autonomic typing

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METABOLIC TYPING




Assessing metabolic type is most helpful in clinical practice to recommend diet and supplementary nutrients. Balancing the oxidation rate is most useful to increase energy, reduce stress on the body and assist toxic metal elimination. Methods of assessment include blood, hair and urine tests, heart rate variability, questionnaires, oriental diagnosis (pulse, tongue, color) and others. Many times the assessments do not correlate with each other. This article sorts out basic concepts and presents a simplified approach I have found very adequate and reliable.





CONCEPTS



More ancient metabolic typing methods include yin and yang assessment of acupuncture and macrobiotics. Ayurvedic typing is another. Morphological types were used by Hippocrates and other ancient physicians. This article concerns the use of biochemical markers for metabolic assessment. Concepts include:



1) Oxidation types were first proposed by Dr. George Watson, author of Nutrition and Your Mind. He divided people into fast and slow oxidizers based on their response to odor testing. He later correlated this with blood pH and CO2 levels. The blood of fast oxidizers tended to be slightly more acidic. Dr. Watson theorized that the types were based on one?s relative ability to handle carbohydrates in the glycolysis cycle and fats in the krebs cycle. He also identified another metabolic type he called sub-oxidizers.



2) Sympathetic and parasympathetic were researched extensively by Melvin Page, DDS, author of Degeneration-Regeneration. He used the calcium/phosphorus ratio in the blood along with body measurements for his assessment.



3) Autonomic dominance is different from the autonomic state. For example, one?s body can be in a parasympathetic state (very weak adrenal and thyroid activity) due to exhaustion of the sympathetic nervous system. However, one?s response tendency can be sympathetic. That is, one may still approach problems with an exaggerated fight-or-flight attitude and response.

Autonomic dominance is related to personality type, although toxic metals and other imbalances can influence the tendency for a particular dominance.



4) Autonomic Versus Oxidation Dominance. Some authorities assess whether an autonomic imbalance is most important or whether an oxidation imbalance is most important. Dr. Bill Wolcott and others use this approach, making use of questionnaires for assessment.



5) Alarm, resistance and exhaustion are the stages of stress according to Dr. Hans Selye, MD. His revolutionary stress theory of disease has yet to be appreciated by most of medical science. Dr. Selye carefully identified the characteristics of each of his stages of stress.



6) Anabolic and catabolic metabolic types were proposed by Dr. Emmanuel Revicci, MD, a prominent physician who did excellent cancer research.



7) Blood types. According to Dr. James D?adamo, ND, author of Eat right For Your Type, one?s blood type will dictate the best diet and other lifestyle choices. I have found this concept of limited usefulness, although those with blood type O have the most difficulty maintaining their health on a vegetarian diet.





SYNTHESIS



Dr. Paul C. Eck, a mineral researcher, studied all these systems and attempted to synthesize them. For example, he asserted that an alarm stage of stress (the fight-or-flight response) is a sympathetic state. It also tends to correspond to a fast oxidizer. This is not too hard to understand. All are characterized by excessive activity of the thyroid and adrenal glands and a hyperalert state of the nervous system.

As stress continues, the thyroid and adrenal glands begin to ?burn out? and one goes into the resistance stage of stress. The oxidation rate begins to slow and the body begins to move from a sympathetic to an unhealthy parasympathetic state. The latter occurs not because one chooses it, but because the sympathetic system becomes depleted of nutrients and can no longer function correctly.

Continued stress results in an exhaustion stage of stress. This corresponds to a very slow oxidizer and an unhealthy parasympathetic state. Thyroid and adrenal activity are low. Symptoms may include fatigue, allergies, low blood sugar, weight gain and many others.

This is the basic correlation of these concepts. Dr. Eck used hair mineral analysis for his assessment of metabolic type. After much experimentation, he found mineral ratios were more reliable as indicators than mineral levels.





HAIR TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS



To assess oxidation rate, one uses the ratios of calcium to potassium and sodium to magnesium. For accurate mineral readings, hair must not be washed at the laboratory. Only two commercial laboratories in the United States do not wash the hair, Analytical Research Labs and Trace Elements, Inc.

Dr. Eck found that a high calcium in relation to potassium is associated with a slower oxidation rate. Thyroid activity lowers calcium. Potassium also sensitizes the tissues to thyroid hormone. Also, calcium stabilizes cell membranes and decreases cell permeability.

A high calcium is associated with sluggish thyroid activity and reduced cell permeability which also decreases oxidation and cellular respiration. Note that diagnoses of hyperthyroidism are possible in this instance and occur quite commonly. They occur because the body may respond to reduced cell permeability and low cellular thyroid activity by secreting more thyroid hormones. Thus blood tests and some symptoms will indicate hyperthyroidism. However, it is not the same as a primary hyperthyroidism which may have different causes. Mercury toxicity in the pituitary can also cause a secondary hyperthyroidism in slow oxidizers.

