Beyond the Scale: Using Functional Lab Tests to Achieve Sustainable Weight Management

Clinical laboratory testing with the hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is one of the most powerful resources a healthcare provider has in their toolkit. Historically, the clinical laboratory has been used to define a specific diagnosis. The HTMA it is the best starting place naturopathic weight management. As is the case with many models, we are witnessing evolution and change in the industry unfold as a new era of functional assessment emerges and a clear picture of metabolic health lab tests emerges. But not all labs are the same. Today, Syndromes, not diseases, are becoming the dominant trend in clinical offices all over the world. The latest—Post-COVID Syndrome—is proving to be both a challenge and an opportunity for redefining modern patient management. The question is are patients getting the right information that will benefit their health, get rid of those extra pounds and save them money? Unfortunately, our mainstream system falls short on both aspects. Dr. Johnny is here fill in this missing gaps. With the Master Survivor Program we aim to meet and fulfill your sustainable health goals You may ask what are the benefits of hair tissue mineral analysis and weight loss?

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) offers 5 key advantages in the context of natural weight loss and overall health:

1. Assessing Nutrient Levels: HTMA can help identify deficiencies or excesses in essential minerals and nutrients, which are crucial for optimal metabolism, weight management and even see what your hormones are doing. For instance, low magnesium levels, often found in HTMA tests, can contribute to insulin resistance and weight gain.
2. Detecting Stress Responses: HTMA can reveal elevated levels of toxic metals and high stress indicators, such as elevated ratios of sodium to potassium, or high levels of aluminum or lead. Chronic stress, as indicated by these markers, can lead to cortisol imbalances that promote weight gain and hinder fat loss and interfere with your sustainable health goals.
3. Personalized Weight Loss Strategies: By understanding an individual's unique mineral status and stress responses, HTMA enables practitioners to tailor weight loss strategies. For example, addressing magnesium deficiency through supplementation and diet can support improved insulin function and enhanced weight loss efforts. This is key in all naturopathic weight management.
4. Monitoring Progress: Regular HTMA tests can track changes in mineral levels and stress indicators over time. Coupled along with hormone testing will go a long way in helping practitioners adjust weight loss strategies as needed and monitor clients' progress in real-time.
5. Preventing Nutrient Deficiencies: Weight loss efforts can sometimes lead to nutrient deficiencies if not properly managed. We see deficiencies in thyroid and weight managemante. By identifying and addressing potential deficiencies through HTMA, practitioners can help prevent nutrient deficiencies that may hinder weight loss or compromise overall health.

In sum, a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) simply stated, is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. However, a hair tissue mineral analysis is much more than a test for minerals.

Providing a mineral blueprint of one's biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about one's metabolic rate, energy levels, and stage of stress.

Furthermore, hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a standard test used around the world for the biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in humans and animals species. The same technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to detect mineral levels.

Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals remain as the hair continues to grow out. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.

Why is Our Hair Analysis Unique?

Several factors combine to make our hair tissue mineral analysis the best in the industry!

We are one of only two laboratories that do not wash the hair at the laboratory. Dr. Johnny uses both of them. Because Washing hair samples at the laboratory has been shown to erratically wash out the water-soluble elements. This creates much less accurate results. In a 2001 study in the Journal of the AMA (Seidel, S. et al., Assessment of Commercial Laboratories Performing Hair Mineral Analysis, JAMA, 285(1) Jan 3:67-72.) the two laboratories that did not wash the hair, of which both of which Dr. Johnny uses, showed superb reliability. For the analysis we use technologically advanced testing instruments, including the Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Mass Spectrometer.

We are proud of our laboratory quality control procedures. These include known controls which are tested at the beginning, middle and end of every batch of hair samples to insure the accuracy of the results. Don't be over whelmed by the data. Let Dr. Johnny help you with your consultation.

Just to make sure, we automatically retest any reading that is out of a normally expected range, provided sufficient hair is available for a second sample.

Test results are printed on an easy-to-read graph, unlike many of the other laboratories. This is a great benefit for both practitioners and their clients as well. The printed graph includes the mineral results, major mineral ratios and the oxidation type.

Dr. Johnny offers the only complete individualized test interpretation during your free consultation. This is unique as it includes information related to one's metabolic rate, energy levels, autonomic balance, a personal diet and supplement program, basic diet recommendations and other information that can be inferred from the test results.