Sharing my experience with hair tissue mineral analysis and my results.
Hello friends! How are you ? I hope you are enjoying the day so far. Today is administrative tasks, plus home strength training and breakfast for dinner tonight.
For today’s article, I wanted to share my experience with HTMA as one of the testing tools I use. I shared more about my food sensitivity test hereand I will do another article on my Candida, metabolic and vitamin test. It has been truly amazing to gain insight into the imbalances caused by mineral deficiency, especially in the eyes and autoimmune issues that I have experienced over the past year.
At first glance, HTMA It looks like a *simple* hair test, but there’s so much to it, and so much it can tell you. It’s a snapshot of how your body responds to stress. When we’re stressed, we burn through our minerals more quickly, which can leave us exhausted and defenseless against the toxicity we encounter on a regular basis. It can also be a very useful postpartum tool, as babies use the mother’s nutrients. Minerals work in pairs, so it is important to look at the ratios and relationships between minerals and try to find a balance. There will never be a *perfect* HTMA test result; rather, it’s about seeing improvements in your body over time.
Embarking on a journey to understand the unique needs and intricacies of your body is a powerful step toward holistic wellness. Today I’m going to share what this test entails, its benefits, the process, and my personal experience.
Note: This information is based on personal experience and training. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice. This test does not diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease. It is simply an information tool for your unique body.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test Review
What is HTMA and what can it tell you?
HTMA is a diagnostic tool that analyzes the mineral content of your hair tissue. As our hair reflects the mineral composition of our body, this non-invasive test provides a window into the past 90 days of mineral imbalances, heavy metal exposure and potential nutritional deficiencies. Although it is not designed to diagnose specific illnesses, it goes beyond superficial symptoms and can help uncover the root causes of various health problems. Minerals are essential to our entire body and are the “spark plugs”.
Benefits and Benefits:
HTMA provides a holistic perspective on your mineral status, assisting in the identification of imbalances or excesses that may contribute to health problems, complementing traditional medical advice. It can also provide insight into your nervous system, adrenal function, thyroid function, and absorption. Of course, things that help our bodies be more regulated often have the added benefit of improving our mental health, which might even help with depression.
Early detection: Early detection of mineral imbalances allows proactive adjustments to prevent possible health problems
Tailored Nutrition: Using information from HTMA, personalized nutrition plans can be developed to address specific deficiencies and promote overall well-being.
Disadvantages:
External Contamination: External factors such as hair products or environmental exposure may influence test results. Choosing a reputable laboratory and following pre-testing guidelines alleviates this concern.
How to take the test:
Buy the kit: Select a trustworthy HTMA supplier and order your kit. (I work with clients with test packages onlyand as part of 1:1 coaching.)
Collect a hair sample: Follow the kit’s instructions to collect a hair sample from the back of your head, closest to your scalp. You don’t need a ton of hair; it’s about a tablespoon. The test kit comes with a paper scale to make sure you have enough.
Send to Laboratory: Send the sample to the designated laboratory for analysis.
This is my test – I did a full analysis of the results on IG.
Who can benefit from HTMA?
Chronic health conditions:
People facing ongoing health issues can benefit from uncovering underlying mineral imbalances.
Athletes:
Optimizing mineral levels is crucial for athletes who want to improve performance and recovery.
Preventive health:
Proactively addressing potential imbalances can potentially prevent future health problems.
The distribution of HTMA results:
HTMA results provide a comprehensive breakdown of various minerals and heavy metals present in your body. Key minerals include magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium and trace minerals like zinc and copper. High or depleted levels of these minerals can provide insight into potential health problems.
Understanding Mineral Imbalances:
Magnesium: A deficiency can contribute to muscle cramps, anxiety and fatigue.
Calcium: High levels can impact cardiovascular health and bone density.
Zinc: An essential mineral for immune function; a deficiency can affect wound healing and immunity.
Copper: Imbalances can influence energy levels and contribute to hormonal issues.
Interpretation of exposure to heavy metals:
HTMA also assesses exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum and cadmium. Elevated levels may indicate environmental exposure or impaired detoxification pathways.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) classifies individuals into different metabolic types based on their oxidation rate. This rate, commonly called metabolic type, classifies people as fast oxidants, slow oxidants or mixed oxidants.
Here’s a very brief overview of each:
Fast oxidizers:
Metabolic characteristics: Fast oxidizers have a rapid rate of oxidation, meaning their body processes nutrients quickly.
Common traits: They may experience bursts of energy followed by fatigue, have difficulty maintaining weight, and often crave sweets.
Nutritional recommendations: Fast oxidizers may benefit from a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, moderate protein, and healthy fats to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Slow oxidants:
Metabolic characteristics: Slow oxidants have a slower rate of oxidation, meaning their body metabolizes nutrients at a more gradual rate.
Common traits: They may have problems with low energy, weight gain, and cravings for stimulants like caffeine.
Nutritional recommendations: Slow oxidizers may benefit from a diet emphasizing lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and moderate healthy fats to maintain sustained energy levels. Mixed oxidants:
Metabolic characteristics:
Mixed oxidants exhibit characteristics of both fast and slow oxidants, exhibiting a balance between fast and slow metabolic rates.
Common traits: They may experience a combination of symptoms related to fast and slow oxidants, making their nutritional needs a little more nuanced.
Nutritional recommendations: Mixed oxidants benefit from a balanced diet that incorporates elements of the fast and slow oxidant dietary recommendations.
My personal experience:
Having suffered HTMAI discovered valuable information about my mineral status. The test identified areas for improvement, guiding me toward targeted dietary adjustments and supplements. Although not a standalone solution, HTMA serves as a powerful tool in my holistic health journey. (My food sensitivity tests, my tests assessing hormonal imbalances, and my OAT have also been extremely informative!)
If you are curious to know more about functional testing, send me an email at gina@fitnessista.com subject TESTING
It makes a huge difference to take supplements that your body needs, instead of those you think *should* be taking (which can even cause negative effects). New 1:1 customers who sign up with a 3-month plan will receive a free HTMA and Candida, Metabolic and Mineral test (a $499 value).
Have a wonderful day and see you soon!
xoxo
Gina
