Is Supplementing with Vitamin/Minerals Beneficial or Harmful?

Are supplements useful?

picture of naturopathic supplements

In Australia dietary supplements are the most common form of complementary medicine with 47% of people consuming them. In fact, in 2019 Australians spent $5.6 billion dollars on dietary supplements with approximately 92% of these sales occurring in pharmacies, chemists and supermarkets. However, are dietary supplements necessary or are we just pouring our money down the drain?

A meta-analysis on cardiovascular patients was conducted in 2018 and they concluded that some supplements prevented cardiovascular disease and mortality, some supplements were ineffective, and a small proportion of supplements increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. They concluded that if a patient was not deficient in a mineral or vitamin, then supplementing with this mineral/vitamin was a waste of money. From a functional health perspective, you could even say that this unnecessary supplementation could be harmful to your health. This means long term, you may be saving money and your health by testing prior to supplementing with vitamins and minerals.

What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a tool used to evaluate the mineral levels and toxic metals in the soft tissue of the body which is where a number of minerals are stored. However, HTMA gives us much more insight into our health than this; including metabolic rate, stage of stress, immune function, adrenal and thyroid activity, carbohydrate tolerance, energy levels, highlights cardiovascular issues, dietary issues, mental health, emotional status and metal toxicity. 

HTMA differs from blood tests, as blood is the vehicle used to transport minerals around the body and the body attempts to bring homeostasis (balance) to minerals in the blood at the expense of the soft tissue. Therefore, any mineral deficiencies or excesses will generally be seen on your HTMA before they become imbalanced in the blood. In addition, levels of minerals fluctuate very quickly in the blood, whereas in HTMA you are seeing an average mineral level of approximately the last six weeks to three months depending on your metabolic rate and the length of the hair used in the sample.

Understanding HTMA reports

Understanding that every mineral has an impact on the level of a number of other minerals in the body is key to finding a balance in nutrition. Mineral balancing using HTMA results involves:

  • analysing the ratios between minerals

  • looking at the pattern of minerals, and

  • considering the individual values of minerals

The HTMA report is set out so it is very easy to read, however, if you want to get the full benefits of the report and interpret the results correctly for your individual requirements, then this evaluation requires a high level of education and training and is required in addition to a thorough case taking. It is, therefore, highly advisable to consult with a practitioner that specialises in HTMA for the interpretation of your results.

HTMA provides an effective starting point for many clients to understand their health and retesting is recommended every 3-4 months for children and approximately every 6 months for adults (depending on the presenting condition and treatment). The retest gives a quantitative assessment of the changes in your mineral status and provides an indication of whether you are under or over-dosing. This is important as the absorption, utilisation and excretion rates are individualised, therefore, finding that optimal dose can be difficult. It is also important to remember that even if a little amount of a supplement is beneficial, a larger amount is not necessarily more beneficial.

Who should use HTMA testing?

HTMA testing can be used by everyone, however, if you are looking for a diet that suits your metabolic needs, have gut or immune issues, have blood sugar dysregulation, are stressed, feel fatigued or you take supplements, then HTMA is recommended for you. At Shereenity Naturopathy, HTMA is used in the following conditions:

  • Gastrointestinal issues – dysbiosis, parasites

  • Stress and pyrrole disorder

  • Fatigue – including insomnia, chronic fatigue, adrenal overload

  • Autoimmunity and immune dysregulation – including Hashimoto’s disease, psoriasis, eczema, hayfever and other allergic conditions

  • Blood sugar dysregulation – inconsistent energy levels, diabetes

  • Osteoporosis, muscle cramps, dental issues and other conditions related to mineral deficiencies

  • Inflammatory conditions – arthritis, headaches/migraines, acne

  • Children’s developmental, behavioural and mental health disorders – ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, hyperactivity, tantrums, aggressive behaviour, anxiety and depression

  • History of toxic metal exposure – in particular, living/previous living in areas high in environmental toxins and occupations such as farmers, mechanics or working in the mining industry.

In addition, HTMA to be used in conjunction with other functional testing for:

  • Gastrointestinal issues – IBS, food reactions

  • Endometriosis

Shereenity Naturopathy utilises Interclinical Laboratories for HTMA testing where hair samples are not washed prior to testing due to the impact this can have on your electrolyte results. If you would like to commence testing prior to an initial consultation, please contact me directly at connect@shereenitynaturopathy.com.au and I can organise this for you. This ensures your results are sent to me directly so I can analyse your results prior to the consult.