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Are you lacking energy?
Do you “need” an energy drink or strong cup of coffee just to start or get through your day?
Quite simply, you should not need any of the myriad energy drinks, designer coffees, or other “quick-fix” energy products flooding the market.
It doesn’t matter how “vogue” these products have become, they are temporary fixes that do not address the root causes of your energy problem – your metabolism.
In fact, a constant lack of energy is in itself a subclinical symptom and tremendously overlooked in our society. Left unchecked, a lack of energy results in the potential for myriad symptoms as well as an increased susceptibility for serious health problems in the future. This reveals the importance of an accurate metabolic test.
The mind and body require constant energy to perform daily tasks as well as heal itself. Because you are unique, your mental and physical levels of energy are specific to you. In other words, you possess a natural level of mind/body energy that does not require the use of performance-enhancing products.
Achieving your natural energy level does not mean you will be capable of running a 3-minute mile or lifting hundreds of pounds. It simply means you should be capable of producing a natural level of energy to live a healthy, balanced, and energetic life.
What is the axis of energy?
Your mind/body energy relies on a complex axis and synchronization of your nervous systems and their respective endocrine glands. The intimate relationships that exist between your nervous systems and endocrine glands are referred to as your neuroendocrine systems.
Your nervous systems include:
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
Your nervous systems work autonomously or without any conscious effort on your behalf to perform all functions required to maintain life. The engagement of either nervous system is often referred to as the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Glands of the endocrine systems include:
- Hypothalamus
- Pineal Gland
- Pituitary Gland
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid
- Thymus
- Adrenal
- Pancreas
- Ovaries
- Testes
Endocrine glands produce one or more specific hormones (chemical messengers) and use blood vessels to deliver each hormone to specific cells, tissues, and/or organs and helps control:
- Metabolism (mind/body energy levels)
- Growth and development
- Dynamic balance of body systems (homeostasis)
- Reproduction
- Stress response (mental/physical)
Keep in mind, none of these exist without nutrition – period! As such, your nutritional health is directly correlated with your mental physical health and every nutrient plays many important roles throughout these systems.
How do we evaluate your energy?
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis are important neuroendocrine indicators for mind/body energy and performance levels.
However, because of the controlling effects of the hypothalamus on the pituitary anterior and posterior lobes, we use the pituitary-adrenal-thyroid (P.A.T.) axis as an indicator of your energy and performance levels.
Our hair mineral analysis is an excellent tool to evaluate your P.A.T. axis.
Here’s how it works…
Five macro minerals play pivotal roles for mind/body energy and performance. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorous are the main regulatory minerals.
Our analysis includes these minerals as well as the specific mineral ratios required to provide an accurate means for each evaluation.
Albeit each of the following P.A.T. evaluations consist of a ratio between two specific minerals, it is important to remember:
- Each mineral is affected by nutrient interrelationships.
- Myriad nutrients are involved in each assessment.
- Toxic elements interfere with (and may even replace) nutritional elements.
- Your P.A.T. axis influences your nutritional status and your nutritional status influences your P.A.T. axis. (This is like the “chicken and the egg” conundrum.)
However, your P.A.T. axis is an excellent indicator of your mind/body energy and performance levels.
The Pituitary indicator
The pituitary consists of two parts: the anterior and posterior.
Each part, through the controlling signals from the hypothalamus, produces two distinctive mind/body responses.
Your calcium/phosphorous (Ca/P) ratio is the significant ratio used to evaluate your anterior/posterior pituitary dominance. The ideal ratio is 2.60:1.
- A Ca/P ratio greater than 2.60:1 indicates posterior pituitary dominance. This reflects a parasympathetic (slow-sedative-healing) nervous system dominance.
- A Ca/P ratio of 2.60:1 (ideal) indicates a dynamic balance between the anterior and posterior pituitary. This corresponds to a dynamic balance of the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems.
- A Ca/P ratio less than 2.60:1 indicates anterior pituitary dominance. This reflects a sympathetic (fast-stimulating-destructive) nervous system dominance.
The [ortho]sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems engage endocrine glands specific to each nervous system. This results in the sympathetic neuroendocrine system and parasympathetic neuroendocrine system. The closer you are to the ideal ratio (2.60:1), the more easily you are capable of flowing between these two systems.
For example, a startling event (e.g. the alarm stage of stress) may occur that requires a sudden burst of energy. Your sympathetic nervous system instantaneously engages the sympathetic endocrine glands required to produce this burst of extra energy.
This is commonly referred to as the “fight or flight” mode.
At the point when the extra energy is no longer required, your parasympathetic neuroendocrine system engages to rebalance the sympathetic/parasympathetic neuroendocrine systems.
The Adrenal indicator
The adrenals are energy-producing endocrine glands consisting of two parts fused together: the adrenal cortex (outer) and adrenal medulla (inner). Each part produces different hormones.
Your sodium/magnesium (Na/Mg) ratio is the significant ratio used to evaluate your adrenal cortex/medulla dominance. The ideal ratio is 4.00:1.
- A Na/Mg ratio greater than 4.00:1 indicates increased adrenal expression (overactive – hyperadrenia). This reflects a dominance of the adrenal medulla hormones.
- A Na/Mg ratio of 4.00:1 indicates a dynamic balance between the adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex. This corresponds with a dynamic balance of hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and medulla.
- A Na/Mg ratio less than 4.00:1 indicates low adrenal function (underactive – hypoadrenia). This reflects an adrenal cortex insufficiency due to long-term dominance of the medulla. This is often the result of the chronic and exhaustion stages of stress.
