What is the relationship between cortisol and the 4 most important macro minerals in your body??

What happens when all doctors and therapists would use the information obtained by the 4 macro mineral concentrations from the HTMA (Calcium , Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium)? This would add so much insight and value to the complementary system diagnosis! The correlation between the different ratio’s of the macro minerals, the stress parameter (HPA-axis) and Thyroid functioning parameter (HPT-axis) and the phase of the stress response are very strong and useful for a correct problem diagnosis.

A very disturbing trend is the increase of the co-called  “inverse Na/K ratio in young children. (see as an example the graph of a young girl). This phenomenon is called “exhaustion of the stress system”. This definition is developed by Dr Hans Selye, although the wording is not fully correct.  One could have the idea that in this phase of stress, a normal stress response is not possible anymore. We are glad that the neuro-immunologist Dr  Robert Sapolsky in his boek “Why zebra’s do not get ulcers“ carefully explains this issue and helps us understand.

But it is much better to use the metaphore of the stress physiologist Bruce McEwen. He compares this with the large journey of the salmon in spring every year. The salmon returns back to the river place where he was born. This is an impressive achievement if you see these pictures, the salmon mates and then dies. Why? “Because of cortisol” says McEwen. The salmon dies because of the damage caused by the longterm overproduction of stress hormones. The exhaustion phase of the stress system means nothing else then the final price the salmon pays for the high daily stress response, which it too much for the fish. Finally the damage causes the death.

The salmon example illustrates that a high level achievement is not a reliable indicator for health……