Ideally there should be a 2.4:1 ratio of sodium relative to potassium with a range of 1.4 to 3.4 being acceptable. Sodium and potassium reflect expression of the adrenal cortical hormones as well as renal control.
Of course other hormones affect these electrolytes as well, but we will focus on the adrenal hormones here. Both sodium and potassium are sensitive to the effects of various types and stages of stress as well as inflammation and antiinflammation.
When sodium is dominant relative to potassium, greater than five to one, an inflammatory response may be in effect. This is also related to an alarm stage of stress. Increased production of the adrenal cortical hormone aldosterone is increased in the presence of
inflammation, or aldosterone may initiate inflammation.
Aldosterone also greatly impacts sodium retention within the body and the hair via increased retention and conservation by the kidneys.
When the ratio of Na/K is found low in the hair it can represent a number of factors. For instance, a low Na/K ratio may be related to an anti-inflammatory reaction.
Glucocorticoids and cortisol released from the adrenal cortex enhances the retention of potassium and influences the kidneys to conserve potassium.
The lower the Na/K ratio the more chronic this stage of resistance has become. If chronic, the increased glucocorticoids will result in protein catabolism. A low Na/K ratio can also indicate a disturbance in neurological and/or renal function. It should be noted that heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can affect the Na/K relationship due to their affect upon renal function. Cadmium particularly, will produce an aldosterone effect. The nutritional minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, lithium rubidium and others will impact the Na/K ratio as well.
Na/K
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