THE
OXIDATION TYPES – FAST, SLOW AND MIXED
by Lawrence Wilson, MD
© February 2013,
The Center For Development
Introduction To
Metabolic Typing. Metabolic typing is a very central
concept in nutritional balancing science.
However, metabolic typing is not familiar to most people because modern
allopathic medicine does not focus on it.
Many ancient healing systems embraced it, however.
The idea behind of metabolic typing is that often people display symptoms, illnesses, and hundreds of body traits in specific groupings or patterns. By identifying the pattern or metabolic types, one can immediately know a lot about a person, in most cases. Astute physicians have observed this for centuries. Here are some well-known examples of metabolic typing:
Hippocrates
four types:
1. Choleric, or irritable.
2. Sanguine, or content.
3. Phlegmatic, or sluggish.
4. Melancholic, or depressed.
The
Taoist idea of yin and yang:
1. Yang is warm or hot, more constricted at times, more reddish in color, more masculine, more active, and, at time, high-strung or irritable.
2. Yin is colder, more expanded, more feminine and often depressed and sluggish.
In terms of modern biochemistry and nutritional balancing science, here are some of the correlations with yin and yang:
á
Fast
oxidation (more yang) and slow oxidation (more yin).
á
Sodium
(more yang) and potassium (more yin).
á
Zinc (more
yang) and copper (more yin).
á
Calcium
(more yang) and magnesium (more yin).
á
High Na/K
(more yang) and low Na/K (more yin).
á Sauna therapy and coffee enemas (more yang) and distilled water (more yin).
á Warm, cooked meats and cooked vegetables (more yang) and raw food, fruit, sugar, alcohol and most drugs (more yin).
For much more about the relationship between nutritional balancing science and yin and yang, read Yin And Yang Healing. For more on acupuncture, read Acupuncture on this website.
The Ayurvedic or ancient Indian qualities of bodies:
á Vatta. This means air, ether or perhaps mind and emotions. This is the source of the other two imbalances. Western science is just beginning to appreciate the power of the mind and emotions on health.
á Pitta. This means fiery energy, will and a more yang approach to life. This correlates perfectly with fast oxidation in nutritional balancing science. However, pitta and the others are qualities of bodies, not metabolic types.
á Kapha. This means earth or watery energy. It corresponds more to slow oxidation in nutritional balancing. However, once again, kapha is a quality, not a metabolic type.
The
three qualities of nature (called gunas in Sanskrit) also from Ayurveda:
á Sattva or balance is associated with balanced and flexible oxidation.
á Rajas or hot or burning is more yang and more associated with an alarm stage of stress and fast oxidation.
á Tamas or passive is more yin and most associated with an exhaustion stage of stress and slow oxidation.
Another well-known system of metabolic typing is the Chinese 5-element theory. This does not correlate as well with nutritional balancing science, at least not obviously so.
Other typing systems include using oneÕs blood type, oneÕs genetics, and Dr. SheldonÕs system based on body shape and other qualities. I have also seen metabolic typing done by glandular type, such as an adrenal type and a thyroid type.
One can also classify people by which chakra is most active. This is a sophisticated and complex system, but a good one. All of these systems have value because human beings are very complex systems and any method that helps to simplify the complexity can be helpful in certain cases.
THE OXIDATION TYPES AND STAGES OF STRESS
This article focuses on a very modern biochemical classification of bodies. It is somewhat similar to the ancient concepts of yin and yang, but it is determined mathematically, which is a great advantage. As a result, one can easily determine not only the oxidation type, but also the oxidation rate with precision. Older systems that do not use modern biochemical analysis methods cannot be as precise, and can often be vague.
The oxidation types, as I use them, are best understood as homeostatic states of the whole human system. They are ways the human body and animal bodies cope with their environment as best they can.
WARNING: Before proceeding, I wish to clarify that some
physicians determine the oxidation rate using blood tests, questionnaires and
perhaps other means. They may also
suggest different foods and nutrients for the oxidation types. This can be confusing, incorrect and
even dangerous.
Everything written in this
article and others on this website regarding the oxidation rate and oxidation
types pertains to Dr. Paul EckÕs method of assessment of the oxidation types
using hair mineral analysis when the hair has not been washed at the
laboratory. This is the only
method and system of metabolic typing that I trust and use, as it has proven
reliable and consistent in almost all cases.
One cannot use another method of determining the oxidation rate and expect that the information here will apply. Indeed, several of my clients were tested by other methods of oxidation assessment and were found to have very different oxidation types using these methods.
Simplicity, Not
Perfection. The
metabolic typing system referred to in this article appears quite simple. That is its virtue. It is also fairly accurate in most
cases, but certainly not perfect.
All metabolic typing systems suffer from this problem, however, because
the body is basically not a ÓtypeÓ, but rather each person is an individual.
Metabolic typing, however, has
value because it appears to be a whole system behavior of the
body. Whole system behaviors
provide a tremendous amount of information at once, thus simplifying our
assessment procedure and greatly assisting the recommending of diets,
nutritional supplements and other procedures at times.
Also, balancing the oxidation
rate, in our experience, appears to greatly enhance the healing of hundreds of
symptoms at once, both physical and emotional ones. This most likely occurs because balancing the oxidation rate
increases energy production or energy efficiency of the body. It is like pedaling a bicycle at the
right speed, which greatly enhances oneÕs power and endurance.
In the body, it may have to do
with specific requirements of thousands of enzymes that need an optimum
physical and chemical environment in which to function best. If we can provide this, the body simply
functions better with less stress, and, as a result, many symptoms improve
easily without the need for remedies of any kind. This is really quite amazing to see, and is one reason we do
not need remedies in most cases to correct even the most difficult health
conditions. This is the exact
opposite of allopathic medicine in many cases, which depends upon remedies for
various disease entities. In fact,
it is very different from even holistic medicine, naturopathy and homeopathy,
all of which depend upon the use of hundreds or more remedies for healing.
