HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS – AN INTRODUCTION
by Dr. Lawrence Wilson
©
April 2024, LD Wilson Consultants, Inc.
All
information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment,
prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.
Contents
I. WHAT IS A HAIR
TISSUE MINERAL TEST?
A unique test
Not a medical diagnostic test
History and development
Why measure minerals?
Why use hair?
II. WHAT DOES THE
TEST MEASURE?
A. Levels
B. Ratios
C. Simple patterns
D. More complex patterns
Which minerals are tested?
How are the levels reported?
III. HOW IS THE TEST
USED BY DOCTORS?
A. Toxic metal assessment
B. Replacement therapy
C. Following Laboratory Recommendations
D. Development
Lifestyle
Diet
Disease Trends
Other
V. CURRENT IDEAL
VALUES AND RANGES
A. Macrominerals
B. Trace minerals
C. Toxic minerals
A. The 1979 EPA Report
B. Other
VII. RELATION TO
ACUPUNCTURE DIAGNOSIS
VIII. BASIC TEST
INTERPRETATION
1. Metabolic typing
2. Stages of stress
3. Oxidation rate
4. Ratios and patterns
XI. CONTROVERSIES
AROUND HAIR MINERAL TESTING
A. Should the hair be washed at the
laboratory?
B. Is environmental contamination a
serious problem?
C. Can hair analysis be used to set up
healing programs?
XII. CHALLENGES TO THE
VALIDITY TO HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS
A. Age and normal values
B. Gender and hair testing
C. Race, hair color, and testing
D. Update: Cheating On Hair Mineral
Tests
A. Books
B. Medical journal articles
I. INTRODUCTION – WHAT IS HAIR TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS?
Hair
tissue mineral analysis or HTMA is a soft tissue mineral biopsy that uses
hair as the sampling tissue. A biopsy is an analysis of a body
tissue. Hair is considered a soft
tissue. Thus, hair analysis is a
soft tissue biopsy.
The
test measures the levels of 20 or more minerals in the hair with an accuracy of
plus or minus about 3%. This is
about the same level of accuracy as most blood tests, or a little better.
For
accurate measurement, the hair sample must not be washed at the hair testing
laboratory. This is a
serious problem with most hair testing.
How to prepare the hair sample at the laboratory is a debate that exists
among the laboratories that offer hair mineral testing. Most laboratories, unfortunately, wash
the hair with powerful detergents and toxic solvents such as acetone or
alcohol.
As
an aside, hair is extremely useful for testing many things besides
minerals. These include drugs,
other chemicals and DNA. These,
however, are not the focus of this article. The focus of this article is the use of hair to test
minerals.
Some
say that hair is not helpful for testing the body. In fact, the very opposite is the truth. A later section of this article
discusses this controversy. Hair
mineral testing is frequently used for:
- Forensic medicine (crime
laboratories) sometimes test hair minerals to catch criminals.
- Hair and fur testing is commonly used
to monitor toxic metals and nutrient mineral deficiencies in animals.
- The same testing method (atomic
absorption, induction coupled plasma and mass spectroscopy) is used in standard
soil test used by farmers.
- Geologists use the same testing
method to determine the mineral content of rocks.
- Drug testing clinics sometimes test
hair. It is very accurate. They test for chemicals, however,
rather than minerals.
Not
a medical diagnostic test.
Confusion often arises when doctors or others compare hair testing to
other medical tests. The hair
mineral test, as performed and interpreted as suggested on this website,
provides a window into the whole body
system.
The hair
test provides a tremendous amount of information about the body, but it is
about states of body chemistry and not about ÒdiseasesÓ, which are often just
Lain names for symptoms.
For
example, the hair mineral test provides indicators of inflammation. Inflammation
can manifest as any of 20 or 30 ÒdiseasesÓ such as arthritis, bursitis,
gastritis, chondritis, iritis and others.
Another
example of the difference between hair testing and medical diagnostic tests is
that the hair test can provide information about calcium deposition in the soft
tissues. However, calcium
deposition can manifest as any of at least 10 or so ÒdiseasesÓ such as
arteriosclerosis, arthritis, spondylitis, bursitis, gall stones, kidney stones,
and more.
History and development of hair mineral
testing. Mineral testing by
atomic absorption spectroscopy was developed over 100 years ago. It quickly became the standard way to
test for minerals in geology, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and in
plant, animal and human tissue studies.
About
50 years ago, the development of computer-controlled spectrometers advanced the
accuracy and reliability of testing, and reduced the cost.
Also
about 50 years ago, mass spectrometers and induction-coupled plasma machines
were introduced that can rapidly measure more minerals. Human hair tissue mineral analysis
became commercially available in the 1970s from Parmae Laboratory and a few other
labs in the United States.
Dr. Paul C. Eck. Dr. Paul Eck was a pioneer in hair
mineral testing. He began his
research in the mid-1970s in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He founded Analytical Research Labs and developed a special
type of calibrated chart to graph the mineral values.
He also
researched ideal mineral values for human beings and animals. His laboratory also set up quality
control protocols that are important for accurate testing.
This author
started working with him in 1982, and this association continued until his
passing in 1996. Since then, we
have continued and expanded on his basic ideas about how to interpret a hair
mineral test, and how to correct imbalances revealed on the test. Many new patterns have been identified
that greatly expand the usefulness of the test.
Why measure minerals? Minerals are sometimes called
the ÔsparkplugsÕ of the body. They
are needed for millions of enzymes as co-factors, facilitators, inhibitors, and
as part of the enzymes themselves.
Minerals are also the basic building blocks of physical reality, which
includes our bodies. Everything is
made of minerals.
As
a result, minerals have a great deal to do with the health of our bodies. By analyzing mineral imbalances in the
body, one can learn a lot about the causes and correction of hundreds of common
physical and mental health conditions.
A
specific class of minerals, the toxic metals, are also extremely important
today as causes of ill health. Our
planet is currently very contaminated with toxic metals, moreso than ever
before in our history.
This is
causing damage to all the human, animal and plant bodies. Studying toxic metals is thus very
important today to monitor their spread and to learn about their many damaging
effects.
