The strand of hair can tell about heart diseases
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Specialists from the medical center "Erasmus" (Rotterdam, Holland) reported on a new method for diagnosing diseases of the cardiovascular system. Just one strand of hair can tell about the propensity to heart disease and chronic diseases. The human hair contains valuable information about the state of health. The main source of information - cortisol - a biological active hormone, which is also called a hormone of stress.
Cortisol is formed in the outer layer of the adrenal cortex and is a kind of "regulator" of carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Until now, the level of cortisol in the human body was measured by a blood test. Specialists from the Netherlands reported that this indicator can be read not only by blood, but also by hair. In the event that the level of cortisol in the body is measured by the analysis of venous blood, the indicator is relevant only at the time of the analysis. Research hair locks are considered more reliable: scientists have been able to track the measurement of the level of cortisol for a long time. Thus, a new method of diagnosis becomes more effective.
The amount of cortisol, which is considered a hormone of stress, depends on the person's predilection for diseases of the cardiovascular system. A study in Rotterdam will help specialists to follow the changes in the level of this hormone and in advance to diagnose heart disease.
The head of the study reported that an elevated cortisol level may indicate a predilection for heart disease, so the analysis of the hair locks will help in the future prevent a dangerous disease and, possibly, will prevent it. Too high level of cortisol in the human body allows us to talk about the risk factor for heart disease. Among other such factors experts indicate obesity, sedentary lifestyle, increased blood pressure.
In the process of investigating a new diagnosis, scientists compared the amount of cortisol in the blood in 238 elderly people. The results showed that those people whose cortisol level was above the average suffered from ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and other diseases that are associated with cardiovascular system disruption.
In addition to cortisol levels, hair analysis can provide detailed information about the presence of any food allergy in humans, the lack of any vitamin or mineral.
A useful fact is that hair analysis can replace the blood test soon. In hair, unlike blood, information is stored much longer, which will allow more effective testing for alcohol and drugs. People who will conduct a hair locks analysis in advance will be warned about the possibility of a cardiovascular disease or stroke. A strand of hair will be able to "report" the cortisol values for several months.