In contrast, the nutritional balancing method is to correct the whole system behaviors, of which the metabolic type is a main one. (Others are the diet, lifestyle, drinking water, several mineral ratios on a hair analysis, and a few simple nutritional deficiencies.) Then the ÔdetailsÕ of the body, or most symptoms, go away on their own without our needing to do anything at all.
A SHORT HISTORY OF
THE OXIDATION TYPES
Dr. George Watson. The term Ôoxidation typesÕ was coined by George Watson, PhD,
a researcher at UCLA. He wrote
about his work in two fascinating small books entitled Nutrition and Your Mind (1972),
and Personality
Strength and Psychochemical Energy (1979). These are out of print but available through used book
outlets including Amazon.com. They
are extremely readable and must reading for anyone interested in the oxidation
types.
Dr. Watson discovered two major
metabolic types, first by using odor tests and later by using blood tests. He found that the blood pH of fast
oxidizers was slightly more acidic than that of slow oxidizers. He also found other differences in
standard blood tests, such as the CO2 levels.
He also found that certain foods
and nutrients benefited each metabolic type. He was able to correct the oxidation rate using diet and
supplementary nutrients. This
simple treatment often caused dramatic improvements in both his clientÕs
physical and emotional symptoms.
This is as far as Dr. Watson went in his research, to the best of my
knowledge. At least, he did not
write other books.
Terminology. I use the term oxidation types and oxidation rate to honor Dr. Watson, even though the terms are not ideal. Some physicians call them fast and slow metabolizers, for example, but this is not much better, in my view. The oxidation types are extremely complex, so there is no simple term that can describe them adequately. The ancient Chinese terms yang and yin are probably best, but these terms are not used much in the West and are confusing as well.
Dr. Paul C. Eck. Dr. Eck was a physician and brilliant researcher and
clinician who lived in Phoenix, Arizona most of his life. He was also my teacher and good friend. Dr. Eck did not write books, and was
primarily a clinician and founder of Analytical Research Laboratories in
Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I wrote
about his work in Nutritional Balancing And Hair Mineral Analysis (1991, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2010). In addition, several sections of the
articles on this website pertain to his work very directly, as he is the
inspiration for this website.
Dr. Eck could always be found
reading quite esoteric medical book, almost endlessly. He also decided to research the then
new technique of hair mineral analysis as his major clinical research tool. The reasons for this are described in
many other articles on this website such as Introduction To Hair Mineral Analysis. Dr. Eck developed the science of hair
mineral analysis interpretation far beyond anyone else I am aware of. This website is dedicated to his work,
and to its expansion since his death in 1996.
Dr. Eck was thrilled to discover
Dr. WatsonÕs oxidation concepts.
It helped him make sense of hair mineral tests and opened the way for a
scientific method of interpretation of this test and much more. Dr. Eck extended Dr. WatsonÕs work by
making a startling correlation between the oxidation types and the stages of
stress, as elucidated by Dr. Hans Selye, MD.
Dr. Hans Selye, MD. A Canadian physician, Dr. Selye is credited with the stress theory of disease, an amazing understanding of health and disease. Dr. Selye wrote The Stress of Life and about 1200 medical articles, as well as technical books such as Calciphylaxis.
His work on stress is monumental, but largely ignored. In part this is because it was very hard to apply clinically. Dr. Eck, however, found that the stage of stress, or at least an aspect of body chemistry related to it, could be assessed easily and rapidly with a hair tissue mineral analysis.
Dr. Selye also coined words we
use commonly today such as homeostasis
and elaborated what he called the General
Adaptation Syndrome. This is
ground-breaking work about how organisms always respond to stress. It involves the sympathetic nervous
system, the role of the adrenal and thyroid glands in the stress response, and
much more.
He theorized that all living
organisms pass through three stages of stress before they die. He called these the alarm,
resistance and exhaustion stages of stress. Dr. Selye further elaborated some of
the biochemistry of each stage of stress.
Dr. Eck was able to see the
intricate connections between Dr. SelyeÕs stages of stress and Dr. WatsonÕs
oxidation types. He was able to
figure out why Dr. Watson was able to help people with simple dietary suggestions
and supplementary nutrients because he was addressing deep stress patterns in
the organism. Dr. Watson was
addressing the individual needs of his patients in terms of their stage of
stress and the condition specifically of the adrenal and thyroid glands and the
hypothalamic-pituitary axis, also called the HPA axis.
CORRELATING STAGES OF
STRESS WITH OXIDATION TYPES
Essentially, fast and slow
oxidation are homeostatic states and ways that the body responds to
stress. The stress may be from
within, such as nutrient deficiencies or fatigue.
Stress may also arise from a
multitude of external sources.
Basically, slow oxidation
correlates with a resistance or exhaustion stage of stress. Fast
oxidation corresponds to an alarm stage of stress. In the ancient Chinese and macrobiotic
typing systems, fast oxidation corresponds to a more yang condition, while slow
oxidation is a more yin condition of the body.
There is also a sub-oxidation
state, so called by Dr. Watson, that most likely corresponds to Dr.
EckÕs four lows hair analysis
pattern, when the hair has not been washed at the laboratory. This is a collapsed or Òspinning the
wheelsÓ state of body chemistry that may be fast or slow oxidation, but has its
own qualities as well. It is
discussed in detail in another article on this website,
Four Lows Pattern.
DEFINITIONS OF THE OXIDATION TYPE AND THE OXIDATION RATE
Fast
oxidation is defined on a properly
performed hair mineral analysis when the calcium/potassium ratio less than
about 4 AND when the sodium/magnesium ratio greater than about 4.17. The lower the calcium/potassium ratio
or the higher the sodium/magnesium ratio, the faster the oxidation rate.
