MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information
Diagnostic Techniques
HAIR ANALYSIS

Laboratory analysis of strands of hair has been used since the 19th century to assess levels of minerals in the body. Hair Analysis is a simple diagnostic technique that is based on the idea that hair provides vital clues about nutritional imbalances elsewhere in the body.

Cutting a sample of hair in a German pharmacy in 1894.

These chemicals are absorbed from food and the environment, and many are needed for good health, but others, such as mercury and lead, are toxic if they accumulate in the body. Mineral deficiencies and toxic excesses are said to contribute to allergies, digestive problems, depression, and other ailments. Practitioners such as nutritional therapists and clinical ecologists, who treat patients using mineral supplements and detoxification diets, often use hair analysis.

---

CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPINION

Conventional medical practitioners do not consider hair analysis to be a reliable test of mineral concentrations in the body. However, it may offer information about long-term exposure to toxic chemicals and heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, but they do not believe that it to be able to reveal allergies or diagnose diseases.

---

Hair analysis has been used to diagnose heavy metal poisoning (such as arsenic poisoning) as well as determining whether or not someone has been using certain drugs (such as cocaine) and the length of time the person as been exposed to these substances.

CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER

Hair is made of a protein known as keratin. This contains sulfur, which traps minerals from the blood supply feeding the root of the hair. Strands of hair retain minerals even after being removed from the scalp. Hair grows at a rate of about 1/2 inch (1 centimeter) a month, and hair analysis works with samples taken from the 1-1/2 inches (3 centimeters) of hair closest to the scalp. The sample is sent to a reliable laboratory, where it is washed and rinsed intensively, then burned and the ash analyzed.

A sample taken from the nape of the neck, near the root, contains minerals absorbed by the hair during the previous 3 months.

Hair analysis measures levels of essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. It is also used to measure levels of toxic minerals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and aluminum.

---

TABLE OF MINERALS MEASURED THROUGH HAIR ANALYSIS

The table below lists the minerals that can be measured through hair analysis. Next to each element is its symbol. In addition, the table shows the way in which each mineral interacts with other elements. In the case of lead, for instance, note that the presence of lead does not promote the action of any other mineral (second column). On the other hand, lead does inhibit the action of calcium, iron, and potassium (third column) - all important nutrients. Finally, the action of lead itself is inhibited by the presence of selenium and zinc (fourth column).

INTERACTION OF MINERALS

MINERAL NAME	ELEMENTS PROMOTED BY MINERAL	ELEMENTS INHIBITED BY MINERAL	INHIBITORS OF THE MINERAL
Aluminum (Al)  Arsenic (As)  Beryllium (Be)  Cadmium (Cd)	P  Co, I	F  Se  Mg  Cu	Zn
Calcium (Ca)  Chlorine (Cl)*  Chromium (Cr)  Cobalt (Co)	Fe, Mg, P  As, F	Cu, F, Li, Mn, Zn  Ca  Fe, I	Cr, Pb, S
Copper (Cu)  Fluorine (F)  Iodine (I)  Iron (Fe)	Fe, Mo, Zn  As, Co, G  Ca, Cu, K, Mn, P	P  Mg	Ag, Ca, Cd, Mn, S  Al, Ca  Co, Mg, Pb, Zn
Lead (Pb)  Lithium (Li)  Magnesium (Mg)  Manganese (Mn)	Ca, K, P  Cu, Fe, K, P	Ca, Fe, K  Na  Fe  Mg	Se, Zn  Ca  Mn  Ca
Mercury (Hg)*  Molybdenum (Mo)  Nickel (Ni)*  Nitrogen (N)	Cu, S	P  Mo	N
Phosphorus (P)  Potassium (K)  Selenium (Se)  Silver (Ag)	Al, Be, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn  Fe, Mg, Mn, Na	Na  Cd, Pb  Cu	Cu, Mo  Pb  As, S
Sodium (Na)  Sulfur (S)  Zinc (Zn)	K  Mo  Cu, P	Ca, Cu, Se  Cd, Fe, Pb, S	Li, P  Zn  Ca

* Mineral interactions have not been documented.

Your health care professional should be able to help you obtain an analysis of your hair. Do be sure that the laboratory you are dealing with is a reputable one. Questions you might ask about the lab include:

• Does the laboratory conform to the standards set by the American Society of Elemental Testing Laboratories, or the Hair Analysis Standardization Board?



• How long has this laboratory been in business?



• How old is the equipment being used?



• How experienced is the staff?

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Hair Analysis - Technique & Diagnosis

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Chelation Therapy

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Aluminum Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Arsenic Poisoning

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Cadmium Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Chemical Poisoning

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Copper Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Environmental Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Lead Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Mercury Toxicity

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nickel Toxicity

---

NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY HAIR

Eating foods rich in the following vitamins and minerals can help the hair (and body) stay healthy.

VITAMIN A: Beef, liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, milk, pumpkin and eggs.

