High Copper and Candida

90% of people treated by a Doctor of Nutripathy for candida had high levels of the trace mineral copper. Copper toxicity can be traced back to copper pipes affecting drinking water, eating acid foods that were prepared in uncoated copper pots as well as other environmental sources like fungicides, pesticides and household cleaners. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, the vegetable heavy vegetarian diet, vitamin pills, jewelry and birth control pills can also disrupt the copper balance. Copper buildup and toxicity affects the liver and the kidneys. Besides copper affecting people with candida, copper has also been traced to three diseases - (1) Indian childhood cirrhosis that is easily traced to the Indian population that boils milk for children in copper pots, (2) Wilson's disease, a genetic disease causing neurologic and psychological symptoms and liver and brain disease from non-secreted copper buildup, and (3) Alzheimer's disease where elevated copper and zinc, opposing elements actually, bind to amyloid beta proteins which form reactive oxygen species in the brain.

Copper as an Essential Mineral

Copper is actually necessary as a trace mineral (between 50mg and 120mg) to maintain the healthy body. Copper-rich sources ae beef and calf liver, but it is also high in oysters, shellfish, avocado, sunflower seeds, nuts and trail mixes along with many other foods but at lower levels. Once eaten, copper is assimilated through the stomach lining and then transported via the blood stream to other body parts. As an important element found in 13 enzymes in the human body, having access to it (the body does not produce copper) is essential. Copper is important for proper nerve function, bone growth, fetal development, formation of blood cells, heart and muscle movement and tone as well as development of the brain and nervous system. It has functions throughout the body and is essential for the body to effectively use iron in the blood stream.

Copper Deficiencies and Excess

Copper deficiencies, on the other hand, are thought to play a part in high cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. Anemia, osteoporosis and a wide variety of other major and minor health conditions are also thought related to copper deficiency within the body.


A Kayser-Fleischer ring, copper deposits found in the cornea, is an indication the body is not metabolizing copper properly. [Wikipedia, "Copper Toxicity"]

Large deposits of copper resulting in toxicity is apparent through iridology, which identifies a Kayser-Fleischer ring, that is, a dark ring or rings that encircle the iris of the eye, and clearly points to copper toxicity. The Kayser-Fleischer rings are most common in people with Wilson's disease.

In excess, copper does the following - (1) suppresses potassium storage in the cells (potassium is vital as it helps the thyroid produce the body's energy), (2) suppresses adrenal gland function (the adrenals are the "fuel pumps" for the body), as well help control blood sugar and allergy response, (3) blocks the functions of zinc, the mineral involved in thousands of evergy and immune-related cycles (high copper and low zinc have been found to cause depression and mental disorders), (4) suppresses iron storage, causing anemia, (5) causes abnormal depositing of calcium in the soft tissues, which has been shown to depress thyroid function and cause an increase in viral activity.

NOTE:  Hidden Copper Toxicity Indicators. The hair copper level is a very unreliable indicator for copper toxicity.  So is serum copper, serum ceruloplasmin, and many other tests because the copper can hide deep in the brain and the liver.  A liver biopsy is a good indicator, but is a painful and somewhat invasive procedure.

Biamonte Center - The Copper Connection
Copper toxicity - Wikipedia

Copper Toxicity Syndrome (excellent info!)

How Does Copper Affect Us?

Biamonte Ctr - Treating Candida, part II

The Biamonte Center, which is specifically for treating candida, has developed a four-stage program for eliminating candida and rebalancing the body. For an overview of the center and its purpose, see the previous blog entry or go to the website.

Phase 1 : Eliminate the candida infection
Phase 2 : Detoxify the intestines and body
Phase 3 : Correct hormone or nutritional deficiencies
Phase 4 : Support and rebuild the immune system

Michael Biamonte, clinical nutritionist, gives an overview of each of the phases and includes some of the elimination drugs/supplements used as well as discusses the philosophy behind each phase. I do appreciate this information, especially some of the whys and wherefore being explained about the chronological process.