Slow oxidation is defined as a calcium/potassium ratio
greater than about 4 and a sodium/magnesium ratio less than about 4.17. The higher the calcium/potassium ratio
or the lower the sodium/magnesium ratio, the slower the oxidation rate.
Hair washing. The hair must not be washed at the laboratory in order to
make an accurate determination of the oxidation type or stage of stress. This is a vital point, since most hair
mineral laboratories in the United States and most around the world wash the
hair in powerful detergents, alcohol, water or solvents.
Only two laboratories do not
wash the hair, Analytical Research Laboratories that Dr. Eck founded, and Trace
Elements, Inc., (TEI) founded by a student of Dr. EckÕs. I do not recommend using TEI at this
time, as their graphs are hard to read, the programs are not nearly as good,
and in fact are horribly incorrect.
For more on this subject, read Hair Analysis
Interpretation Methods And Laboratories on this website.
FACTORS THAT CAN SKEW
THE READINGS
Hair tissue mineral tests can
unfortunately be affected by many factors. These are important in some cases, though not that important
in most cases. These factors
include the presence of excessive toxic metals, nutritional deficiencies,
infections, illnesses or stress from any source. Emotional and lifestyle factors such as lack of rest and
sleep, stimulant use and the use of prescription or over-the-counter
medications.
Importance of
Lifestyle. For this reason, the first few hair
analyses may yield temporary or even superficial patterns related to the
condition of body chemistry. After
several months to more than a year of nutritional balancing, the hair mineral
patterns often change dramatically.
We always wish to get through
the superficial patterns in the fastest possible manner. To do this, one must address all aspects of a personÕs body chemistry,
diet, eating habits and other lifestyle factors as well.
Otherwise, these factors usually
stand in the way of understanding the deeper layers of body chemistry. This is why I emphasize the importance
of correcting the diet, eating habits, rest habits and other lifestyle factors
when beginning a nutritional balancing program.
Now we will address the specific
changes in body chemistry that occur with each of the major oxidation types or
stages of stress.
Fast oxidation or an alarm stage
of stress is characterized by excessive activity of the thyroid and adrenal
glands. More adrenal activity and
thus a higher level of aldosterone raises the hair or soft tissue sodium and
potassium levels.
One result of this excessive
adrenal and thyroid activity are lower hair tissue levels of calcium and
magnesium. Essentially, increased
solubility of calcium and magnesium occur when the sodium and potassium levels
rise. Sodium and potassium are
highly water-soluble and antagonistic to calcium and magnesium.
Blood serum mineral levels may,
but usually do not correspond to the levels of these minerals in the hair. This is because the serum mineral
levels are very sensitive to any variations, so the body often keeps them
extremely stable. Much greater
variation is seen in the hair levels, however. Also, hair is a storage and excretory tissue. Minerals that the body is deficient in
are ÒstolenÓ or not permitted into the hair. Minerals that are in excess in the blood are often pushed
off or stored in non-essential soft tissues such as the hair.
On a hair mineral
analysis, the pattern of fast oxidation is one of lowered calcium and magnesium
levels, along with elevated levels of sodium and potassium. This is very easy to read on a test from Analytical Research
Laboratories, which has calibrated scales and simple vertical graphs. The pattern often looks like two low
numbers followed by two high numbers.
Types of fast
oxidation. Fast
oxidation occurs only in specific situations. These are:
1. Babies and
young children up to the age of between 3 and about 10. All babies are born in mild fast oxidation. Usually, before they leave the hospital
the oxidation rate speeds up tremendously due to stress, pure and simple. Babies and young children should all be
fast oxidizers through the age of about 3, at least, and really until much
later. However, today most babies
and children Òburn outÓ of fast oxidation quickly. Many, in fact, are in a four lows
pattern, which is a severe adrenal burnout pattern, as children!
Babies and young
children are the only ones who are in a natural fast oxidation pattern these
days. Fewer and fewer of them are staying in
fast oxidation, but it is their natural state. Adults, by contrast, should be slow oxidizers. The reasons for this are complex, and
include psychological factors, vitality levels, and perhaps hormonal factors as
well. Most adults are also very
burned out of vital minerals, which slows their metabolic and oxidation rates.
2. Stress fast
oxidation. These are adults or some older children
who are only in fast oxidation because they are under tremendous stress of a
type that forces their bodies into faster oxidation. The stress may be of different types depending on the
person. Common ones include:
a) Stimulant fast
oxidation. A common type of stress is the use of
stimulants. These can include
caffeine, sugar, cigarettes, alcohol in some cases, irritant substances such as
hot spices, medical drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, crack, crystal meth,
Ecstacy, and other stimulants.
Other common stimulants are lack
of rest, too much work, fears, anger, hatred, working in noisy environments,
domestic arguments, financial stress and others.
When the stress, which is often
biochemical, is relieved, they immediately slow down into slow oxidation. If it happens quickly, it is called a crash landing, which is somewhat unpleasant,
although it can be taken care of easily with the proper diet and nutritional
supplements.
b) Infection fast
oxidation. These individuals have an
infection of a type that speeds up the oxidation rate. These are often bacterial infections
that cause high fevers, for example.
c) Excitement fast
oxidation. These are people who are in fast
oxidation because they are extremely excited. This happens quite often during nutritional balancing
programs as a person begins to get well, often after years of trying different
programs and going to doctors with little or no success. The person is so excited to be healing
and feeling well for the first time in years, in many cases. An excitement fast oxidizer may be said
to be in a positive stress situation.
3. Vampire fast
oxidation. Some, but certainly not all adult fast
oxidizers, are energy vampires.
