Supplementing High and Low Levels on an HTMA

This article aims to address some of the questions we frequently receive about hair tissue mineral analysis. Specifically, it aims to provide clarity on why low mineral levels are not recommended, while elevated levels are recommended. Hopefully, this information will help to answer any questions you may have on the topic.

False Assumptions

The practice of recommending replacement therapy for low minerals on a hair analysis while ignoring high minerals is based on two false assumptions.

The first false assumption is that a hair mineral level accurately reflects the body's mineral status. While hair analysis is a useful tool for detecting mineral imbalances in the body, it cannot provide a complete picture of the body's mineral status. For instance, a low mineral level in hair may indicate mineral loss or sequestration in other parts of the body, rather than a deficiency. Similarly, a high mineral level in hair may not necessarily indicate an excess in the body, as it can also reflect the body's efforts to store minerals for future use.

The second false assumption is that supplementing a low mineral level will increase the level of that mineral in the body. However, low mineral levels can be a result of other factors such as stress, hormonal imbalances, or nutrient deficiencies, which need to be addressed first before supplementing. Moreover, taking high doses of supplements to address low mineral levels can lead to imbalances and perhaps even toxicity in the body, which can be harmful to health.

HTMA interpretation should focus on understanding the body's response to stress, and using this information to create a balanced diet and supplement regimen that supports the body's natural ability to maintain optimal mineral levels and ratios. This approach can help identify the root causes of mineral imbalances in the body, and address them through lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation, resulting in improved overall health and wellbeing.

High Calcium

According to Dr. Paul Eck's research, a high calcium level on a hair analysis is often a result of calcium loss into the soft tissues. This occurs when calcium cannot be maintained in an ionized form in the blood and starts to precipitate into the tissues. Dr. Eck found that low levels of hair sodium and potassium can cause this precipitation, similar to how hard water causes calcium to precipitate onto faucets and pipes, but water softeners add sodium or potassium to prevent it.

Dr. Eck initially did not recommend supplementing calcium for individuals with high calcium levels on a hair analysis, but rather focused on making the calcium more bioavailable or soluble. This can be achieved by increasing adrenal and thyroid activity, which in turn raises tissue sodium and potassium levels. Supplementing with magnesium can also help keep calcium in a soluble form. However, if calcium remains biounavailable, the body will take calcium from other areas such as bones or teeth, which can lead to osteoporosis. In addition, low levels of calcium in the blood can cause muscle tightness, cramps or spasms, irritability, nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, and other symptoms.

When an individual has a high calcium level on a hair analysis, supplementing with calcium and magnesium can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it can provide extra biologically available calcium, which is important because if the body is not able to utilize the calcium in the blood, it may start taking it from other sites such as bones and teeth, which can lead to osteoporosis over time. Supplementing with calcium and magnesium can help prevent this process from occurring by ensuring there is enough calcium available for the body to use.

In addition, supplementing with calcium and magnesium can alleviate symptoms that arise due to low levels of these minerals in the blood. Low levels of calcium and magnesium can cause muscle tightness, cramps or spasms, irritability, nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, and other symptoms. By supplementing with these minerals, individuals can help alleviate these symptoms and improve their overall health and well-being.

It's important to note that supplementing with calcium and magnesium alone will not lower the tissue calcium level. But it can help to stop the loss of calcium from the bones and alleviate symptoms associated with low levels of these minerals in the blood. Therefore, it's recommended to supplement with calcium and magnesium while also implementing dietary, supplement, and lifestyle changes that can enhance adrenal and thyroid glandular activity, which in turn can increase tissue sodium and potassium levels and improve the body's ability to use calcium. This is precisely what we focus on doing with our Mineral Balancing Program.

Many people believe that they can obtain sufficient amounts of calcium through their diet alone, but unfortunately, there are limited dietary sources of calcium that are easily accessible. While dairy products, nuts, and seeds are good sources of calcium, they also have an inherent problem - they lack magnesium. Nuts and seeds also contain anti-nutrients such as phytic acid which limit nutrient absorption of calcium, and other minerals.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in the body's absorption and utilization of calcium. Without adequate levels of magnesium, the body cannot effectively absorb and utilize calcium, even if it is present in the diet. Therefore, relying solely on dietary sources of calcium may not be enough to meet the body's needs for this essential mineral. In such cases, supplementation may be necessary to ensure adequate calcium intake and prevent deficiencies that can lead to a variety of health problems.

Supplementing Potassium When Low

Why is supplementing potassium not always recommended despite its often-low levels in slow oxidizers? The reason is that sodium and potassium levels are greatly influenced by the activity of the adrenal and thyroid glands, and low aldosterone levels can cause these minerals to be lost in the urine. Even with an increased intake of salt and potassium-rich foods, individuals with low levels may not see significant improvement if their adrenal and thyroid glands are not functioning properly.

While supplementing with extra sodium and potassium can alleviate symptoms, such as muscle cramps and heart irregularities, it is not considered a long-term solution. Instead, a diet rich in potassium-containing vegetables and the use of sea salt, unless it is not recommended, is preferred. However, correcting the underlying adrenal and thyroid imbalance is ultimately more important and effective in maintaining proper levels.

In some situations, potassium supplements may still be advised, especially for those who have symptoms related to potassium deficiency and do not consume enough potassium-rich foods in their diet. However, to ensure the effectiveness of the overall program and minimize the number of supplements recommended, potassium is often given less priority than other supplements.

I recommend improving potassium intake through dietary means, rather than relying on supplementation. However, in some cases where it is difficult to obtain enough potassium through diet alone, potassium supplements may be used temporarily while the dietary intake is being improved. By focusing on improving dietary habits, individuals can achieve a more sustainable and long-lasting improvement in their potassium levels.

Why Is Iron Rarely Recommended When it is Low or High?

Supplementing with iron is only recommended in certain cases, such as certain types of anaemia, blood loss, or for vegetarians who do not consume meat, as well as menstruating women who lose significant amounts of iron. However, a low hair tissue iron level does not necessarily indicate a total body deficiency, and iron supplementation may not be necessary or advisable.

Low iron levels, along with low tissue manganese, are often related to a slow oxidation rate, copper imbalance, and other factors. As the oxidation rate improves, iron levels usually rise on their own. Therefore, rather than supplementation, improving the overall nutritional balance may be a more effective approach.

Iron is found in abundance in many foods, including meats and green vegetables, and many people already receive extra iron in enriched flour products and vitamin supplements. Additionally, high-dosage iron supplements can interfere with the absorption of other critical minerals, such as chromium, manganese, and zinc, and excess iron supplementation can be harmful.

It is important to note that anaemia in slow oxidizers is not always caused by low iron levels. In many cases, it is due to a low copper which induces anaemia, which appears similar to microchromic, microcytic iron-deficiency anaemia. Correction of this type of anaemia requires addressing copper metabolism and not supplementing iron.

Therefore, it is important to evaluate individual cases before recommending iron supplementation and to consider addressing other nutritional imbalances that may be contributing to low iron levels.