The sodium/magnesium ratio is more indicative of adrenal glandular activity. The adrenal hormone aldosterone causes sodium retention in the kidneys. An elevated hair sodium in relation to magnesium is associated with excessive adrenal activity. Here too, however, secondary causes for elevated sodium may occur. These include toxic metals in the kidneys and zinc deficiency.

Dr. Eck used as his ideal ratios 4:1 for the calcium/potassium ratio and 4.17:1 for the sodium/magnesium ratio. To summarize the calculation:



* Slow oxidation is defined as a calcium/potassium ratio greater than 4 and a sodium/magnesium ratio less than 4.17.

* Fast oxidation is defined as a calcium/potassium ratio less than 4 and a sodium/magnesium ratio greater than 4.17.

* If one ratio indicates fast and the other slow, the pattern is called mixed oxidation. This is an unstable and temporary state that will resolve to either fast or slow in a number of months.

* Dr. Watson?s sub-oxidizer corresponds to another hair mineral pattern, four low electrolytes. Discussion of this pattern is beyond the scope of this article.





AUTONOMIC STATE AND THE CA/P RATIO



Phosphorus is fiery and explosive. Phosphorus must be stored under water. Exposed to the air, it spontaneously catches fire. TNT contains phosphorus. Phosphors make televisions and computer monitors light up. Phosphorus is the key element in ATP, adenosine triphosphate, the high energy molecule that provides energy for our bodies.

Dr. Paul Eck found that either high or low phosphorus on a hair analysis indicates impaired protein synthesis. All proteins contain phosphorus. Elevated hair phosphorus, especially in relation to calcium, is an indicator of a sympathetic state. This is catabolic, associated with excessive protein breakdown.

In an exhaustion stage of stress, the body becomes parasympathetic because the sympathetic system is depleted. Digestion, absorption and utilization of protein are impaired due to zinc deficiency, copper toxicity, improper gut flora and other problems. This produces a low hair phosphorus, especially in relation to calcium. This is more serious than an elevated hair phosphorus. The ideal phosphorus level is 14-17 mg%.





CALCIUM



Calcium is cold, hard and static. It is the key ingredient in concrete. Calcium gives rigidity to our bones and teeth. Where phosphorus is energy in motion, calcium is structure.

Dr. Hans Selye, founder of the stress theory of disease, discovered that sympathetic nervous activation lowers tissue calcium and magnesium levels. This puts the body is a hyperalert state, increases blood pressure by constricting the arteries and enhances nervous system reactivity. This prepares the body for fighting or running.

The opposite occurs in the exhaustion stage of stress. The sympathetic system is depleted. Thyroid and adrenal activity diminish and tissue calcium begins to rise. It can become very elevated in a hair sample, indicating an unhealthy parasympathetic state. The ideal hair calcium level is about 40 mg%. The ideal ratio of hair calcium to phosphorus is therefore 2.5:1. From Dr. Eck?s research,



* A sympathetic state is indicated by a calcium/phosphorus ratio less than 2.5.

* A parasympathetic state is indicated by a calcium/phosphorus ratio greater than 2.5.



* A sympathetic state will usually correlate with fast oxidation.

* A parasympathetic state will usually correlate with slow oxidation.



* A sympathetic state generally correlates with Dr. Selye?s alarm stage of stress.

* A parasympathetic state generally correlates with an exhaustion stage of stress.

* Resistance stage of stress is an in between stage. It is associated with mild slow oxidation and a balanced calcium/phosphorus ratio on a hair mineral analysis.



This may seem complex, but is actually quite intuitive. Calcium is hard and static. More of it in the tissues is associated with sluggish glandular activity, a parasympathetic state and an exhaustion stage of stress. (Elevated tissue calcium does not mean the body has too much calcium. Rather it means calcium is depositing in the soft tissues).





AUTONOMIC DOMINANCE



Autonomic dominance refers to which branch of the autonomic system one uses most of the time. This is often a personality issue. Most people are sympathetic dominant. When it is mild, one is forward-looking, optimistic, active and energetic. Symptoms of excessive sympathetic dominance include compulsiveness, running around excessively, overworking, excessive thinking, fearfulness, anxiety, worry or anger. One may talk, think and work fast.

Sympathetic dominant individuals do not spend enough time in a parasympathetic state to rebuild the body, so it eventually becomes depleted of nutrients or ?burns out?. A hair sodium/potassium ratio greater than about 4 indicates sympathetic dominance. Greater than 8 is extreme. Today even young children are burned out due to stress and poor diets.

