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Sodium and the Adrenals
Approximately 95% of all hair mineral analyses reviewed at Analytical Research Labs (ARL)
reflect impaired adrenal glandular activity. Some claim that one cannot assess adrenal activity
from a hair mineral test. However, when hair is not washed at the laboratory, adrenal assessment
is one of the most important uses for hair analysis and an excellent reason to use Analytical
Research Labs instead of other laboratories.
Adrenal Physiology
The adrenals produce a variety of hormones including the fast-acting stress hormones,
adrenaline and nor-adrenaline, and the slower acting glucocorticoid hormones, cortisol and
cortisone. In addition, the adrenals produce aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid hormone.
Many nutrients are required to produce these hormones, including vitamins A, C, E,
pantothenic acid and other B-complex vitamins. The glands can become nutritionally depleted or
toxic. Toxic metals that may accumulate in the adrenals include lead, cadmium, mercury and
aluminum. These can cause either reduced or excessive activity of the glands.
The adrenals are an important part of the sympathetic or fight/flight branch of the autonomic
nervous system. Their effects include raising blood pressure and blood sugar, and raising the
sodium level which depresses calcium and magnesium levels. This brings the nervous system to a
heightened state of readiness and responsiveness.
Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction often include fatigue, allergies, joint pain, depression and low
blood sugar. These are among the most common complaints in doctor’s offices.
The Adrenals And Hair Analysis
Aldosterone, the primary mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenals, causes sodium retention
by the kidneys. As long as hair is not washed at the laboratory, the hair sodium level tends to
reflect aldosterone activity.
The hair potassium level roughly correlates with cortisol activity. With adrenal exhaustion, both
hair sodium and potassium levels tend to be low. In late stages of stress, according to Selye,
(The Stress of Life and other works), cortisol levels rise again and are reflected on a hair
analysis by potassium rising in relation to sodium. This is called an inverted sodium/potassium
ratio, an indicator of chronic stress.
Washing the hair at the laboratory erratically removes water-soluble elements, especially
sodium and potassium. Some labs choose to wash the hair before testing. Labs that wash the hair
insist that hair sodium and potassium readings are unreliable. It is not true of an analysis by
Analytical Research Labs. With the ARL test, the sodium level and its ratios are often the
most important readings on the test. Most people are unaware of this important difference in
hair analysis lab procedures.
Other Factors That Affect The Sodium Level
In addition to aldosterone, the following may elevate a hair sodium reading.
Toxic metals can elevate the sodium level. Those that may elevate sodium include cadmium,
mercury, aluminum and nickel. Whenever these are present, the sodium level is in fact not as high
as it appears. Often, on a retest, a sodium level will decrease as toxic metals are eliminated. A
diet and supplement program can assist the adrenals, and the sodium level will be maintained or
perhaps increase even as toxic metals are eliminated.
Excesses of physiological minerals also elevate the sodium level. These include
manganese, copper, iron, chromium and selenium. Any time one observes an elevated level
of any of these minerals, the sodium level is in fact not as high as it appears. Once again, as
excess physiological minerals are eliminated, the sodium level may decrease.
Hidden toxic or physiological minerals may also elevate the sodium level. Minerals are
called ‘hidden’ when they are present, but not revealed on a hair analysis or on other tests for
toxic metals. They are not revealed because they are sequestered deep within other body organs
or tissues.
Hidden copper toxicity will raise sodium and is very common in slow metabolizers. In these
cases, the copper level appears normal or even low. Indicators for hidden copper imbalance
include a calcium level greater than 80 mg%, potassium less than 5 mg%, a sodium/potassium
ratio less than 2:1, mercury greater than 0.06 mg% or zinc is less than 16 mg%. Hidden
manganese, iron, chromium, aluminum and other minerals will also raise sodium.
Minerals may remain hidden for years, even when one is on a corrective nutritional program.
They are needed internally to support exhausted adrenal and thyroid glandular activity. This is
similar to defective blocks holding up a house. They cannot be removed until the house is shored
up and rebuilt.
This can be confusing because the hair analysis may initially show fairly normal levels of
sodium, yet the patient may feel tired or have other symptoms of low adrenal activity such as
joint pain, allergies, low blood sugar or depression. Over a period of several months to several
years, as the sodium-raising excess minerals are removed, the sodium level may appear worse
and worse on repeat tests, yet the patient may feel better and better.
Stress, especially acute stress, will elevate a hair sodium reading. Stress forces the adrenals to
work harder. The stress may be physical such as extreme exercise, drinking coffee or cola
beverages, or the use of other stimulants. It may also be emotional, social, financial or another
type. Additionally, it may also be nutritional, such as a deficiency of a nutrient required by the
adrenals.
Adrenal Ratios
Since many factors can affect the sodium level, Dr. Paul Eck discovered that a better indicator
of adrenal activity is the ratios of sodium to other minerals. This adds complexity to the test
interpretation, but is most helpful to assess adrenal activity. The main ratios to consider are
sodium to magnesium and sodium to potassium.
The sodium/magnesium ratio. Sodium and magnesium tend to be antagonistic. As one goes
up the other goes down. The ratio of the two minerals often gives a better picture of adrenal
activity than the sodium level alone. Called ‘the adrenal ratio’, we use an ideal ratio of 4.17:1 for
sodium/magnesium. As the ratio elevates, it reflects an excessive adrenal effect, while a low ratio
indicates underactivity. This may not correlate perfectly with blood or saliva tests for adrenal
hormones. This is because the latter measure hormones or their metabolites in the blood or other
fluids. The hair test measures tissue effect.
An individual may have adequate or even excessive hormones in the blood, but they may not
be reaching the tissues, or they may not have the proper tissue effect due to impaired cell
permeability, impaired energy production in the cells, the presence of other toxins or for other
reasons.
The sodium/potassium ratio. The ratio of sodium to potassium reflects many factors related
to adrenal glandular activity. A ratio greater than about 2.5:1 represents a tendency for an excess
of pro-inflammatory hormones such as aldosterone, in relation to anti-inflammatory adrenal
hormones such as cortisol and cortisone. Emotionally, it is associated with acute stress and
anger. An elevated ratio is considered better than a low or inverted ratio. When the latter is
present, the body is less able to mount an inflammatory response.
A low ratio is a chronic stress indicator, associated with carbohydrate intolerance, exhaustion,
cardiac, liver and kidney stress, low gastric hydrochloric acid, an impaired immune system and a
tendency for infections. Emotionally it is associated with chronic negative emotions including
frustration, resentment and hostility.
Copyright © 2003
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.
