THE FOUR LOW ELECTROLYTES PATTERN

By Lawrence Wilson, MD

© Revised, August 2008, The Center For Development

An interesting pattern on a hair analysis is called four low electrolytes. The pattern is indicated when the hair levels are the following:

1. Calcium less than about 40 mg% or 400 ppm.

2. Magnesium less than about 6 mg% or 60 ppm.

3. Sodium less than about 25 mg% or 250 ppm.

4. Potassium less than about 10 mg% or 100 ppm.

Thirty years ago, when I began using hair mineral analysis, four-lows was a relatively rare pattern seen mainly in hard-driving business executives. Now it shows up in housewives and increasingly even in children.

KEYS TO THIS PATTERN

1. All four of the numbers must be in the ranges shown above. If even one is even several mg outside this range, then we do not consider it a four lows pattern and this article does not apply. However, see #2 below for exceptions to this principle.

2. The parameters above are not absolute. They are usually correct. However, one could be a four lows if the numbers are very close, but not exact.

For example, we often see hair analyses where one of the numbers is slightly higher than this pattern. If you suspect that it is a four lows pattern, you may need to handle the person as if it were so in such as case.

3. For accurate assessment, the hair sample must not be washed at the laboratory. Only two labs do not wash the hair at the lab, Analytical Research Labs in Phoenix, AZ, USA and Trace Elements, Inc. in Texas, US.

If the hair is washed, I do not think this pattern can be accurately discerned. This is unfortunate, because four lows is one of the most critical patterns to identify in a hair mineral analysis, in our experience.

4. This pattern on the first hair test only is the subject of this article. If you have received a retest mineral analysis with this pattern, the information in this article does not apply, except perhaps very marginally. This is critical, of course, because on a first hair analysis the pattern indicates a fairly severe adrenal exhaustion pattern.

On a retest, this is not true at all. On a retest, it is usually just a temporary state that is a transition on the way to healing the body.

5. Rarely, and mostly in children, this pattern on a first hair test may not be due to adrenal exhaustion, as much as it is due to malnutrition. This may be due to parasitic infection in the intestines or to some other cause. To reiterate, however, this is rare and only seen so far in a few cases, so far, in children.

WHAT DOES THE FOUR LOWS PATTERN MEAN?

1. A lifestyle pattern. Most cases of four lows on a first hair analysis are what we call a lifestyle pattern. That is, the pattern is related often as much to one’s lifestyle as it is to a biochemical imbalance in the body. This is also why it may take a little longer to correct in many people who are not willing or easily able to change their lifestyle.

While improving the attitudes and lifestyle are important for all healing, they are most important for this pattern on a first hair analysis. Recall that the pattern on a retest is not important.

2. Autonomic nervous system imbalance. This pattern represents an important imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. It is an extreme sympathetic dominance pattern. This means the autonomic nervous system is involved and is not regulating itself properly.

An analogy we use for people in this pattern is like an automobile stuck in the mud or ice with the wheels spinning and getting nowhere fast.

3. This is a transition pattern from fast to slow oxidation in most cases. This means that the person was formerly in fast oxidation and the body cannot sustain the fast oxidation. As a result, the sodium and potassium levels have fallen. However, the person is not yet in full slow oxidation with elevated calcium and magnesium levels. This is the meaning of a transition pattern, as with four highs, sympathetic dominance and other transition patterns.

4. A possible H-P-A Axis Disconnect. The four lows pattern can represent a type of imbalance that affects what is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or H-P-A axis.

This is nothing more than an imbalance that upsets the normal feedback mechanisms that control the adrenal and thyroid glandular activity through the sympathetic nervous system. However it is an interesting theoretical consideration that is probably related to excessive copper, mercury or perhaps other toxins that affect these glands and tissues of the body.

4. Dr. Paul Eck, a pioneer of mineral analysis, found that people with four-lows often do not respond well to standard nutritional balancing programs. They do not get well as fast, and often they have consulted many doctors and nutritionists with poor results. Figuring out the meaning of four-lows and how to help these individuals took a lot of effort and was a tremendous breakthrough for him that took 11 years or more of research.

5. A calcium and,, perhaps, a vitamin D imbalance. This pattern has to do with advanced calcium dysregulation. It may also involve a severe vitamin D deficiency, also impacting calcium metabolism in the body.

6. Clinically, we always address this pattern first on a hair mineral analysis. Only when the person is out of the four lows pattern, do we address most other imbalances on the test. This is not a totally fixed rule, but seems to be the best approach in most all cases. This means we do not address toxic metals, nutrient deficiencies and many other factors until after the four lows pattern is addressed and corrected.