VITAMIN A PRODUCTS Kalyx: Vitamin A & D, TwinLab Allergy D, 10,000 IU / 400 IU, 100 Caps House of Nutrition: Vitamin A, Nature's Life, 10,000 IU, 100 Softgels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A, Nature's Life, 10,000 IU, 250 Softgels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A, Nature's LIfe, 25,000 IU, 100 Softgels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A & D-3, BlueBonnet, 25,000 I.U. / 1000 I.U., 100Softgels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A Suppositories, Wise Woman Herbal, 10 Count House of Nutrition: Vitamin A Suppositories, Wise Woman Herbal, 30 Count House of Nutrition: Solaray's Emulsified Dry Vitamin A, 25,000 IU, 60 Caps House of Nutrition: Thompson's Nutritional Vitamin A & D Fish Liver Oil, 10,000 IU / 400 IU, 30 Softgels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A Palmitate, Carlson Lab, 15,000 IU, 120 Gels House of Nutrition: Vitamin A, BlueBonnet, 1000 IU, 100 Softgels TakeHerb: Vitamin A, NOW Foods, 10,000 IU, 100 Softgels TakeHerb: Vitamin A, Nature's Way, 10,000 IU, 100 Softgels

B VITAMINS: Brewer's yeast, fish, whole grains, turkey and chicken breast, clams, nuts and yogurt.

VITAMIN B-COMPLEX PRODUCTS B Vitamins are precursors of coenzymes involved in the conversion of cellular energy, manufacture of hormones and proteins, and repair and maintenance of nerve structures. They also function as lipotropics which converts fats to other useful products. Kalyx: Super Vitamin B-Complex With B-12, Schiff, 120 Caps Kalyx: Vitamin B-Complex, Schiff, 50 mg, 100 Tabs Kalyx: Vitamin B-Complex, Schiff, From Whole Rice, 50 mg, 100 Softgels Kalyx: B-Complex Gummy Vitamins, Be Calm Strawberry For Adults, Nutrition Now, 70 Gummy Chewables Kalyx: Complete B-Complex, Rainbow Light, 180 Tabs Kalyx: Stress B-Complex, TwinLab, 100 Caps Kalyx: Vitamin B-100 Complex, Thompson, 60 Tabs HerbsPro: Liquid B-Complex With Vitamin B-12, NOW Foods, 8 oz. HerbsPro: Platinum Vitamin-B Complex, Nature's Answer, 16 oz. HerbsPro: Liquid Yeast B Complex, TwinLab, 16 fl. oz. HerbsPro: Coenzymate B Complex, Sublingual Orange, Source Naturals, 120 Tabs HerbsPro: Coenzymate B Complex, Sublingual Peppermint, Source Naturals, 120 Tabs HerbsPro: Stress B-Complex, TwinLab, 250 Caps HerbsPro: Super B Complex, Herbal Liquid, TwinLab, 8 fl. oz. HerbsPro: Super B Complex, Regular Liquid Formula, 8 fl. oz. HerbsPro: B Complex Liquid, World Organics, 16 fl. oz. HerbsPro: Maxi B-50 Complex, Maxi-Health Research, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Coenzymate B Complex, Sublingual Orange, Source Naturals, 60 Tabs TakeHerb: Liquid B Complex, B Vitamins With Energy Herbs, Tropical Oasis, 16 oz. TakeHerb: Super B-Complex Regular Liquid, TwinLab, 8 oz. TakeHerb: Liquid Yeast B-Complex, TwinLab, 16 oz. TakeHerb: Ultra B Liquid, World Organics, In Raisin Juice, 16 oz. TakeHerb: Liquid B-Complex, With Vitamin C, Strawberry Flavor, Lifetime, 16 oz. BREWER'S YEAST PRODUCTS Starwest Botanicals: Nutritional Yeast Powder, 4 oz. Starwest Botanicals: Nutritional Yeast Powder, Organic, 4 oz. Starwest Botanicals: Nutritional Yeast Flakes, 1 lb. Starwest Botanicals: Nutritional Yeast Powder, 1 lb. Starwest Botanicals: Nutritional Yeast Powder, Organic, 1 lb. Starwest Botanicals: Brewers Yeast, 1 lb. Kalyx: Brewer's Yeast Powder, TwinLab, 18 oz. Kalyx: Brewer's Yeast Powder, Starwest Botanical, 1 lb. TakeHerb: Brewer's Yeast Powder, Solgar, 16 oz. TakeHerb: Brewer's Yeast, 100% Pure Premium Imported, Lewis Lab, 16 oz. TakeHerb: Brewer's Yeast, Now Foods, 200 Tabs TakeHerb: Nutritional Yeast Flakes, Now Foods, 10 oz. TakeHerb: Nutritional Yeast Powders, Now Foods, 10 oz. TakeHerb: Debittered Brewer's Yeast Powder, Good'n Natural, 16 oz.

