HairQ Test

For an in depth understanding of the HairQ test, please read further.

Minerals:

INFORMATION ABOUT MINERALS, THEIR SOURCES AND FUNCTIONS

 

CA - CALCIUM

Calcium is a very important mineral in human metabolism, making up about one to two percent of a human adult's body weight. In addition, calcium manages acid/base balance in our bloodstream and is used to help control muscle and nerve function. 

 

Function

• Provides bone support and lowers the risk of poor bone integrity
• Helps maintain the acid/alkaline balance in the blood
• Supports muscle health

 

Food sources

Ideally, dogs should not be fed dairy. Other sources of calcium are canned sardines or salmon, bok choy and turnip greens

 

Deficiency

• Back or neck pain
• Bone fractures
• Muscle cramping
• Dry skin and brittle nails
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Osteoporosis
• Loss of height
• Stooped posture due to kyphosis (abnormal curving of the spine and humpback)

→ Dr. Dobias recommends GreenMin for low calcium levels.

 

MG - MAGNESIUM

The body contains large amounts of the element magnesium. Magnesium is involved in more than 300 chemical reactions and is usually referred to as a "macromineral.”

 

Inside the body 60 to 65 percent of magnesium is found in our bones, 25 percent in our muscles and the rest is found in other cell types and body fluids. Like all minerals, magnesium cannot be made in our body, therefore it must be plentiful in our diet in order for us to remain healthy.

 

Magnesium is sometimes regarded as a "smoothie" mineral since it has the ability to relax our muscles.

Our nerves also depend on magnesium to avoid becoming overexcited. This aspect of magnesium links it to healthy blood pressure.

 

Function

• Relaxes nerves and muscles
• Builds and strengthen bones
• Improves blood circulation

 

Food sources

Sources of magnesium include Swiss chard and spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens, pumpkin seeds, sea vegetables, green beans and collard greens.

There are numerous other good sources of magnesium including salmon, kale and flax seeds.

 

Deficiency

• Muscle weakness, tremor, or spasm
• Heart arrhythmia, irregular contraction, or increased heart rate
• Softening and weakening of bone
• Imbalanced blood sugar levels
• Headaches
• Elevated blood pressure

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

NA- SODIUM

Sodium is an element with an atomic number of 11 and is represented by the symbol Na. Table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is the most common form of dietary sodium and is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine. Other sodium salts include sodium bicarbonate, baking soda (NaHCO3) and sodium acetate. 

 

In my opinion, the no salt recommendation for dogs was created by the pet food industry. I have found no scientific evidence to confirm their claims and do not see a problem with an occasional reasonably salty meal for your dog.

 

Function:

• Nerve and muscle function
• Fluid and electrolyte balance

 

Food sources:

• Table salt, meat and fish.

 

Excess:

• Cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart failure)
• Kidney disease
• Osteoporosis
• Stomach cancer

 

Sodium evaluation is more frequently done by a blood test. If your dog's sodium is low, we suggest you to have a blood test done with your regular veterinary care provider.

 

K - POTASSIUM

Potassium, sodium and chloride comprise the electrolyte family of minerals. About 95 percent of the potassium in the body is stored within cells, unlike sodium and chloride, which are predominantly located outside the cell.

 

Potassium is very important in regulating neuro-muscular activity. The frequency and degree our muscles contract and the degree our nerves become excitable depends heavily on the right amount of potassium.

 

Function

• Helps your muscles and nerves function properly
• Maintains the proper electrolyte and acid-base balance in your body
• Lowers risk of high blood pressure

 

Food Sources

Potassium is found in abundance in many foods and is especially easy to obtain from vegetables. Excellent sources of potassium include chard, mustard greens, summer squash, romaine lettuce, turnip greens, asparagus, kale, beets, green beans, papaya and ginger root.

 

Deficiency

• Hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood serum)
• Muscle cramps and pain
• Weakness
• Cardiovascular abnormalities 

 

Hypokalemia may be caused by decreased potassium intake, vomiting, burns, dialysis and sweating. Potassium supplementation is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hypokalemia in medical treatments and is a common addition to intravenous fluids.

 

Excess

• Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood serum)
• Severe brain problems
• Serious neural and cardiovascular systems problems
• Addison’s disease, which may be life threatening

 

Hyperkalemia may be caused by increased potassium intake, decreased potassium excretion or redistribution of potassium caused by medications or supplements. 

 

Potassium evaluation is more frequently done by a blood test. If your dog's potassium is low or high, we suggest you have a blood test done with your regular veterinary care provider. 

 

CU - COPPER

Copper is a trace mineral that plays an important role in our metabolism, largely because it allows many critical enzymes to function properly. Although copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body, the total amount of copper in the body is only 75-100 milligrams, less than the amount of copper in a penny. Copper is present in every tissue of the body, but is stored primarily in the liver. Lesser amounts of copper are found in the brain, heart, kidney and muscles.

 

Function

• Helps your body utilize iron
• Reduces tissue damage caused by free radicals
• Maintains the health of your bones and connective tissues
• Helps your body produce the pigment called melanin
• Keeps your thyroid gland functioning normally
• Preserves the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects your nerves

Food Sources

Excellent sources of copper include asparagus, calf's liver, crimini mushrooms, turnip greens and molasses.

 

Very good sources of copper include chard, spinach, sesame seeds, mustard greens, kale, shiitake mushrooms and cashews.

 

Good sources of copper include eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, winter squash, green peas, romaine lettuce, garlic, sunflower seeds, green beans, beets, fennel, olives, leeks, sweet potato, quinoa, buckwheat, barley, spelt, tempeh, tofu, soybeans, miso, scallops, shrimp, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, peanuts, almonds, pineapple, raspberries, lentils, garbanzo beans, lima beans, kidney beans, ginger and black pepper.

 

Deficiency

• Anemia
• Blood vessels that rupture easily
• Bone and joint problems
• Elevated LDL cholesterol and reduced HDL cholesterol levels
• Frequent infections
• Loss of hair or skin color
• Fatigue and weakness
• Difficulty breathing and irregular heartbeat
• Skin sores

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

ZN - ZINC

Zinc is a trace mineral necessary for the functioning of more than 300 different enzymes and plays a vital role in a large number of biological processes. Within the body, zinc is distributed in the muscle, bone, skin, kidney, liver, pancreas, retina, prostate and particularly in red and white blood cells.

 

Function

• Regulation of gene expression, protein folding and immunity
• Cofactor for many enzymes that would not be effective without this element.

 

Food Sources

It is available through foods such as beef and other red meats.

 

Deficiency

 

Severe zinc deficiency may still be observed in dogs fed processed food and malnourished dogs and may result in:

• Growth retardation
• Diarrhea
• Alopecia nail
• Nail dystrophy
• Decreased immunity
• Low fertility in males

 

Mild zinc deficiency may be overlooked since symptoms are not always evident, but it may include:

• Hair loss
• Weight loss
• Lowered senses of taste and smell

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

FE - IRON

Iron is an essential mineral and an important component of proteins. Approximately 15 percent of the body's iron is stored for future needs and is mobilized when dietary intake is inadequate. The body usually maintains normal iron level by controlling the amount of iron absorbed from food.

 

Function

• Involved in oxygen transport and metabolism
• Essential in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin

 

Food sources

The two forms of dietary iron are heme and nonheme. Sources of heme iron include meat, fish and poultry.Sources of nonheme iron, which is not absorbed as well as heme iron, include red beans, lentils, flours, cereals and grain products. However, these should not be a common food source for canines. As a result, iron is often found to be deficient in HairQ test results and needs to be supplemented. Other sources of iron include dried fruit, peas, asparagus, leafy greens, strawberries and nuts.

 

Deficiency

It appears that iron deficiency is relatively common and this mineral may need extra supplementation.

 

MN - MANGANESE

Function

• Helps the body utilize several key nutrients such as biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid and choline
• Keeps your bones strong and healthy
• Helps your body synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol
• Maintains normal blood sugar levels
• Promotes optimal function of your thyroid gland
• Maintains the health of your nerves
• Protects your cells from free-radical damage

 

Sources

Excellent food sources of manganese include mustard greens, kale, chard, romaine lettuce, collard greens, spinach, garlic, summer squash and turmeric.

 

Deficiency and Excess

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Poor glucose tolerance (high blood sugar levels)
• Skin rash
• Loss of hair color
• Excessive bone loss
• Low cholesterol levels
• Dizziness
• Hearing loss
• Reproductive system difficulties

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

CR - CHROMIUM

Chromium is an essential trace element that exists naturally in trivalent and hexavalent states.

