Relation Between Mineral Composition of Human Hair and Common Illnesses

The study aimed to find the relationship between the mineral composition of human hair and various illnesses. Using ICP-OES and ICP-MS for multielemental analysis, it was discovered that individuals with respiratory infections or asthma had higher Zr content in their hair, those with vertigo had lower Ca, La, and Sr content, and migraine sufferers had higher W content. Nervous individuals had three times more K in their hair, while those experiencing hair loss had increased Cu levels. Higher Ca and La levels were found in the hair of individuals with dandruff, brittle fingernails, and white spots on fingernails. These findings suggested that hair mineral content could potentially be used to diagnose certain common illnesses.