Even
more can be learned about human and animal health by studying the ratios of the major minerals in the
body. This is a more complex area,
but a very important and fruitful one.
Finally, by studying more complex patterns
of minerals in the body, one can learn even more about human health and
disease.
Why use hair? Hair makes an excellent
testing material for many reasons:
1.
The most important reason is that it works best to set up development programs. Other tests such as blood, urine,
scans, muscle testing or electronic machines do not work nearly as well.
2.
Simple and non-invasive. Sampling is
simple and non-invasive.
3.
A stable biopsy material. Hair is a stable biopsy material that
remains viable for years, if needed.
It also requires no special handling, and can be mailed easily.
4.
Easy to measure mineral levels.
Mineral levels in the hair are about ten times that of blood, making
them easy to detect and measure accurately in the hair.
5.
Rapidly growing tissue. Hair is a
fairly rapidly growing tissue.
This enables one to obtain a recent biochemical picture of soft tissue
metabolism.
6.
A non-essential, excretory tissue.
The body often throws off toxic substances in the hair, since the hair
will be cut off and lost to the body.
This is very helpful to identify toxic metals, for example, and other
things.
7.
Wide variation in the readings.
Mineral levels are kept relatively constant in the blood, even when
pathology is present. This must be
done because blood touches all the body tissues, and too much variation is
dangerous. This is the reason many
people have normal blood tests even when they are quite ill.
Hair minerals do not circulate, and pose no threat to the body. Values often vary by a factor of ten or
twenty, making measurement easier and providing a tremendous amount of knowledge
about the cells and the soft tissue of our bodies.
8.
Easier detection of toxic metals.
Toxic metals are easier to detect in the hair than in the blood. The body quickly removes toxic metals
from the blood, if it can. For
this reason, most toxic metals are not found in high concentrations in the
blood, except right after an acute exposure.
In
contrast, many toxic metals
accumulate in the soft tissues such as the hair because the body tries to move
them to locations where they will do less damage.
9. A longer-term reading. Hair testing provides a long-term
reading, while blood tests and urine tests provide a more instantaneous reading
of the body. Both types of
readings have value. For example,
blood tests can vary from minute to minute, depending upon oneÕs diet,
activities, the time of day and many other factors. This is beneficial in some instances, but is often less
helpful when seeking an overall metabolic reading.
10. Cost-effective, accurate and reliable. Advancements in computer-controlled mass spectroscopy and other technologies have rendered the hair mineral biopsy an extremely cost-effective, accurate and reliable test when it is performed well. The US government licenses all hair mineral testing labs in this nation. The only problem is that some labs wash the hair, while others do not. This causes the results to vary from lab to lab. This problem is discussed elsewhere in this article.
II. WHAT DOES THE HAIR
MINERAL TEST MEASURE?
The
test measures minerals that are deposited inside the hair cells and in the
spaces between the cells. The
secretions of the oil and sweat glands of the skin can also contribute to the
readings.
A test of a
1-inch or 2-centimeter sample of hair provides a reading of the minerals
deposited in the hair during the past 3-4 months. Some people claim that hair testing measures the total body
load of a mineral. This is not
true!
With a hair
mineral test, one can assess:
1.
Mineral levels. These are the
actual numbers or readings of the minerals on the test.
2. Mineral ratios. This adds significant
complexity and a great deal more information. Dr. Paul Eck found that the ratios are usually more
important than the levels of the minerals. This has to do with homeostatic states of body chemistry, which
means states of balance or equilibrium.
3.
Simple patterns. These are
combinations of the levels and/or ratios.
4. Complex patterns. These
consist of combinations of levels, ratios and simple patterns.
5. Changes over time and the rate of
change. By comparing two or more tests when a person has
followed a development program, one can discern changes over time of the
levels, ratios, simple patterns and complex patterns. One can also discern the rate of change of all these.
Which minerals are tested? At least 20 elements are measured,
depending on the laboratory. The
three groups of elements tested are:
1.
Macrominerals. These
include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Some labs also read sulfur.
2.
Trace Minerals. These include iron, zinc, copper,
manganese, selenium, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, lithium and perhaps others.
3.
Toxic Minerals. These include
lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, aluminum, and nickel. Some labs read others as well. Toxic metals are discussed at length in
a separate article entitled Toxic Metals.
How are the readings reported? The mineral values are usually reported
in one of three ways:
1. Milligrams per 100 grams, often written as
mg%.
This is how Analytical Research Labs reports the numbers.
2. Micrograms per gram or ug/g. This gives
numbers that are 10 times higher than milligrams per hundred grams or mg%. To convert the reading to mg%, simply
move the decimal point one space to the left. For example, if calcium is reported as 1210 ug/g, it is the
same as 121 mg%
3.
Parts per million or ppm. This method
gives the same numbers as when they are reported in ug/g.
III. HOW IS HAIR
MINERAL TESTING USED BY DOCTORS?
Most mainstream medical and other personnel and many nutritionists never use hair mineral testing. They have been influenced by several widely-publicized, but seriously flawed studies that were designed to discredit hair mineral testing. These studies are discussed later in this article.
These practitioners often make
negative comments about hair mineral testing based upon these studies. However, their experience with the test
is limited or non-existent and they are ignorant of the great value of the
test.
Those that use the
test. Practitioners that offer hair mineral
testing use it in one of four ways:
1. Toxic metal testing only. Most practitioners who offer mineral testing use it mainly for the detection of toxic metals.
It is a decent test for this purpose, although no test will detect all toxic metals. From the perspective of development science, toxic metal testing is one of the least important uses for the mineral test.
2. Replacement therapy. Some practitioners use the hair mineral test to detect the levels of nutrient minerals. Then, they do replacement therapy. This means that they suggest foods or food supplements to raise the levels of the minerals that are low, or to lower the minerals levels that are too high.
This method works poorly, if at all, in our experience. Dr. Eck, my mentor, firmly rejected this use of hair mineral testing. To learn more about this method of using a hair mineral analysis, please read Replacement Therapy on this website.