An analogy, again, is to first get the car out of the ditch where it is stuck before trying to fix other problems with it. One reason is that trying to fix the body while it is “spinning its wheels” just does not work well.

PHYSIOLOGY OF FOUR LOWS ON A FIRST MINERAL ANALYSIS

Two high and two low electrolytes most common on hair analyses. Normally, on a hair mineral analysis one may see elevated sodium and potassium levels with low calcium and magnesium levels. This tends to correspond to an alarm stage of stress.

One also may see the reverse - elevated calcium and magnesium levels with low sodium and potassium levels. This is generally an exhaustion stage of stress.

Thus we find that calcium and magnesium levels tend to move opposite of the sodium and potassium levels. The reason for this is that sodium and potassium tend to solubilize calcium and magnesium, lowering the levels in the tissues. When less sodium and potassium are present, calcium and magnesium rise.

Four lows is the exception. However, in the case of four lows on a first tissue mineral analysis, we do not see two high and two low electrolytes. Sodium and potassium levels are decreased, indicating a state of adrenal exhaustion. However, calcium and magnesium are low, indicating an alarm reaction. So this pattern represents a combination of the stages of stress to some degree.

An ineffective alarm stage of stress. In fact, one is exhausted, but remains in an alarm stage of stress. This is largely due to mental and emotional tendencies associated with four lows, although toxic metals and other chemical imbalances may also play a role.

It is a type of ineffective alarm stage of stress in that the adrenal and thyroid glands do not respond as they normally should.

The tendency of the person is to move into more of an alarm stage of stress - to push oneself harder, in order to force the adrenals and thyroid to respond. However, in the case of a first test in four lows, this does not work and one only becomes more exhausted.

Why standard nutrition and medical approaches don’t work with a first-test four lows pattern. Standard nutrition programs and medical interventions often do not work well because most seek to increase the person’s energy by enhancing the oxidation rate - increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This is precisely what these people cannot do.

SPINNING ONE’S WHEELS IN A DITCH

The analogy of a car with its wheels stuck in the ice, spinning its wheels is very appropriate. The motor is running fast - an alarm stage reaction - but the car is stuck and goes nowhere. One tries to gun the engine to get out of the rut, yet one cannot. The engine begins to wear out from continuous stress.

SYMPTOMS OF FOUR LOW ELECTROLYTES ON A FIRST TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS

Four low electrolytes always coexists with other imbalanced ratios and levels which can in turn give rise to many symptoms and conditions. Metal toxicity is a common result of the four lows pattern. For example, as calcium stores are depleted, lead or cadmium replace it in enzyme binding sites. This only cements the pattern and makes it worse.

Fatigue: The most common symptom of four low electrolytes is exhaustion. However, those who have not been in a four lows pattern for too long may not be in touch with their fatigue. They may continue to push themselves and use stimulants, activities, worry or other mental habits to drive themselves.

Allergies: Other common symptoms include allergies from exhausted adrenal glands with no adrenal reserves. If one remains in the pattern for several years, degenerative disease and cancer in particular may develop.

Anxiety, insomnia and/or muscle tightness: Other common symptoms of four lows on a first tissue mineral analysis include muscle tightness and muscle cramps. Others are anxiety, difficulty relaxing and sleep difficulties. All of these symptoms can and often do arise from low levels of tissue calcium and magnesium.

Forcing yourself to face yourself. Four lows pattern on the first test, or even on a retest, is a situation in which a person is forced to face himself more than in other patterns. For example, in other patterns there is more denial or blocking of awareness than in many cases of four lows. Thus, four lows can be a type of spiritual pattern, though it is one in which a person is usually running away from himself in some manner.

Lead Toxicity: Other common symptoms include a tendency for lead toxicity because lead will replace calcium as calcium becomes more deficient. The elevated lead will not be revealed on the first several hair mineral analyses due to inability to mobilize lead from tissue storage. Only later, as the body’s energy improves with therapy will the lead often be revealed. Toxicity with other metals such as copper is also very common.

Digestion: Individuals with four-lows often have food allergies, usually including wheat, dairy and at times gluten. They are also usually deficient in hydrochloric acid, which is associated with low levels of sodium and potassium.

Also, their sympathetic dominant personality tends to turns off digestive secretions and reduces the ability to digest food. Thus attention to diet and digestion is important. It is also one reason that pancreatin and perhaps hydrochloric acid are important supplements for them.

