The Calcium/Virus Connection
Viruses are known to use calcium and cellular calcium-binding proteins to promote their entry into cells, enhance viral replication and gene expression among other actions. Calcium is a universal cellular messenger. Viruses use this action for their prolific replication throughout the body. The relationship between viruses and calcium falls into three main categories; 1) viral proteins directly impact calcium homeostasis due to altering membrane permeability or affecting the calcium signaling; 2) Viral proteins...
Vitamin E Update
Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds, α-, β-, δ-, ϒ-tocopherols and α-, β-, δ-, ϒ-tocotrienols, which are lipid-soluble. All vitamin E isoforms have antioxidative, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects (2,3). Vitamin E, although not as effective as Selenium, is also a very useful aid in detoxification and in the reduction of methylmercury toxicity (1). Key sources of tocopherols are sunflower & rapeseed oil, whereas important sources of tocotrienols...
Boron is far from Boring!
An in-depth look at Boron, its role in the body, the environment and in Australian HTMA Boron: An overview Boron is a naturally occurring element. It’s found in the environment, combined with oxygen and other elements in compounds called borates. Borates are widely found in nature, and are present in oceans, sedimentary rocks, coal, shale and some soils. Boron is released to the atmosphere via volcanic activity and from geothermal steam. It’s estimated...
Healthy Ageing: By Meeting Unique Nutritional Needs
Unique Requirements Each person’s nutritional requirement is unique based on complex factors including current health status and nutritional levels, absorption, exogenous stressors including medication, heavy metal toxicity, physical and emotional stress, etc. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis empowers practitioners to identify the specific nutrient mineral imbalances and toxic element burdens, thereby enabling treatment on a bio-individual basis. Distinct mineral patterns can be seen in patients with diseases associated with ageing. Early detection by...
Molybdenum: 10 Key Points to Master
Molybdenum is an essential mineral we are only beginning to learn more about. This article looks at what we know and what new research has revealed. Mo is indicative of methylation pathways and is closely aligned with Zinc. Understanding Mo's close relationship with Copper is important - it can be used to reduce Copper levels. Mo Antagonists: Ca, Cu, S, Hg, WMo Synergists: Ca, Na, Fe, Se, Co, Vit D, B1,...
Emotional Aspects of Sodium & Potassium
A quick reflection on Sodium and Potassium and the nervous system Increased Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus Disturbances in sodium and potassium metabolism are commonly seen in psychiatric patients. Even minor disturbances can contribute to emotional changes, which may be reflected clinically as depression, phobias, withdrawal, repression and indecision; depending on each individual mineral pattern and other factors such as chronicity, inherited inclination, etc. Aggressive behaviour, hyperactivity and anxiety are all associated with low...
Children, Mineral Imbalances & HTMA
Undetected mineral imbalances in children and teenagers cause health, educational, behavioural and social issues. Many of these are preventable and can be minimised by understanding and managing diet. Hair tissue mineral analysis is the definitive tool used by practitioners to identify nutritional imbalances and to create a treatment plan for ongoing management. In a recent (2020) Polish study[i] it was found that an adequate intake of folates, vitamin D, vitamin E,...
It’s a New Year so make HTMA Your New Year’s Resolution
As this momentous year slides to a close, we’re all looking forward to some summer holiday downtime. This year commenced on the back of nationwide drought, with devastating bushfires. By February, the bushfires were under control and COVID hit. What can one say? As practitioners, we spend much of our time giving. The simple truth is that you can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself! Since travel, dancing,...
Stress Response: What We Can Learn from a HTMA and the Mineral System?
Rick Malter, PhD A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is an excellent lab tool for assessing how a person is being impacted by stress. The mind/body stress response reflects both psychological and physical reactions that can have a profound effect on a person’s health. There are reciprocal relationships between the mind/body stress response and a person’s nutrient mineral system. The parts of a hair nutrient mineral pattern which are most significant in regard...
Viruses, Nutritional Immuno-Modulators and Metabolic Types
The immune system is a complex network consisting of cells, tissues and organs and their coordination is required to protect the body from infectious pathogens or viruses and non- infectious foreign substances. It is essential for the immune system to be at its optimum for resistance to invading pathogens and for the development of immunity. Optimisation of the immune system depends upon many factors, not the least of which includes...
