Hair contains all the minerals present in the body, including nutritional as well as toxic heavy metals. Human hair has been accepted as an effective tissue for biological monitoring of toxic heavy metals by the US EPA. Hair accumulates all important trace elements, is a commonly available tissue, is wide spread geographically, is easily collected, stored and transported. Hair specimen can be re-sampled and is present in polluted and non-polluted areas. The content of hair correlates also with environmental gradient of metals. For many years hair has been used as an indicator for nutritional status and supplementation in animals. Several minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium help regulate our energy production. Only if these minerals are at normal levels, then the body will be working at peak efficiency. Another important aspect is the ratio between these minerals. For example, the ratios of Ca/K and Na/Mg determine how fuel (such as sugars) is provided and burned to supply energy.

HTMA as a lab test measures the mineral contents of hair and provides a picture of the body’s internal environment. It is important to know that what serves as good nutrition for one person may not be good for another. HTMA will greatly help to assess correctly the true nutritional needs of a person, which supplements to take and which to avoid.