SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE

An Important Hair Analysis Indicator Pattern

By Lawrence Wilson, MD

 

© November 2007, LD Wilson Consultants, Inc.

 

This hair analysis pattern is one of the most interesting and common of those we observe today.  It is of great interest because it is a ÒspiritualÓ pattern as well.  This means that those with this pattern are often of greater than average development of the mind and spirit.  This will be important to recall as we described the meaning of the pattern and how to deal with it.

 

SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE ON  A HAIR ANALYSIS

 

This pattern is indicated by a level of hair potassium less than 4 or 5 mg% (or 50 parts per million).  The hair must not be washed at the laboratory for accurate assessment of potassium.  See below for more about hair washing at the laboratory.

The pattern is also present whenever the level of magnesium in an unwashed hair sample is above about 50 mg% (or 500 parts per million).  This, of course, is an aspect of a very slow oxidation rate.  Thus we can say that all very slow oxidizers are sympathetic dominant, at least to some degree.

A secondary indicator occurs when the hair sodium/potassium ratio is greater than about 6.  This, however, is secondary only.  This means that it is not necessary for the pattern to be present.  It simply reinforces or strengthens the likelihood of sympathetic dominance when one of the primary indicators is present.  An elevated sodium/potassium ratio, however, is not indicative of sympathetic dominance all by itself.  One of the other two patterns above (a low hair potassium or a very high magnesium) must be present as well.

 

THE MEANING OF SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE

 

Sympathetic dominance indicates a person who is over-utilizing his or her sympathetic nervous system.  The sodium and potassium readings on a hair tissue mineral analysis, and to some degree their ratio, have to do with the utilization of this branch of the autonomic or automatic nervous system.

While some use of this fight-or-flight system is normal and even needed, when it is overused chronically, it becomes exhausted.  The body flips into a parasympathetic state we call slow oxidation.  However, if one keeps on using the sympathetic system after exhaustion occurs, the sodium and potassium levels in the hair keep declining, revealing the pattern we are discussing.

In fact, the person is eliminating in the urine and sweat some sodium and potassium beyond what is ideal.  This directly gives rise to the low levels.  In fact, however, the pattern also has to do with the level of aldosterone in some instances, and it has to do with more complex mechanisms that come into play when the adrenal glands are tired or depleted nutritionally.  These mechanisms are beyond the scope of this article at this time, but will be discussed in a separate article entitled Biological Transmutations And Tissue Mineral Analysis.

 

SYMPTOMS

 

                  People who are in a sympathetic dominant mode of behavior often run around too much for their own good, or they worry and fret much more than needed.  They are expending far more energy than is normal or healthful.

The energy expenditure may be more mental than physical.  One may worry about things that Òmight happenÓ, rather than be realistic about their life.  They may worry that the world will end, for example, rather than relax and enjoy the world that we have.

                  Other symptoms include a kind of nervous energy.  One may feel one has Òants in their pantsÓ.

Another symptom is fatigue upon slowing down.  The reason for this is that the body is often in a Òsecond windÓ mode of living much of the time.  If they relax, they often feel like going to sleep.  This is disturbing for them, so they get up and go again, putting themselves back in a sympathetic nervous mode.

Another symptom is an inability to relax.  They are less able than some others to just sit and do nothing but relax and smell the flowers.  They may feel the need to be Òon the goÓ much of the time.  They may have been taught that to sit around is a Òwaste of timeÓ.  They may also believe they must Òbe productiveÓ at all times, or they are called lazy.

Another symptom is a very active mind.  Sympathetic dominant individuals generally have a very active mind to begin with, which gets overactive easily.  This can make relaxing, sleeping or just sitting even more difficult.

Another symptom is willfulness.  This is a strong self-will.  This, of course, is a good thing if it is used wisely.  However, the best use of the will for the sympathetic dominant type of person is to will oneself to slow down, relax and perhaps meditate, since that can undo the pattern better than anything else.  The use of the will for other purposes, such as planning, moving the body, thinking too much and so forth, tends to make the pattern worse and keep it going long after the toxic metals that may contribute to it are gone.

 

CAUSES FOR SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE

 

                  Causes for this pattern can come from the spiritual, mental or physical realm. 

 

1. Spiritual causes of sympathetic dominance.  Sympathetic dominant individuals are usually quite spiritually oriented or advanced, compared to the mass of the people.  One wants to Òmove onÓ, so to speak, but does not know how to do this without burning out the nervous system in a fight-or-flight reaction.

This is where meditation of the proper kind can be essential and powerful.  It is a productive way to use the will and other mental faculties without burning oneself out.

The same will that gets one into trouble with this mineral pattern can thus be used in a powerful, healing, creative manner.  For more information about this, read the article entitled Meditation.  Beware of using just any meditation, as many will not have the same effect as the one we recommend.  Another article to read on this topic is Spiritual Development. 

 

2. Mental/emotional causes of sympathetic dominance.   This has the most to do with oneÕs upbringing.  Many people are taught not be lazy, to be productive, to not waste time, and so forth.  This can become exaggerated into sympathetic dominance.  It is a type of compulsiveness, we might say.