The cortex produces androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids required for health and homeostasis. These are anabolic and healing.
Unlike many of the other cortex hormones, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are mainly produced in the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone is a cortex hormone that regulates the electrolytes sodium and potassium.
The adrenal medulla is an emergency gland – not a constant source of energy! The medulla, via pituitary anterior signals (adrenocorticotropic hormones ACTH) produces catecholamines such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones are catabolic and destructive and the result of physical or mental stress.
The Thyroid indicator
The thyroid gland is an energy-producing endocrine gland that works in concert with the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands, usually 4 of them, are nodes projecting from the backside of the thyroid.
Your calcium/potassium (Ca/K) ratio is the significant ratio used to evaluate your thyroid/parathyroid dominance. The ideal ratio is 4.20:1.
- A Ca/K ratio greater than 4.20:1 indicates low thyroid expression (underactive – hypothyroid). This reflects a parathyroid dominance over the thyroid gland.
- A Ca/K ratio of 4.20 indicates a dynamic balance between the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
- A Ca/K ratio less than 4.20:1 indicates thyroid dominance (overactive – hyperthyroid). This reflects a thyroid dominance over the parathyroid glands.
In essence, calcium slows down the thyroid and potassium speeds it up.
Studies have shown that intestinal absorption of calcium increases and excretion through the kidneys is reduced in hypothyroid states. This results in an excess of calcium. However, potassium is necessary for sensitizing the target tissues to the effects of thyroxine (T4).
Thyroid hormones are required for cellular differentiation, growth, and metabolism. The thyroid gland also produces another hormone called calcitonin, and the parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH). Parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin participate in control of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and have significant psychophysiological effects.
Your sodium/potassium ratio is vital for energy.
Interestingly, your adrenal glands signal the kidneys to regulate the excretion and/or retention of sodium (Na) and potassium (K). The majority of sodium is located outside the cell (extracellular) and potassium is located inside the cell (intracellular).
Commonly referred to as the sodium/potassium (Na/K) pump, these minerals are vital for cellular metabolism and the electrical charge in the cell membrane. This results in a more permeable cell membrane or less permeable cell membrane. Professor Jens Christian Skou of Aarhus University discovered the sodium/potassium pump in 1957 and received the Nobel Prize for his discovery in 1997.
In addition, sodium, potassium, and the sodium/potassium are extremely important in the nutrient transport systems.
Your sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratio is the significant ratio used to evaluate your cellular vitality. The ideal ratio is 2.40:1.
- A Na/K ratio greater than 2.40:1 indicates a potential increase of stress levels and inflammation.
- A Na/K ratio of 2.40:1 indicates an overall healthy cellular metabolism
- A Na/K ratio less than 2.40:1 indicates the potential for reduced cellular metabolism and an increased inability to respond and recover from stress.
Today, the chronic resistance stage of stress and the exhaustion stage of stress (long-term adrenal responses) are major factors contributing to an imbalanced Na/K ratio. Also of immense importance is Na, K, and the Na/K ATPase (sodium/potassium pump) are essential nutrient transporters.
Why use Hair Analysis for your energy evaluation?
As just seen, macro minerals (regulatory minerals) are important for energy.
On our hair analysis, the mineral ratios used for energy assessment are termed Significant Ratios.
However, micro or trace minerals assayed by our hair analysis are equally important for an optimal energy evaluation as well.
“Malnutrition or the presence of numerous nutritional deficiencies in a patient’s body can be the cause of thyroid disorders. Coexisting deficiencies of such elements as iodine, iron, selenium and zinc may impair the function of the thyroid gland. Other nutrient deficiencies usually observed in patients suffering from ATD are: protein deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies (A, C, B6, B5, B1) and mineral deficiencies (phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chromium). Proper diet helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease, maintains a healthy weight and prevents the occurrence of malnutrition. This article presents an overview of selected documented studies and scientific reports on the relationship of metabolic disorders and nutritional status with the occurrence of ATD.”
[Metabolic disorders and nutritional status in autoimmune thyroid diseases]. Kawicka A, Regulska-Ilow B, Regulska-Ilow B. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2015 Jan 2;69:80-90. doi: 10.5604/17322693.1136383. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25614676
For example, selenium is a micro mineral, yet it is extremely important for myriad metabolic functions that include thyroid hormones. Keep in mind, the human body’s content of selenium is in the 13–20 milligram range! A selenium deficiency is known to adversely affect thyroid hormone metabolism (iodothyronine deiodinase – conversion of T4 to T3) as well as iodine metabolism.
Keep in mind, each of these minerals do not function properly in any metabolic process without the assistance of myriad cofactors (e.g. vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids). These are complex nutrient interrelationships.
In addition, toxic elements, also assayed using hair analysis, can interfere with the metabolic functions of macro and micro essential minerals. The advantages of a hair analysis also include a detailed healthy foods specific to your nutrient needs!
So, are you ready to improve your energy – naturally?
Click here to order your hair analysis today!
Additional page that may interest you:
Metabolic Synchronization: Your metabolism is not just fast or slow!
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REFERENCES
The role of selenium in thyroid hormone metabolism and effects of selenium deficiency on thyroid hormone and iodine metabolism. Arthur JR, Nicol F, Beckett GJ. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1992 Sep; 34 (3):321-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8427195
Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach. (stress and adrenal glands) Nussey S, Whitehead S. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publishers; 2001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26/
Introduction to the Steroid Hormones (adrenal and thyroid) http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/steroid-hormones.php