Currently, a new type of diagnosis of the state of the body has appeared in medical science - a mineralogram (or spectral analysis of hair for trace elements). It allows you to identify the ratio of about 40 substances necessary for health, as well as to determine the degree of their excess or deficiency for the selection of the most suitable way to correct the imbalance. The analysis of hair for trace elements is carried out according to the patented method of A. V. Skalny.
What is a mineralogram for?
This type of diagnosis is required to obtain accurate information about the patient’s health status. He estimates:
- nutritional balance;
- the impact on the body of bad habits and the environment;
- condition of internal organs;
- quality and completeness of metabolic processes;
- excess and lack of nutrients in the appointment of dietary supplements.
As a rule, the analysis time does not exceed 10 days. In some cases, the period may be reduced to 7 days or extended to 2 weeks.
Why hair?
Different types of biological material are suitable for this type of diagnosis — urine, blood, hair or nails are usually used.
In the first two cases, the analysis can give distorted results due to the instability of the state of the substances mentioned - even the product eaten the day before affects the reporting data. In addition, the shelf life of such materials is extremely low - it is necessary to conduct research immediately after passing the samples.
Nails are similar in nature to hair, but are less commonly used in spectrometry. Often their surface is varnished, which, along with its liquid for removal, can reduce the accuracy of the output.
The most reliable information about the state of the body is given by hair - being a storage material, they can for a long time store information about substances. Also, this type of material is quite resistant to the influence of random factors. For the reliability of the data, it is better to choose this type of diagnosis and make a hair analysis for trace elements.
Features of the collection of material for research
At the time of delivery of samples of material for analysis, the hair should be clean. The presence of any cleaning or styling products is undesirable. 14 days before the proposed study, you must abandon the use of shampoos with additives. Be sure to indicate in the questionnaire the condition of the hair - whether it was discolored, curled, dyed or subjected to other significant effects (at least 30 days should have passed from the moment of the procedure). If it is impossible to pass the analyzed material from the scalp, you can make a selection from any other place - for example, chest, armpits or pubis.
To analyze the hair for vitamins and minerals, part of the material is cut from the root (length is preferable from 3 cm). Tips are usually not required. A sample is taken from several places 5 times, and it is preferable that the cut hair be on the back of the head closer to the neck. The resulting strands are combined in a bundle, which should be 3-5 mm in girth. When selecting short hair, you need to provide the analysis with the volume about the dessert spoon. Be sure to indicate the direction of hair growth.
Indications for the procedure
The most common reasons for the need for spectral hair diagnostics include:
- weakened immunity;
- frequent manifestations of respiratory and viral diseases;
- the presence of allergic reactions;
- insufficient effectiveness of the therapy used to treat problems of the circulatory system;
- nervousness:
- deviations in the work of the digestive tract;
- infertility;
- impotence;
- malfunctioning of the thyroid gland;
- increased stress on the body of any nature;
- unbalanced diet;
- danger or harm of work;
- being in a place with increased radioactivity or poor ecology;
- osteoporosis;
- deterioration of the hair and epidermis.
It is also useful to carry out the procedure for those who are on a diet, have insufficient body weight and vision problems.
Substances determined by spectrometry
Analysis of hair for microelements can give an idea of the content of 40 elements in the body, including: aluminum, iron, iodine, gold, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, silver, phosphorus, zinc, antimony, selenium, nickel, tin, sodium, rubidium , boron, beryllium, vanadium.
The presence of such elements as barium, tungsten, bismuth, cadmium, cobalt, silicon, lithium, lanthanum, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, arsenic, platinum, tin, nickel, rubidium, mercury, strontium, antimony, lead, chromium, thallium is also noted. and zirconium.
Execution technology
In laboratory conditions, the sample is cleaned of fat with acetone, washed with distilled water and dried twice. The prepared material is weighed, transferred to a special container where nitric acid and water are added in certain proportions. The mixture dissolves the hair. The resulting mass will be interfered with with a spectrometer, while being brought into contact with argon gas.
The study is carried out at high temperatures, and when exposed to a plasma sample, material is burned. The signal received by the analyzers is converted into an electronic diagram by special programs. The results are compared with normal.
Analysis report
In the analytical report, a mineralogram is constructed that reflects the real ratio of trace elements in the body in comparison with the reference.
When finding small discrepancies, doctors can adjust the diet and, if necessary, supplement it with dietary supplements. In the event of a significant imbalance, as a rule, a referral is made to a doctor who is in charge of a specific case (most often, to an endocrinologist, cardiologist or toxicologist).
The degree of deviation from the norm
The significance of the detected deviation from the norm is set separately for each of the elements. So, a rating is usually given on a 4-point system (1 - minimum, 4 - maximum), depending on the state of neglect and the difficulty of its treatment.
It is important to observe accuracy when putting down the numbers, since each element can cause different reactions of the body. For example, exceeding the norm of sodium content is 2 times less than the same situation with phosphorus.
If a degree 1 or 2 is affixed next to an element, then the deviation does not disturb the correct functioning of the systems too much. This suggests that the body does not have reserves of this substance, which increases the likelihood of diseases. Therapy of the condition is reduced to a change in nutrition and the intake of dietary supplements.
In the case of ratings 3 and 4, we are talking about chronic pathological processes that require a long recovery. For treatment, they use the appropriate dietary supplements, adjust the diet, and use the medications prescribed by highly specialized doctors.
1 degree of deviation is not investigated additionally due to its insignificance, and in the case of a higher score, attention must be paid to the above therapeutic measures.
After completion of the prescribed treatment, the study is repeated. From the moment of the first hair analysis, at least 10-11 months should pass.
Procedure cost
The cost of the procedure in clinics depends on the amount of detected substances - you can choose between 25, 40 and 70 minerals. The latter option is less common due to the fact that there are few institutions offering a service such as micronutrient hair analysis. The price for 25 items starts from 2500 rubles, for 40 - from 3400.
Reviews
A service such as spectral analysis of micronutrient hair is becoming increasingly popular among patients. Reviews about the procedure are mostly positive, since it gives high-precision results, by which it is possible to identify missing and excess substances in the body. According to reports, it is easy to establish how it is necessary to change nutrition in order to balance the mineral composition of the body, as well as select dietary supplements that meet a specific problem. When the procedure was repeated, many patients did not have previous problems.
Doctors adhere to a similar opinion. Many experts, especially toxicologists and cardiologists, give direction to this type of diagnosis to establish the causes of the condition and select adequate treatment. In addition, the results of spectrometry in some cases are the basis for visiting a doctor with a narrow focus.
Summary
The analysis of hair for trace elements and minerals is gaining more and more popularity in medicine due to the receipt of high-precision data on the current state of the body with its help. This type of diagnosis is quite simple: samples can be stored for a long time without damage to the material and distortion of the results. The advantage of spectrometry is that it cannot be influenced by random factors related to human nutrition or the environment.
Knowing the real ratio of trace elements can help a person adjust their lifestyle to make up for deficient substances and reduce the concentration of excess. This will make it possible to prevent the development of diseases of almost all body systems. That is why each person should pass a hair analysis for trace elements.