Another emotional cause may be excessive emotions that are fearful, negative or harmful in some way.  For example, fear of poverty, fear of the unknown, fear of self, even, can drive many people to achieve highly or just to keep moving all the time.

 

Fear. The sympathetic nervous system is the fight-or-flight system.  It is the bodyÕs response to fear.  Anything that creates fear, whether it be listening to the news, watching a horror movie or war movie, being in the company of harmful friends or family, or a thousand other situations, any of these can contribute to sympathetic dominance symptoms.

 

3. Biochemical or nutritional causes of sympathetic dominance.  This often lies with toxic metals or even toxic chemicals in the body.  The metals or chemicals may accumulate because fatigue causes the accumulation of certain toxins to help keep one going. 

Also, fatigue also depletes vital nutrients such as zinc, chromium, selenium and others.  These vital minerals and some vitamins as well are then often replaced by toxic metals such as cadmium, copper and others.

The toxic metals can actually provide the body with irritation or stimulation to assist one to keep on going.  The metals or other substances may irritate the adrenal glands or other organs or glands.  This can maintain the sodium level, which sustains hormone production that is needed for physical or even mental activity.  As this process continues for years, the toxic substances accumulate more and more.

 

The Three Amigos.  A special case of these toxic metals are aluminum, iron and manganese.  We call these the three amigos because they are often found together, although they often are not all revealed on the same hair mineral analysis.

These definitely can irritate the adrenal glands and contribute at times to sympathetic dominance on a hair mineral test.  If one follows a nutritional balancing program, however, they will slowly be eliminated from the body.  As that happens, a person often calms down, worries less, relaxes more and the sympathetic dominance pattern disappears.  You may read more about them in the article The Three Amigos.

Many other toxic and physiological minerals can also contribute to the pattern.

 

4. Physical causes of sympathetic dominance.  An interesting cause of this pattern is tension in the body.  This may take the form of muscle tension or spinal misalignments that are handled well by well-trained chiropractors. 

It might also take the form of tight fascia that is addressed by Rolfing or Structural Integration, tight ligaments, bad posture or other structural or physical imbalances.

This is a strictly physical situation for the most part.  This also means that anyone with sympathetic dominance should consider physical therapies such as chiropractic and structural integration as part of an overall healing program.

 

SOLUTIONS

 

                  The nutritional balancing programs we recommend are geared to correct sympathetic dominance in at least ten different ways, which I will elaborate here:

 

á           We give fewer stimulating supplements such as adrenal or thyroid support or B-complex vitamins, or even vitamin C or E.

á           We give more parasympathetic-oriented supplements.  These may include but not necessarily include calcium, magnesium, zinc, pantothenic acid, ox bile, pancreatin, thymus or other glandulars that are relaxing, and other supplements such as valerian root, for example.

á           We recommend a lot more rest and sleep.

á           We recommend slowing down your thinking, moving, eating, and all other activities.

á           Other lifestyle recommendations include going to bed earlier, starting the day slowly, taking slow walks during the day and deep breathing on a regular basis.

á           Dietary suggestions always include eliminating stimulants such as caffeine and sugar, in particular.  Other suggestions are to eat a little more fats and oils than we would other wise recommend.  This helps relax the nervous system and aids digestion, if done correctly.

á           We recommend a particular meditation exercise, the Observation-Meditation Exercise.  This will slowly undo the emotional reasons and others, too, for this pattern.

á           We can recommend other healing procedures, from foot reflexology to saunas to enemas and more.  These are specifically helpful for this mineral and personality pattern.

á           We can target the toxic metals that are revealed on the hair analysis for removal.  This is done in about six or seven ways simultaneously.  An article about this is on this website, The Danger of Toxic Metals.

á           Balancing the oxidation rate as we do also helps eliminate toxic metals and restore the nervous system to optimal functioning.

á           We may give specific nutrients to rebuild the brain and nervous system.  This, however, is never quite as important as the basic lifestyle changes mentioned above.  Also, the meditation practice is very critical for many people to totally overcome this stress-related condition.

á           As mentioned in the previous section, also consider a program of regular chiropractic manipulation and rolfing or structural therapies as well.

 

HAIR WASHING PROCEDURE VITAL FOR IDENTIFYING SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE

 

It is critical that the hair not be washed at the laboratory for accurate readings of sodium and potassium, in particular.  For this reason, sympathetic dominance will not be identified as accurately if the hair analysis was performed at a lab that washes the hair at the lab. 

Only two laboratories I am aware of do not wash the hair at the laboratory.  These are Analytical Research Laboratories in Phoenix, Arizona, the one I most recommend, and Trace Elements, Inc. in Addison, Texas.

I do not recommend using a hair tissue mineral testing laboratory that washes the hair in any manner.  In my experience, the problems associated with hair samples that are contaminated with dust or other items is much less than the problem of skewed readings due to the chemicals used to wash the hair.

 

 

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