Why Do a Hair Mineral
Analysis?
Rick Malter, Ph.D.
Nutrition Counselor
Malter Institute
Cottonwood, Arizona 86326
(800) 882-3015
www.malterinstitute.org
rickmind@cableone.net
© March, 2013
1
Nutrient Minerals Measured in a
Hair Mineral Analysis
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Henry Schroeder, MD:
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“Minerals are the sparkplugs of life.”
2
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis:
Nutrient Minerals & Stress
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Understanding how nutrient minerals relate
to the stress response adds to our
understanding of the nature of stress.
HTMA patterns allow us to see how
nutrients can help to regulate the stress
response and reduce the risk for disease.
3
Key Factors Related to
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis(TMA)
Fast Oxidizer
Two Metabolic (Oxidation) Types:
Fast or Slow
12
10
8
6
4
Stress and Magnesium Deficiency
2
0
Ca
Copper Toxicity and Estrogen
Mg
Na
K
P
K
P
Slow Oxidizer
12
10
Toxic Metals
8
6
4
2
0
Ca
Mg
Na
4
Hair TMA Research

Drs. Eck & Watts reduced complex biochemical individuality to the two basic
metabolic types.

Eck & Watts showed that the two basic
metabolic types reflected in hair TMA data
put nutrition on a sound scientific basis.
5
Two Basic Hair Mineral Patterns
Fast and Slow Metabolic (Oxidizer)
Types
Fast Oxidizer
Slow Oxidizer
12
12
10
10
8
8
6
6
4
4
2
2
0
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
P
Ca
Mg
Na
K
P
6
Hair Mineral Analysis

Provides us with a stress and energy profile.
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Provides information about how we respond
to stress.
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Provides information about how we are
producing energy.
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Health/Energy Continuum
Health _______________________________ Disease
High Energy
Low Energy
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Disease PREVENTION
Nutrition REVERSES the adverse trend
Nutrition raises ENERGY LEVEL
Nutrition maintains ENERGY and HEALTH
Personal responsibility
Low Cost
Hair Analysis and
Biochemical Individuality

Each metabolic type person needs different
diets and nutrients from supplements.

Fast metabolic types usually need calcium,
magnesium, Vitamin D, and copper.

Slow metabolic types usually need
potassium, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin C,
magnesium, and adrenal gland support.
9
Estrogen, Copper, & Health
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The relationship between estrogen and copper is an
essential concept.
Excess estrogen and copper have adverse effects on
women’s health – mental/physical.
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Lower potassium level in cells.
Raise the calcium level in cells.
Slow the thyroid.
Excess estrogen and copper require more zinc and
vitamin C.
10
“Pseudo” Bipolar Disorder
Slow Oxidizer with High Copper
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High Copper LEVEL
Mind Races, Driven
Feeling
Low Zinc/Copper
RATIO
Mind Races, Driven
Feeling
Physical exhaustion,
fatigue, low energy
"Pseudo" Bipolar Disorder
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Cu
Zn
P
Fe
Mn
Cr
Se
11
Copper Related Symptoms
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
PMS
Fatigue & exhaustion
Allergies
Mind is in a fog
Headaches, migraines
Mood swings
Supersensitive, weepy
Cold hands, and/or feet
Depression
Dry skin
Chocolate cravings
Feeling of loss of control
Paranoia
Despair, suicidal feelings,
hopelessness
15. Arthritis, calcium spurs
16. Constipation
17. Racing heart, pounding heart
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18. Adverse reaction to vitamins &
minerals
19. Problems with concentration
and memory
20. Short attention span, "spaciness"
21. Eating disorders: anorexia,
bulimia, overeating
22. Panic attacks, high anxiety, free
floating anxiety
23. Yeast infections (candida)
24. Aching muscles or muscle
cramps
25. Hypoglycemia
26. Mind races -- insomnia,
interrupted sleep
27. Cysts
28. Mononucleosis, viral infection
29. Low blood pressure
30. Obsessive thoughts
31. Hypothyroid (slow thyroid)
12
Hair Analysis and Copper
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Sources of excess copper
Copper water pipes
Copper IUDs
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Copper is closely related to estrogen.
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Natural estrogen
 Estrogen in the “pill”
 Hormone replacement therapy
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13
Hair Analysis vs. Blood Tests
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Hair analysis assesses nutrient minerals and toxic
metals.
Nutrient minerals relate to stress and energy.
Blood has to maintain tight ranges and balances for
good health. Homeostatic.
Blood is a transport medium
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Oxygen
Nutrients
Glucose
14
Hair Analysis vs. Blood Tests
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Hair analysis detects mineral deficiencies
before blood tests.
Hair analysis detects toxic loads before
blood tests.
Hair analysis detects trends towards health
problems long before they are diagnosed.
Hair analysis provides a guide to dietary
supplements to stop or reverse a trend.
15
Views on Magnesium
Marc Sircus, AC, OMD

“There is a power and a force in magnesium that
cannot be equaled anywhere else in the world of
medicine.”

“There is no substitute for magnesium in human
physiology.”