To assist digestion, excellent eating habits are important. These include quiet, regular, sit-down meals, thorough chewing and eating slowly. Others are avoiding overeating and complicated food combinations, and resting 15 minutes after eating before resuming activities.

Hidden copper toxicity. Most people with four lows have hidden copper toxicity. This may be apparent due to a low Na/K ratio, an indicator for hidden copper toxicity. However, even if the Na/K ratio is normal or elevated, hidden copper toxicity is usually present.

Sympathetic dominance tendency. This is the tendency to push oneself and to be hard on oneself, often to compensate for something one perceives to be lacking in oneself.

In a few cases, possible parasitic infection or other important infection. This is recent research that may help explain a few cases of four lows, though probably not many of them. In these cases, the person should deal with the infection first before beginning a nutritional balancing program, if at all possible. This would greatly speed up their progress.

One indicator of a parasitic infection is an emaciated look with a tendency for diarrhea, malnutrition or other parasitic symptoms such as itching in the anus or stomach problems such as bloating, gas and others.

THE FOUR-LOWS PERSONALITY

There is a definite personality tendency associated with the four-low-electrolyte pattern when it appears on a first mineral analysis.

People with the four-lows pattern are often rater intense, driven and often self-critical and/or critical of others. Often the adults work very hard and do not know how to relax. They enjoy the intense drama of life, although they may not admit it.

It is as though they enjoy the sound of the spinning of the car tires. They are unaware of their personality pattern and how it affects them and others around them.

Many are frustrated and even cynical. They have all given up at some level, perhaps because they have sought help without result. They are usually fast oxidizer personalities or stress seekers, whether or not they are aware of it.

However, they are tired and unable to maintain this lifestyle and keep up their health. They often have negative attitudes about life, and most have a definite death wish. They are not happy people, as a general rule.

The catch with four lows on a first hair analysis. An excess of a toxic metal such as mercury, copper or cadmium may contribute to this personality tendency. The catch is the four-lows pattern must be improved first, before focusing on the metal toxicity. Otherwise, the wheel-spinning activity uses up so much energy that it is difficult to eliminate toxic metals. This is one reason the pattern can be difficult to change.

Addressing the personality issue is very important to correct a four-lows pattern when it appears on a first mineral test. One who becomes aware of the personality pattern and makes lifestyle and attitudinal changes will respond much faster.

SABOTAGING THE PROGRAM

Most people with four low electrolytes on the first tissue mineral analysis are actually running away from life with their activities, worries, etc. For these people, slowing down is indeed frightening and perhaps painful as old memories and traumas may surface.

One needs large doses of self-love and compassion for oneself. These can help one face whatever comes up and realize that one can get through it and it is best to let go of old traumas rather than keep them bottled up inside.

Some people with four low electrolytes believe their condition is just getting worse if they slow down, and may consciously or unconsciously fight the program. However, this just slows progress.

Perhaps you know people who believe the only way to get a car out of the ice is to spin the wheels fast. Any other approach feels like giving up. Understanding the pattern thoroughly is helpful so that one realizes that slowing down is needed, even if one is unsure what that entails.

If one does not understand this, one is likely to sabotage the program when the feeling of fatigue and relaxation occurs. One may begin using stimulants like caffeine or taking high-dose B complex vitamins "just to get a boost". This can seem harmless enough, but it is not. I attempt to explain that these may be okay once one is out of the pattern, but until then it only slows down progress.

It is as though, if the car is stuck in the ice, one tells the driver to slow down the wheels, so that one can place a piece of wood or other material under the wheels to improve traction. Just as you are placing the wood, the driver decides to step on the gas again.

A case history of four lows. Years ago, a lawyer consulted me who had the four-lows pattern on his first hair mineral analysis. He began a nutritional correction program and he felt better within a month.

However, instead of listening to the advice about slowing down, this client took on more work, and in fact proudly reported he could now work seven days a week. One day he called, concerned because he felt dependent on the supplements.

I again explained the personality connection. However, he refused to slow down. I realized I was unable to do more for him as long as he stubbornly maintained his breakneck, compulsive lifestyle. I consider this case a failure on my part because I could not educate the client sufficiently for him to change his lifestyle. However, this article had not been written – maybe it will help others like him, of which there are many today.

FOUR LOWS ON A RETEST HAIR ANALYSIS

When the four lows pattern appears only on a retest but not on the first test, it is generally not as severe an indicator as if it occurred on the first test.

The reason for the pattern appearing only on a retest may be that the body is utilizing calcium and magnesium within, so that the hair levels temporarily appear low.

