Your hair has something to say

[Guest guest]

Your hair has something to say

The analysis of a few follicles can reveal what's going on inside your

body, including the presence of toxins that can affect health.

Special to the Sentinel

January 8, 2006

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/health/orl-hairtest0806jan08,0,1344288.s\

tory

Next visit to your doctor, he asks you for a blood sample, a urine sample

-- and a few leftover strands of hair from your hairbrush?

It sounds like science fiction, but experts say hair tests might help

doctors diagnose health problems just like the more common blood tests and

urinalysis.

In addition, just as soil and water samples can determine environmental

contamination, human hair samples can indicate toxic overload in the body,

experts say.

Ben McLean became intrigued with the idea a few years ago and decided to

have his hair analyzed for possible toxic substances. McLean, a longtime

citrus grower in Clermont, sent a hair sample to a lab. The lab sent back

a report explaining its findings along with recommendations for improving

his health.

" It was fascinating, " the Clermont resident says. " They give you a chart

and it shows you the levels they say you should be in and what levels you

are in. "

McLean's chart indicated, for example, the amount of aluminum in his

system was too high.

" They suggested I quit using deodorant with aluminum in it and

antiperspirant because that has aluminum in it, " he says. " I did follow

their recommendations, and I think it was about six months later, it

[aluminum level] had come way down to where it almost disappeared. "

Each day, Americans are exposed to a multitude of toxins such as drug and

chemical residues, heavy metals and radiation, which can accumulate in

body tissue over time. The toxins cause vitamin and mineral imbalances

that affect health, says Dr. Janet Starr Hull, author of Sweet Poison: How

The World's Most Popular Artificial Sweetener is Killing Us -- My Story.

The environment is tainted with a variety of contaminants, from household

chemicals to pesticides to toxic waste, many of which are commonly found

in varying degrees in air, water and food. Some doctors think

environmental toxins are a major factor in autoimmune disorders such as

lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Hull, who has a doctorate in nutrition and a master's degree in

environmental science, wrote about her experience with illness that she

says was caused by aspartame. The artificial sweetener is just one of many

substances Hull says can be detected through hair analysis.

Protein in hair follicles develops a record of what's going on in the

body, Hull says, and because hair generally grows about half an inch each

month, a three-inch strand may offer a six-month history of the body. The

screening tool can detect the type and amount of toxic metals in the

system. It also can determine amounts of essential elements necessary for

normal body function.

Hull says the findings offer a foundation for nutritional counseling.

Critics argue that results can't always be trusted because chemicals used

on hair such as shampoo and dye can cause inaccuracies. Also, they say,

mistakes can be made by laboratories that use a variety of methods and

procedures to test hair.

But criminologist Tom Mieczkowski of the University of South Florida in

Tampa says current research shows that most experienced labs use

preparations and techniques that quash such concerns. He says hair

analysis can be even more reliable than urinalysis.

Although traditional medical practitioners sometimes scoff at the idea,

the tests already are used in drug testing for prison parolees and

forensics.

Hair testing also is well documented when it comes to measuring for heavy

metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, says Dr. Albert

Robbins, a physician in Boca Raton who treats patients with multiple

chemical sensitivity. He says the test can provide important information

if used in conjunction with analyses but should not be considered a

stand-alone diagnostic test.

Robbins says he does not make recommendations for treatment or for vitamin

and mineral supplements based upon hair analysis alone. If a patient's

hair sample indicated a problem, he says, he would follow up with blood

tests to verify the earlier test.

" And then I would advise treatment. "

Robbins adds that research hasn't shown yet that hair analysis works as

well as other tests in determining what's causing illness.

But he says, " I have an open mind. "

is a freelance writer in Clermont.

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