Posted by Larry Hoover on April 7, 2003, at 19:17:37
In reply to Larry Hoover, question, posted by McPac on April 7, 2003, at 18:09:08
> Larry, here is my sodium-potassium question that I've been wondering about. I have lifted weights for many years. I WAS gaining a good deal of muscle mass in the past. When I worked out intensely, the muscles grew accordingly. However, for quite some time I'd been working out very hard, eating well, etc. yet it didn't seem at all like I was getting any more muscle (it just stayed the same). The intensity was definitely there to stimulate muscle, as was plenty of good food. But after a long, long time, I figured something must be amiss in my body, physiologically, that wasn't enabling me to grow from my workouts. I thought maybe it might be that my meds were doing something to my body's chemistry...I KNEW I was doing plenty to stimulate more muscle growth. Then, I happened to see this (below) on a Dr's web site. I checked my Pfeiffer test results and sure enough my sodium-potassium WAS LESS than 2.5:1. I noted the part talking about "protein catabolism" in these people. Protein catabolism----wouldn't that mean that these peoples' protein was being "eaten away", thus "no growth" or certainly much harder for growth to occur since protein is needed for growth? Could this explain why my intense weightlifting was not paying off? IF SO, would eating EXTRA protein do much good? I know that balancing the s/p ratio would undoubtedly be the best solution, correct? Thanks!!! (thought you might like a question like this as it is not just another mental health question, lol)
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> "Dr. Larry Wilson and Dr. Paul Eck write that research shows that the sodium/potassium ratio is perhaps the most important ratio seen on a hair tissue sample test. A ratio less than 2.5:1, for instance, is called an "inversion," and shows a trend to poor vitality, with protein catabolism (body tissue or organ breakdown), adrenal exhaustion and sugar intolerance as well as other metabolic problems".I looked for supporting evidence for this concept, and I really have to wonder just how useful hair mineral analysis is, in this context. Electrolytes are so easily measured in a blood draw.....
Even if this is a significant finding (and I do have reason to wonder), I'd consider it to be nothing more that a marker trait, a measurable characteristic that is correlated with a deeper disturbance in physiology. In any case, I also looked at their recommendations for "restoring" the metabolism to normal functioning, and they coincide nicely with the other recommendations for supplementation that you've already received.
The only other dietary measure to consider is their recommendation for a high-protein low-fat diet. Rather, I think you'd be better off with a low-carb diet (which is, perforce, a high-protein high-fat diet), as espoused by e.g. Atkins or Sears (the Zone).
Changes in the ratio of anabolic steroids that come with age are probably a better explanation for any differences in your muscle bulk than e.g. an inverted sodium/potassium ratio, in my humble opinion.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:217119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/217148.html