UNDERSTANDING A HIGH HAIR SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO
by Dr.
Lawrence Wilson
©
May 201, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc.
All
information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment,
prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.
A normal sodium/potassium
ratio on a hair mineral analysis when the hair is not washed at the laboratory
is roughly between 2.2:1 and 4:1.
Commonly, however, the sodium/potassium ratio is elevated on a hair
analysis.
A high ratio
is associated with specific symptoms including acute stress, inflammation, and
at times symptoms associated with zinc and/or magnesium deficiency. This pattern also may indicate the
emotion of anger or an aggressive personality. The elevated ratio may also be due to the presence of toxic
metals. Let us discuss each of
these in more detail.
ACUTE STRESS
In our
experience, any type of stress can increase the sodium/potassium ratio. How high the ratio goes and whether it
stays elevated depends on the nature of the stress and even the personality of
the person. Any type of stress can
do this, from financial matters to fatigue to an infection or a toxic metal
that is impairing the body functions.
Let us examine this aspect of the stress theory of disease, a most
useful concept in this regard.
Sodium and
potassium are regulated mainly by the adrenal hormones aldosterone and cortisol.
The kidneys also play a role, as can other factors including the diet in
a few cases. However, in most cases, the levels are
regulated by these adrenal hormones.
Aldosterone causes
sodium absorption and simultaneous excretion of potassium. This occurs in the kidneys, the
intestines, and in the sweat and saliva. (Guyton, P. 945-946).
Cortisol has a
somewhat opposite effect, raising potassium and reducing sodium retention in
many cases. Dr. Paul Eck believed
that a high sodium/potassium ratio on a hair analysis is a rough indicator of a
relatively greater secretion of aldosterone in relation to cortisol.
However, it
is most likely even more complex than this. Cortisol and cortisone have many effects on the body that
could affect the sodium and potassium levels in the cells and extracellular
fluid. For example, cortisol
stimulates sugar production and release, and tends to raise the blood
sugar. This may also affect the
electrolytes in the blood and tissues in complex ways. Therefore, I would not say that a high
ratio of sodium to potassium is simply a cortisol issue.
AN
ALARM REACTION
Sodium
retention by aldosterone is part of the alarm reaction or fight-or-flight reaction
to stress. This is an aspect of
the stress theory of disease.
According to Dr. Paul Eck, who was a disciple of Hans Selye, MD, the
originator of the stress theory of disease, early in the alarm reaction, the
potassium level remains low in relation to sodium. However, both the sodium and
the potassium levels in the hair and other tissues tend to be elevated.
This pattern
we call fast oxidation. However,
once again, the situation is not simple.
In fact, it can be quite complex because many times toxic metals or
other factors can elevate the sodium level, even if the person is not in an
alarm reaction or alarm stage of stress.
PERSONALITY
AND THE NA/K RATIO
Those with a
more forward-looking and positive outlook tend also to have a greater tendency
for an elevated sodium/potassium ratio.
This is a complex phenomenon also.
It may have to do with particular types of adrenalin and other hormones
that are secreted in response to various emotions.
It may also
have to do with the fact that if one gives up we know the adrenals tend to fail
and the sodium/potassium ratio tends to get much lower.
A tendency
of those who are actually more positive in their outlook is they can become
more easily angry at times. Those
who have given up often do not become angry, but instead are resigned to their
fate. They often harbor so-called
chronic emotions such as frustration, resentment and hostiliy.
These were
words Dr. Eck sought to use to describe the different feelings associated with
a high versus a low sodium/potassium ratio. However, they were never intended to be an exact description
of the feelings involved in these biochemical patterns, but rather descriptive
representations of the reactions within the body to stress in the two
situations we are discussing.
In fact, the
reaction of anger is one of projection of oneÕs anger, according to many
psychology books. However, this
may be more positive than the paralysis that occurs if one remains in
fear. Thus, the person with a high
Na/K ratio is often angry, but this is not necessarily a bad thing unless it is
extreme. In this case, the ratio
is often elevated above about 10:1.