3. Following the
laboratory recommendations. A number of physicians and
nutritionists follow the recommendations of labs such as Analytical Research
Labs (ARL) or other labs. These
labs recommend diet and/or supplement programs based on the test.
The recommendations of ARL are
better than the others, and much better than replacement therapy. However, the computer at ARL has not
been updated in over 12 years. As
a result, we find their dietary and supplement recommendations are not good
enough.
4.
Development science. About 150 practitioners work closely
with us, allowing us to set up the development programs for their clients. We believe these programs are by far
the best way to use hair mineral testing.
The only practitioners we can recommend for a development program are
those listed on the Practitioner
Referral Page of this website.
For
more details about the different ways of using hair mineral tests, read Hair Test Interpretation Methods.
IV. WHAT CAN A MINERAL
ANALYSIS REVEAL?
Hair
mineral analysis can reveal the following:
1.
Lifestyle imbalances. The test can
reveal that a problem in a personÕs lifestyle - such as drug use, a very
unhappy relationship, or a work problem – is impacting the personÕs
health. This is extremely useful,
in some cases.
In addition,
the test often reveals the highly toxic effects of cigarette and marijuana use
(cadmium). It also reveals the
toxic effects of body care products such as selenium-containing shampoo,
aluminum-containing anti-perspirants, and lead-containing hair dyes.
It
may also reveal the toxic effects of medical drugs such as Flonase (antimony),
anti-acids (aluminum), and some diuretics (mercury).
It
can also sometimes reveal occupational or other exposure to toxins such as
excess exposure to iron, copper, or manganese in those who work in these
industries.
2. Dietary problems. The test contains a number of indicators
to help a practitioner discern that a personÕs diet is inadequate or
imbalanced. These include
indicators for low protein intake (low phosphorus in some cases), excessive
carbohydrate intake, some drinking water problems, and problems with vegetarian
and vegan diets. In addition, the
test can identify several foods that contain toxins such as Rooibos tea (nickel
and lead toxicity) or eating fish (high in mercury).
3.
The metabolic type. This is an important fact of body
chemistry. It is most helpful to
understand hundreds of symptoms, and to guide the dietary and supplement
recommendations. It also helps to
understand many emotional and mental symptoms as well.
4.
The energy and vitality level.
Energy is a common denominator of health. This means that if oneÕs energy is low, hundreds of symptoms
can occur. Restoring oneÕs
biochemical or adaptive energy is a key to healing. This is one of the most basic of healing principles. A properly interpreted hair mineral
analysis is an excellent way to evaluate a personÕs adaptive energy level, as
well as to figure out how to correct it.
5.
Gland and organ activity.
Hair mineral testing can provide a number of indicators for the cellular
effect of the thyroid and adrenal hormones, and at times the ovarian hormones
as well. It can also be used
indirectly to assess the activity of the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines
and perhaps other organs as well.
6.
Carbohydrate tolerance. The test can
quickly screen for hypoglycemia and, at times, diabetes, although a glucose
tolerance test (GTT) should be done if one suspects diabetes. Hair testing can, however, usually
guide a practitioner to correct Type 2 diabetes and some Type 1 diabetes
without the need for most drugs.
Mineral imbalances and chronic infections are often involved with these
conditions.
7.
Toxic metal assessment. No method of testing can detect all the toxic metals in the
body because most of them are hidden deep in the body organs and glands. When interpreted properly, however, a
hair mineral analysis is often helpful to assess the general level of toxic
metals in the body.
Some
patterns, such as the Poor Eliminator Pattern,
provide indicators of the presence of hidden
toxic metals, a most important concept.
8.
Reducing guesswork in recommending diets, nutritional supplementation and
detoxification methods. This is very
necessary because natural methods can easily be applied incorrectly or a
haphazard manner that can make matters much worse.
9.
Trends or tendencies for over 60 common health conditions. This is an amazing benefit. Research indicates that many health conditions are related
to tissue mineral imbalances. The
test may reveal them months or years before they manifest in the body. This makes possible a powerful
preventive medical science. This is
much less costly and more effective than waiting until a disease such as cancer
or heart disease occurs.
This
aspect of hair mineral testing alone would save billions of dollars if it were
used widely. For example, one can
inexpensively and accurately screen for tendencies for diabetes, heart disease,
chronic fatigue, cancer, yeast infections, and many other health conditions.
10.
Monitoring Progress. Hair mineral analysis is often helpful
to monitor a personÕs progress on a healing program of any kind. Symptomatic changes alone are often not
a good way to know if a person is progressing on a healing program. However, the hair test will often
detect subtle changes in body chemistry, another wonderful benefit of this
test.
11.
Stress patterns. A properly
performed hair mineral analysis is superb to assess the stage of stress, as well as 30 or more stress response patterns of
the human body.
This type of analysis and
interpretation is based on the stress
theory of disease, a modern understanding of health and disease. It was the work of Dr. Hans Selye, MD
some 60 years ago. However, it is
still not used much by the medical profession. Understanding the stages of stress can enable the
practitioner to reverse many types of pathology that do not respond well to
either traditional medical care or holistic care.
12.
Autonomic nervous system assessment. A properly performed hair mineral
test can assess and guide the correction of the activity of the autonomic
nervous system.
Problems
with this nervous system are very widespread today, and can cause hundreds of
symptoms from digestive disturbance and inability to eliminate toxic metals, to
sleep disturbances, blood sugar problems and even cancers. Few in the medical, holistic or
naturopathic professions know how to address these issues.
13.
Psychological/emotional assessment. One the most exciting uses of the hair
mineral analysis is the assessment of causes for conditions such as depression,
anxiety, panic attacks, attention deficit, brain fog, autism, schizophrenia,
dementia, violence, and bipolar disorder.
Hair mineral testing often shows why these conditions occur, and how to
correct them at a deep level.
14. Trauma. Hair mineral
testing can also reveal sociological issues such as some traumas, abuse, and
criminality. For more on this
topic, please read Trauma Release on this
site.
15.
