THE CALCIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO

by Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is solely the opinion of the author and for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

The calcium/potassium ratio is one of the very important ratios on a hair mineral analysis. Hair must not be washed at the laboratory at all for accurate mineral readings.

Dr. Eck called this ratio the thyroid ratio. He used it to help determine the oxidation rate.

Thyroid glandular activity lowers calcium in the body. This is well known in medicine. Potassium sensitizes the tissues to thyroid hormone.

Dr. Eck set the ideal calcium/potassium ratio at 4:1, which we still use.

A ratio greater than 4:1 indicates a reduced thyroid effect and is part of the criteria for slow oxidation. A ratio less than 4:1 is an indicator for excessive thyroid effect and is part of the criteria for fast oxidation.

THYROID EFFECT - DIFFERENT THAN SERUM THYROID HORMONE LEVELS

The calcium/potassium ratio on a hair mineral test does not give the same information as blood tests for thyroid hormones, TSH, reverse T3 or anti-thyroid antibodies.

The reason is the hair analysis is a cellular test. It measures the endpoint effect of the thyroid hormones at the level of the cells.

For example, some people have adequate or even somewhat elevated thyroid hormone levels in the blood. However, the effect of the hormones is low because the hormones have difficulty entering the cells.

This is quite common, in fact. One reason for this is the cell walls may have reduced permeability. This prevents the hormones from entering the cells properly. This can be due to a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, a buildup of calcium in the tissues, or other nutritional problems.

The opposite situation can occur, as well. A blood test may reveal low thyroid hormones. However, the effect of the hormones is excessive due to increased permeability of the cell membranes. This occurs in fast oxidizers and is quite a dangerous situation. The reason is that doctors usually prescribe thyroid hormones in these cases. However, more hormones are not what is needed and giving more hormones can lead to fatal cancers.

THE OXIDATION RATE

Dr. Eck also used the calcium/potassium ratio as one of the two ratios involved in determining the oxidation rate. This is a very important determination in development science. For details, read Fast, Slow And Mixed Oxidation.

The term oxidation rate was coined by Dr. George Watson, PhD. He used odor tests and small variations in the pH of the blood serum to assess the oxidation rate.

Dr. Eck pioneered the use of the hair mineral test to determine Dr. Watson’s oxidation rate. This is the method we use at this time. Neither Dr. Eck nor we have been able to use blood, urine or other standard medical tests to determine the oxidation rate.

Some practitioners use the hair calcium/phosphorus ratio to determine the oxidation rate. We do not find this accurate enough.

A few practitioners use blood tests, questionnaires, applied kinesiology or other methods to assess the oxidation rate. We do not find these accurate enough.

An unusual method of assessing the oxidation rate is to use indicators in a person’s energy field. However, most people cannot see the energy field, so this method is not practical today.

The basal metabolic rate. The oxidation rate is completely different from the basal or resting metabolic rate, as measured by some physicians and by some fitness and weight loss professionals. The metabolic rate is dependent upon one’s height, weight and age and is the number of calories required to carry out all body functions in a resting state.

ARTIFACTS THAT CAN SKEW THE CALCIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO

- Kidney stress pattern. This is a rise in the sodium and often the potassium level on a retest hair analysis. The increase in potassium can be mild or extreme.

This is due to the elimination of a toxic metal or chemical through the kidneys. This affects kidney activity in such a way that there is a temporary rise in the hair sodium and/or the potassium readings.

- An elimination of toxic potassium. This causes a temporary rise in the potassium level. For details, read Toxic Potassium.

- Bathing in water that has been run through a water softener that has potassium in it. This will cause a much higher (and false) hair potassium level.

To be continued . . .

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