Why are minerals important?

Minerals support the body of any animal in carrying out vital bodily functions. Not only are they crucial for good health, they are involved in every process that occurs in the body every second of every day.

Essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, aid in the development of strong bones and teeth. Other minerals, like iron for instance, produce red blood cells and carry oxygen to the organs of the body. Additional minerals may create amino acids, the building blocks of life, or hormones and proteins.

An animal's body, human or otherwise, relies on minerals to create and sustain the nerves, cells, skin, organs and bones. Identifying the specific pattern or mineral blueprint, which is as unique as a fingerprint, (or paw print in certain cases), becomes a valuable guide to preventing chronic diseases and premature death, correcting current health issues and also maintaining optimal health.

Knowing what these mineral levels are and how they relate to each other physiologically, allows the practitioner to make specific recommendations for each and every patient case that best address the needs of that patient at the current time. This kind of individualized treatment plan is a significant component to relieving immediate symptoms and achieving the best health possible for as long as possible.

What is a mineral blueprint?

It is essentially a window into the biochemistry of the patient being analyzed. It can provide valuable information about the metabolic rate, energy and stress levels, immunity, sugar/carbohydrate tolerance, activity of the glands and what stage of stress the body is in.

This hair tissue mineral analysis, or soft tissue mineral biopsy, is a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and extremely accurate way of providing individual level readings of 20 minerals and toxic metals present in the sample of hair. It is considered to be a standard test used around the world for biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in both human and animal species. The same technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to detect mineral patterns.

Hair samples are typically taken from the head in humans, but can be taken from the axillary or pubic area if necessary. Hair is analyzed because like all other body tissues, minerals are deposited in the hair as it grows. Even though the hair is "dead", minerals remain in the hair that is closest to the scalp. Sampling and analyzing hair that is within one inch of growth provides information about the pattern of biochemical activities over the past three to four months, depending on how fast the hair grows.

Why have I chosen to use Analytical Research Labs?

I chose Analytical Research Labs Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona nearly a decade ago and haven't looked back since. This laboratory has the most advanced and sophisticated instrumentation on the market currently: the Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Mass Spectrometer. Hair is analyzed in the parts per million or parts per billion. This lab is unique and considered one of the best in the industry, if not the best because they are one of only two labs that do not wash the hair once it has been received at the lab creating the likihood for the most accurate results possible.

In 2001, a study in JAMA, (Seidel, S. et al., Assessment of Commercial Laboratories Performing Hair Mineral Analysis, JAMA, 285(1) Jan 3:67-72.), noted the two labs that did not wash or treat the hair, one of which was Analytical Research Labs Inc. It was noted that they showed superb reliability. As a clinician this type of confidence is important to me.

Each lab test result is printed on a graph that is very user-friendly. In addition, there is a 15-20 page report that includes information related to each aspect of the lab analysis including information on basic diet recommendations specific to that individual. This is the only lab as well that offers a personalized transition dietary plan based entirely on the results of the hair tissue mineral analysis. It is a 25-page report that includes three transition diets, menu plans and a multitude of information that covers topics from food preparation, eating habits, cooking, shopping and more. Animal analysis results consist of graph readings only.

Why do a hair analysis on my pet as well?

Completing this health screen is a way to allow the pet's hair to do the talking. Our four-legged friends experience many of the same problems that humans do. This becomes an excellent screen for pet health risks that can become expensive, difficult to manage and unpleasant for your pet. This may include cancer, bone and joint problems, thyroid issues, allergies, digestive problems, kidney and heart conditions and more.

For over thirty years, studies in both humans and animals have shown the clinical usefulness of using hair analysis to study nutritional and toxic mineral levels. Often, hair analysis indentifies toxic burdens, health trends and mineral imbalances years before disease processes develop fully.

The information from the lab report and the subsequent written report that I provide, will allow the pet owner and treating veterinarian to better diagnose health issues, offer tailored nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations and the opportunity to continue to monitor treatment progress closely with subsequent analyses.

These results may also alert you to toxins in the pet's environment that you may not even be aware of so that you can take action to remove them.

Applying the clinical expertise that I've learned over the past decade for my human patients to create healthier lives for dogs and cats is a natural next step for me and certainly a benefit to the owners that love and cherish their companionship.