Animal health. The
same test is extremely helpful to identify and guide the correction of health
problems in animals, both large and small. The identical principles of interpretation apply to many
animal species, just as well as they apply to human beings. This has the potential to save
ranchers, farmers and others millions of dollars, and improve the quality of
our food. Articles on this site
discuss the application of development science and hair testing in Dogs, Cats, Horses,
Cows, and Deer at this time.
16.
Agriculture.
The common soil analysis farmers use is identical to the hair mineral
analysis. The principles of
development science can be used to help balance the soil and improve crop yield
and nutritional quality of our food supply. For more on this topic, please read Rejuvenating The Soil With Development on this site.
17.
Other.
More is possible with hair mineral testing. One of the most interesting is identifying movement patterns. These have to do with a personÕs lifestyle and current
activities, in relation to the personÕs life path or progress through
life. This can be extremely
helpful in counseling a person, and to understand illness, both physical and
emotional.
Deep
insights into biochemistry, physiology, psychology, pathology and possibly more
esoteric sciences, such as biological transmutation of the elements, are also
possible using the hair mineral test.
Some of these are briefly discussed in the article entitled The Theory Of Development Science.
V. CURRENT IDEAL HAIR MINERAL VALUES WE USE
These change
with new research. For the current
ideal values and ranges, please go to Ideal Human
Mineral Levels And Ranges on this website.
NOTE:
1.
Hair must not be washed at the laboratory for accurate readings.
2.
Levels below the ideals listed above generally indicate a poor eliminator of this metal. This is an important concept for hair analysis
interpretation. For more on this
topic, please read the article entitled Poor
Eliminator Pattern on this website.
3.
Most people have too much of most of the toxic metals, even if they are not
revealed on the test. They can be
hidden, sequestered deep within the body tissues. This is especially true of mercury and aluminum, due to
environmental contamination.
Mineral
analysis by mass spectroscopy-ICP and related methods is a standard testing
procedure used in laboratories and universities throughout the world. Hair mineral testing on human and
animal populations has been carried out for over 80 years.
Well
over two million analyses have been performed. Several thousand papers and other research have been
published on this method of biological monitoring. About 450 of these are listed by clicking on Hair
Analysis References.
Regarding
toxic metals, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency published a 300-page study in August
1979. They reviewed over 400
journal articles about hair mineral testing. The authors concluded that hair is a "meaningful and
representative tissue for biological monitoring for most of the toxic
metals".
Sadly,
very few physicians are trained in hair tissue mineral analysis
interpretation. I am medically
trained, and was also very skeptical about its use. However, research and clinical experience with over 50,000
patients have dispelled any doubts as to its efficacy and significance for
health care. We currently work
with about 100 nutrition consultants and physicians worldwide. These Approved Practitioners
are listed on this website.
VII. RELATION TO ACUPUNCTURE PULSE AND OTHER DIAGNOSIS
Amazingly,
the patterns revealed on a hair mineral analysis correlate perfectly with many
acupuncture diagnosis patterns. We
even use similar names for many of the patterns. Examples are the bowl pattern, hill pattern, and coming alive
pattern. Many of the
acupuncture patterns are quite advanced, so most acupuncturists are not familiar
with them.
This
is very unusual! The reason this
occurs may be that both hair analysis assessment and acupuncture assessment are
measuring the whole body system, even
though the way the assessment is done is extremely different. For more on this topic, please read Acupuncture on this site.
VIII. BASIC TEST INTERPRETATION
According
to the research of Dr. Paul Eck and others, one must first look for whole system patterns, before
interpreting the individual mineral levels. Some of these patterns are the metabolic type, the stage of
stress, the oxidation rate and type, and the major electrolyte ratios. Here are basic interpretation steps:
1. Look for a four lows pattern. This is present when the first four macrominerals
- calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium - are all below their ideal
levels. Please read Four Low Eelctrolytes for much more on this pattern.
2. Assess is the oxidation rate. It is determined by assessing two
ratios. These are the
sodium/magnesium ratio and the calcium/potassium ratio. This will assess if a person is in
fast, slow or mixed oxidation. For
more on this assessment and the meaning of the oxidation rate, please read Fast, Slow and Mixed Oxidation.
3. Assess the sodium/potassium ratio. It
is critical that the hair not be washed at the laboratory for accurate sodium
and potassium readings. This gives a lot of information about inflammation,
infection, blood sugar, fatigue, anger and more. For more on this ratio, please read The Sodium/Potassium Ratio.
4. Assess the calcium/magnesium ratio. This is sometimes called the lifestyle
ratio. For much more on this topic,
please read The Calcium/Magnesium Ratio.
After
assessing these patterns and ratios, one can focus on individual mineral
levels, and about 60 other important patterns revealed on the test.
Learning
this method of interpretation takes some time. I was badly confused for four years working at it full
time. However, I offer training
for anyone who wishes to learn this science. For a list of all the hair analysis patterns, please go to
the Read
Articles page of this website, where they are listed.
IX. THE MINERAL ANALYSIS
HAIR SAMPLING PROCEDURE
Accurate
results depend on cutting hair samples correctly. Here are basic rules for sampling the hair.
1.
Cut the sample from anywhere on the head. The nape of the neck is excellent, but
other areas are fine, as well. If
head hair is not available, the next best hair is from the underarms. On men, beard hair or chest hair will
work, as well.
If
these are not available, some labs will test the minerals in fingernails, and
this is fairly accurate. Do
not use pubic hair. It is
not as accurate, even though some laboratories allow it.
2.
Cut the hair as close to the scalp as possible for the most recent and therefore the most accurate
readings.
3.
Then measure about one inch or two centimeters from where it was cut on the
head. Cut off the rest of the long
hair and throw it away. Using even
shorter hair is excellent. The
only problem is with long hair.
4.
The best way is usually to cut several little samples and combine them until
the paper scale tips or until you have filled a small spoon or have 125 mg of
hair. (This is not a lot of hair.)
5.
Hair that has been tinted, dyed, highlighted, bleached or permanent-treated may
be used. If it has been bleached
or the person has had a permanent, wash the hair several times after the hair
treatments before cutting the sample to remove the chemicals and allow the hair
to grow out a little.