Function

• Maintains normal blood sugar and insulin levels
• Supports normal cholesterol levels

 

Food Sources

Although chromium occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods, many foods contain only one or two micrograms (mcg) of chromium per serving. In addition, food processing methods often remove naturally occurring chromium. As a result, obtaining a sufficient amount of chromium in the diet can be difficult.

 

A concentrated food source of chromium is brewer's yeast. Many animals do not get enough chromium in their diet.

 

Deficiency

• Hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood levels of insulin)
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar levels
• Insulin resistance

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

SE - SELENIUM

The micromineral Selenium is needed in the diet daily, but only in very small amounts of 50 micrograms or less.

 

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral found in soil, water and some foods. It is a component in the amino acids cysteine and methionine. Selenium functions is an important factor in antioxidant enzymes, helps protect cells from oxidative damage and ensures cell and growth survival.

 

Function

• Protects cells from free-radical damage
• Enables thyroid to produce thyroid hormone
• Helps lower your risk of joint inflammation

Sources

Excellent sources of selenium include cod, shrimp, salmon and mustard seeds.

 

Deficiency

• Weakness or pain in the muscles
• Discoloration of the hair or skin
• Whitening of the fingernail beds

 

Excess

Selenium excess is relatively common in animals that take synthetic vitamins and mineral supplements. If your dog has higher than normal levels of selenium, check your supplement labels and stop them or reduce their dose.

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

B - BORON

Function

• Increases steroid hormones such as the sex hormone and vitamin D
• Plays a role in cell membrane functions that influences response to hormone action, trans-membrane signaling and trans-membrane movement of regulatory ions
• Metabolic regulator in several enzyme systems. It is involved in in the synthesis of RNA
• Indirectly influences calcium homeostasis through vitamin D metabolism

 

Food Sources

The main dietary sources of boron are fruits and vegetables. However, the concentration of boron in plants depends on adequate concentrations of boron in the soil. That is why mineral testing and adequate supplementation is important.

 

Deficiency

• Depressed growth and reduction in steroid hormone concentrations
• Increased risk of bone loss
• Increased urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium and lower serum concentrations of estrogen and testosterone.

 

Excess

• May be present if you use Borax powder, for example, for laundry or cleaning. While Borax is not highly toxic, there are some concerns about Borax and fertility.

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

CO - COBALT

Cobalt works in the body essentially the same as vitamin B12.

Function

• Plays a role in red blood cell production.
• Cobalt, along with Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni), can substitute for Zinc (Zn) in the metalloenzymes, angiotensin-converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase and carbonic anhydrase 

 

Sources

Dietary sources of cobalt are the same as vitamin B12, such as meat or fermented foods where the bacteria produce the vitamin. Organ meats are also good sources of vitamin B12 followed by extra-lean beef, seafood, egg. Chicken and miso, a fermented soybean product, are also sources.

 

Deficiency

A deficiency in cobalt is ultimately a deficiency in vitamin B12 and can result in:

• Slow growth rate
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Nerve damage
• Slow growth in children
• Undue fatigue
• Pernicious anemia
• High or low serum iron
• Slow recovery
• Digestive disorders
• Poor circulation

 

It appears cobalt deficiency is relatively common in dogs and it needs to be supplemented separately. If your dog's iron levels are low, we recommend a VitaminB12 (Cobalt) Supplement.

 

MO - MOLYBDENUM

Function

• Enzyme cofactor

 

Sources

Molybdenum is found in organ meats. A diet high in processed foods may lead to a molybdenum deficiency.

 

Deficiency

• Mouth and gum disorders
• Mental disturbance
• Coma

 

Molybdenum deficiency is rare unless the diet contains high amounts of the antagonistic substances such as sulfate, copper or tungsten.

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

S - SULFUR

Sulfur is a nonmetallic element that is mainly found as part of larger compounds.

Sulfur represents about 0.25 percent of our total body weight, similar to potassium. The body contains approximately 140 grams of sulfur, mainly in the proteins, although it is distributed in small amounts in all cells and tissues. Sulfur has a characteristic odor that can be smelled when hair or sheep's wool is burned. Keratin, present in the skin, hair and nails, is particularly high in the amino acid cystine, which is found in sulfur. The sulfur-sulfur bond in keratin gives it greater strength.

 

Function

• Enzyme reactions and protein synthesis
• Essential for collagen formation, the protein found in connective tissue in our bodies
• Present in keratin, which is necessary for the maintenance of the skin, hair and nails, helping to give strength, shape and hardness to these protein tissues
• Present in the fur of animals
• Sulfur, as cystine and methionine, is part of other important body chemicals. It is found in insulin, which helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism. It is also a component of heparin, an anticoagulant and Taurine, which is found in bile acids, used in digestion
• The sulfur-containing amino acids help form substances such as biotin, coenzyme A, lipoic acid and glutathione. The mucopolysaccharides may contain chondroitin sulfate, which is important to joint tissues
• Important for cellular respiration, as it is needed in the oxidation-reduction reactions that help the cells utilize oxygen, which aids brain function and all cell activity. These reactions are dependent on cysteine, which also helps the liver produce bile secretions and eliminate other toxins

 

Sources

As part of four amino acids, sulfur is readily available in protein foods. Meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and legumes are all good sources. Egg yolks are one of the better sources of sulfur. Other foods that contain this somewhat smelly mineral are onions, garlic, cabbage, brussels sprouts and turnips. Nuts have some, as do kale, lettuce, kelp and other seaweed and raspberries. Complete vegetarians (those who eat no eggs or milk) and people on low-protein diets may not get sufficient amounts of sulfur. The resulting sulfur deficiency is difficult to differentiate clinically from protein deficiency, which is of much greater concern.

 

Deficiency and Excess

There is minimal reason for concern about either toxicity or deficiency of sulfur in the body. No clearly defined symptoms exist with either state. Sulfur deficiency is more common when foods are grown in sulfur-depleted soil, with low-protein diets or with a lack of intestinal bacteria, though none of these seems to cause any problems in regard to sulfur functions and metabolism.

 

If your dog is deficient in this mineral, please read the Q and A further down under the "Results" section of this page.

 

 

Heavy Metals:

Determining, what toxic elements are present in your dog's or cat's body is very important as their higher levels are directly linked to a variety of health conditions, a higher rate of cancer and shortened life span.

 

TOXIC AND HEAVY METAL INFO

SB - ANTIMONY

Antimony is a silvery white metal of medium hardness that breaks easily. Small amounts of antimony are found in the Earth's crust.

Antimony oxide is a white powder that does not evaporate. Only a small amount of it will dissolve in water. Most antimony oxide produced is added to textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching on fire.

 

Sources

Antimony is found at very low levels in the environment, so low that we often cannot measure it. An individual may be exposed to antimony by breathing air, drinking water and eating foods that contain it. Skin contact with soil, water and other substances may also increase contamination.

 

Effect

Exposure to nine milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m³) of antimony for a long time can irritate your eyes, skin and lungs. Breathing two mg/m³ of antimony for a long time can cause problems with the lungs (pneumoconiosis), heart problems (altered electrocardiograms), stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach ulcers.

 

U - URANIUM

Uranium is a hard, dense, malleable, ductile, silver-white, radioactive metal. Uranium metal has a very high density. When finely divided, it can react with cold water. In the air it is coated with uranium oxide, tarnishing rapidly. It is attacked by steam and acids. Uranium can form solids solutions and intermetallic compounds with many of the metals.

 

Sources:

Although uranium is radioactive, it is not particularly rare. It is widely spread throughout the environment and so it is impossible to avoid uranium. Uranium can be found naturally in very small amounts in rocks, soil, air and water.

 

In the air, the uranium concentrations are very low. Even at higher than usual concentrations in air, there is so little uranium present per cubic meter that less than one atom transfers every day.

 

In water most of the uranium is derived from rocks and soil that the water runs over. Some of the uranium is suspended, so that the water gets a muddy texture. Only a very small part of uranium in water settles from air. The amount of uranium in drinking water is generally very low.

 

Uranium is found in soils in varying concentrations that are usually very low. Humans add uranium to the soil through industrial activities.

 

Effect

Scientists have detected no harmful radiation effects of natural levels of uranium. However, chemical effects may occur after the uptake of large amounts of uranium and these can cause health effects such as kidney disease.

