by Lawrence Wilson, MD

LAYERS OF DEFENSES -

YANG TO YIN

This short article is simply a way to view the oxidation types and rates in another context. They can be viewed as layers or adaptations or defense layers to help the body survive under stress. This is similar to concept of the stages of stress, except that in this article I will explain things in terms of yang to yin instead of stages of stress.

FAST OXIDATION, THE MOST YANG DEFENSE

Yang in Chinese medicine means active, fighting, hot, irritable, angry and usually more masculine. This is an apt description of fast oxidation. Young babies and children are most often in this stage of defense against stress. Their bodies are generally warmer, they are very active and they are geared up to fight or run much of the time. Those who are too active are labeled with attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, in fact. In most cases, this is nothing more than an exaggerated yang response to stress and to their internal and external environments.

FAST OXIDATION WITH A LOW SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO, SOMEWHAT LESS YANG

The next response of the body is to move into what we call fast oxidation with a low sodium/potassium ratio. It is also called a tired fast oxidizer. It is still quite yang, but less so than the previous defense against stress. It usually begins to occur when a child is between the ages of 1 and 8, though this is very approximate. Many babies are born or move into the state soon after birth today, although this is not ideal.

MILD SLOW OXIDATION, A MORE YIN DEFENSE

The next layer of defense against stress occurs when the body moves into what we call slow oxidation. The thyroid and adrenal glands are much less active, and this is considered a far more yin condition of the body. Yin, in Chinese medical texts, refers to a condition that is more passive, colder, more relaxed, more feminine, more expanded and often more ill.

Most people of all ages, particularly adults, are in this stage of defense against stress when they begin a nutritional balancing program. Our goal is to slowly move them into a more yang and healthier layer or stage of defending themselves against stress of all types.

SLOW OXIDATION WITH A LOW SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO, A MORE YIN DEFENSE LAYER

This is an even later layer of defense or stage of stress in which the body is much more yin than the others. It is weaker, less able to cope and respond well, and often in a holding pattern to prevent death. It is also very common among adults today.

We determine how sluggish the oxidation rate is by a combination of two ratios on a hair mineral analysis, the Ca/K ratio and the Na/Mg ratio. Others use different means, so do not confuse them, please. We don’t like the other determinations, which involve either one ratio on a hair test, blood tests, questionnaires or other means.

OTHER INTERESTING LAYERS OF DEFENSES SUCH AS A CALCIUM SHELL, A FOUR LOWS PATTERN, A FOUR HIGHS PATTERN, AND A STEP UP PATTERN.

Hair mineral testing can reveal other ways the body defends itself against stress. The patterns above are mainly combinations of the layers described earlier. There is actually an infinite variety of patterns, since they can blend with each other, add to each other, and be of varying intensity or severity. In all cases, the body is doing its best to cope with stress in its environment with all the resources it has available, biochemically and nutritionally speaking. The goal of nutritional balancing science is always to resolve these complex patterns and restore a more yang and healthful response to stress.

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