If the ratio is less than this, often the person is simple responding
positively to his or her world.
In contrast,
as the Na/K ratio declines lower than about 2:1, the person is no longer able
or perhaps not willing to respond.
A situation of frustration ensues, and often resentment and hostility. This is my reading of Dr. EckÕs
understanding of the psychology of this ratio.
Another way
to view this is that the high Na/K ratio, provided it is within a normal range
between about 2 and 10, is indicative of a person who is responding well to
their environment. A lower or
higher ratio indicates abnormal responses that are less healthful. The exception is if the circumstances
demand a different response. This
could either be one of extreme fight-or-flight (a very high Na/K ratio) or one
of paralysis or fright that demands that one just stop and rest, which could
cause a low Na/K ratio.
A
HIGH NA/K RATIO AND SLOW OXIDATION
We have
discussed a high ratio of sodium to potassium is a quality of a healthy fast
oxidizer. However, we often see
the pattern in slow oxidizers as well.
As the body
becomes exhausted, adrenal and thyroid glandular activity decrease. The body then goes into what is called
slow oxidation. At this time, both
the sodium and the potassium levels on the hair mineral analysis will tend to
decrease. However, the sodium may
still be elevated in relation to the potassium level. How is this possible?
The answer
is that within the exhaustion pattern one can have an acute stress
response indicated by a high sodium/potassium ratio. In fact, this is a very
common occurrence.
In this
respect, a slow oxidizer with a low sodium/potassium ratio means a double
exhaustion stage pattern, which is definitely less desirable than an elevated
sodium/potassium ratio.
INFLAMMATION
Aldosterone
is called a pro-inflammatory hormone because it tends to increase
inflammation in the body. This,
again, is a complex process involving hormones, insulin production and
more. We have said above it is
involved heavily in sodium regulation.
In contrast,
cortisol and cortisone are known as anti-inflammatory hormones because
they diminish inflammation. They
are more concerned with the potassium level. If one goes to the doctor with a
painful shoulder or knee, the doctor may inject cortisone to reduce the
inflammation. He would never
consider injecting aldosterone, as it might have an opposite effect.
The
sodium/potassium ratio therefore can be viewed as the balance between the
pro-inflammatory state and the anti-inflammatory state of the body. This balance is critical for optimum
health.
Otherwise,
we get the extremes of an inflammatory condition, which is far more common
today, or one in which the body cannot mount an inflammatory response to
stress. This leads directly to
death, since the body must be able to respond to danger and stressors at all
times. This is why a low
sodium/potassium ratio is considered worse or more severe than an elevated
sodium/potassium ratio.
To state
this differently, a high sodium/potassium ratio is associated with greater
secretion of aldosterone in relation to cortisol. Because there is a greater amount of 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.
HOW
DOES INFLAMMATION MANIFEST IN THE BODY?
Inflammation
today is the subject of much medical research. Indeed, some physicians now believe that inflammation is the
major mechanism in heart disease, cancer and even diabetes. They measure C-reactive protein levels
in the blood to determine the level of inflammation and recommend
anti-inflammatory products to correct the imbalance.
This is a
move in the right direction without a doubt. Instead of always looking for a microorganism as a cause for
disease, at times inflammation is indeed the culprit. However, it is a normal response of the body that is simply
out of control or exaggerated.
Hair mineral
analysis thus can help identify this important cause of disease in a simple,
inexpensive manner. The next issue
is how this manifests and then what we can do about it.
Inflammation
as a word means in-flamed or hot, irritated, red-orange in color and often
feels like a burning sensation. In
our bodies, inflammation can take the form of any 'itis', for example. These include hundreds such as
arthritis, bursitis, colitis, tendonitis, iritis, laryngitis and many
others. The ÒitisÓ just means
inflamed.
