This is the first of a series of blogs that will relate to Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). I’d like to start building a bit of a foundation for understanding the crucial role that HTMA can play in re-balancing well-being, both physical and psychological, as well as bolstering the energy levels available for healing, living and onward to thriving! Since I’ll be venturing into metabolic typologies in the next few blogs, I thought it would be nice to offer a quick look (and very simplified version) of “metabolism” and “oxidation”.
What is Metabolism?
“Metabolism is the set of life-sustaining chemical transformations within the cells of organisms. The three main purposes of metabolism are the conversion of food/fuel to energy to run cellular processes, the conversion of food/fuel to building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and some carbohydrates, and the elimination of nitrogenous wastes” (Wikipedia). Minerals and enzymes are required for these life-sustaining processes that occur within the metabolism. How can we support our unique metabolism and these “life-sustaining” chemical transformations? If we have objective knowledge about our own metabolism, this will point us in a direction where we can utilize nutrients and food that will best serve us.
And Oxidation?
What’s going on at a very foundational level in the body as part of the metabolism is oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which certain elements in the body chemically combine with oxygen to release energy. (Chatsworth/Eck, Page 95). In HTMA, there are several categories of oxidative or metabolic types that are revealed, which reflect how fast the cellular processes are converting the food that is ingested into fuel for energy. This metabolic typology is ascertained by the calcium to phosphorus ratio in the test. This reveals immediate knowledge of dietary and supplemental support that is required to begin to start balancing out the individual’s rate of metabolism for more efficient energy and wellbeing. Yet, in the full scope of the mineral dynamics, this key ratio is only one ratio among several others that offer equally vital understanding of one’s biochemical individuality.
When I think of oxidation, it takes me back to my childhood home. It was equipped with a wood stove. How I love the heat from a wood stove! I recall at a young age, learning to adjust the “damper” to give the fire more or less airflow. Finding the “optimal rate” of airflow would yield the most heat while maximizing the burn time of the logs on the fire. Think now about this in terms of food.
Some people release their converted “fuel” too quickly and are benefitted from a diet and supplement regimen that slows their metabolism down somewhat. This is the fast oxidizer typology. Other people release their energy from food too slowly so their metabolism actually needs to be sped up with the appropriate diet and supplementation. This in contrast, is the slow oxidizer typology. In the former, the endocrine system, particularly the thyroid and adrenal glands are working a bit harder than what is optimum. In the latter, these endocrine glands have decreased function. These very important glands are related to our energy levels and affect our digestive efficiency.
Part of the goal with employing HTMA testing is to balance the metabolism to a more ideal and efficient level of oxidation thus increasing the cell’s ability to utilize food energy to then be able to produce human energy. (Chatsworth/Eck, pg 8) This “human energy” is used for deeper healing purposes initially, which often involves balancing of the mineral ratios that directly correlate to endocrine function. Eventually, as the body requires less energy expenditure on healing, there becomes more energy available for living your life and thriving, and to build the reserve energy stores. I like the sound of that! Now with these words, a fun little song has come to me! (RascalFlattsVevo, 2015)
So, why HTMA?
By providing a reflection of the dynamic and interrelated mineral system in the body’s tissues, a HTMA reveals much about what is going on at the biochemical level. Balancing the metabolism by way of the dynamic mineral system plays a key role in healing from any chronic disturbance in the body since energy is required by the body to overcome any impairment of function. (Eck Institute, 1983, pg 41)
Stay tuned. I will delve a bit deeper into the fast oxidizer metabolic type for next time!
References:
Chatsworth, Colin & Loren/Eck, Dr. Paul. Energy: How it affects your emotions, your level of achievement and your entire personal well-being. Sam Biser Press. Pg 8 & 95.
RascalFlattsVevo, Published Dec 10, 2015. “I Like The Sound of That”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIwKZLcQM0E. Retrieved March 01, 2018.
The Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd. (1983) The Most Commonly Asked Questions About Hair Analysis. pg 41.
Wikipedia. Metabolism. Retrieved March 01, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism