When reviewing your hair mineral analysis report, you might come across the term Mg%, or milligrams percent, and be wondering what this means. People ask me this now and then, so rather than repeating myself and giving people "information overload" here is a detailed explanation that you can study and absorb at your leisure. Understanding this unit of measurement is helpful when interpreting your test results and gaining insights into your mineral levels.
As you read this article, you will quickly understand that we are talking about small amounts of these nutrients because they are found in each of the many cells of the body. Fortunately, the laboratory, which does the analysis for us is using sophisticated mass spectrometry that can measure cell mineral content down to just a few parts per million!
What Does Mg% Mean?
Mg% stands for milligrams per 100 grams of hair. This means that for every 100 grams of your hair, there are a certain number of milligrams of the mineral being tested. For example, if your report shows five Mg% of calcium, it indicates that there are five milligrams of calcium in every 100 grams of your hair sample.
Why Use Mg% in Hair Analysis?
Using Mg% provides a standardised way to report mineral concentrations in hair samples. Since hair samples can vary in weight, expressing the results per 100 grams allows for consistent comparisons between different samples and individuals.
Mg% vs. Parts Per Million (ppm)
Some laboratories may report mineral concentrations in parts per million (ppm) instead of Mg%. Both units measure the same thing — the concentration of minerals — but they do so in slightly different ways:
Mg% (milligrams per 100 grams): Indicates how many milligrams of a mineral are present in 100 grams of hair.
Parts Per Million (ppm): Represents the number of parts of a mineral per million parts of hair.
How to Convert Between Mg% and ppm
Understanding how to convert between Mg% and ppm can help you interpret results from different laboratories or compare past and current test results.
To convert ppm to Mg%:
Divide the ppm value by 10.
Example: If your magnesium level is 200 ppm, dividing by 10 gives you 20 Mg%.
To convert Mg% to ppm:
Multiply the Mg% value by 10.
Example: If your calcium level is 5 Mg%, multiplying by 10 gives you 50 ppm.
Simple, eh?
Why Is This Important?
Accurate interpretation of your mineral levels is essential for assessing your nutritional status and identifying potential imbalances. Whether your results are reported in Mg% or ppm, knowing how to read and convert these units ensures you have a clearer understanding of your health.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the details of your hair mineral analysis does not have to be confusing. Hair Analysis is the closest we can get to having an accounting system for your inner cells. It gives us your profit-loss, shows us where you have too much or too little in the way of mineral stocks — your inner stock-take!
In addition, the test identifies the presence of toxins like lead and aluminium, which have the potential to upend everything. Furthermore, by understanding the ratios between minerals, we can gain valuable insights into the function and balance of organs such as the liver, kidneys, thyroid, and adrenals. We are therefore able to make informed decisions about your health and wellness journey, including the accurate prescription of nutrients.
We recommend repeating the test after six months, then every year or so thereafter, or after a significant change in your health or fitness. The repeat tests are always the most useful and interesting because they help us find the best places to focus our attention for the next test in the fight to stay healthy throughout life. Yes, it is a fight. Disease is out to get us, and it behoves us to do what we can to stay healthy, robust, and at least 20 years ahead of what might be out to get us. The repeated tests may show signs of a deep-seated poison like lead and arsenic — you never know unless you test!
If you have any questions or need assistance interpreting your results, feel free to arrange an appointment with us. We are here to support you every step of the way.
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