A person who simply dips into the four lows pattern on a retest will usually come out of the pattern within six months, although in some cases it takes much longer, even with the proper four-lows nutritional program.

Now let us discuss the correction, which is the same regardless of whether the pattern appears on the first chart or on a retest only.

CORRECTION OF A FOUR LOWS PATTERN

Principles of correction.

1. When the sodium and potassium levels are low, normally one would increase the levels of these minerals by boosting adrenal activity. Most people in four lows on a first test are tired, so the obvious principle would be to give them foods, herbs and supplemental nutrients to support their glandular activity.

However, when sodium and potassium increase, calcium and magnesium levels tend to decrease. In these people, calcium and magnesium are already low. The body does not permit further decreases, as this could be harmful.

For this reason, programs designed to boost thyroid and adrenal glandular activity, or other ways to increase energy production usually do not work. The person may feel better for a time, and then crashes or just does not respond well ever.

2. The proper approach, in our experience. The correction of four-lows depends on suppressing or turning off the sympathetic nervous system enough so that the adrenal and thyroid glands can rest and rebuild. This is analogous to slowing the wheels of a car that are spinning out of control.

3. Lifestyle alone will do it if the patient can follow orders. Resting a lot more, sleeping more, slowing down one’s life and adopting a positive, relaxed attitude could alone take a person out of the four lows pattern. No nutrition program at all might be needed.

4. Precise nutritional correction, however, is most helpful in most cases. Most of the time lifestyle changes are not enough, in our experience. Otherwise, the pattern tends to persist and can be quite intractable. Dr. Paul Eck cleverly figured out how to support the nervous system nutritionally, as follows:

Supplement outline. The supplement program consists of high doses of only a few supplements, usually calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper if the Na/K ratio is less than about 2.5:1, a digestive aid such as GB-3 and L-taurine.

In rare cases, adding inositol, choline and methionine may also be helpful as these are also sedative nutrients. We also add Renamide, a kidney formula, if the toxic metals levels are elevated.

Other doctors add pituitary glandular for the HPA axis, and perhaps phosphatidyl serine, a nutrient for the brain. We do not use these latter two.

We are thinking of adding a lot of vitamin D, as this may help with calcium metabolism, and we are researching this at this time. Specific doses for adults are given below. For children, one must modify the dosages according to weight and age, primarily. The general supplement program for adults is:

1. Calcium - 1800-2400 mg of elemental calcium in 3 divided doses. Excellent forms of calcium include calcium lactate, chelate or citrate.

2. Magnesium - 1000-1400 mg of elemental magnesium daily in divided doses with meals. Good forms are the citrate, chelate, lactate or glycinate.

3. Zinc - 40 to 140 mg of elemental zinc, depending on the Na/K ratio. If the ratio is greater than 2, give more zinc. If less than 2, give only about 40 mg daily in divided doses. Good forms of zinc are the chelate, picolinate or others.

4. Copper – give only if the Na/k ratio is less than 2.5 in a dose of about 3-4 mg/day of elemental copper in divided doses.

5. GB-3 from Endomet Labs in Phoenix, Arizona – 2 per meal or less if not tolerated well. GB-3 product can cause loose stools at first in some people. In this case, we use another product from Endomet Labs called Enz-aid.

These are animal-based digestive enzymes. This is often less stimulating than the use of enzyme formulas with Betaine Hcl-pepsin or fungal enzymes because ours use ox bile and pancreatin, which are more parasympathetic in their nature than some synthesized products such as Betaine with Hcl and pepsin.

6. L-taurine – 3 grams daily in 3 divided doses.

Optional products we use rarely:

7. Inositol/choline/methionine – about 600-1000 mg daily in 3 divided doses. This product is optional and often we do not include it to keep the number of tablets down or reduce the cost of the program.

8. Vitamin D – 2000 iu or more daily.

9. Fish oil or other source of omega-3 fatty acids, three capsules daily. This is added to everyone’s program as everyone can use these. However, they may be especially important with four low electrolytes as they may help the person calm down and relax more.

Important notes about this program:

1. Do not add other supplements! Dr. Eck found that a smaller, simple program is best until the pattern shifts. Too many supplements can activate the sympathetic nervous system and be counterproductive.

Avoiding most all other supplements is vitally important, especially avoiding any that boost or speed up adrenal or thyroid glandular activity. Common ones are B-complex, high-dose vitamin C or E, adrenal or thyroid glandular and stimulating herbs like ginseng, licorice extract, guarana, algae and others. Also one should avoid caffeine in all forms, sugars and chemicals in the diet.

