HIGH SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO

 

 

A normal hair sodium/potassium ratio is between 2.5:1 and about 4:1.  Commonly, the sodium/potassium ratio is elevated on a hair analysis.  A high ratio is associated with acute stress, inflammation, pain, anger, a sympathetic-dominant or aggressive personality, moving forward in life, metal toxicity or zinc and/or magnesium deficiency.   NOTE:  Hair must not be washed at the laboratory to obtain accurate sodium and potassium readings.  Readings are inaccurate if the hair is washed.

 

 

ACUTE STRESS

 

A high sodium/potassium ratio on a hair analysis is an indicator of acute stress.  The reason is as follows:

1) Acute stress causes increased adrenal gland activity. 

2) This results in a rise in the secretion of the hormone aldosterone. 

3) Aldosterone secretion causes sodium to be retained in the body by the kidneys.  Thus the sodium level in the body tissues rises. 

Sodium retention by aldosterone is part of the alarm reaction or fight-flight reaction to stress.  Early in the alarm reaction, the potassium level remains low.  Thus, on a tissue mineral test, the ratio of sodium to potassium is elevated. In contrast, a low sodium/potassium ratio indicates chronic stress and an exhaustion stage of stress.

Some people ask how it is possible to have an alarm reaction is one is a slow oxidizer or in an exhaustion stage of stress.  Slow oxidation indicates an exhaustion stage of stress.  However, within the exhaustion stage one can have an acute stress response indicated by a high sodium/potassium ratio.  This is a common occurrence.  A slow oxidizer with a low sodium/potassium ratio means a double exhaustion stage pattern, which is definitely less desirable.

 

 

INFLAMMATION

 

Aldosterone is a pro-inflammatory hormone.  It tends to increase inflammation in the body.  Cortisol and cortisone, associated more with potassium levels, are anti-inflammatory hormones because they diminish inflammation.  The pro and anti-inflammatory hormones must be in a good balance with each other for optimum health.

A person with a high sodium/potassium ratio is secreting more aldosterone, in relation to cortisol.  Because there is more pro-inflammatory hormone, a tendency for inflammation exists in the body.  This is particularly true when the sodium/potassium ratio is greater than 10:1.

Inflammation can take the form of any 'itis', such as arthritis, bursitis, colitis, or tendonitis.  It is a tendency for aches and pains.  A high sodium/potassium ratio is also a tendency for mental excitation.  A ratio that persists between 3 and 6 suggests a forward-looking person.  A ratio greater than 6:1 suggests aggressiveness and anger.

 

 

ANGER

 

Most often, those with an elevated sodium/potassium ratio have excessive anger.  Anger is an acute emotion, the projection of fear onto others to avoid feeling fear.  One does not diagnose anger from a hair mineral analysis.  However, the presence of anger as a factor in health and disease can often be discerned and is helpful for the practitioner and the patient to knowabout.  Elevated or hidden iron or copper toxicity are other indicators for anger on a hair mineral analysis.

 

 

SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE

 

A hair sodium/potassium ratio above about 6 or 7 is also an indicator of a sympathetic dominant personality type.    These are individuals who overuse the sympathetic or fight-or-flight nervous system.  They are usually very active, either mentally, physically or both.  The tendency is extreme when the ratio is above about 12.  One may overexercise, worry a lot or in some other way keep oneself in a fight-or-flight mode.  Note that the body is often exhausted from this tendency, and may go into a parasympathetic state of slow oxidation.  However, the mind often remains in a sympathetic dominant mode, which impairs recovery of health.                 

 

HIDDEN COPPER, MERCURY AND CADMIUM TOXICITY

 

A high sodium/potassium ratio may reflect hidden copper toxicity, especially in the slow oxidizer.  This is because copper elevates sodium and depresses potassium readings.  The copper may be present even if the hair copper level is low or normal.  Hidden copper toxicity is certain if the potassium level is less than 4 mg%, or if the calcium level is over about 80 mg%.

Cadmium and mercury toxicity can also elevate sodium levels and can cause a high sodium/potassium ratio.  This is true even if the cadmium or mercury are hidden within body tissues and not revealed on the hair test.  As cadmium, copper or mercury are eliminated, a retest mineral analysis will reveal an improved sodium/potassium ratio. 

An exception is if a retest is performed during a toxic metal elimination.  The sodium/potassium ratio may temporarily rise as cadmium, for example, is being eliminated.  This occurs because cadmium passes out of the body through the kidneys.  As it is eliminated, cadmium irritates the kidneys.  This may cause the sodium/potassium ratio to rise further.  The ratio will normalize when the metal elimination is complete.

 

 

ZINC AND MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY

 

A high sodium/potassium ratio often indicates a zinc and/or magnesium deficiency.  Zinc lowers sodium and raises the potassium level.  Zinc deficiency is very common today.  Magnesium also has a lowering effect upon sodium, and is deficient in many diets today.

We recommend supplementing with zinc, or a product containing zinc, when the sodium/potassium ratio is elevated.  Magnesium or Paramin may also be very helpful to correct the ratio. 

 

 

THE HILL PATTERN

 

A sodium/potassium ratio greater than 4, in combination with a calcium/magnesium ratio less than 6, is called a hill pattern.  The calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium levels on a graph appear in the shape of a hill.  In our experience, this is an indicator that one is moving ahead or changing for the better.   The low calcium/magnesium ratio indicates a lack of defensiveness.  The high sodium/potassium ratio indicates moving forward.  Hair must not be washed at the laboratory for accurate sodium and potassium readings.

 

 

SALT-EATING AND THE SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO

 

Many people assume that a high sodium/potassium ratio indicates an excessive salt intake.  While possibly true, in many instances salt eating has little impact upon the sodium/potassium ratio.  A high ratio frequently occurs in people who consume no salt whatsoever!  The main causes of a high sodium/potassium ratio are excessive aldosterone secretion due to stress or anger, toxic metals or a zinc and magnesium deficiency.  Salt-eating plays a secondary role.

We recommend everyone avoid table salt, which is a very poor quality food.  One may have sea salt or unrefined salt, which contains more magnesium and trace elements.  We recommend limiting salt slightly when the sodium/potassium ratio is above 12, especially if blood pressure is elevated.  However, it is not usually necessary to eliminate all salt from the diet.  Also, sea salt is often tolerated much better than table salt.

 

 

KIDNEY STRESS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

 

A very high sodium/potassium ratio may indicate kidney stress, and an imbalanced immune system.  While a low sodium/potassium ratio is associated with a weak immune system, a high ratio may indicate autoimmune problems, or an overactive immune system.  Rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are examples of autoimmune diseases.

 

 

THE ECK INSTITUTE BULLETIN - JANUARY 1992

Copyright 1992, The Eck Institute.  All material in for educational purposes only.

 

 

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