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PHASE 1 : Eliminate the candida infection

This is the "systemic phase", the phase that refers to treatment of the entire body and its systemic infection (caused by virus, bacteria, yeast, fungus or parasite).

In this phase there are two types of natural and herbal substances to be taken. The first is taken on rotation, that is, every 4 days one of the items is stopped and another is taken for 4 days. There might be 4-6 items in the rotation group with the products being taken for 30 days before re-evaluation, resulting in possible extention of treatment for another 30 days. The principle behind rotating these treatment herbs/supplements is that candida is able to build up immunity to an herb/supplement/drug after only 21 days (some say 7 days), and so to keep the process of elimination alive and continuous, rotation is needed. The carefully selected herbals/supplements in Phase 1 are chosen for their ability to be absorbed by the blood, travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system, and be able to kill or eliminate most of the infection throughout most of the body.

Non-rotated supplements are the second group. The non-rotated items are to be taken every day. They aid the die-off of the infection. Products used are Biocidin or Bioradiance (the double-strength of Biocidin) accompanyied with Biotonic, products of Bio-Botanical Research Inc. These products are said to be very powerful so must be taken with food.

Resulting from the rotated and non-rotated herbals and supplements is the likely die-off reaction, also known as Herxheimer reaction. The reaction is due to a larger number of bacteria or toxins being dumped into the bloodstream, colon or wherever too quickly for them to be transported out, resulting in a toxic reaction. The toxic reaction in itself is a good sign of the products working, but it can affect the already weakened immune system; therefore, some of the doses should be lessened in order for the body, specifically the liver, not to be too overworked-overstressed. Reactions could be headaches, myalgia, fever, chills, fluttering heart, hypotension, flu-like symptoms, among others. During die-off, to lessen discomfort and reaction, continual flushing with fluids is strongly recommended - at least 4 oz. every half hour.

Through the Biamonte Center, this phase lasts 30 days before retesting, which determines whether the person procedes to the next phase or will repeat phase 1 again with perhaps a change in herbals/supplements and dosages. Urine tests are given to determine progress. The urine sample measures 3 things:

(1) pH which tells the likelihood of an active infection (should be about 6.4 but if 5 or especially below 4 the person is more infection susceptible; a pH between 6-7 shows little infection susceptibility)
(2) indican, which indicates the amount of toxicity in the colon and intestines. Indican is produced by food that is putrefying in the intestines, mixing with harmful bacteria, parasites or yeast, which is then releasing indole, a harmful substance. Indole gets absorbed in the blood and then is eliminated through urine as indican.
(3) protein waste product that is given off by parasites and yeast

Also in the non-rotated group are supplements, e.g. enzymes to help aid digestion, perhaps an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic or anti-yeast product.

What is not used in this phase are immune boosters and/or anti-oxidants. Taking such would counteract the herbals and supplements for killing off the candida by strengthening it. Anti-oxidants include beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, quercetin, pycnogenol as well as nutrients which stimulate and/or activate viruses/bacterias - calcium, vitamin D, copper, CoQ10, B-complex (individual vitamin Bs may be necessary though).

This phase will NOT eliminate all the symptoms or all the infection, but the severe symptoms of active infection are expected to go away. Once symptoms have been reduced and bloodwork determines that the infection likewise is reduced, the person procedes to Phase 2 with no "vacation" between herbal/supplement cycles. In fact, for best results, a three-day overlap of supplements in Phase 1 and Phase 2 is often encouraged.

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PHASE 2 : Detoxify the intestines and the body

Phase 2 is to cleanse the body of viruses and parasites. Parasites are eliminated through cleansing the bowel. Viral conditions like Epstein-Barr or cytomeglio virus or other Herpes-type viruses usually associated with chronic fatigue are cleansed through the intestines and by cleaning the liver, the lymphatic system, the spleen, and various other organs and glands that are known to house viruses. Bacteria is eliminated in similar ways. Phase 2 has three steps.