 

When people are exposed to uranium radionuclides that are formed during radioactive decay for a long period of time, they may develop cancer. The chances of getting cancer are much higher when people are exposed to enriched uranium, because that is a more radioactive form of uranium. This form of uranium gives off damaging radiation, which can cause people to develop cancer within a few years. Enriched uranium may end up in the environment during accidents in nuclear power plants.

 

AS - ARSENIC

Arsenic appears in three allotropic forms: yellow, black and grey. The stable form is a silver-gray, brittle crystalline solid. It tarnishes rapidly in air and at high temperatures burns, forming a white cloud of arsenic trioxide. Arsenic is a member of group Va of the periodic table, which combines readily with many elements.

 

The metallic form is brittle, tarnishes and when heated it rapidly oxidizes to arsenic trioxide, which has a garlic odor. The nonmetallic form is less reactive, but will dissolve when heated with strong oxidizing acids and alkalis.

 

Sources

Arsenic can be found naturally on earth in small concentrations. It occurs in soil and minerals and it may enter air, water and land through wind-blown dust and water run-off.

 

Effect

Arsenic is one of the most toxic elements that can be found. Despite its toxic effect, inorganic arsenic bonds occur on earth naturally in small amounts.

 

Exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause various health effects, such as irritation of the stomach and intestines, decreased production of red and white blood cells, skin changes and lung irritation. It is suggested that the uptake of significant amounts of inorganic arsenic can intensify the chances of cancer development, especially the chances of development of skin cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer and lymphatic cancer.

 

A very high exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause infertility and miscarriages with women and it can cause skin disturbances, declined resistance to infections, heart disruptions and brain damage in both men and women.

 

Finally, inorganic arsenic can damage DNA.

 

One hundred mg of arsenic oxide is generally considered a lethal dose.

 

BE - BERYLLIUM

Beryllium is a toxic bivalent element, steel-gray, strong, lightweight and primarily used as a hardening agent in alloys. Beryllium has one of the highest melting points of the light metals. It has excellent thermal conductivity, is nonmagnetic, it resists attack by concentrated nitric acid and at standard temperature and pressures beryllium resist oxidation when exposed to air.

 

Sources

The beryllium content of Earth's crust is 2.6 ppm, in soil 6 ppm. Beryllium in soil can pass into plants, provided it is in a soluble form. Typical levels in plants vary between one and 40 ppb, too low to affect animals that eat these plants.

 

Beryllium is found in 30 different minerals, the most important of which are bertrandite, beryl, chrysoberyl and phenacite. Precious forms of beryl are aquamarine and emerald.

 

Effect

The most commonly known effect of beryllium is called berylliosis, a dangerous and persistent lung disorder that can also damage other organs, such as the heart.

Beryllium can also cause allergic reactions in people that are hypersensitive to this chemical. These reactions can be very severe and they can even cause a person to be seriously ill, a condition known as Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD). The symptoms are weakness, tiredness and breathing problems.

Beryllium can also increase the chances of cancer development and DNA damage.

 

HG - MERCURY

Mercury is the only common metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures. Mercury is sometimes called quicksilver. It is a heavy, silvery-white liquid metal.

 

It alloys easily with many metals, such as gold, silver, and tin. These alloys are called amalgams.

 

Sources:

Mercury occurs uncombined in nature to a limited extent. It rarely occurs free in nature and is found mainly in cinnabar ore (HgS) in Spain, Russia, Italy, China and Slovenia.

 

Mercury enters the environment as a result of the normal breakdown of minerals in rocks and soil through exposure to wind and water.

 

Effect

Mercury has a number of effects on humans that can all be simplified into the following:

• Disruption of the nervous system
• Damage to brain functions
• DNA damage and chromosomal damage
• Allergic reactions, resulting in skin rashes, tiredness and headaches
• Negative reproductive effects, such as sperm damage, birth defects and miscarriages

 

CD - CADMIUM

Cadmium is a lustrous, silver-white, ductile, very malleable metal. Its surface has a bluish tinge and the metal is soft enough to be cut with a knife, but it tarnishes in air. It is soluble in acids, but not in alkalis. It is similar in many respects to zinc but it forms more complex compounds.

 

Sources

Cadmium can mainly be found in the Earth's crust. It always occurs in combination with zinc. Cadmium is an inevitable byproduct of zinc, lead and copper extraction. After being applied, it enters the environment mainly through the ground because it is found in manures and pesticides.