6.
Thinning shears or even a razor may be used if the hair is short. It must be an electric razor, as we do
not want the hair mixed with shaving cream or soap. If thinning shears
are used on long hair, it may be hard to tell which end was cut.
7.
Use a clean paper (not plastic) envelope to collect the hair. Plastic is okay, but the hair tends to
stick to it and is harder to remove easily.
8.
The sample must be sent to a licensed clinical laboratory for analysis. The best labs are Analytical Research
Labs in Phoenix, Arizona (my first choice) or Trace Elements, Inc. (a very poor
second choice because they read more minerals, but results may not be as
accurate and worse, their corrective programs are terrible).
Do
not use a lab that washes the hair, which includes all the other laboratories
in the world, as far as I know.
These labs may be okay to measure toxic metals. However, they are not good at all to
get accurate readings of sodium and potassium, which is required for
development science.
X. LABORATORY ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
The
procedure described here is used at Analytical Research Laboratories in
Phoenix, Arizona. Similar, but at
times less rigorous procedures may be used at other hair testing laboratories.
1.
Hair samples arriving at the laboratory are first cut into small pieces with
surgical scissors.
2.
A precisely weighed amount of hair is digested overnight in nitric and
perchloric acid.
3.The
following day the sample is rehydrated and placed in the measuring instrument
to be assessed for minerals.
The
most common measuring instrument today is an ICP-mass spectrometer. This is a highly sophisticated hybrid,
computer-controlled machine costing several hundred thousand dollars. It is not a Òhome or office unitÓ. Any doctor who runs this test in
his office is not using the same equipment and results may not be as accurate.
Essentially,
the dissolved sample is burned at a high temperature. Each mineral gives off a characteristic spectrum or
frequencies of light, which is picked up by sensitive detectors in the
measuring instrument. Calibration
and precise control of the flame temperature are essential to obtain accurate
readings.
Licensing. In America, hair mineral analysis
laboratories are inspected annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services, Division of Health
Standards and Quality. An
operating license is issued only if personnel and procedures meet rigorous
standards.
Quality
Control. Analytical
Research Labs runs control samples and blank samples at the beginning, middle
and end of every batch. Also,
small amount of hair is set aside and any readings that are far out of range
are retested automatically at no extra charge. This is not done at most laboratories.
Hair
tissue mineral analysis is not something that can be done in an office or at
home. If someone offers a test
that is done at the office, it is not the same test. Only about eight or nine laboratories offer commercial hair
tissue mineral analysis in America and a few exist overseas. All other laboratories send hair
samples to one of the few labs that have the correct equipment and licensing to
perform the test.
XI. CONTROVERSIES IN HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS
1.
SHOULD HAIR BE WASHED AT THE LABORATORY?
The danger
of environmental contamination has prompted many mineral testing laboratories
to wash the hair before analyzing it.
However, studies indicate this is far worse than the occasional contamination due to an environmental
agent. These include the following
studies:
á
Leroy, R. (J Ortho Med., 1986;1(2)).
á
Seidel, et al. (JAMA, 2001, 285, #1).
The authors compared hair test results from about six labs. The results of the two laboratories
that do not wash the hair samples showed excellent correlation, unlike some of
the others. One must obtain the
actual test numbers to realize this, as it is not mentioned in the study.
á
Assarian, GS and Oberleas, D., (Clin Chem., 1977;23(9):1771-1772).
These
studies showed that washing the hair at
the laboratory erratically and unpredictably removes calcium, sodium and
potassium. Zinc, magnesium,
nickel and most other elements are also affected by washing. Thus, we only recommend using a laboratory
that does not wash the hair at the laboratory.
UPDATE:
April 2024. A number of
articles on this website say that Analytical Research does not wash the hair
and is the only lab we recommend. ARL
says they do not wash the hair, but for the past two months the numbers are
somewhat low, and thus less accurate.
We are not sure why.
Those
who favor washing the hair at the lab contend that any mineral that is washed
out is 'exogenous' - not really part of the hair. Judging by the excellent predictability the mineral ratios
provide when the hair is not washed, one is lead to conclude that the loosely
bound minerals are not simply exogenous.
They are part of the biopsy material.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATION OF HAIR SAMPLES
Some
say that hair samples are inaccurate due to hair treatments and environmental
contamination. However, our
experience indicates that shampoo, conditioners, rinses, hair dyes, tints,
light sweating and air pollution generally do not significantly affect hair
readings.
Most
people wash their hair frequently.
Most hair products do not contain many minerals that remain in the hair
after the product is used.
Therefore the test is not affected. Hair is not very porous, about 10% in men and 15% in
women. Most contaminants do not
remain within the hair.
However,
swimming in pools can raise sodium and copper levels. Heavy sweating immediately before cutting the sample can
raise sodium and potassium readings.
ÔGrecian Formula' and 'Youth Hair' hair dye contain lead. They will elevate the lead level (and
should be avoided!).
Head
& Shoulders shampoo can elevate the zinc level. Selsun Blue shampoo can elevate the selenium level. These contaminants are usually easy to
identify on a hair test because the readings are heavily skewed. Asking the patient what products are on
their hair will usually be sufficient to rule out abnormal readings due to hair
products.
Showering
may wash out a small percentage of water-soluble minerals. However, minerals from the sweat or oil
glands appear to re-establish an equilibrium on the hair within a half-hour
after washing. Of course, this
re-equilibration cannot occur if the hair is washed after it is cut from the
head at a laboratory.
Bleach
or other harsh chemicals used in permanents will have some effect on hair
readings. If possible, take a hair
sample before having a permanent or
bleaching. After a beauty parlor
permanent or bleaching treatment, it is best to let the hair grow out for
several weeks.
Second
best is to wash the hair 4-5 times after these treatments before having a hair
analysis. However, if a person is
very ill, a sample can be taken at any time. It may not be perfectly accurate, but will provide enough
information to begin a corrective program.
CAN
A HAIR TEST BE USED TO SET UP A HEALING PROGRAM?
