APPENDIX ETissue Mineral Analysis (TMA)Your hair is little different from any other tissue in the body, requiring
virtually the same elements for growth and repair. Since the hair is the second
most metabolically-active tissue in your body, it can be used as a “record” of
metabolic activity. The first inch or so of your hair can give you a good
picture of the last two months or so of your body’s metabolic activity. As it
grows, it “locks in” the history of intra- and extra-cellular metabolic activity.
Hair analysis is more reliable than blood analysis in indicating tissue
(cellular) level utilization, storage and excretory factors. Hair is considered
excretory tissue. It can show mineral, heavy metal and toxic element levels
within the body. The FBI uses hair analysis in forensic labs to determine the
ingestion of toxic and deadly metals and substances like arsenic. It is so
accurate that they can determine the year and almost the month of ingestion
and the level changes thereof. Hair analysis can also be more definitive than
blood and urine in indicating the body’s storage of toxic elements. The EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) uses hair as the tissue of choice in
determining toxic metal exposure.
Many factors can affect proper hair analysis by contaminating or altering
the results. These include hair treatment products, such as dyes, bleaches, and
shampoos.
It is important to know what goes on at the cellular level, and the hair will
indicate this. The cellular level is where it is all “happening.” Dr. Emanuel
Cheraskin has stated in his book, Diet and Disease, “Minerals have
interrelationships with every other nutrient. Without optimum mineral levels
within the body, the other nutrients are not effectively utilized.” Minerals play
an active role in production of hormone synthesis and activity (and vice
versa). Some minerals are “electric” transporters as well as stimulators.
Minerals also play a role in enzyme activity.
Tissue mineral analysis can play a vital role in understanding some of
your body’s symptoms. Most naturopaths and many other healthcare
practitioners use hair (tissue) analysis as part of their practice. These analyses
include dietary recommendations, but the diets suggested are not based upon
natural health principles.