This means they have mastered methods to steal a subtle energy from
others. The hair mineral analysis
often reveals a fast oxidation rate with a normal or even elevated
sodium/potassium ratio. A double
pattern occurs if the sodium/potassium ratio is high and the calcium/magnesium
ratio is elevated as well.
Interestingly, the person may
reports few symptoms, and more women than men tend to fall into this category. A separate article entitled Energy Vampirism, discusses this fascinating topic.
Some energy vampires are very
subtle, while others are obvious parasites who rape or mug others.
Others even crave male sexual fluid, which seems to have a speeding up
effect on the oxidation rate, at least temporarily. This unusual topic is discussed in a separate article
entitled Sexual Fluid Craving Disease.
4. Dietary fast
oxidation. These are people who stay in fast
oxidation because they refuse or simply do not like to eat enough fats and oils
– foods that slow the oxidation rate. Many are vegetarians, or semi-vegetarians who do not eat
meat, eggs or cheese that all contain fats. Many eat fruits and other high-carbohydrate foods that may
help keep them in fast oxidation.
Some do this unconsciously,
while others know exactly what they are doing, and just want to stay in fast
oxidation by avoiding foods and other things that may slow their oxidation
rate.
5. Toxic fast
oxidation. Although all people are toxic today,
certain toxic metals, as they build up in the body, cause a common type of fast
oxidation rate. These include
cadmium, nickel, and Òthe amigosÓ.
The amigos are toxic, usually
oxide forms of aluminum, iron, manganese, and at times chromium, selenium,
copper, cobalt, and other minerals as well – even calcium and
magnesium. They are powerful
oxidants and irritants to the body and can cause a faster oxidation rate as a
byproduct or secondary effect of their irritating presence. Most older people have some of them.
These often accumulate in the
kidneys, in particular, but also at times elsewhere in the body such as in the
thyroid gland, adrenal glands, nervous system, brain or elsewhere.
Toxic fast oxidation can always
be corrected with a nutritional balancing program, though it may take months or
several years of following a properly designed nutritional balancing
program. When the toxic metals are
removed, the oxidation rate promptly slows down.
6. Running away
fast. Some fast oxidizers are simply Òrunning
awayÓ, biochemically speaking, in a way that causes a fast oxidation rate. The situation can be rather mild and
might be termed an avoidance of life pattern.
However, some are in a step up pattern, a dangerous, and quite
egotistical mineral pattern that is associated with cancer, heart attacks,
strokes and other fatal health catastrophes. These people are running away from life, or stepping out of
life.
7. Beam me up
Scottie pattern. Consuming a lot of fruit, interestingly
enough, causes a type of fast oxidation mineral pattern that I call Beam Me Up, Scottie pattern. It is actually a fascinating pattern
caused by fruit-eating.
8. Farmer fast
oxidation. Interestingly, Many farmers are in a
state of fast oxidation. This may
be due to a few possible factors, including handling farm chemicals, especially
superphosphate fertilizers, handling toxic metals used in farm implements such
as nickel-plated machinery, cadmium or lead. It may be due, however, to picking up a lot of energy from
the earth because the person works in the dirt all day.
9. Toxic potassium
fast oxidation. This is a temporary fast oxidation rate
caused by the presence of large amounts of a toxic form of potassium in the
body. It can overlap with several
of the other types. Common sources
of toxic potassium are eating a lot of fruit, using krill oil, eating
vegetables containing toxic potassium from superphosphate fertilizers, and male
sexual fluid contains a toxic form of potassium. For more on potassium, read Potassium
on this website.
10. A fast oxidation personality. This is a type of personality that often loves thrills, is often somewhat superficial, is often somewhat emotionally immature, and is definitely in denial to some degree. This combination can easily help keep a person in fast oxidation, or the person will unconsciously seek out stressors, stimulants and other ways to remain in fast oxidation for years.
11. Drug fast oxidation. Some people are fast oxidizers because they are taking medications, specifically thyroid hormones (Synthroid, Armour thyroid, Levothyroxine, Naturethroid or other brands), or adrenal hormones such as DHEA, cortisone, cortisol or others. In some cases, the drug is caffeine in large quantity. Other stimulant drugs could also be involved.
Sympathetic Tone
And Fast Oxidation. Fast oxidizers have significant sympathetic nervous system tone. This, in part, accounts for their
increased adrenal and thyroid glandular activity. Sympathetic nervous activity stimulates the activity of
these two sets of glands.
Understanding the relationship of the sympathetic nervous system with
the glandular system is essential for a correct interpretation of the hair
tissue test and for understanding many health conditions.
Fast oxidizers are in an early
stage of stress in which their sympathetic nervous system is responding
excessively. They are in a
fight-or-flight mode too much of the time, which uses up many nutrients and
leads to a set of symptoms and illnesses associated with this metabolic type.
In slow oxidation, the activity
of the adrenal and thyroid glands decreases. The glands themselves, and at times the sympathetic nervous
system, are both basically depleted of nutrients and do not function well. It is a resistance stage of stress,
or often an exhaustion stage of stress.
In part for this reason, slow
oxidation is related to a more parasympathetic
state of body chemistry with less fight-or-flight activity. In almost all cases, the sympathetic
nervous system is exhausted and the person moves into an unhealthy parasympathetic
state by default.
I would guess that about 80 to
85% of adults are in a slow oxidation state of body chemistry. It is a decidedly lower energy state
with, and perhaps caused by more impairment of the electron
transport system in the mitochondria, where most biochemical energy is
produced. This impairment is
caused primarily by replacement of the bioavailable forms of minerals such as
copper, iron, manganese and others with some of the less bioavailable forms of
these minerals such as oxides and other forms. This disables the critical enzymes in the energy cycles to a
substantial degree, adaptive energy production decreases, and the person moves
into slow oxidation.
