Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

Minerals are known as the “spark plugs” of the body. Just like a car needs a “spark” to power the engine, minerals give that spark to your body that makes your cells turn on and run. Pretty powerful if you ask me!

Minerals are responsible for things like:

Immune system support
Maintaining a healthy heartbeat
Managing blood sugar
Stress tolerance
Cognitive function

Energy production
Muscle and nerve function
Fluid balance
Bone building
Hormone signaling

hair tissue mineral analysis 101 info sheet

Test, Don't Guess!

Some of the different things that your HTMA will show are:

Metabolic Type: this is an indicator of how fast your body is burning through nutrients and will affect your overall dietary recommendations, as well as your recommended Macronutrient balance (Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat).
Single Mineral Levels: These levels are important for cluing us in to what’s going on at the most basic level. We will mainly be focusing on the first 4 minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium), especially on a first test, because they have such a great impact on the other minerals.
Heavy Metals: A good indicator of what your body is/has been exposed to or is working hard to excrete. While we will look at sources of exposure, and occasionally use a binder to help your body eliminate these, the focus on rebalancing your minerals alone will often have a great impact.
Significant Ratios: These ratios, and how each pair of minerals work synergistically together to support certain metabolic processes within the body, is one of the most telling aspects of the HTMA. We can find clues here of issues that may be cropping up, even before symptoms or results on a blood test may show up.

The body is always working to maintain a state of homeostasis. We see this in the way it regulates body temperature, blood sugar, blood pressure, pH levels, hormone levels, emotional states, etc.

Minerals are also designed to be maintained in a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis between minerals is expressed in ratios. This means certain minerals work together (synergistic) or against each other (antagonistic). If they become out of balance, one may deplete or displace another.

Some of the different key ratios will be in your chart. These ratios typically represent (not diagnostic) the following metabolic processes:

Autonomic Ratio (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic)
Vitality Ratio (Na/K pump on every cell)
Thyroid

Hormones
Adrenals
Blood Sugar
Infections + Inflammation

"Minerals are the spark plugs of life."

- Dr Henry Schroeder

Hair Collection

Interested in the HTMA?

Please contact me.

I will be in touch and will send you out a test collection kit.

Instructions on hair collection are below. For best results, follow them carefully.

Please reach out with any questions before cutting!

“You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.”

- Dr Linus Pauling

Results

Results take 2-3 weeks on average to come in.

Once analyzed, I will schedule a time for you to review them with me. In this visit, we will go over a comprehensive review of your history and symptoms, identify deficiencies and challenges. and partner to create a custom protocol based off of your HTMA test.

While you wait...

No matter what your test results show, here are some general tips to work on that can benefit everybody.

This is A LOT and can seem overwhelming - but no one expects you to do it all! Pick one or two things from each category to start working on over the next couple weeks. Add one or two more once those seem easy. CONSISTENCY trumps all - the goal is NOT perfection. If you fall off or forget, just get started again from the moment you remember.

Foundational work makes ALL the difference in your health! I promise you will see better momentum and results by using this time wisely. I am here to help and am cheering you on all the way!

Digestion:

Sit, breathe, and chew thoroughly before meals (aim for smoothie consistency)
Say grace or bless your food, enter meal time with gratitude
Use digestive bitters before meals to support stomach acid
Space out meals to avoid constant grazing
Moving your bowels every day is important! (let me know if you need help in this area)

Lifestyle:

Filter drinking and shower water
Move your body daily (walk, stretch, dance—it all counts!)
Vagus nerve support: humming, gargling, cold exposure
Making sure you’re eating enough nutrient rich whole food regularly throughout the day to match your energy expenditure. And drink enough water!

Sleep and Rest:

Sleep at least 7-8 hours every night
Addressing stress and inflammation where you can.
Unplug from work and find ways to actually rest your body, mind, and soul
PLAY! What hobbies have your forgotten about or what would you do if you had enough time??? MAKE TIME.
SLEEP AND REST are important!

Nutrition:

Eat breakfast every morning, preferably high protein to set yourself up for the day
Wait on coffee until after breakfast
Eat real food! Organic, grass-fed, pasture raised and home-cooked when possible
Unlimited veggies (cooked is best)- fiber will be your friend!
Limit gluten and dairy if these are problem foods for you
Clean, filtered, mineralized water (with salt or electrolytes). Aim for at least 75 oz
Avoid sugar, processed foods, caffeine/alcohol if possible
Balance fruit with fat/protein to avoid blood sugar spikes
Prioritize protein - eat it at every meal, and eat it FIRST

Lymph & Liver:

Castor Oil pack to help excess hormone detox, gut health, inflammation, liver etc. Start with 30 min-1 hour, work up to wearing overnight if you like. Do this 2-3 times a week for detox and gut health. More is ok, too.
Dry brushing every day or rebounding 2–3x/week for lymphatic flow
For specific recommendations, please check out the resources here.

Circadian Rhythm:

Get morning sunlight (5–15 min) in your bare eyes - before looking at your phone!
Spend time grounding outside (barefoot in nature)
Get outside during the day without sunglasses to reset your internal clocks
Watch the sunset
Limit screen time at night or wear blue light blockers after the sun goes down
Follow the sun for your cues!