Healthy parasympathetic dominant individuals are rare. They love to relax, do not react to stress and may rest all day, not because they are tired but because they are content. They live in the present moment and are at peace within. A healthy parasympathetic dominant loves eating, has a great appetite and great digestion because the parasympathetic system activates digestion. They are rare due to the stress of modern living. Also, toxic metals and chemicals in the food, air and water disturb the proper functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

Much more common is emotionally or chemically-caused unhealthy parasympathetic dominance. These people have given up on life and will not fight for anything. They may advocate peace, but they are not at peace. They may sit around or they may be active, but are in a give-up mode. Their hair analyses reveal a high calcium/phosphorus ratio, slow oxidation, a sodium/potassium ratio less than about 1.5 or perhaps a four-low-electrolyte pattern (calcium less than 40, magnesium less than 6, sodium less than 25 and potassium less than 10).



One?s autonomic dominance and autonomic state may be different. Many patients are sympathetic dominant, but the body is in a parasympathetic state. This is called a burned out sympathetic dominant. It is indicated on a hair analysis by a calcium/phosphorus ratio greater than 2.5 (parasympathetic state) and a sodium/potassium ratio greater than 4 (sympathetic dominance).





HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND ACUPUNCTURE



Some physicians use heart rate variability to assess autonomic activity. The most common pattern it reveals is deficient parasympathetic. This corresponds to the slow oxidizer (parasympathetic) and the deficient parasympathetic indicates this person is not in a healthy parasympathetic state. It is really just a state of sympathetic nervous system exhaustion. Above we discussed that healthy parasympathetic dominant individuals are rare.

Acupuncture diagnosis also corresponds to these types. The author conducted experiments comparing hair analysis and acupuncture pulse and tongue diagnosis. Fast oxidizers or those in a sympathetic state are yang in acupuncture terminology. Slow oxidizers, those in a parasympathetic state, are yin. There are many other correlations between traditional Chinese acupuncture assessment and hair mineral analysis.





CAUSES OF THE METABOLIC TYPES



The autonomic state and oxidation rate are dependent mainly on biochemical factors. All children start out in a sympathetic state. As one ages and the body wears out, the ability of the body to mount a fight-or-flight response diminishes and the adrenals and thyroid gland slow down. This eventually results in an unhealthy parasympathetic state or slow oxidation.

The degree of deviance from the ideal depends to some degree on genetic factors, congenital nutritional imbalances, diet, lifestyle, accumulation of toxic metals and traumas. One?s emotional reactivity, sensitivity and other subtle factors play an important role in some people.





CAUSES OF AUTONOMIC IMBALANCE



The metabolic type is also heavily influenced by autonomic dominance. This is the tendency of the person to either overuse the sympathetic nervous system or to conserve their energy. In many cases, this is a personality trait. However, it may be influenced by genetic and congenital imbalances, toxic metals and early life traumas. Daily diet and life style usually play a lesser role and are more a result than a cause of one?s autonomic dominant type.

For this reason, I do not distinguish which is more important for a patient, the metabolic state or one?s autonomic dominance. Both can be important and both may be related to biochemical or emotional imbalances. Both need to be addressed for best results.





IMPROVING THE METABOLIC BALANCE



Healing requires a healthy parasympathetic state. This is a state of regeneration, nurturing and nourishing the body. It is a relaxed state that allows the immune system, digestion and the eliminative organs to function optimally.

Inhibiting an overactive sympathetic nervous system by whatever means necessary is a primary concern for healing. I begin the process by supporting two parasympathetic activities, digestion and sleep. If these are not attended to, most people will not get well. There are many natural products and strategies to help correct digestive difficulties and insomnia.

Improving digestion involves the diet, eating habits, and often supplying digestive enzymes for a while. It may also involve restoring normal flora, ending constipation or diarrhea, cleaning and restoring the colon and eliminating reactive foods.

Strategies for improving sleep include the use of sedative nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and zinc, improving sleep habits, lowering excessive copper and other toxic metals that interfere with sleep, improving the sleep environment and other remedies if needed.

Another method to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system is the coffee enema or colonic irrigation. These activate parasympathetic organs. Another very powerful method is sauna therapy. Heating the body shuts down normal heat production, an important sympathetic activity. Meditation, relaxation, yoga and tai chi are other methods that inhibit the sympathetic nervous system. Changing one?s attitudes away from fear, guilt, worry and anger toward love and peace in all situations also powerfully inhibits sympathetic nervous system responses. Deciding at a deep level that the world is basically friendly, not threatening, helps immensely to calm down an overactive sympathetic nervous system.

In some patients, biochemical imbalances are primary, while in others emotional and even spiritual issues must be addressed and can be primary factors. However, for best results biochemical, structural, energetic and emotional/spiritual issues all need to be addressed.



1) Eck, P., Interview in the Health View Newsletter, #27-29, 1979.

2) Page, M., Degeneration - Regeneration, 1949, 1980.

3) Selye, H., The Stress of Life, 1956.

4) Watson, G., Nutrition and your Mind, 1972 and Personality Strength and Psychochemical Energy, 1979.

5) Wilson, L., Nutritional Balancing and Hair Mineral Analysis, 1998 and Healing Ourselves, 2002.