This can occur even in babies,
today, and generally always occurs by age 10 or so in most people. They usually spend the rest of their
lives in slow oxidation, and often in poor health. Without sufficient energy, the body is unable to repair and
regenerate itself, and soon many health problems begin to occur.
Also, low energy gives rise to
the common mental/emotional symptoms of slow oxidation such as apathy, fatigue,
introversion, depression, and if it is severe enough, suicidal thoughts and
despair as the bodyÕs energy system fails to a greater degree.
Slow oxidation and
society. Entire nations Òburn outÓ as more and
more of their citizens move into slow oxidation, lose their drive to work and
succeed, and their brains and bodies just do not function as well. This is the situation today in much of
the developed world where lower quality food, widespread use of toxic medical
drugs and surgeries, vaccinations, and other insults to the body combine to
decimate the energy-producing system of the body.
Nutritional
balancing restores the energy system.
Nutritional
balancing science, unlike medical or most holistic or naturopathic methods,
specifically targets the bodyÕs energy-producing system and will restore it,
although it can take a few years to do so if it is very damaged. When this is done, the oxidation rate
speeds up, dozens of health problems vanish by themselves, and health seems to
be remarkably restored although no ÒremediesÓ have been used at all.
Sympathetic
dominance. A common situation found in slow
oxidizers is of great importance and called sympathetic dominance. In this common condition, the person is
still attempting to use the sympathetic nervous system all the time. However, the body is exhausted and can
no longer respond strongly. As a
result, the person stays tired and often ill, because excessive sympathetic
stimulation blocks or inhibits the activity of the immune system, digestive
system, elimination system and other vital organs and systems needed for
recovery of health.
This is a very important pattern
on a hair mineral test that I have added to Dr. EckÕs wealth of knowledge
regarding hair analysis interpretation.
It is displayed on a properly performed hair tissue mineral test that
has not been washed at the laboratory as a potassium level less than about 5
mg% or a high sodium/potassium ratio with elevated levels of calcium, magnesium
and sodium, and perhaps potassium as well. Sympathetic dominance is discussed in much more detail in
the article entitled Sympathetic
Dominance, and in one entitled Autonomic Balance.
Adrenal and
Thyroid Insufficiency. Tissue sodium correlates well with the
activity of aldosterone, an adrenal hormone. On a hair mineral
analysis, slow oxidizers have low levels of sodium and potassium, relative to
their levels of calcium and magnesium.
Basic physiology
of slow oxidation. What occurs physiologically is that
lower levels of sodium due to adrenal and thyroid weakness or generally lower
energy production reduce the solubility of calcium and magnesium in the blood.
Sodium and potassium are
solvents that maintain calcium and magnesium in an ionized form. As the solubility decreases, more
calcium and magnesium precipitate out of the blood and begin to accumulate in
the soft tissues of the body. This
causes a rise in the hair tissue calcium and magnesium, relative to the sodium
and potassium levels.
In other words, calcium and magnesium rise in the hair as the
tissue sodium and potassium levels decrease. This is the familiar look of slow oxidation on a hair
mineral analysis.
As mentioned above, Dr. Eck
found that the best way to calculate the oxidation rate is to evaluate two
ratios on a hair mineral chart, the sodium/magnesium ratio (Na/Mg or the
adrenal ratio) and the calcium/potassium ratio (Ca/K or the thyroid ratio). If one of these ratios indicates fast
oxidation and the other indicates slow oxidation, the pattern is called mixed
oxidation.
This pattern is fairly common,
temporary, and usually a short-term condition of the body chemistry.
Specific definition
of mixed oxidation.
Mixed oxidation is said to be present on a hair mineral analysis, provided the
hair is not washed at the laboratory, when:
á
The
calcium/potassium ratio is greater than 4 AND the sodium/magnesium ratio is
greater than 4.17, OR
á
The
calcium/potassium ratio is less than 4 AND the sodium/magnesium ratio is less
than 4.17.
For
example, mixed oxidation is present if the Ca/K is 6 and the Na/Mg is 10. Another example of mixed oxidation is
if the Ca/K is 2 and the Na/Mg is 0.5.
Fast mixed
oxidation and slow mixed oxidation.
Dr. Eck
further classified mixed oxidation as either fast mixed oxidation or
slow mixed oxidation. This calculation is necessary in order
to decide whether to give a fast oxidizer program or a slow oxidizer program to
these individuals.
Dr. Eck defined fast mixed
oxidation as follows: The ratio that indicates fast oxidation (whether
it be the Ca/K or the Na/Mg) is more extreme or out of balance than the ratio
indicating slow oxidation.
He defined slow mixed oxidation as follows: The ratio
indicating slow oxidation is more extreme or more out of balance than that
indicating fast oxidation.
For example, let us imagine that
a hair analysis indicates a Ca/K ratio of 10 and a Na/K ratio of 6. First of all, this is a mixed oxidizer
because the Ca/K is greater than 4 and the Na/Mg is greater than 4.17.
The next step is to figure out
if it is a fast mixed oxidizer or a slow mixed oxidizer. To do this, one must follow a two-step
process:
1. Check to see which of the two
ratios is more extreme or most out of balance. In our example, since both ratios should be about 4:1, the
one that is most out of balance is the Ca/K, since it is the furthest away from
a ratio of 4. The number 10 is
further away from the ideal of 4 than is the number 6. Therefore, for our determination, we
will focus on the more imbalanced Ca/K ratio.
2. The next step is to ask, is
the Ca/K ratio of 10 an indicator or fast oxidation or slow oxidation? The
answer is slow oxidation, by the
definition given in one of the earlier paragraphs in this article.
Since the ratio that indicates
slow oxidation is more extreme, the hair analysis is said to be showing a slow mixed oxidation pattern.
A mathematical
short cut method.
