in the body. (Emphasis on the SMALL- I promise you won’t have any bald spots in the name of science!)

It provides information about the body’s nutritional status and can identify potential mineral imbalances or deficiencies. This test looks at the intracellular levels of minerals (i.e. the level of minerals INSIDE of the cells instead of just what’s floating around in the bloodstream), which is not something we can see on traditional blood tests. Why does this matter? I’m glad you asked.

Why are minerals important?

Minerals are essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. You can think of minerals like the sparkplugs in our body in the sense that they play a critical role in really all of the biochemical reactions that take place; just as a car’s engine requires a sparkplug to ignite the fuel and air mixture, the human body requires minerals to ignite it’s own.

And just as a car engine needs all of its sparkplugs to work correctly and run smoothly, the human body needs all the essential minerals to function optimally. Minerals play a vital role in maintaining good health, as they are involved in all processes in the body, such as metabolism, bone health, nerve function, and energy production.

The benefits of HTMA testing for women

1. Identifying nutritional deficiencies: HTMA can help identify mineral imbalances and deficiencies that may contribute to health issues such as fatigue, poor sleep, hormonal imbalances, and weight gain.
2. Hormonal balance: HTMA can help identify mineral imbalances that may affect hormonal balance. Mineral deficiencies like zinc and magnesium can impact the production and function of hormones, which can lead to PMS, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.
3. Identifying heavy metal toxicity: HTMA can identify heavy metal toxicity, which is a growing concern for women due to exposure to environmental pollutants, dental fillings, personal care products, foods, cleaning products, and more. Heavy metal toxicity can lead to various health issues, such as chronic fatigue, mood swings, headaches, and impaired cognitive function.
4. Digestive health: HTMA can provide insight into digestive health, as many minerals are involved in the digestive process. A deficiency in minerals like magnesium can lead to constipation, while excess copper can contribute to diarrhea.

I hope I’ve convinced you to consider the value of an HTMA in getting to the root of your symptoms. If you’re to pull the trigger on using functional testing like an HTMA on your health journey, let’s chat.