2. The dosages of calcium and magnesium, in particular, seem very high, but are most often very well-tolerated in these individuals. For example, the computer at Analytical Research Labs may recommend less for general safety. However, the high doses are needed in most cases for a short time.

In general, the lower the electrolyte numbers on the hair analysis, the more calcium, magnesium and zinc are given.

3. The correction is not for a prolonged period, but only until the pattern changes. This is why the high doses are fine, in our experience. This is also why we do not address other imbalances while we are addressing a four lows pattern.

4. Lifestyle. Equally important are lifestyle factors to help rest the adrenals. These include more sleep, slowing one's pace of life, relaxation, slow walking, meditation and deep breathing.

5. Other relaxing therapies that may help inhibit excessive sympathetic or fight-or-flight nervous system activity include saunas, massage, meditation, tai chi, and other practices. This too can help rest the adrenal glands.

Everyone with four low electrolytes is what we call sympathetic dominant, which means they overuse their sympathetic nervous system. All the therapeutic methods listed are to inhibit the sympathetic system.

6. Emotional correction. Equally important is to reduce worry, fear, compulsiveness, anger, cynicism and other emotional factors that tend to drive and stimulate the sympathetic system.

7. Adverse effects of four lows programs. At times, high doses to calcium, magnesium and zinc can make the four-lows individual more tired for a while. It is wise to warn the patient of this possibility.

If the fatigue is very annoying, the dosages may be reduced slightly. For example, instead of 3 or 4 calcium/magnesium tablets three times daily, give less in the morning when one needs some energy and make up for it by giving more in the evening with supper, when one is going to bed soon and doesn’t care about the fatigue.

Also, everyone is somewhat different in their sensitivity to all supplements, so doses have to be adjusted at times. Just recall the principles and you won’t go far wrong.

Rarely, someone gets diarrhea from all the magnesium. In this case, reduce the magnesium component of the program. This is surprisingly rare, however, indicating that these individuals must require enormous amounts of magnesium when in this metabolic condition.

This may be a great key to its correction and the reason some people love magnesium therapies such as magnesium oil, which we could use instead of oral magnesium.

HOW LONG TO COME OUT OF FOUR LOWS?

Since many factors can contribute to the four lows pattern, the time required to come out of the pattern varies widely.

In some people, four-lows is very temporary. It may show up on one test, and then disappear on the next. In other cases, a year or several years are required to come out of the pattern. A few people never emerge from the pattern only because they have difficulty slowing down.

CHILDREN WITH FOUR-LOWS

Here are three possible causes for four-lows on the first mineral analysis of a young child:

· A parent has the four-lows pattern and the child picks up the personality tendency from a stressed parent. Usually the parent is demanding of the child, and the child responds with the four-lows type of stress response.

· Some children today are born so nutritionally depleted or toxic, or with a tendency for the four lows personality pattern that they are predisposed to develop the pattern at a young age. It is seen in some children who have been diagnosed autistic or ADHD.

· Four-lows in a child may be part of a malabsorption syndrome, usually involving a gluten, casein or other severe food allergies. One could also look for signs of parasites in the stool and clinical signs as well such as weight loss, poor appetite, itching and others.

Fortunately, children's personalities are less set and thus correction often occurs faster than in adults. The same principles of correction apply: to reduce stress of every kind, rest more, and give only a small supplement program. Give the same basic products - calcium, magnesium, zinc, taurine, and possibly copper if the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5.

Giving a digestive aid would be nice. However, most taste and smell awful. They are more difficult to crush or grind and disguise in foods the child loves to eat.

THREE LOWS – BORDERLINE CASES

Borderline cases are those with at least three low electrolytes and a fourth that is near to low. At times, four-low-electrolyte tendencies occur in people with only three low electrolyte levels. It is important to look for four-lows tendencies in these borderline cases and handle them appropriately.

FOUR-LOWS REVIEW

· This important pattern is critical to address only if it appears on the first tissue mineral test. If it only appears on a retest, it is usually easier to handle without a special four lows program. Thus, the following apply ONLY if the pattern appears on the first hair mineral analysis.

· The hair must not be washed at the laboratory for accurate identification of the four lows pattern.

· Correction requires keeping the supplement program very simple, especially avoiding supplements that speed up the metabolic rate.

· Dietary changes, lifestyle changes and elimination of allergic foods are also most helpful.

· Also discuss with the patient’s tendencies for compulsiveness and criticalness, and the need to change these traits.

· Many techniques and methods that promote relaxation and rest can help.

· Finally, repeated tissue mineral testing is important to monitor progress in order to keep the supplement program appropriate.

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