Mixed oxidation can be a confusing pattern to read at first glance. A simple and fairly accurate
mathematical way to figure it out is to simply subtract the Na/Mg from the Ca/K
number (or Ca/K – Na/Mg = X).
If the answer is positive number,
it is a slow mixed oxidizer. If the answer is a negative number, it is a fast
mixed oxidizer.
For instance, in the example
above in which the Ca/K is 10 and the Na/Mg is 6, if one takes 10 minus 6 =
4. Since 4 is a positive number,
it is a slow mixed oxidizer.
How skewed is the oxidation rate? One can do some other calculations that may be helpful to further assess a state of mixed oxidation. For example, it can be helpful to know if the mixed oxidation rate is fairly balanced between fast and slow oxidation, or if it is very skewed either toward faster oxidation or slower oxidation.
To do this, use the same mathematical calculation as above, subtracting the Na/Mg ratio from the Ca/K ratio (Ca/K – Na/Mg = X). However, now we are not going to consider whether the answer is a positive or negative number. Instead, we will just consider how large the number is. If the number is larger, then the oxidation rate is heavily skewed. If it is a lower number, then it is fairly balanced between fast and slow oxidation.
To summarize Ca/K – Na/Mg:
Smaller positive number = fairly
balanced slow mixed oxidizer.
Larger positive number = slow
mixed oxidizer and the oxidation rate heavily skewed toward slow oxidation.
Smaller negative number = fairly
balanced fast mixed oxidizer.
Larger negative number = fast
mixed oxidizer and heavily skewed toward fast oxidation.
How unbalanced or
skewed are the ratios themselves? This may also
be helpful. When the ratios are
very unbalanced, it tends to indicate more health imbalances in most cases, for
example. It may also have to do
with the presence of certain patterns on the hair mineral chart.
To calculate this, you can use
the formula Ca/K x Na/Mg – 16.7 = X. If the answer is:
A low number, either a positive
or negative number, then the ratios themselves are fairly near their ideal
ratio.
A higher number, either a positive
or negative number, then the ratios themselves are more skewed or imbalanced.
Two mixed oxidation types based on which
ratio is fast and which is slow.
In a mixed oxidation situation, the ratio that indicates fast oxidation can
be either the adrenal ratio (Na/Mg) or the thyroid ratio (Ca/K).
If the adrenal ratio is fast
(greater than 4.17), this is more associated with acute stress. This is
true regardless of whether the oxidation rate is a fast mixed or slow mixed
oxidation rate.
If
the calcium/potassium ratio indicates fast oxidation and the sodium/magnesium
ratio indicates slow oxidation, this is more likely associated with adrenal exhaustion and more chronic stress,
in most cases. This is true
regardless of whether the pattern is fast or slow mixed oxidation.
FOUR LOWS OR
SUB-OXIDATION, POSSIBLY ANOTHER METABOLIC TYPE
At times, on this website, you
may read that a four lows pattern is another metabolic type. I am not sure about this. It does, however, require a special
nutritional balancing program. It
might correlate with a state of body chemistry that Dr. George Watson, PhD,
called Sub-Oxidation, but again I am not sure about this. For this reason, I will not include it
in this article. For much more
information about it, read Four Lows Pattern on
this site.
HOW THE OXIDATION
TYPES AFFECT THE BODY
1.
Frequency of Bowel Movements. Increased metabolic
activity is associated with increased peristaltic activity and hence more
frequent bowel movements in the fast oxidizer. Fast oxidizers may have more than one bowel movement per
day. One or fewer movements per
day is commonly associated with slow oxidation.
2. Dry
or Oily Skin and Hair. Increased metabolic
activity is associated with increased activity of the sebaceous and oil glands
of the skin and scalp. This tends
to cause more a greater tendency for oily skin and hair in the fast
oxidizer. Slow oxidizers are more
prone to dry skin and dry hair.
Also fast oxidizers
tend to have a more watery appearance of their skin, and poorer muscle
definition for this reason. Slow
oxidizers may have better muscle definition and dryer appearance to their skin.
Also, fast oxidizers
often have a more ruddy complexion.
This may be due to higher blood pressure, use of alcohol or better
circulation in the skin. This is
true even though the sympathetic nervous system tends to move blood inward,
away from the periphery of the body.
However, many slow oxidizers are still in a sympathetic dominant
condition described elsewhere, in which their sympathetic system is in fact
even more active than in many fast oxidizers. This causes poor circulation to the extremities.
3.
Blood Circulation. An increased rate of
metabolism in the fast oxidizer is associated with enhanced blood circulation,
and correlates with a tendency to warmer hands and feet, even in cold
weather. Slow oxidation is
commonly associated with impaired circulation and a tendency for cold hands and
feet.
4.
Food Cravings. Food cravings can
express the body's desire to balance chemistry. Fast oxidizers tend to crave fats, butter and red meat,
foods which slow the metabolic rate. They may also crave sweets or
carbohydrates if they do not eat enough fats and oils. Slow oxidation is associated with
chronic low blood sugar. There is
a tendency for sweet cravings and at times salt cravings, as the body does not
retain sodium and potassium as well in slow oxidation, due to impaired adrenal
glandular activity. (low aldosterone).
5.
Blood Pressure. Fast oxidation is
associated with increased vascular (sympathetic) tone, and sodium retention due
to elevated aldosterone levels. These frequently result in a blood pressure of
120/80 or greater. Fast oxidizers
are also more prone to labile or changing high blood pressure. This is because greater sympathetic
nervous system activity will cause momentary constriction of the arteries due
to fatigue, emotional upset or other stressors. Healthy slow oxidizers tend to have blood pressures of
120/80 or lower. This is due to weaker vascular tone, and/or low sodium levels
which cause a reduced blood volume and blood pressure. However, slow oxidizers are prone to
hardening of the arteries, as are fast oxidizers. This can cause high blood pressure later in life, in
particular.
