Hair has the unique ability to concentrate toxic heavy metals and essential minerals, making hair analysis a useful screening tool.
Unlike blood and urine, hair acts as a storage depot for elements. The growing hair follicle is richly supplied with blood vessels. The blood that bathes the follicle is the transport medium for both essential and potentially toxic elements. These elements are then incorporated into the growing hair protein during keratinisation. In this way, element concentrations in the hair reflect concentrations in other body tissues.
Numerous papers discuss the accuracy and efficacy of hair testing, particularly for toxic metals such as mercury.
An E.P.A. study concluded that hair is a “meaningful and representative tissue for biological monitoring of most of the toxic metals.” At the same time, hair testing should be regarded as a “screen”, since levels may also reflect external contamination.
Hair analysis is noninvasive, inexpensive and allows for investigation of nutrient/toxic interactions. Studies confirm that long term exposure to toxic elements/minerals can progressively impair various enzymatic and neurologic processes, leading to a variety of health conditions.
Systems affected by toxic element accumulation include:
Gastrointestinal
Neurological
Cardiovascular
Urological
Reproductive
Toxic elements:
Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Arsenic
Aluminium
Nutritional elements:
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Zinc
Chromium
Selenium
Phosphorous
Additional minerals:
Nickel
Cobalt
Molybdenum
Lithium
Boron
125mg of hair (1 heaped tablespoon), preferably from the head.
Head hair, pubic or underarm hair can be used but samples must contain only one type of hair. Do not mix sample location.
Your test kit will include a simple weighing card to ensure a sufficient sample is taken.
Do not carry out this test for 2 months after a perm, bleach or colour treatment has been applied to the hair.
We recommend that you only use Johnson & Johnson® baby shampoo for 2 weeks prior to collecting your sample if possible.
This test can be used for any age as long as a sufficient sample can be obtained.
From the UK your samples can be returned via Royal Mail. We recommend using a tracked and signed for service.
If you live outside the UK, please use a tracked service.
The cost of returning your sample is not included with your test fee.
4 – 6 weeks.
Your test results will be emailed to you.
All sample reports are for representational and educational purposes only. Biomarkers, references ranges, results, and all other data may differ from actual reports. All data included in no way represents an actual patient. Any comparisons of results to actual patients is completely incidental.
Updated April 2020
