Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA)?

Rick Malter, Ph.D.

(c) 2001-2005

The nutrient minerals measured in a Hair TMA DO NOT DEPOSIT RANDOMLY in the developing hair follicle. In fact, the minerals deposit in clinically significant patterns that can readily be interpreted within a meaningful psycho-physiological framework. In other words, a Hair TMA tells us a great deal about a person's ENERGY levels and RESILIENCE in coping with STRESS. The stress response is closely related to Hair TMA data. The Hair TMA pattern often indicates important information about the individual's PSYCHOLOGICAL functioning that is closely related to the STRESS RESPONSE -- THE "FIGHT OR FLIGHT" RESPONSE. Anger, fear, and anxiety are common emotions related to the stress response. An intense stress reaction often inflates what I call the "JUDGE" psychologically.

During the past 20 years, enormous strides have been made in understanding how stress affects us both psychologically and physiologically by means of changes in essential nutrient minerals. As stress causes changes in mineral patterns and balances, we can become adversely affected in the way we feel physically and psychologically. We can become depressed, anxious and nervous, or obsessive and compulsive. These same changes in our mineral patterns and balances can also affect our physical health. We may develop problems with high blood pressure, headaches, spastic and achy muscles, arthritis, low blood sugar, diabetes, and osteoporosis just to name a few.

In addition to the effects of stress, pollution with toxic metals and chemicals in our environment also can adversely affect our mineral patterns and balances. These toxic chemical influences can also create problems for our psychological and physiological functioning. To further complicate the situation, the widespread use of prescription drugs and hormones can have enormous effects on our essential nutrient minerals and how well they function for us. When these drugs and medications are "working" positively to help with a problem, they are most likely correcting some type of imbalance in our nutrient mineral system. When we are experiencing some type of "side effects" to these drugs and medications, most likely, we are becoming deficient in essential minerals or else, the balance between these essential minerals has been thrown off. The longer a person is on a DRUG/MEDICATION or if the person is on TWO OR MORE DRUGS, the more likely that person will eventually experience BIOCHEMICAL CHAOS. That is, their essential nutrient minerals will be thrown so far out of balance that nobody, including the prescribing doctor, really understands what has happened to them. The BIOCHEMICAL CHAOS that results in response to drugs and medications is difficult to detect without an accurate biochemical assessment like a Hair TMA.

Since a Hair TMA reflects the summation of lifestyle factors on our essential nutrient minerals, the hair TMA can help us to sort out the BIOCHEMICAL CHAOS that is often generated by the "SIDE EFFECTS" of powerful TOXIC DRUGS and MEDICATIONS. The person's Hair TMA pattern can then be used as a starting point in selecting vitamins and minerals that can help to undo the BIOCHEMICAL CHAOS that many people are in today due to the interactions of prescribed toxic drugs and medications.