Some
authors criticize hair mineral testing when it is used to recommend nutritional
supplements or even foods for improving oneÕs health. In particular, vitamins may seem difficult to recommend
because the test only detects mineral levels. Let me explain how this is done, however, with a simple
example.
It
is known that certain vitamins, such as vitamin C, can be used to help remove
toxic metals. Thus a practitioner
may recommend supplementary vitamin C if a hair analysis reveals excessive
toxic metals. There are many other
ways the test can be used to recommend herbs, vitamins and other nutritional
products.
The
acceptance of hair mineral testing as a valid procedure has been slowed by
several disagreements among researchers who use hair mineral testing. These are:
XII. CHALLENGES TO THE VALIDITY OF HAIR ANALYSIS
Several
studies critical of hair analysis have been published. Most criticism stems from two studies
published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association. The first
was published in August 1985, JAMA 254(8)1041-1045.
In
this study, standard hair analysis protocol was ignored in three ways, any one
of which would be enough to discredit the entire study:
1. A few
long pieces of his daughterÕs hair were used. This is not the correct way to do the
test. One must use small one-inch
samples cut close to the scalp.
The ends of long hair are more subject to contamination and should never
be used.
2. Samples were washed under the kitchen tap before being sent to the
laboratory. This is also a
violation of standard hair sampling protocol. Tap water is often rich in minerals. Hair samples should never be washed in
this manner.
3. Hair samples were mixed together by hand. Here is another violation of standard protocol. It is difficult or impossible to obtain
a homogenous sample this way because hair tends to stick together. Hair should have been powdered first and
then mixed together, or at least cut into tiny parts before mixing.
Other
flaws in this study were:
The
author had a clear conflict of interest. He was, and may still be, the director of Quackwatch, a
medical industry-funded group that specializes in deriding natural,
alternative, complementary and holistic methods of healing. In fact, the author of the study, I am
told, operates over 30 website that he uses to denigrate holistic healing
methods under various titles and pseudonyms.
Referencing
for the study was almost nonexistent.
For example, the author completely ignored over 400 studies that had
been done on hair analysis and reported upon by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency only 6 years before.
Obviously, the author was either extremely ignorant about hair analysis
research or did not care what the medical community really knew about it.
The author admitted in the study that he
had no professional experience with hair analysis whatsoever. One must wonder why he was picked
to author this study.
THE
2001 JAMA HAIR ANALYSIS STUDY
Another
study appeared in JAMA, #285, #1, Jan.3, 2001 that claimed to ÒrevisitÓ the
earlier one. Six hair samples were
cut from one person and sent to six laboratories for analysis. Flaws in this study include:
1. An
illegally operating, unlicensed mineral testing laboratory was included in the
study. This
lab reported the worst results, and was the basis for the authors conclusion
that hair mineral analysis is unreliable.
This is so bizarre it is once again difficult to fathom. Would JAMA publish a study of brain surgery procedures and use an
illegally-operating hospital or a bogus surgeon? I doubt it.
Plenty
of other hair testing labs could have been used, but the authors somehow found
one that had lost its license.
This makes little sense, unless one wishes to discredit the field of
hair analysis.
2. The
ÒstudyÓ involved only one patient.
I learned in medical school that a report involving only one or two
people is ÒanecdotalÓ, and not a valid study. It is shocking that the Journal
of the American Medical Association would accept such a report and print
it. It is also a poor reflection
on the authors that they would draw any conclusions at all from this anecdotal
ÒstudyÓ.
3. Rather
than compare the raw data, the authors compared whether readings were reported
as high, normal or low. This is not a
measure of the reliability of hair analysis, as they claim. This is comparing the reference ranges
of various laboratories, which is another issue altogether.
4. The
authors demonstrated clear bias and ignorance of hair analysis. They referred to the 1985 JAMA study,
stating, Òwe decided to update BarrettÕs resultsÓ. This implies they were unaware or unconcerned with all the
flaws in the earlier study.
5. Very poor
referencing again. Very few studies of hair analysis were mentioned, and once
again, the authors ignored hundreds of favorable studies of hair analysis.
6. Ignoring
their own findings. In this anecdotal report, the two laboratories that do not wash the hair at the lab, ARL and
TEI, provided identical results in 6 of 9 trace minerals and extremely close
results on the other three. In
other words, in the only valid comparison of hair analysis laboratories, results
indicated the exact opposite conclusion than that drawn by the authors. This fact was completely overlooked and
not reported by the authors in their discussion or conclusion. Essentially, the anecdotal report
indicated that when the hair is not washed at the lab, the results are
astoundingly reliable and accurate, but this fact was ignored and the authors
conclusion was the exact opposite of this truth.
THE HAIR ANALYSIS
ÒEXPOSEÓ ON THE ÔNIGHTLINEÕ TELEVISION PROGRAM
Also
in the 1990s the 'Nightline' television show discussed hair analysis in a
widely watched program. In this
ÒexposeÓ, hair from a dog was sent to a commercial hair analysis
laboratory. The perpetrators of this scam from 'Nightline' led the
laboratory to believe it was a human hair sample. They did not tell the laboratory it was from a dog. Identifying the species from which hair
is sampled is the standard and an obvious procedure.
When
results came back, they were very odd because the normal mineral values for a
dog are very different than for humans. The television host claimed that
this was a healthy dog and that such odd results proved that hair analysis is a
fraud.
Of
course, if one sent a dog's blood to a blood laboratory and did not tell the
laboratory it belonged to a dog, the exact same thing would happen. This, of course, was not pointed out in
the Nightline piece.
THE JUNE 12-13, 2001 CDC REPORT ON
HAIR ANALYSIS
Another shameful government pronouncement on hair
testing took place in 2001 at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
A panel was assembled to evaluate Òthe state of the art of hair
analysisÓ. It involved seven
ÒexpertsÓ in toxicology and other fields and 50 public observers.