In practical
terms, inflammation often causes irritation, pain, redness, friction, excessive
heat or warmth and eventually tissue destruction. It is a tendency for aches and pains, hardened arteries, red
eyes, many allergies, upset stomach, and more.
It can also
indicate a tendency for mental excitation or irritation that we sometimes call
anger, as discussed above. In extreme
cases, it can cause seizures, epilepsy, headache, rage and destructive
behaviors associated with these qualities.
HIDDEN TOXIC METALS
Copper. In some cases, a high sodium/potassium
ratio may reflect hidden copper toxicity, especially in a 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 quite certain if the potassium level is less than 4 mg%, or
if the calcium level is over about 80 mg%. Other indicators include, oddly enough, a low
sodium/potassium ratio. Others are
a mercury level above about 0.03 mg%, or an elevated zinc level above about 18
mg%. This subject is discussed in
far more detail in an article entitled Copper
Toxicity Syndrome.
Other
Toxic Metals And Inflammation.
Cadmium, mercury, nickel and at times aluminum, manganese and iron
toxicity can also elevate sodium levels and can cause a high sodium/potassium
ratio.
One cause of
this is the absolute toxicity of these metals in the body. While manganese and iron are needed in
the body, the ones that cause inflammation are generally forms of these metals
that are harmful such as oxides.
For instance, the iron in hemoglobin does not, of itself, cause
inflammation when its amount is proper.
Another
reason these metals may elevate the sodium/potassium ratio is their effects at
the level of the kidneys and perhaps other glands such as the pituitary gland. In other words, their effects are
multiple and complex.
Note that
the levels of these metals may or may not be elevated on the same hair tissue
mineral analysis as one notes the high ratio of sodium to potassium. This is because the toxic metals may be
hidden deep within body storage sites and is not measurable in the hair or, for
that matter, by any other simple method of testing such as a urine challenge or
a stool test.
Often,
however, as the metals are eliminated, a retest mineral analysis will reveal an
improved sodium/potassium ratio as well.
An interesting 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 cadmium is eliminated, it may stress
the kidneys slightly. This causes the sodium/potassium ratio to rise
further. The ratio may normalize
when the 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.
The zinc or
magnesium levels on the hair analysis may appear normal or even elevated. However, we recommend supplementing
with zinc, or a product containing zinc, when the sodium/potassium ratio is
elevated. More zinc is needed if
the ratio is very high. Magnesium
or Paramin may also be very helpful to correct the ratio.
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! In most cases, unless the kidneys or other
organs are compromised, salt-eating plays a secondary role.
However, we
recommend avoiding table salt completely, as it is missing its trace minerals
and often has aluminum or other toxic metals added to it. Unrefined sea salt, in contrast, is an
excellent food and is acceptable, even if the sodium/potassium ratio is
somewhat high. The only time we
recommend some salt restriction is when the sodium/potassium ratio is very high
– above 20:1. In these
cases, often the kidneys are somewhat compromised or a possibility exists that
a person is eating excessive sea salt.
We are well
aware that some health authorities recommend avoiding all salt. We do not agree with this, as the body
needs the alkaline minerals found in good quality sea salt, such as Celtic Salt
(trademark) and others.
OTHER
MEANINGS FOR A HIGH SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO
A directional change indicator for the
oxidation rate. A high Na/K
ratio can indicate a personÕs oxidation rate is speeding up.
Movement toward a more effective stress
response and toward greater health.
A higher ratio, within limits, indicates a more effective stress
response and perhaps improved health and a more positive mental outlook.
This article
may be more usable when combined with a second article about the Low Sodium/Potassium Ratio.
References
Guyton, A.C., Textbook of Medical Physiology, sixth edition, W. B. Saunders
Company,1981.
Selye, H., The Stress of Life, McGraw Hill, 1978.
Selye, H., Stress Without Distress, Signet Books, 1991.
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