Thrive

Thrive Clinical Nutritional Therapist, Functional Medicine, Naturopathy. Harley Street, London & Nottinghamshire.

Hair testing for toxic metals has a fascinating and slightly dark history. It was first developed in Victorian England ...
18/02/2026

Hair testing for toxic metals has a fascinating and slightly dark history.
It was first developed in Victorian England to investigate arsenic poisoning and allowed investigators to detect toxins long after exposure.
What began in crime labs is now a respected testing method used in forensic science to analyse substances, drugs and toxic exposure over time.

In one cohort study of young offenders, every individual tested showed very high levels of aluminium.
Aluminium is a recognised neurotoxin and has been associated with impulsivity, poor decision-making, emotional volatility and reduced cognitive clarity.
Neurotoxins such as aluminium are of particular interest. Aluminium is known to interfere with normal nerve signalling and brain chemistry.

While toxicity does not excuse behaviour, it raises important questions about how environmental exposure may influence brain function and emotional regulation.

But the relevance of this test goes far beyond criminal investigation, it has been a favourite method of assessing mental and physical health in the functional medicine world for a long time.

Hair testing provides a unique window into long-term mineral balance and toxic burden.

Because hair reflects what the body has been exposed to over months, not just hours or days. It can reveal patterns that blood tests often miss. This makes it particularly useful when looking at chronic symptoms, neurological stress and mental health concerns.

Toxic metals can accumulate silently and contribute to severe fatigue, mood instability, brain fog, anxiety and immune dysregulation.

Identifying and supporting safe detoxification pathways can be a powerful step towards restoring clarity, balance and resilience.

If you would like to explore your own toxic burden:

Test Your Heavy Metals:
https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p122/heavy-metal-toxicity-hair-mineral-test.html

Heavy Metal Detox Test + Consultation Package:
https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p124/heavy-metal-detox-programme.html

If you are reading this on Instagram, the link is in my bio.

Heavy metal toxicity happens when elements like aluminium, lead, mercury or cadmium build up in your body faster than yo...
02/02/2026

Heavy metal toxicity happens when elements like aluminium, lead, mercury or cadmium build up in your body faster than your detox systems can eliminate them. Over time, these stubborn metals can disrupt your nervous system, hormones, gut, immune function and energy production, contributing to symptoms such as severe fatigue, brain fog, headaches, mood changes and autoimmune flares.
The good news? It can be assessed non-invasively with a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, which provides a snapshot of your mineral balance and toxic burden, so you know exactly what support your body needs.

—

Test Your Heavy Metals:
🔗 https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p122/heavy-metal-toxicity-hair-mineral-test.html

Heavy Metal Detox Test + Consultation Package:
🔗 https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p124/heavy-metal-detox-programme.html

07/01/2026

Today I’m talking honestly about alcohol and my own relationship with it over the years.
Why it felt normal. Why it changed. And what I notice now.

Alcohol is deeply normalised, but that does not make it harmless.Even small, regular amounts increase cancer risk and im...
07/01/2026

Alcohol is deeply normalised, but that does not make it harmless.

Even small, regular amounts increase cancer risk and impact the gut, liver, hormones, brain chemistry, sleep, inflammation and mental health.

That can feel uncomfortable to hear. But there is also good news.

The body begins repairing far sooner than most people realise. When alcohol is removed, inflammation starts to calm, the liver begins healing, the gut barrier repairs, sleep improves and brain chemistry starts to rebalance.

Many people notice clearer thinking, a steadier mood and more consistent energy within weeks.

This is not about fear or shame. It is about informed choice and giving the body space to do what it already knows how to do.

Dry January or any alcohol free period is not a punishment. It is a reset.

Your body is always working for you, even after years of drinking.

I’ve always loved the Winter Solstice. There’s something comforting about the reminder that even at the darkest point o...
21/12/2025

I’ve always loved the Winter Solstice. There’s something comforting about the reminder that even at the darkest point of the year, the light is already returning.

🎄⭐️Well… that’s a wrap! My last working day of the year was here in festive London. I hope you all have the loveliest Ch...
19/12/2025

🎄⭐️Well… that’s a wrap! My last working day of the year was here in festive London. I hope you all have the loveliest Christmas and see you in 2026 xx 🎄⭐️

Wow! Did you see the sky this morning? How absolutely amazing it was 🌅
17/12/2025

Wow! Did you see the sky this morning? How absolutely amazing it was 🌅

Parasite symptoms are wide-ranging and often missed.Common signs include:• Bloating or digestive discomfort• Diarrhoea o...
17/12/2025

Parasite symptoms are wide-ranging and often missed.
Common signs include:

• Bloating or digestive discomfort
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Nausea or unexplained cravings
• Fatigue or low energy
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Skin issues or itching
• Joint aches or muscle pain
• Disturbed sleep
• Mood changes or irritability

These symptoms can easily be mistaken for other issues, which is why parasites often go undetected. Testing is the only way to know. To test yourself, there’s a link in my bio on Instagram and it’s here everywhere else: https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p91/parasitology-with-pcr-stool-test.html

Are parasite cleanses necessary? Yes, IF parasites are present, they absolutely need to be removed.Left untreated, paras...
17/12/2025

Are parasite cleanses necessary? Yes, IF parasites are present, they absolutely need to be removed.
Left untreated, parasites can damage the gut lining, disrupt nutrient absorption, drive inflammation and place long-term strain on the immune system. In these cases, a targeted cleanse is appropriate and necessary.

But also no. Not everyone with digestive symptoms has parasites.
Bloating, pain, diarrhoea, constipation and food reactions can come from IBS, food intolerances, stress, inflammation, poor enzyme output or microbiome imbalance. In these cases, a parasite cleanse isn’t preventative, it can actually cause unnecessary inflammation and disruption.

Cleanses are strong by nature. They don’t just affect parasites but they also impact the microbiome and the digestive tract lining. That’s why guidance and restoration afterwards are essential.

The goal is never to cleanse blindly.
The goal is to test first, treat appropriately, and then repair the gut properly.

The link to parasite testing is in my bio on Instagram, and available everywhere else via my website here: https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p91/parasitology-with-pcr-stool-test.html

Parasites are often missed, not because they’re rare but because they don’t present in obvious ways.Symptoms can look li...
15/12/2025

Parasites are often missed, not because they’re rare but because they don’t present in obvious ways.

Symptoms can look like IBS, stress, food intolerances or hormonal issues. Some people don’t have digestive symptoms at all. And many standard tests only screen for a very small number of organisms. Many parasites are microscopic so it’s easy to see why they go undetected for years.

This is why broad, functional testing matters.

The link to parasite testing is in my bio on Instagram, and available everywhere else via my website here: https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/p91/parasitology-with-pcr-stool-test.html

Parasites are far more common than most people realise. They’re not just something you pick up abroad.They can come from...
14/12/2025

Parasites are far more common than most people realise. They’re not just something you pick up abroad.

They can come from everyday exposures like food and water, pets, soil, swimming outdoors, close contact and poor food handling. Many people live with them for years without knowing, because symptoms aren’t always obvious.

If you want clarity rather than guesswork, the parasitology test I use looks across a wide range of parasites.

The link to testing is in my bio on Instagram and available everywhere else via my website, here: https://www.thriveclinic.uk/store/c46/Digestive_%26_Microbiome_Health.html

Sorry guys, I don’t want to ruin your Christmas but I do want to plant a seed to encourage you to think about your alcoh...
14/12/2025

Sorry guys, I don’t want to ruin your Christmas but I do want to plant a seed to encourage you to think about your alcohol consumption in 2026. Xx

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