6.
Sweating. Enhanced metabolic
activity increases the generation of heat in body tissues. This is associated
with increased sweating in the fast oxidizer. Slow oxidizers generally sweat less, and many hardly sweat
at all.
7.
Mood. In fast oxidation, all metabolic
processes speed up, including mental functioning. This can result in a tendency
to anxiety, irritability, nervousness, or jitteriness. Slower mental activity in the slow
oxidizer, on the other hand, causes a tendency for sluggishness, lethargy,
apathy, and depression. Very slow
oxidation is associated with despair, brain fog and confusion.
8.
Energy level. A fast metabolic
rate, within certain limits, is associated with higher energy levels than is a
slow oxidation rate. Fatigue and lethargy can be experienced by both types, but
is more common with slow oxidation.
9.
Animal Protein Preference. Fast oxidizers
require more fat, and tend to prefer red meats to other meats, as they contain
a higher percentage of fat. Fast
oxidizers may also prefer the high-purine proteins such as sardines, anchovies
and organ meats. Slow oxidizers
tend to prefer chicken, fish, or vegetarian proteins because these low-fat
sources of protein speed up and normalize the slow oxidizers' metabolic
rate. They are also easier to
digest as they contain less fat.
They also contain somewhat less etheric energy and thus have a lower
dynamic action than the red meats.
10.
Body Shape. Classically, the
fast oxidizer corresponds to a more ÔCushinoidÕ body shape, so named after an
illness called CushingÕs disease.
The person is not as tall, and is broad in the middle.
This is sometimes
called the apple-shaped body. The
legs and arms are thinner. There
may be a Òbuffalo humpÓ in the back if the case is extreme, though most of the
time this is not present. There is
often a bulge in the belly. This
is due to high cortisol, which in turn causes high insulin, which deposits fat
in the belly area.
The classic slow
oxidizer has a pear-shaped body, especially later in life. This is due to sluggish thyroid gland
activity, which is more associated with fat deposition on the hips and legs. The upper body is often thinner.
However,
combinations of these two are very common, because people pass through various
stages of stress at different times of their lives. Also, one can be a mixed type, which also gives rise to
combinations of body shapes.
One final note
regarding body shapes is in order.
The sympathetic dominant person often has a very angular body. That is, there is little fat
deposition. This is basically
good, though if the sympathetic dominance persists, serious health problems
including heart disease, cancer and others develop in these individuals as
well.
This is seen in
women, particularly, who are what is called progesterone dominant. Estrogen is responsible for fat
deposition, especially in the hips and breast areas. Women with low estrogen tend to be more angular.
Women with higher estrogen
levels tend to be more curvy, fleshy and at times one calls them more
voluptuous shaped.
Caution: Beware of using body shape or other
physical characteristics to assign a metabolic type to anyone or to recommend a
nutrition program. Many times you
are viewing a person as they were some years ago, in terms of their body
chemistry. I tried this for
several months and found the hair mineral analysis did not correlate with my
guesswork based on symptoms and body characteristics.
I also found the
hair test gave me more accurate information than just using the symptoms or
signs described above. I learned
through the experience to trust the hair tissue mineral analysis and began to
get far better results with patients.
11.
Cell membrane permeability. Fast oxidizers tend
to have more permeable cell membranes than slow oxidizers. This may be because calcium that builds
up in the tissues of slow oxidizers tends to stabilize cell membrane
potentials. This fact is very
important for hormone imbalances, in particular, and perhaps for blood sugar
and other types of metabolic problems as well.
12.
Acid or alkaline. Fast oxidizers tend
to be more alkaline at the cellular level, while slow oxidizers tend to be more
acidic at the cellular level.
Blood, urine and saliva pH levels do not correlate well with the
cellular level and are often useless for determining the true cellular acidity.
The reasons for the
differences between fast and slow oxidizers is that fast oxidizers have less
toxic metals, in general, which are very acidic. They also have far better alkaline mineral reserves, in
general, than slow oxidizers. This
is likely the major factor.
Slow oxidizers also
have more biounavailable calcium that does not seem to neutralize acids as well
in the body. In addition, slow
oxidizers tend to have more infections, which tend to be more acidic.
13.
Yang and yin. Fast oxidizers are
usually much more yang, while slow oxidizers are more yin. This may sound esoteric, but it affects
every area of human functioning.
Yang is warmer, more contracted, more masculine, more ruddy or reddish
with better circulation and in terms of psychology more aggressive and sexual.
Yin is colder, more
ill, more expanded and tired, less aggressive, less sexual, and more pale or
white with poorer circulation. This is a very brief description of yin and
yang. For more information, read Yin and Yang Healing on this site.
True fast oxidizers tend to be anxious,
irritable and aggressive if their oxidation rate is very fast. Their blood sugar and blood pressure
tend to be on the high side of normal.
They are often warm and sweat easily. They usually have oily skin, and a tendency for frequent or
loose bowel movements. They may
gain weight in the area of the abdomen due to high levels of cortisol and
cortisone.
Temporary
Fast Oxidizers or slow Oxidizers Under Stress. Most people whose hair analysis
indicates fast oxidation, however, are not true fast oxidizers. Instead, they are what we call tired or temporary fast oxidizers, or slow oxidizers under stress. Hair analysis indicators for this
condition are:
á
A sodium/potassium ratio less than about 2.5. This is the major indicator. Other less reliable indicators are:
á
A hair calcium level greater than about 40 mg%, OR a magnesium
level greater than about 6 mg%.
á
A zinc level greater than 14 mg% or a phosphorus level less than
14 mg% in some cases.
Slow
oxidizers often suffer from fatigue, sweet cravings and low blood
sugar. As their oxidation rate
slows further, they often become apathetic and depressed.
