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The Four-Low Electrolytes Pattern
A very important and unique hair analysis pattern occurs when the first four minerals are all
below the ideal levels. (calcium <40 mg%, magnesium <6 mg%, sodium <25 mg% and
potassium <10 mg%).
Individuals with this four-low pattern often do not respond well to regular nutrition programs.
Often they have consulted many doctors and nutritionists with poor results. Interpreting the
significance of the four-low pattern and how to help these individuals required a lot of effort and
was a tremendous breakthrough.
Chronic Stress
Individuals in the four-low pattern are exhausted, though they continue to push themselves.
They may have other symptoms of adrenal exhaustion such as allergies and sugar cravings. They
are usually fast oxidizer personalities. However, they are tired and unable to maintain their
sodium and potassium levels. While their sodium and potassium levels have declined, calcium and
magnesium have not risen, at least in part due to a personality tendency.
When the sodium and potassium levels are low, normally one would increase the levels of
these minerals by boosting adrenal activity. However, when sodium and potassium increase,
calcium and magnesium levels tend to decrease. In these individuals, calcium and magnesium are
already low. The body does not permit further decreases, as this could be harmful. Thus the
person remains stuck in the four-low pattern.
The best analogy to describe the four-low pattern is a car with its wheels spinning in the ice or
mud. The faster they spin, the more stuck the car becomes. One uses up a lot energy and yet
goes nowhere. The only answer is to slow down.
Putting the Adrenals to Bed
The nutritional approach to the four-low is to slow the person down. This is similar to slowing
the wheels of a car that are spinning out of control. In the case of the body, slowing down allows
the adrenal glands to rest and can enable the person to come out of the pattern. Otherwise, the
pattern tends to persist and can be very intractable.
High doses of the sedative minerals help to slow the adrenals. The supplement program
consists of high doses of only a few supplements, usually calcium, magnesium and zinc. An adult
may do well on Paramin 3-3-3. If the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2-2.5:1, copper is
added, or Limcomin may replace zinc and copper in the program. A digestive aid may also be
helpful. A simple program is best until the pattern shifts.
The time required to come out of the pattern varies widely. In some people, the four-low is
temporary. It may show up on one test and then disappear on the next. In other cases, a year or
more may be needed to come out of the pattern.
Children With Four-Low
Twenty years ago the four-low was a relatively rare pattern seen mainly in hard-driving
business executives. Now it shows up in housewives and increasingly in small children.
Here are three possible causes for the four-low in a young child. A parent has the four-low
pattern and the child picks up the personality tendency from a stressed parent. Usually the parent
is demanding of the child, and the child responds with the four-low type of stress response.
The four-low in a child may be part of a malabsorption syndrome, usually involving a gluten
allergy. Also, a child could be born with imbalances that would predispose them to this pattern.
Digestion
Individuals with the four-low mineral pattern often have food allergies, usually including wheat,
dairy and at times gluten. They are also usually deficient in hydrochloric acid, which is associated
with low levels of sodium and potassium. Also, their personality is often sympathetic dominant
which turns off digestive secretions and reduces the ability to digest food. Thus attention to diet
and digestion is important.
The Four-Low Personality
There is a definite personality tendency associated with the four-low-electrolyte pattern.
Addressing the personality issue is very important to correct the four-low pattern. One who
becomes aware of the personality pattern and makes changes will respond much faster.
Individuals with the four-low pattern are usually very intense, compulsive, driven, often very
self-critical and perhaps critical of others. Often the adults work very hard and have difficulty
relaxing. They enjoy the intense drama of life, although they may not admit it. It is as though they
enjoy the sound of the spinning of the car tires. They are often unaware of their pattern and how
it is affecting them and others around them.
An excess of a toxic metal such as mercury, for example, could contribute to this personality
tendency. However, the four-low pattern must be improved first before focusing on the metal
toxicity. Otherwise, the wheel-spinning activity uses up so much energy that it is difficult to
eliminate toxic metals.
Sabotaging the Program
Recently, a client with the four-low pattern began a nutrition program. He began to feel better
within a month. However, instead of listening to the advice about slowing down, this client took
on more work and in fact worked seven days a week. One day he called concerned because he
felt dependent on the supplements. The personality connection was again explained. However,
he refused to slow down and thus it was impossible to do more for him as long as he stubbornly
maintained his breakneck, compulsive lifestyle.
Four-Low Review
Often people with the four-low pattern are frustrated and discouraged because no one has
been able to help them. Understanding and identifying the four-low on a hair analysis can be a
real breakthrough for these people.
Here is a quick review. Keep the supplement program very simple, especially avoiding
supplements that speed up the metabolic rate. Discuss diet and food allergies. Discuss tendencies
for compulsiveness and criticalness and the need for change. Many techniques and methods can
help this. Finally, repeat hair tests can monitor the progress in overcoming the four-low pattern.
A few final notes. At times, high doses of calcium, magnesium and zinc can make the four-low
individual more tired for a while. The goal at first is to force the person to slow down. It is wise
to warn the patient of this possibility. If the fatigue is very annoying, the dosages could be
lowered slightly.
Also, it is important to note that at times the four-low-electrolyte tendencies occur in people
with only three low electrolyte levels. It is important to look for four-low tendencies in these
borderline cases and handle them appropriately.
Copyright © 2002
This material is for educational purposes only
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