 

Naturally a very large amount of cadmium is released into the environment, about 25,000 tons a year. About half of this cadmium is released into rivers through weathering of rocks and some cadmium is released into the air through forest fires and volcanoes. The rest of the cadmium is released through human activities, such as manufacturing.

 

Effect

Human uptake of cadmium takes place mainly through food. Foodstuffs that are rich in cadmium can greatly increase the cadmium concentration in human bodies. Examples are liver, mushrooms, shellfish, mussels, cocoa powder and dried seaweed.

 

People who smoke are exposed to significantly higher cadmium levels.

 

Some health effects that can be caused by cadmium are:

• Diarrhea, stomach pains and severe vomiting
• Bone fracture
• Reproductive failure and possibly even infertility
• Damage to the central nervous system
• Damage to the immune system
• Psychological disorders
• Possibly DNA damage or cancer development

 

PB - LEAD

Lead is a bluish-white lustrous metal. It is very soft, highly malleable, ductile and a relatively poor conductor of electricity. It is very resistant to corrosion, but tarnishes whne exposed to air. Lead isotopes are the end product of each of the three series of naturally occurring radioactive elements.

 

Sources

Native lead is rare in nature. Lead is usually found in ore with zinc, silver and copper and it is extracted together with these metals.

 

Lead occurs naturally in the environment. However, most lead concentrations found in the environment are a result of human activities. Due to the application of lead in gasoline, an unnatural lead-cycle has occurred. When lead was burned in car engines it created lead salts (chlorines, bromines, oxides).

 

Effect

Lead can cause several unwanted effects, such as:

• Disruption of the biosynthesis of hemoglobin and anemia
• A rise in blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Miscarriages 
• Disruption of nervous systems
• Brain damage
• Declined fertility of men through sperm damage
• Diminished learning abilities of children
• Behavioral disruptions of children, such as aggression, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity

 

Lead can enter a fetus through the placenta of the mother and can cause serious damage to the nervous system and the brains of unborn children.

 

AL - ALUMINUM

Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal. It has a dull silvery appearance because of a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. Aluminum is nontoxic as a metal, nonmagnetic and non-sparking.

 

Aluminum has only one naturally occurring isotope, aluminium-27, which is not radioactive.

 

Sources

Aluminum is believed to make up 7.5 percent to 8.1 percent of the Earth's crust. Aluminum is very rare in its free form.

 

Aluminum is a reactive metal and it is hard to extract it from ore and aluminum oxide (Al2O3).

 

Aluminum is among the most difficult metals on earth to refine.

 

Effect

Aluminum uptake can take place through food, breathing and by skin contact. Long lasting uptakes of significant concentrations of aluminum can lead to serious health effects, such as:

• Damage to the central nervous system
• Dementia
• Loss of memory
• Listlessness
• Severe trembling

 

Aluminum is a risk in certain working environments, such as mines, where it can be found in water. People that work in factories where aluminum is applied during production processes may endure lung problems if they breathe in aluminum dust.

 

Cooking with aluminum dishes or foil is not recommended.

 

Aluminum can cause problems for kidney patients when it enters the body during kidney dialyses.

 

 

Results:

PRACTICAL TIPS AND Q&A ABOUT HAIRQ TEST RESULTS

A HairQ test provides you with valuable information on your dog's nutritional status to help create healthier and longer lives for your animal friends. It is not designed to diagnose any medical conditions or illnesses. If you suspect your dog is sick, please see your veterinarian. 

 

The results can be used for the purpose of disease prevention or optimizing your dog's nutrition during disease treatment. It will give you a very good idea if you need to need to change your dog's diet, increase or reduce certain supplements or search for the source of excess.

 

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

LOW MINERALS IN GENERAL?

In general, we recommend a natural, cooked or raw diet for your dog. However, the ultimate decision is yours. We hope that a HairQ test will be a useful tool to see if you dog's diet is or is not deficient.

 

STEP 1 - SUPPLEMENT GREENMIN (ALL NATURAL BROAD SPECTRUM MINERAL SOURCE)

 

STEP 2 - REPEAT HAIRQ TEST IN FOUR TO SIX MONTHS AFTER STARTING GREENMIN

 

STEP 3 - IF MINERALS LEVELS ARE STILL LOW

• Ensure that supplements are given regularly and the correct dose has been measured
• If the above is not a problem, increase GreenMin dose by 50 percent. Different dogs may have a varied ability to absorb nutrients and require higher supplement doses

 

STEP 4 - REPEAT HAIRQ TEST IN FOUR TO SIX MONTHS

Please note that the HairQ test price includes the test only.

