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.
What does it mean if your Na/K result is too high?
The ideal sodium/potassium ratio is 2.5:1. Commonly, 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. It may also be due to the presence of toxic metals.
A high sodium/potassium ratio on a hair analysis is an indicator of a relatively 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 quite high. Inflammation can take the form of any 'itis', such as arthritis, bursitis, colitis, or tendinitis. It is a tendency for aches and pains.
A high sodium/potassium ratio may reflect hidden copper toxicity. 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 must be considered if the potassium level is very low, or if the calcium level is excessively high.
A high sodium/potassium ratio often indicates a zinc and/or magnesium deficiency. Zinc lowers sodium and raises the potassium level. A zinc deficiency is very common today. Magnesium also has a lowering effect upon sodium, and is deficient in many diets today.
Additional notes:
Many people assume that a high sodium/potassium ratio indicates an excessive salt intake. While possibly true, in many instances salt has little impact upon the sodium/potassium ratio. The main causes of a high sodium/potassium ratio are excessive aldosterone secretion due to stress, or a zinc and magnesium deficiency. Salt plays a secondary role.
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.
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What does it mean if your Na/K result is too low?
Low ratio (inversion) = decreased adrenal effect (exhaustion), chronic stress, lowered energy & energy reserves, decreased immunity, protein catabolism, poor digestion, alergic tendencies, carbohydrate intolerance, diabetic tendency, liver &kidney stress, cardiovascular stress, tendency toward degenerative disease, frustration, resentment, hostility.
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