Hair Analysis in Health Assessment

February 2013 in “ Clinica chimica acta ”

Paulina Wołowiec, Izabela Michalak, Katarzyna Chojnacka, Marcin Mikulewicz

hair analysis mineral imbalances hair mineral profiles standardized sample preparation washing methods mineralization methods

TLDR Hair mineral analysis might help diagnose diseases early, but standard methods are needed.

The systematic review on hair analysis for health assessment, covering 66 studies from 1997 to early 2012, found correlations between mineral imbalances in hair and various diseases, including autism, cancer, hypertension, myocardial infarction, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Despite these findings, inconsistencies were noted, and most authors suggested that hair mineral profiles could be useful for early disease diagnosis. However, they emphasized the need for standardized sample preparation procedures, especially in washing and mineralization methods.

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Hair Analysis in Health Assessment

Research cited in this study

research Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Iron, and Calcium in Human Hair as a Function of Gender, Age, Smoking, and Hair Dyeing

research The Relationship Between Hair Zinc and Body Mass Index in Breast Cancer Patients

research Concentrations of Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Selenium, Zinc, and Copper in the Hair of Autistic Children

research Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis And Metabolic Syndrome

research The Occurrence and Incorporation of Copper and Zinc in Hair and Their Potential Role as Bioindicators: A Review

research Management of Mineral Supplementation Programs for Cow-Calf Operations

research Analysis of Mercury in Sequential Micrometer Segments of Single Hair Strands of Fish-Eaters

research Side Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy: Monitoring and Minimizing Toxicity

research Adverse Health Effects of Selenium in Humans

research Assessment of Copper and Zinc Status in Hair and Urine of Young Women Descendants of NIDDM Parents

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