“Nothing comes even close to it in terms of its
effect on overall cell physiology.”
16
Relative Magnesium Deficiency
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Relative magnesium
deficiency.
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Magnesium is low
relative to calcium
A high Ca/Mg ratio
Usually found in slow
metabolic types,
especially with high
copper.
Can also occur in fast
metabolic types with a
high Ca/Mg ratio.
A High Copper Lowers K and Raises Ca
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Cu
Zn
P
Fe
Mn
Cr
Se
17
The Volatility of Magnesium and the
Stress Response
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Magnesium has to be quickly released from
inside of cells.
This volatility of magnesium facilitates the
stress response.
By moving out of cells so quickly,
magnesium allows sodium to rise.
The rise in sodium accentuates the stress
response.
18
The Volatility of Magnesium and the
Stress Response
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The volatility of magnesium related to the
stress response makes magnesium
deficiency so common.
Some individuals were “marinated” in utero
in their mother’s adrenalin during the stress
of pregnancy.
These individuals have a hard time retaining
magnesium.
A high Ca/Mg ratio often occurs.
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Guy Abraham, M.D.
The Role of Magnesium
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High magnesium intake
Enhances calcium absorption.
 Increases serum ionized calcium
 Promotes Ca deposition in bones.
 Blocks Ca deposition in soft tissues.
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Massive doses of calcium
Don’t prevent osteoporosis.
 Block magnesium absorption.
 Creates a magnesium deficiency.
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20
Magnesium and
Cardio-vascular Functions
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Magnesium is nature’s “calcium channel blocker”.
Magnesium slows the adrenals and reduces the
intensity of stress.
Magnesium is vital for heart rhythm regulation.
Magnesium helps regulate insulin release.
21
The Calcium/Magnesium
Ca/Mg Ratio
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Ca/Mg is a vital ratio.
The higher the Ca/Mg
ratio, the greater the
magnesium deficiency.
Taking Calcium and/or
vitamin D with this
mineral pattern can be a
health disaster.
Calcifies organs and
tissues.
female depression
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Cu
Zn
P
Fe
Mn
Cr
Se
22
Heart Health, Drugs,
and Nutrition
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Drugs & medications deplete magnesium.
Drugs & medications deplete potassium.
Increase cardiac risks.
Hair tissue mineral analysis (TMA) reveals
magnesium and potassium status.
23
Stress and Heart Health
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Intense stress depletes magnesium and zinc.
Stress raises sodium levels/blood pressure.
Stress is related to inflammation.
A high Ca/Mg ratio: magnesium deficiency
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Raises insulin levels
Increases risk for muscle spasm
Increases risk for blood clots
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Important Messages to Learn from
this Presentation…
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Magnesium regulates Calcium, pure & simple.
The Ca/Mg ratio in America is at crisis levels.
 The Ca/Mg ratio is much too High.
Mg deficiency undermines health.
Mg deficiency is at an epidemic level worldwide, but
especially in America.
 Excess Calcium fuels this ratio, as does…
 Insufficient Mg in diet, lack of absorption &
retention.
25
Some Symptoms Related to
Magnesium Deficiency
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Tight, spastic muscles
Muscle twitches
Unstable blood sugar
Seizures, tremors
Cardiac rhythm problems
High blood pressure
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Headaches
Anxiety
Depression
Alcoholism, addictions
26
Health Practices Related to
Magnesium & Health
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There are no guarantees in life.

But, certain lifestyles and health practices greatly
strengthen the immune system, the cardio-vascular
system, brain function, the mind/body system, etc.

We can greatly enhance our chances of living a
healthy, energetic, loving, and satisfying life for
many, many decades.
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Magnesium Deficiency & High
Calcium/Magnesium Ratio
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Calcium contracts muscles.
Magnesium relaxes muscles.
A high Ca/Mg ratio.
Spasms in muscles.
Tight tense muscles.
Increases insulin release; low
blood sugar level.
Increases heart attack risk.
Arterial spasms.
Kidney stones.
High Calcium to Magnesium ratio (Ca/Mg)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Cu
Zn
P
Fe
Mn
Cr
Se
28
Extreme Magnesium Deficiency
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Very high risk for a heart
attack.
Intense stress could
trigger a heart attack.
Mg = .8
Ca = 14
Ca/Mg = 17.5/1
Cu = .8
High risk for cardiovascular events.
BA female age 66 Increased risk for heart attack
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Cu
Zn
P
Fe
Mn
Cr
Se
29
Stress, Relaxation, &
Heart Health
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When the TMA shows a very low Mg level
and/or a very high Ca/Mg ratio, check the
magnitude of Na/K.
With a high Na/K ratio, the heart attack risk
is greatly increased.
Strongly advise the person to back off of
intense aerobic exercise until the
magnesium status is improved.
Mg supplementation is urgent.
30
Inflammation & Heart Health
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C-Reactive Protein
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A serum measure of inflammation
30
25
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Inflammation and HTMA
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High Na/K ratio
Anti-inflammatory nutrients
reduce high Na/K.
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Magnesium
Potassium
Zinc
20
15
10
5
0
Sodium
Potassium
31
Assessing Nutrient Mineral Status
for Heart Health

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA)

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Cell and tissue mineral reserves
Magnesium
Nature’s Tranquilizer
 Nature’s Calcium Channel Blocker
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Potassium
Copper
32
Hair Analysis
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Especially good for assessing a person’s
MAGNESIUM status, particularly in relation to
stress. Stress depletes magnesium.
Especially good for assessing a person’s COPPER
status. Excess copper is stored in the brain and in
the liver. Psychological and physical problems.
A copper deficiency increases risk for cardiovascular problems including stroke and aneurisms.
33
A Hair Analysis Now

What is your metabolic type?
Fast?
 Slow?
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What is your magnesium status?
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Low?
What is your copper status?
High?
 Low?
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What is your toxic metal status?
34