What is Hair Analysis/Mercury Testing?

Hair element analysis is an important screening test for determining specific nutrient minerals and trace elements your body may be lacking. It can also readily reveal what toxic element pollutants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum, or arsenic you may be exposed to unknowingly.

Quality Assurance:

Certifications:

Lab is certified to perform ApoE analysis on biological samples.

Our protocols for genetic testing are performed in accordance with international protocols which have been approved by the FDA. Our ApoE tests are recognized and reimbursed by the German, Swiss and Dutch private health insurances.

License number for APO E testing - Ringversuch FV2/06 Teilnehmer 0003601, Deutsche Vereinte Gesellschaft fur Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin e.V.

US and German Labs Quality Assurance

Labs follow standard operating procedures and adheres to a Quality Assurance Plan

• US laboratory procedures follow CLIA and US EPA guidelines
• Certification from the  DGKL in Germany, for APO E genotyping and several other genes
• Lab is certified in ring testing assuring that our results are reliable.
• Our ApoE certification meets European and international standards.
• US labs participate in College of American Pathology audits
• All data is kept for inspection for 2 years
• Employ toxic metal limits in blood and urine as set by the Centers for Disease Control
• Instrument accuracy and precision are evaluated and maintained by analyzing certified standards and reference materials as well as in-house standards.
• Personnel have pertinent education, and pass demonstrations of capability. Lab staff includes doctors of chemistry, medicine and nutrition.
• All test results are considered confidential.
• Results are often 20-30 pages in length and customized in accordance with data offered through client's personal questionnaire.

      Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

	Congress passed the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in 1988   establishing quality standards for all laboratory testing to ensure the accuracy,       reliability and timeliness of patient test results regardless of where the test was       performed.
	A laboratory is defined as any facility which performs laboratory testing on     specimens derived from humans for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis,prevention, treatment of disease, or impairment of, or assessment of health.

High Mercury (Hg) - Shark, Tuna, Bonito, Whale and Swordfish have been found to be high in mercury. Also farmed raised fish have been found to contain higher mercury levels than wild or wild crafted fish. A mutual antagonism exists between Hg and Se (selenium). Mercury often affects the liver & kidneys and has been associated with many neurological as well as behavioral disorders. The symptoms associated with mercury poisoning are multi faceted. "MIcronutrients in Agriculture" has documented low selenium content soils by state which directly coincides with the rate of Cancer by state as well.
Some of this information is described in our two new Dental / Mercury books.

• DENTAL FILLINGS (Re. silver amalgams) contain nickel and over 50% mercury.
• Hg is found in breads / grains and vaccinations (thimerisal, added as a preservative to kill bacteria).
• Fungicides / pesticides are another source of Hg.
• Mercury toxicity has been associated with Heart Disease (CardioMyopathy / Keshan's Disease), Cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Our "APO E" genome test will help determine if you have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.(Alzheimer's Page) A follow up hair analysis will help determine if heavy metals such as mercury accumulation could pose an Alzheimer's threat to those people who are genetically pre-disposed.

Recommendations：

The following products may be helpful:  “Liver-G.I. Detox”, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)-600 or 900, “ClearDetox”, “Vitamin E, (with mixed tocopherols)”, Selenium (selenomethionine), MSM powder or capsules and “AntiOxidant Formula“ are often indicated for removing heavy metals such as mercury, other heavy metals and preventing further absorption.

Mercury does not show up well in blood or urine samples. This is one reason why hair analysis          is used in Forensic medicine.

Alfalfa, garlic, onions & cilantro contain valuable nutrients which may help the body to eliminate      toxins such as heavy metals.

Broil fish to remove the fat where most of the Mercury is stored while maintaining the beneficial alkylglycerols. Eat fish in moderation.

Extra fiber (oat bran and pectin from apples) aids in removing toxic metals from the body. Always take supplemental fiber apart from other supplements and medications.

A water and shower filter may be indicated depending on your water source.

Proper mineral balance is essential to preventing as well as overcoming health problems. Mineral imbalances are often the result of nutritional deficiencies. Heavy metals can antagonize the absorption of their more healthful / essential mineral counterparts.

Hair permanently records the past events of your trace element status. These records can be the result of environmental and dietary factors revealed and explained through personalized interpretations.

For many elements, hair more closely reflects the body's mineral stores than does blood or urine. Due to “homeostatic” mechanisms our mineral blood levels are constrained to normal levels despite inherent and dramatic mineral deficiencies. Indeed there is often no clear linear relationship between mineral tissue levels indicated in hair and those levels in serum. Serum blood trace mineral levels are believed to be defined extracellularly where as the hair trace mineral levels are believed to be defined at intracellular trace element concentrations. This is why hair analysis is considered to be a better record of mineral tissue levels. Not affected by dietary intake that week and an accurate measurement gauge of the past 3-5 months for mineral tissue levels.

Often, hair will uncover a metal toxicity when the blood or urine does not. Hair analysis is used as forensic evidence in virtually every courtroom. It is performed using ICP Emission Spectroscopy and ICP-Optical (or Atomic) Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

Dr. Gordus of the University of Michigan tested the head hair of naval midshipman in Annapolis and army cadets from West Point. When the incoming freshman cadets arrive at their respective academies they have widely different levels of trace minerals in their hair, reflecting variation in their local nutritional intakes. As they accumulate time at the academies their hair trace mineral patterns became more and more a like suggesting that nutritional intake and environment, not individual genetics, are the primary factors determining hair trace mineral levels and nutritional status.

Hair analysis is the most convenient laboratory test as an overall health indicator and measuring tool for biochemical mineral imbalance. It is recommended that this safe, simple, and cost-effective test be performed once or twice a year on individuals of all ages. It should be recognized that hair analysis is a screening test and cannot be used to precisely diagnose the presence or absence of disease. As with any test, hair analysis has valid applications as well as certain limitations.

Used properly, hair analysis is a helpful indicator to monitor major and trace element imbalances and environmental toxicity. With the information obtained from hair analysis and other examinations, specific nutritional programs can be wisely designed to restore the natural balance of the body.