Albrecht, W.A, The Albrecht Papers, Acres U.S.A., 1975.
Andersen, B.D.,The Rhythms of Nature, Harmonic Spiral, 1999.
Atkins, R.C., The Atkins Health Revolution, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1988.
Bernard, C., An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine, Collier Books, 1961.
Bland, J., Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, An Emergent Diagnostic Technique, Thorsons Publishing, 1984.
Braunwald, E. Eet al, ed., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th edition, McGraw-Hill , 2001.
Crook, W.G. The Yeast Connection Handbook, Professional Books, 1999.
Davies, I.J.T., The Clinical Significance of the Essential Biological Metals, C.C. Thomas, 1972.
Douglass, W.C., The Milk of Human Kindness is Not Pasteurized, Copple House Books, 1985.
Douglass, W.C., Into the Light, Second Opinion Publishing, 1993.
Eck, P.C., Healthview Newsletter, Interview #27-29, Healthview, 1981.
Eck, P.C. and Wilson, L., Toxic Metals in Human Health and Disease, Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd., 1989.
Casdorph, H.R. and Walker, M., Toxic Meal Syndrome, Avery Publishing, 1995.
Chatsworth, L. and Chatsworth, C., Energy, Healthview, 1985.
Cleave, T.L, The Saccharine Disease, Keats Publishing, 1975.
Droesti, I. and Smith, R., Neurobiology of the Trace Elements, Volumes I and II., Humana Press, 1983.
Gerson, M., A Cancer Therapy - Results of 50 Cases, 3rd edition, Totality Books, 1977.
Gittleman, A.L., Why Am I Always So Tired, Harper San Francisco, 1999.
Goyer, R.A. et al, Medical Toxicology, Academic Press, 1995.
Guyton, A.,Textbook of Medical Physiology, W.B. Saunders Co.,1995.
Hall, R.H., Food For Naught, The Decline in Nutrition, Vintage Books, 1974.
Hoffer, A. and Walker, M., Orthomolecular Nutrition, Keats Publishing, 1978.
Jensen, B., The Chemistry of Man, 1983.
Kelley, W.D., One Answer to Cancer, 1980.
Kervan, C.L., Biological Transmutations, Beekman Publishers, 1980.
Kirschmann, J.D., Nutrition Almanac, McGraw-Hill , 1979.
Koch, W., The Survival Factor in Neoplastic and Viral Diseases, 1961.
Kutsky, R., Handbook of Vitamins, Minerals and Hormones, 2nd edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1981.
Leek, R., Hair Analysis, R. Leek, 1980.
Ott, J.N., Health and Light, The Effects of Natural and Artificial Light on Man and Other Living Things Pocket Books, 1976.
Passwater, R.A. and Cranton, E.M., Trace Minerals, Hair Analysis and Nutrition, Keats Publishing, 1983.
Pauling, L., Vitamin C, The Common Cold and the Flu, W.H. Freeman and Co., 1976.
Page, M., Degeneration-Regeneration, Nutritional Development, 1980.
Pearson, D. and Shaw, S., Life Extension, Warner Books, 1983.
Pfeiffer, C.C., Mental and Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing, 1975.
Pfeiffer, C.C., Zinc and other Micronutrients, Keats Publishing, 1978.
Price, W., Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, 1945, 1979.
Rapp, D.J., Is This Your Child's World?, Bantam Books, 1996.
Rogers, S., Detoxify or Die, Sand Key Company, 2002.
Schroeder, H., The Trace Elements and Man, Devin-Adair Company, 1975.
Scogna, J.R., The Promethian, LEP Publications, 1983.
Selye, H., The Stress of Life, McGraw-Hill , 1956.
Schmidt, M.A., Smith, L.H. and Sehnert, K.W., Beyond Antibiotics, Healthier Options for Families, North Atlantic Books, 1993.
Schutte, K.H. and Myers, J.A., Metabolic Aspects of Health, Discovery Press, 1979.
Smith, E. et al., Principles of Biochemistry, Vols. I and II, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 1978.
Stryer, L., Biochemistry, 2nd edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, 1981.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Toxic Trace Metals in Mammalian Hair and Nails, EPA-600 4.79-049, August 1979.
Watson, G., Nutrition and Your Mind, Bantam books, 1972.
Watson, G., Personality Strength and Psycho-Chemical Energy, Harper and Row, 1979.
Williams, R.J., Nutrition Against Disease, Environmental Protection, Pitman Publishing, 1971.
Wilson, L., Nutritional Balancing and Hair Mineral Analysis, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc., 1998.
Wilson, L., Manual of Sauna Therapy, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc., 2003.
Wilson, L., Healing Ourselves, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc., 2002.
Wright, J., Dr. Wright's Book of Nutritional Therapy, Rodale Press, 1979.
Yudkin, J., Sweet and Dangerous, Peter H. Wyden, 1972.

** Adapted from www.arltma.com