The experts reviewed 7 studies of hair analysis to
prepare for the meeting. In
addition, another 25 studies were cited during or after the meeting. Based on this ÒreviewÓ, the panel
concluded that hair analysis is not effective or reliable as a method of
biological monitoring for toxic metals, with the exception of methyl
mercury. Flaws in this
report include:
á
Extreme lack of references. A
review of only 32 studies of hair analysis should have disqualified this panel
right away. In addition, of the 32
papers, one was a CDC paper on toxic chemicals, one was a report on the anatomy
and physiology of hair, and one was an article about controlling hair
growth. Another concerned Napoleon
BonaparteÕs exposure to arsenic in 1816, while another was about regeneration
and rate of hair growth in men.
One was also the 1989 recommended dietary allowances. Totally ignored were literally hundreds
of studies, many of which are in the reference section of this text.
á
Overlooking their own research. There was no mention or citation of the governmentÕs own 300-page
review of over 400 studies of hair analysis conducted in August of 1979. This was a real review that could have
been updated by the CDC, had they cared to do so. The earlier review concluded that hair testing was
Òmeaningful and representative for biological monitoring for the major toxic
metalsÓ.
á
Unqualified ÒexpertsÓ. The 7-member panel of Òhair mineral analysis expertsÓ contained no one
who actually uses hair mineral testing as a regular part of a healing
practice. Instead, it included 1)
a professor of emergency medicine, 2) the president of an internal medicine
consulting service, and 3) an employee in the Department of Health Education
and Promotion at the ATSDR. Also
among the experts was Dr. Seidel, one of the authors of the second JAMA study described above. This might be seen as obvious bias,
since she was the lead author on a very negative study of hair analysis. The reference for this panel discussion
is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/hair_analysis/index.html.
When
performed and interpreted as suggested in this article and on this website,
hair mineral testing is quite amazing.
It is not
just Òanother testÓ. The hair
mineral testÕs ability to assess and predict physical and psychological states
of the body is quite unlike blood, urine, feces and every other method of
testing the body that we have encountered. We encourage any practitioner to look into this.
The
mineral deposition in the hair tissue reflects the condition of the energy
field or ÔauraÕ of a human being or animal. In this sense, the hair mineral test is a measure of the
radiance or life energy of the body, and of the brain, in particular.
The mineral
levels, ratios and patterns represent complex patterns of biological
organization. This includes
hormone levels, the electrical balance of the cells, the stage of stress
according to the stress theory of disease, the oxidation rate and type, and more.
Fractal
and holographic design. The reason
this occurs, in part, is due to the fractal design of the human and animal
body. Fractal design means that
the body is made of simple repeating whole-number patterns. Excellent examples of fractals are on
the internet. For more details,
read Fractals.
To
experience this for yourself, however, one must use the test correctly. The keys to
using the hair test in the way we are describing it are:
1.
Hair sampling must be done correctly.
This topic is discussed elsewhere in this article.
2. The
laboratory must not wash the hair at all. WeÕre not sure this is available at
this time (April 2024).
3. The
testing must be highly accurate.
This is also a problem with all labs we known of.
4. The
mineral values must be graphed on the calibrated chart used by Analytical
Research Labs. Other graphs and
charts used by any other lab do not work well.
5. To really
appreciate the test, one must perform a lot of tests - at least 100 - and
interview the clients to see if the tests reflect what we suggest they reflect
in this and other articles on this website.
Do hair mineral values vary with a personÕs
age? Yes, to a degree. Most children are fast oxidizers until
around age 3 to 10. Their hair
analyses look different, with higher sodium and potassium values and lower
calcium and magnesium values. Some
day, perhaps, a separate chart of ideal values will be published for children
under age 10. Otherwise, however,
the ideal values do not vary with age.
Are
hair test results different for men than for women? Women tend to have somewhat slower
oxidation rates than men. This
means their calcium and magnesium levels tend to be slightly higher than those
of men, while their sodium and potassium levels tend to be somewhat lower than
those of men. Copper levels also
tend to be somewhat higher in women.
Do hair tests vary with oneÕs hair color or
race? We have not found
significant differences, although those with red hair may have higher copper
levels in the hair.
UPDATE
APRIL 2024. CHEATING ON HAIR TESTS
An important fact we have uncovered in
the past several months is that many people have high levels of iron, manganese
and aluminum. However, their hair
mineral tests do not reflect this.
We have researched this. Some people are being told by the alien
invading group, the negs, satans or Rogues, that they
must shampoo their hair with a chelating shampoo just before sampling it for a
mineral test.
It is also possible that some labs are
changing the mineral values or removing some minerals with a washing
method. We believe the rogues or
negs control all mineral testing labs at this time.
The special shampoo removes most of the
iron, manganese and aluminum.
The reason for hiding the high levels
of these minerals is to cover up a secret rogue project to convert some people into
what are called blacks or black masters. These are people who are developed to a certain level, but
whose behavior the negs control. It
requires high tissue levels of iron, manganese and aluminum. For more details, read The Sats.
SUMMARY
Hair
tissue mineral analysis has been available for about the past 80 years or
so. It is widely used in
biological monitoring of animal species throughout the world and is being used
more and more for human metabolic assessment as well. When understood properly, it offers great potential to
improve human and animal health at the deepest levels. It can also be used preventively and
for prediction of illness.
This
website contains many articles about various aspects and details concerning
hair mineral testing. Topics
include Toxic Metals And Their Removal, Hair mineral analysis
patterns, The Theory Of Development, a
journal article, Nutritional Balancing and Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
and more.
In
addition, one of our books has a long section containing about 36 hair analysis
patterns: Development Science And
Development Programs (2019).
This website also contains a list of Hair
Analysis References, Scientific
Statements About Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, and Development
Program Testimonials.
BOOKS
Albrecht, W.A, The Albrecht Papers, Acres U.S.A., 1975.
Andersen, B.D.,The Rhythms of Nature, 1999.
Atkins, R.C., The Atkins Health Revolution, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1988.
Bernard, C., An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine, Collier
Books, 1961.
Bland, J., Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, An Emergent Diagnostic Technique,
Thorsons Publishing, 1984
Braunwald, E. Eet al, ed., HarrisonÕs Principles of Internal Medicine,
15th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2001
Brown, A.C. and Crounse, R.G., Hair, Trace Elements, and Human Illness,
Praeger Publishers, 1980.