Their blood pressure
and blood sugar may be low unless arteriosclerosis or diabetes have set
in. Their skin and hair are often
dry, and their hair may become brittle or thin. Many experience constipation and other symptoms associated
with reduced adrenal and thyroid glandular activity. Slow oxidizers may gain weight on the hips and the legs due
to their metabolic imbalances.
Mixed
oxidizers often display a mixture of symptoms of both fast and slow
oxidation. One may need to wait
until the mixed oxidation pattern resolves into slow or fast oxidation to gain
a clear picture of underlying metabolic patterns.
Mixed oxidizers tend
either toward fast oxidation or toward slow oxidation. This will determine many of their
symptoms. Most mixed oxidation is
quite mild and simple to resolve.
At times, however, it represents more complex glandular imbalances that
take more time to unravel and correct using our methods of balancing the body
chemistry.
Symptomatic
Programs. In the case of mixed
oxidation that is balanced, meaning even between fast and slow oxidation, at
times we use symptoms to help assess whether to give a fast or a slow oxidizer
program to the patient.
For example, a
patient with a mixed oxidation
hair chart might present with fatigue, depression, constipation and
copper toxicity and have a mixed oxidizer hair analysis. This patient most likely requires a
slow oxidizer supplement and dietary program.
If, in contrast, the
patient complained of anxiety, nervousness, muscle tension and anger, one might
readily assume that although the hair test indicates mixed oxidation this
person requires a fast oxidizer diet and nutrient program.
The Fast oxidizer diet. All fast oxidizers today require plenty
of cooked, not raw vegetables three times daily. This is most critical.
In addition, Dr. Goerge Watson found that fast oxidizers require extra
amounts of fats and oils in their diet in order to feel their best. They burn their food quickly and their
caloric needs are greater. They
also do best on a low carbohydrate diet, obtaining most of their calories from
fats and oils.
Fats provide more
calories and longer-lasting energy.
In contrast, sugars burn too fast, provide fewer calories and often
further enhance the oxidation rate.
For this reason,
fast oxidizers should avoid all sugars, including ALL fruit and all
juices. Even complex carbohydrates
are recommended only in small amounts.
True fast oxidizers
require heavier, fattier foods such as lamb and even beef in limited amounts if
it is grass fed or naturally raised.
They may handle sour cream, butter, eggs and other fatty foods well.
To lose weight, they
may do well on an Atkins-style diet, although I feel it does not include enough
cooked vegetables, at times. Also,
the quality is not as good as our standards. However, one could try it for a limited period of time. We suggest, however, that one eat only
the highest quality animal fats, along with flax oil, fish oil, cod liver oil,
olive oil and a small amount of refined vegetable oils such as in blue corn
chips are fine as well. Coconut oil
and palm oil are not recommended, except perhaps occasionally, as they are too
yin and slightly toxic, in our experience. For more information, see the Fast
Oxidizer Diet on this website.
The Slow Oxidizer Diet. Slow oxidizers definitely require
plenty of cooked vegetables three times daily, In addition, they require more
protein and less fat in their diets than fast oxidizers. Some protein at least twice daily is
most important to maintain their blood sugar level and support adequate adrenal
and thyroid gland activity.
In fact, if there
are blood sugar issues, as there often are, then five meals a day with some
protein and possibly a little fat as well is an excellent regimen.
Animal protein of
some kind is helpful for most slow oxidizers to eat at least once every day, as
the bodies are depleted of many nutrients found in meats. These include zinc, alpha lipoic acid,
sulfur-containing amino acids and L-carnitine. Meats also provide other less-known nutrients the slow
oxidizer requires.
Protein digestion is
weak in slow oxidizers. As a
result, many tend toward vegetarian diets. However, this slows or prevents their complete healing. Instead, they require digestive enzymes
to obtain all the nutrition from their food. For much more information about diet, see The Slow Oxidizer Diet on this website.
BASIC SUPPLEMENTS FOR FAST AND SLOW OXIDIZERS
Dr. Watson and Dr. Eck found that
fast oxidizers need more of nutrients such as copper, zinc, choline, inositol,
calcium and magnesium. They also
do well on more of vitamins A and D.
B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E are less beneficial and tend
make fast oxidation much, much worse in many cases.
Slow oxidizers need more of the
B-complex and vitamins C and E.
They usually do not need much copper. They do, however, need zinc, calcium and magnesium
supplements.
Both types benefit
from a digestive aid. We find that
they both also need extra chromium, selenium, kelp, omega-3 fatty acids and
vitamin D3.
When one combines
the extensive research of Dr. Hans Selye, Dr. George Watson and Dr. Paul Eck,
one begins to develop a very clear picture of the physiology and biochemistry
of fast and slow oxidation.
By identifying these
states quickly with a hair mineral analysis, one knows at a glance how a person
is responding to stress biochemically.
Then one can recommend the correct foods, nutrients, lifestyle changes
and detoxification protocol to bring the body to balance and harmony. Balancing
body chemistry in this manner results in a significant increase in cellular
energy production. This allows
healing to occur at a greatly increased rate.
We always seek to
move a person from a lower energy and less optimum homeostatic state to a
healthier state with higher energy.
Slow oxidation, for example, is a lower energy state than fast
oxidation. A balanced state,
neither too fast nor too slow, is considered optimum. It is a condition in which the metabolism can speed up when
needed, and yet at other times remain peacefully at rest.
The specific
chemistry of the oxidation types is discussed in more detail on the Six-CD Series on Nutritional
Balancing offered on this website and in articles by Dr. Paul Eck and
myself. Another source of
information is Nutritional
Balancing And Hair Mineral Analysis, a book by this author.
Home | Hair Analysis | Saunas | Books | Articles | Detox Protocols