179: Metabolic Types, Minerals & Metals with Carly Stagg, FNP
In this week’s episode Carly introduces us to Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) which gives insight into metabolic type, mineral status, mineral ratios and heavy metal excretion. This inexpensive, functional test gives loads of information that can be helpful for dialing in dietary, supplemental and lifestyle strategies.
Listen in to see which metabolic type you most identify with and how different minerals play a huge role in the function of your thyroid, adrenals, blood sugar regulation and more. This may be a test you want to consider in your stack of health tools!
EPISODE 179: Metabolic Types, Minerals & Metals with Carly Stagg, FNP
Show Notes
(0:00) Intro
Carly is here with us to talk about Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis.
This is something we are going to be introducing to our students in The School of Christian Health and Nutrition which Carly and I are working so hard to bring you.
We have finalized some dates and we are going to open in February with our first live class call happening on Monday, February 5th.
We will be having a live information Zoom call on Sunday, December the 4th and opening registration. If you are interested, have questions, we invite you join us for that. We will record it in case you can’t make it live. Make sure you are on our interest and email list so that we can send you the Zoom link to join.
You can get on that list HERE.
F2F registration is open! We are starting our holiday challenge on November 1
Sign up HERE.
(4:45) Why hair testing?
Hair versus blood- storage unit versus transport highway- different things are needed in different places
(7:12) Metabolic types are a reflection of thyroid and adrenal function
Fast 1-4
Slow 1-4
Mineral Ratios
Orchestra versus individual instruments- just because an instrument sounds good or bad on its own doesn’t mean that it won’t be different as part of the larger picture
Individual ratios
Sympathetic: “Fight or Flight”
This side of the nervous system activates the brain and muscles and is the "speed-up" system. It causes expenditure of energy and is catabolic. The sympathetic nervous system becomes activated when you’re having a stress response, which can be anything from being in a heated meeting to seeing a bear!
Parasympathetic: “Rest and Digest”
This side of the nervous system is more relaxed and calm. It is conserving, nourishing, restful, and nurturing. It is anabolic and regenerates the body. Ideally, we want to be spending most of our time in this state, unless the body has defaulted to being in an unhealthy parasympathetic state after being exposed to prolonged chronic stress and has trouble “speeding up” when needed.
The body balances these two systems and the minerals associated with them. Animals are quite good at this. Healthy cats or dogs run fast and fight hard but are equally comfortable spending the afternoon sleeping. Humans, however, have more difficulty balancing the autonomic system. Many people compulsively fight or run all the time, others are in a give-up mode where they are unable to keep fighting. They are often depressed and feel like victims.
The autonomic state is important as it is closely related to the activity of the adrenal and thyroid glands. We fluctuate between being in a sympathetic or parasympathetic state, but genetically we tend to be more dominant on one side or the other. Causes of autonomic imbalance include chemical imbalances one is born with, poor diet, use of stimulants, negative thinking, structural imbalances, physical or emotional traumas, and exposure to toxic metals and chemicals that affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
(27:15) Calcium to Phosphorus (Ca/P)
“Autonomic Balance Ratio”
Range: 1.6 - 3.6
Optimal: 2.6
The calcium to phosphorus ratio indicates the autonomic state (sympathetic or parasympathetic) and the metabolic state of the body. Calcium is controlled by the parasympathetic branch and phosphorus is controlled by the sympathetic branch.
(29:05) Sodium to Potassium (Na/K)
“Stress Ratio”
Range: 1.4 - 3.4
Optimal: 2.6
The sodium to potassium ratio is one of the most important ratios to evaluate because there is a sodium/potassium pump that controls movement in and out of the cell on every single cell membrane in the body. Nothing exits or gets into the cell without the use of the sodium/ potassium pump.
This ratio tells us about the electrical potential of the cells, kidney, liver, and adrenal function. Sodium is linked to aldosterone and potassium is linked to cortisone.
(31:00) Calcium to Potassium (Ca/K)
“Thyroid Ratio”
Range: 2.2 - 6.2
Optimal: 4.2
The thyroid gland is one of the major glands that regulates metabolic rate in the body. Thyroid hormone controls calcium in the body via the production of calcitonin. The higher the calcium, the lower the thyroid gland activity. Potassium is associated with sensitivity of the tissues to thyroid hormone. When potassium is low, thyroid hormone is poorly utilized.
When the thyroid ratios are abnormal, the efficiency of energy production in the body decreases. It is like an engine that is turning too slow or too fast - power output declines.
HTMA results do not always correlate with blood thyroid tests because HTMA is a tissue test. Often blood tests will be normal, but hair analysis will indicate impaired thyroid function. For nutritional correction, it is prudent to follow the hair analysis indication.
(34:38) Zinc to Copper (Zn/Cu)
“Hormone and Energy Regulation Ratio”
Range: 4.0 - 12.0
Optimal: 8
The zinc to copper ratio is a much more effective method of evaluating zinc and copper levels than considering either copper or zinc levels alone.
This ratio can be indicative of copper deficiency or copper unavailability.
Zinc roughly correlates with progesterone in women and testosterone in men, while copper roughly correlates with estrogen in men and women.
(37:28) Sodium to Magnesium (Na/Mg)
“Adrenal Health Ratio”
Range: 2.0 - 6.0
Optimal: 4.0
Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid adrenal hormone, regulates retention of sodium in the body. In general, the higher the sodium level, the higher the aldosterone level.
This ratio is also a measure of energy output, because the adrenal glands are a major regulator (along with the thyroid gland) of the rate of metabolism.
This ratio is a tissue reading and will often not match blood tests for adrenal hormones. Usually the blood tests will be normal, but the tissue mineral test will show abnormal adrenal function. Symptoms, however, tend to correlate well with the hair analysis.
(39:58) Calcium to Magnesium (Ca/Mg)
“Blood Sugar Ratio”
Range: 3.0 - 11.0
Optimal: 7.0
Calcium is required for the release of insulin from the pancreas. Magnesium is necessary for both the action of insulin and the manufacture of insulin.
(46:20) Iron to Copper (Fe/Cu)
“Infection Indication Ratio”
Range: .2 - 1.6
Optimal: .9
The iron to copper ratio indicates if your body tends toward viral infections or bacterial infections.
(46:45) Copper to Molybdenum (Cu/Mo)
“Copper Imbalance Ratio”
Range: 400 - 850
Optimal: 625
The copper to molybdenum ratio is an important marker for copper imbalance.
(46:40) Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are a group of minerals with no known physiological or biological function in the human body and are known to be harmful. They are naturally occurring, but the industrial revolution has exposed us to increasing amounts of heavy metals. They are a major cause of illness, aging, and genetic defects.
The body uses what it can when it needs minerals. Heavy metals can be used in place of mineral deficiencies and displace the trace elements. This can potentially skew the readings of the minerals until the toxic metals are removed, which can take months or even years in some cases.
Low levels of metals on HTMA only tells us that the amount of toxic metal deposited in the hair was low. Low levels do not indicate that the body doesn’t have any metals in their body. It should be assumed that toxic metals are present - however, most are hidden deep in the body organs and tissues.
(best test because of this is a urine provocation test, we use an agent called DMSO in my practice)
This report only focuses on the heavy metals that are present in your hair currently. Please review the potential sources for each heavy metal exposure and try to limit them.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7
(55:35) Outro & Disclaimer
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!