Casdorph, H.R. and Walker, M., Toxic Metal Syndrome, Avery Publishing,
1995.
Chatsworth, L. and Chatsworth, C., Energy, Healthview Publishing, 1985.
Chatt, A., Katz, S.S., Hair Analysis: Applications in the
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, VCH Publishing, 1989.
Cleave, T.L, The Saccharine Disease, Keats Publishing, 1975.
Crook, W.G., The Yeast Connection Handbook, Professional Books, 1999.
Davies, I.J.T., The Clinical Significance of the Essential Biological Metals, C.C.
Thomas, 1972.
Douglass, W.C., The Milk of Human Kindness is Not Pasteurized, Copple House Books,
1985.
Douglass, W.C., Into the Light, Second Opinion Publishing, 1993.
Droesti, I. and Smith, R., Neurobiology of the Trace Elements, Volumes
I and II, Humana Press, 1983.
Eck, P.C. and Wilson, L., Toxic Metals in Human Health and Disease,
Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd.,1989.
Eck, P.C., Healthview Newsletter, Interview #27-29, Healthview, 1981.
Eck, P.C., and Watts, D., The Most Commonly Asked Questions About Hair
Analysis, Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd., 1983.
Eck, P., Watts, D., Wilson, L. et al., Healthscope Newsletter, Issues 1-22, The
Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd., 1982-1985.
Frompovich, C.J., Understanding Body Chemistry and Hair Mineral Analysis, C.J.
Frompovich, 1982.
Gerson, M., A Cancer Therapy - Results of 50 Cases, 3rd edition, Totality
Books, 1977.
Gittleman, A.L., Why Am I Always So Tired, Harper San Francisco, 1999.
Goyer, R.A. et al, Medical Toxicology, Academic Press, 1995.
Guyton, A.,Textbook of Medical Physiology, W.B. Saunders Co.,1995.
Hall, R.H., Food For Naught, The Decline in Nutrition, Vintage Books, 1974.
Hemphill, D.D., Cothern, C.R. and Beck,
B, Trace Substances in Environmental
Health, Annual Conferences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO,
1972-1992.
Hoffer, A. and Walker, M., Orthomolecular Nutrition, Keats
Publishing, 1978
Jensen, B., The Chemistry of Man, 1983.
Kelley, W.D., One Answer to Cancer, 1980.
Kervan, C.L., Biological Transmutations, Beekman Publishers, 1980.
Kirschmann, J.D., Nutrition Almanac, McGraw-Hill , 1979.
Koch, W., The Survival Factor in Neoplastic and Viral Diseases, 1961.
Kutsky, R., Handbook of Vitamins, Minerals and Hormones, 2nd edition, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 1981.
Leek, R., Hair Analysis, R. Leek, 1980.
Nickel, D., Nutritional Reference
Manual, 700+ Quick Fixes, Analytical Research Labs, Phoenix, AZ.
Ott, J.N., Health and Light, The Effects of Natural and Artificial Light on Man
and Other Living Things, Pocket Books, 1976.
Passwater, R.A. and Cranton, E.M., Trace Minerals, Hair Analysis and Nutrition,
Keats Publishing, 1983.
Pauling, L., Vitamin C, The Common Cold and the Flu, W.H.
Freeman and Co., 1976.
Page, M., Degeneration-Regeneration, Nutritional Development, 1980.
Pearson, D. and Shaw, S., Life Extension, Warner Books, 1983.
Pfeiffer, C.C., Mental and Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing, 1975.
Pfeiffer, C.C., Zinc and other Micronutrients, Keats Publishing, 1978.
Price, W., Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price-Pottenger Nutrition
Foundation, 1945, 1979.
Rapp, D.J., Is This Your Child's World?, Bantam Books, 1996.
Rapp, D.J., Is This Your Child? 1991.
Rapp, D.J., Our Toxic World: A Wake Up
Call, 2003.
Rogers, S., Detoxify or Die, Sand Key Company, 2002.
Sauberlich, H.E. et al., Laboratory Tests For The Assessment Of
Nutritional Status, CRC Press, 1984.
Schroeder, H., The Trace Elements and Man, Devin-Adair Company, 1975.
Scogna, J.R., The Promethian, LEP Publications, 1983.
Selye, H., The Stress of Life, McGraw-Hill , 1956.
Selye, H., Stress Without Distress, Signet Books, 1975.
Schmidt, M.A., Smith, L.H. and Sehnert,
K.W., Beyond Antibiotics, Healthier
Options for Families, North Atlantic Books, 1993.
Schutte, K.H. and Myers, J.A., Metabolic Aspects of Health, Discovery
Press, 1979.
Smith, E. et al., Principles of Biochemistry, Vols. I and II, 2nd edition,
McGraw-Hill, 1978.
Stryer, L., Biochemistry, 2nd edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, 1981.
United States Environmental Protection
Agency, Toxic Trace Metals in Mammalian
Hair and Nails, EPA-600 4.79-049, August 1979.
Valkovic, V., Human Hair Vol. 1. Fundamentals and Methods for Measurement of Elements
Composition, CRC Press, 1988.
Valkovic, V., Human Hair, Vol II. Trace-Element Levels, CRC Press. 1988.
Watson, G., Nutrition and Your Mind, Bantam books, 1972.
Watson, G., Personality Strength and Psycho-Chemical Energy, Harper and Row,
1979.
Williams, R.J., Nutrition Against Disease, Environmental Protection, Pitman
Publishing, 1971.
Wilson, L., Development and Hair Mineral Analysis, L.D. Wilson Consultants,
Inc., 1991, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2014.
Wilson, L., Sauna Therapy, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc., 2003, 2006, 2011.
Wilson, L., Healing Ourselves, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc. 1995, 2000, 2003,
2007.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
For
a list of about 500 medical journal articles about hair mineral testing, please
go to Hair
Analysis References.
For
professional statements about hair mineral testing, click
here.
Home | Hair Analysis | Saunas | Books | Articles | Detox Protocols
Courses | About Dr. Wilson | Contact Us | The Free Basic
Program