At the very foundations of our health are minerals!
Whether it be metabolism, thyroid, hormones or digestion, minerals play a huge role and are often described as “spark plugs” of the body because they are required as fuel for so many functions. For instance, iron helps support normal cognitive function and magnesium is required for normal muscular function, especially the heart. Sodium is needed for proper fluid balance, calcium for our bones and selenium is a powerful antioxidant.
Many people are deficient in minerals without even realising it and depletion can play a part in many health concerns including:
Headaches and migraines – slow metabolism and weight gain – muscle cramps – thyroid & adrenal dysfunction – anxiety – hormone imbalances – infertility – digestion issues such as bloating, tiredness - blood sugar imbalances - hair loss - acne and skin issues - poor immunity - inflammation – high blood pressure.
WHAT CAN CAUSE MINERAL IMBALANCES?
Many factors can affect mineral imbalances, such as; food preparation and where you buy your food from, dietary habits, genetics, metabolic disorders, disease, medications, taking incorrect nutritional supplements, stress, environmental factors, as well as exposure to heavy metals. Rarely does a single nutrient deficiency exist in a person today. Multiple nutritional imbalances however are quite common, contributing to an increased incidence of adverse health conditions.
HAIR MINERAL TESTING
Hair mineral testing can be a great screening tool when performed to exacting standards and interpreted correctly. It can detect deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in your body. The test is a great tool because although it doesn’t diagnose disease, it will give you an understanding as to how the different systems in your body are functioning. It’s easy to do and requires just a small hair sample taken just above the neck. While urine and blood tests for minerals show the recent and current body status, hair represents a longer time frame, which can incorporate many years.
The test can also screen for heavy metals in the body. In our modern day environment, we have been exposed to a variety of toxic metal sources such as cigarette smoke (cadmium), hair dyes (lead), dental amalgams (mercury), cookware (aluminium) and lead-based cosmetics. Toxicity can lower energy levels, damage important organs and can lead to physical and neurological degenerative disease. Everything we encounter has an effect on our body and even the healthiest among us can be affected. Furthermore, the test can also indicate the stage of stress you’re in even your metabolic type, all by analysing your mineral status and ratios.
A hair test can be a useful tool and guide to help provide the required information to make necessary changes in the diet or environment. I can devise a clear, personalised plan with how you can optimise your nutrition and lifestyle to support you getting your mineral balance in check.
For further information on mineral testing or any other issue where you think a personalised plan may help, please do get in touch:
rosiecardoenutrition@gmail.com/+44 (0)7794 902467
Comments