 

LOW IRON (FE)?

It appears that iron deficiency is relatively common and this mineral may need extra supplementation.  If your dogs iron levels are low, we recommend a Bioavailable Iron Supplement by Standard Process. 

 

For more info on iron, read the iron paragraph in the "Mineral tab" on this page.

 

LOW COBALT (CO)?

It appears that Cobalt deficiency is relatively common in dogs and it needs to be supplemented separately. If your dogs iron levels are low, we recommend a VitaminB12 + Cobalt  Supplement by Standard Process.

 

For more info on iron, read the iron paragraph in the "Mineral tab" on this page

 

HIGH MINERALS IN GENERAL

High minerals, in general, are very uncommon. If you have received HairQ test results and some of the elements appear to be too high click on the tab "Minerals tab" or "Heavy Metals tab"  to get more information about each mineral and their sources. It is our opinion that synthetically made supplements and additives appear to create excess more frequently. If you see a general excess of minerals, we recommend you switch to a natural mineral supplement. If you are already giving such supplement, reduce the dose by 50 percent and retest with HairQ in four months.

 

HIGH INDIVIDUAL MINERALS

High individual minerals can sometimes appear if your dog is exposed to sources that are high in a particular element.

 

Here are some examples:

Zinc - Zinc based sunscreen

Boron - using Borax for cleaning or laundry

 

If your dog appears to be high in a certain mineral and you need more information, please read the "Mineral" section on this page and refer to a mineral of your interest.

 

FAQ:

What is the best shampoo to use before cutting a hair sample and do I need to wash my dog before cutting a hair sample?

The lab thoroughly washes all hair samples that come in for canine testing.
There is no need to wash your dog before cutting the hair sample. If you use a medicated shampoo, be aware some shampoos have elements that can be absorbed into the hair follicle and may appear at a high level without being present in the body. Some shampoos contain zinc for instance.

How do you test my dog's hair when the test is sent digitally?

The instruction kit and submission form are sent out digitally for you to fill out and send back to us with your dog's hair sample, which the lab will test.

How long does it take to get results after I send in the test with the sample?

Results can be expected within four to eight weeks.

Will the test tell me why my dog likes or dislikes certain foods or has a certain medical condition?

The test results will show the deficiencies and toxicities in your dog. HairQ Test results are for additional information only. They are not indicative of any medical problems but can help lead you in the right direction for seeking diagnostic testing if your dog is experiencing any symptoms that are unexplained.

What is the earliest I can get my dog's hair tested

Between six to 12 months will give a good benchmark of the minerals and heavy metals in your dog's body. Tests can be run on younger dogs, however, when testing puppies under six months the results reflect what the mother has passed on.

I switched my dog to raw food and supplements two months ago. Should I wait to do the HairQ test? 

The HairQ Test measures your dog's metabolic snapshot from four to six months before the hair is cut when it is being formed inside the body. It takes a few months before you will see the difference in your dog's test results from implementing a raw food diet and supplements. We recommend doing the test now and then doing it again about six months later to see the effects and benefits.

Can I collect shed hair rather than cutting a sample?

No, you can't collect shed hair. The hair has to be cut to get an accurate sample of what's going on metabolically in your dog. The equipment used for the test is extremely delicate and hair that has the root attached will plug the machine. For this reason, any hair that is not cut is discarded and will not be processed.

Approximately one full tablespoon or 125mg by weight of cut hair is required for the testing.

How do I send in my sample?

We recommend sending your sample to us using the least expensive option through your local post office that includes tracking. Because the results are not time-sensitive, there is no need to use express shipping options or signature required options. 

 

The samples will be sent to a PO Box address meaning all samples must be sent by the postal service. Samples sent by courier will be returned to the customer at the shipper's expense, as we do not have a physical location for courier deliveries. 

 

We will send you out a confirmation email when we receive the sample so you know that it has arrived and will start processing. 

 

How do I read the results? Is a consultation included?
Although a consultation is not included, a supporting document with a general outline of the most common toxins and mineral deficiencies is provided along with the test results. Information on the HairQ product page may be useful and we recommend doing some research online about your unique test results.