Sharing my experience with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and my results.
Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far. Today is admin stuff, plus a home strength training workout and breakfast for dinner tonight.
For today’s post, I wanted to share my experience with HTMA as one of the testing tools I’ve been using. I shared more about my food sensivity test here, and will do another post on my Candida, Metabolic, and Vitamins test. It’s been really incredible to get insights about imbalances, caused by being mineral deficient, especially with the eye and autoimmune stuff I’ve experienced in the past year.
At first glance, HTMA seems like *simple* hair testing, but there’s so much that goes into it, and SO much that it can tell you. It’s a snapshot of how your body is responding to stress. When we’re stressed, we burn through our minerals more quickly, which can leave us depleted and exhausted with no defense for the toxicity we regularly encounter. This can also be a very helpful postpartum tool, as babies use nutrients from the mom. The minerals work in pairs, so it’s important to examine the ratios and relationships between the minerals, and try to find balance. There will never be a *perfect* HTMA test result; it’s more about seeing improvements in your body over time.
Embarking on a journey to understand your body’s unique needs and intricacies is a powerful step towards holistic well-being. 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 education. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. This test does not diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure illness or disease. It’s simply an informational 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 mineral content in your hair tissue. As our hair reflects the mineral composition of our body, this non-invasive test offers a window into the past 90 days of mineral imbalances, heavy metal exposure, and potential nutritional deficiencies. While it’s not designed to diagnosis specific ailments, it goes beyond surface-level symptoms, and can help uncover root causes of various health issues. Minerals are essential for our entire body and are the “spark plugs.”
Pros and Benefits:
HTMA provides a holistic perspective on your mineral status, aiding in the identification of imbalances or excesses that may contribute to health challenges, supplementing traditional medical advice. It can also give insight into your nervous system, adrenal function, thyroid function, and absorption. Of course, things that help our body become more regulated often have added bonus of improving our mental health which could even help fight depression.
Early Detection: Detecting mineral imbalances early allows for proactive adjustments to prevent potential health issues
Tailored Nutrition: With insights from HTMA, personalized nutrition plans can be crafted to address specific deficiencies and promote overall well-being.
Cons:
External Contamination: External factors like hair products or environmental exposure may influence test results. Choosing a reputable lab and following pre-test guidelines mitigates this concern.
How to Take the Test:
Purchase the Kit: Select a trustworthy HTMA provider and order your kit. (I work with clients with test-only packages, and as part of 1:1 coaching.)
Collect Hair Sample: Follow the kit 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 ensure you have enough.
Send to Lab: Mail the sample to the designated lab for analysis.
This is my test – I did a full breakdown of the results over on IG.
Who May Benefit from HTMA?
Chronic Health Issues:
Individuals experiencing persistent health challenges may benefit from uncovering underlying mineral imbalances.
Athletes:
Optimizing mineral levels is crucial for athletes aiming to enhance performance and recovery.
Preventive Health:
Proactively addressing potential imbalances can potentially prevent future health issues.
The Breakdown of HTMA Results:
HTMA results offer a comprehensive breakdown of various minerals and heavy metals in your body. Key minerals include magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and trace elements like zinc and copper. Elevated or depleted levels of these minerals can provide insights into potential health issues.
Understanding Mineral Imbalances:
Magnesium: Deficiency may contribute to muscle cramps, anxiety, and fatigue.
Calcium: Elevated levels may impact cardiovascular health and bone density.
Zinc: A crucial mineral for immune function; deficiency can affect wound healing and immunity.
Copper: Imbalances may influence energy levels and contribute to hormonal issues.
Interpreting Heavy Metal Exposure:
HTMA also assesses exposure to heavy metals like 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 referred to as the metabolic type, categorizes people into fast oxidizers, slow oxidizers, or mixed oxidizers.
Here’s a very brief overview of each:
Fast Oxidizers:
Metabolic Characteristics: Fast oxidizers have a rapid oxidation rate, meaning their bodies process 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 proteins, and healthy fats to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Slow Oxidizers:
Metabolic Characteristics: Slow oxidizers have a slower oxidation rate, meaning their bodies metabolize nutrients at a more gradual pace.
Common Traits: They may struggle with low energy, weight gain, and experience cravings for stimulants like caffeine.
Nutritional Recommendations: Slow oxidizers may benefit from a diet emphasizing lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and moderate healthy fats to support sustained energy levels. Mixed Oxidizers:
Metabolic Characteristics:
Mixed oxidizers exhibit characteristics of both fast and slow oxidizers, showcasing a balance between rapid and slow metabolic rates.
Common Traits: They may experience a combination of symptoms from both fast and slow oxidizers, making their nutritional needs a bit more nuanced.
Nutritional Recommendations: Mixed oxidizers benefit from a balanced diet that incorporates elements from both fast and slow oxidizer dietary recommendations.
My Personal Experience:
Having undergone HTMA, I discovered valuable insights into my mineral status. The test identified areas of improvement, guiding me towards targeted dietary adjustments and supplementation. While not a standalone solution, HTMA serves as a powerful tool in my holistic health journey. (My food sensitivity testing, tests that evaluate hormonal imbalances, and OAT were also extremely insightful!)
If you’re curious about any functional testing, please send me an email gina@fitnessista.com subject TESTING
It makes such a huge difference to take supplements your body needs, instead of ones you think you *should* be taking (which can even be causing negative effects). New 1:1 clients that sign with a 3-month package, they’ll receive a free HTMA and Candida, Metabolic, and Minerals test (a $499 value).
Have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya soon!
xoxo
Gina