FOLIC ACID: Chicken liver, oatmeal, beans, asparagus and avocados.

VITAMIN B-9 - FOLIC ACID PRODUCTS Kalyx: Folic Acid, Country Life, 800 mcg, 250 Tabs Kalyx: Folic Acid, TwinLab, 800 mcg, 100 Caps Kalyx: Folic Acid, Natures Way, 800 mcg, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Country Life, 800 mcg, 250 Tabs HerbsPro: Folic Acid, FoodScience of Vermont, 800 mcg, 60 Caps HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Jarrow Formulas, 800 mcg, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Natures Way, 800 mcg, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Source Naturals, 800 mcg, 500 Tabs HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Source Naturals, 800 mcg, 1000 Tabs HerbsPro: Folic Acid, 800 mcg, Source Naturals, 200 Tabs HerbsPro: Folic Acid, TwinLab, 800 mcg, 200 Caps HerbsPro: Folic Acid, Olympian Labs, 800 mcg, 100 Caps House of Nutrition: Pathway Folic Acid, 100 mcg, 4 oz. House of Nutrition: Kal's Micro Folic Acid, 400 mcg, 180 Tabs House of Nutrition: Pathway's Folic Acid Liquid, 4 oz. TakeHerb: Vitamin B-12 & Folic Acid Drops Liquid Eztract, Health Herbs, 1 fl. oz. TakeHerb: Folic Acid, Natrol, 400 mcg, 100 Tabs

ZINC: Oysters, crab, beef, poultry, pork, nuts, wheat germ and bran.

ZINC PRODUCTS Kalyx: Zinc, TwinLab, 30 mg, 100 Caps Kalyx: Zinc, TwinLab, 50 mg, 180 Caps Kalyx: Zinc & Echinacea, Quantum, 48 Cherry Flavored Lozenges HerbsPro: Zinc Orotate, NCI (Dr. Hans Nieper), 60 mg, 200 Tabs HerbsPro: Zinc High Potency, Thompson Nutritional Products, 50 mg, 60 Tabs HerbsPro: Zinc Plus, Olympian Labs, 30 mg, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Opti L-Zinc, Now Foods, 30 mg, 100 Caps HerbsPro: Zinc Lozenges, FoodScience of Vermont, 23 mg, 60 Lozenges HerbsPro: Ultimate Zinc - C, NOW Foods, 100 Lozenges HerbsPro: Zinc Gluconate, NOW Foods, 50 mg, 100 Tabs TakeHerb: Wellness Zinc Lozenges With Vitamin C (Zinc Ascorbate), Source Naturals, 23 mg / 30 mg, 120 Tabs TakeHerb: Wellness Zinc Throat Spray, Source Naturals, 2 oz. TakeHerb: Zinc Plus, Olympian Labs, 30 mg, 100 Caps TakeHerb: OptiZinc, Zinc Monomethionine Complex, Source Naturals, 240 Tabs

---

RELATED LINKS

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Hair Analysis

The Mineral Connection: Hair Analysis

ATSCR Hair Analysis Panel Discussion: Table of Contents

Doctor's Data, Inc: Hair Analysis Testing & Other Tests

Test Medical Symptoms At Home, Inc.

MineralCheck Hair Follicle Testing

---

Holistic Alternative Health Diagnostic Techniques Index

---

MEDICINAL THERAPIES

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Naturopathy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Hydrotherapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Homeopathy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Homeopathic Remedies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Homeopathic Potencies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Biochemic Tissue Salts

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Bach Flower Remedies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Crystal Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Western Herbalism

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Chinese Herbalism

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Ayurveda

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Nutritional Therapies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Orthomolecular Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Clinical Ecology

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Magnetic Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Other Therapies



MoonDragon's Alternative Health Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Holistic Health Links Page 1

MoonDragon's Holistic Health Links Page 2

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information



RELATED LINKS

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy: Preparing Produce for Juicing

MoonDragon's Nutritional Recipe Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Analysis Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Diet Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index



HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors

See all our merchant banners below for products, remedies and supplements recommended on this web site.

HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders -- by Phyllis A. Balch The Complete Guide to Natural Healing This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item. If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons. Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.

For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs A Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs B Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs C Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs D Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs E Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs F Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs G Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs H Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs I Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs J Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs K Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs L	Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs M Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs N Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs O Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs P Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs R Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs S Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs T Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs U Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs V Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs W Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs Y

Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils

Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits

Mountain Rose Herbs.com: Order Online
Accessories & Tools Aroma Sprays & Flower Waters Body & Bath Bulk Herbs Bulk Ingredients Bulk Oils Butters Capsules Clays Essential Oils	Facial Care Hair Care Herbal Extracts Herbal Oils Herbal Salves & Balms Herbal Teas Herbs For Pets Incense, Resins & Candles Massage Oils Medicinal Herb Seeds Tea Brewing Supplies

---

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index

MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Subject Order

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Alphabetical Order

MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting

MoonDragon's Home Page