Step 1 : Use 4-5 different supplements to kill the infection
.......... i. "looseners"
.......... ii. "bulldozers"
.......... ii. "digestive aids"
.......... iv. "mop-up items"
.......... v. "vermifuges" (some people only)
Step 2 : Introducing friendly bacteria
Step 3 : Repair the intestinal tract

Step 1 : Use 4-5 different supplements to kill the infection

The "looseners" - Their job is to loosen old debris, old mucus or fecal matter sitting in the intestinal tract and which hide yeast, parasites or harmful bacteria. Once loosened and removed, more intestinal tract surface will be available for the "good" bacteria to live and thrive. Castor oil, garlic oil, bromelin, pancreatin, pepsin (an enzyme produced in the stomach) and comfrey. Taken on an empty stomach 2-3 times a day and usually in high amounts, as in 4-8 "looseners" at one time - Example, 4-7 castor oil or garlic oil first thing in the morning and last thing at night and 4-6 pancreatin 2-3 times a day.

The "bulldozers" - These push out debris from the intestinal tract which the looseners have loosened. High fiber products commonly containing psyllium (a fiber) and benzonite (a highly absorbent clay capable of holding several times its weight in toxins and toxic matter). Taken on an empty stomach twice a day, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

The "digestive aids" - These help with rebuilding the digestive system or aid the overtaxed digestive system with its work. Enzymes, hydrochloric acid, pancreatin, bile salts - items the body needs and if healthy can produce on its own. Taken at meal and snack times.

The "mop-up items" - Also known as "candida killers" are to mop up any remaining substances secreted in hard-to-get areas. They are oil-type products that line the intestinal tract and absorb into it, reaching yeast that is unreachable by other products. These are products that absorb into the blood and travel throughout the body, killing yeast in obscure places. Taken with each meal but these supplements/oils needs to be rotated.

The "vermifuges" - These are "vermin" (worm or parasite) killers. Nasty as it may sound, almost everyone with candida has worms or parasites which must be expelled before real healing can be expected. K-min, black walnut and butternut bark. Taken on an empty stomach.

Phase 2 also has Herxheimer reaction, and some people have gastro-intestinal upset gas, bloating, poor digestion. Rectal itching is also very common, especially if a person has worms or parasites.

Step 2 : Introducing friendly bacteria

Friendly bacteria are started to be introduced into the system via FOS, a fruit sugar found in garlic, artichokes, bananas, and other fruits and vegetables which tend to selectively feed only friendly bacteria. Bifidofactor or Superdophilis are two powerful types of the DDS strain and which do a fast and thorough job. Dosages are half a teaspoon of Bifidofactor in the a.m. and half a teaspoon of Superdophilis in the p.m. while taking FOS three times a day at half a teaspoon doses. All should be taken on an empty stomach because the acid in the stomach can kill these friendly bacteria. The FOS is the most important because it will get into the intestinal tract and feed the friendly bacteria and get it to multiply.

In this phase it is very common to have intestinal bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort due to the growth of the friendly bacteria which produces gas and bloating as it wipes out the harmful bacteria. If the gas and bloating is bad, simply reduce the doses until no reaction in produced and then gradually try to increase the amount.

Step 3 : Repair the intestinal tract

Certain vitamins and nutrients are used for repairing the intestinal damage, like "leaky gut" or permeability, caused by the candida, thereby also eliminating the key symptoms of leaky gut which are arthritic symptoms and food reactions. Two categories of supplements are used - one for repairing and the other for reducing inflammation. Depending on the supplements, they can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

At the end of Phase 2 a person should have vastly increased digestive ability, far fewer food reactions, better bowels movements and less gas and bloating. The person should now be ready to correct vitamin and mineral and other nutrient absorption.

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PHASE 3 : Correct hormone or nutritional deficiencies

This part of the program addresses issues of energy and also nutritional deficiencies. Blood testing and hair analysis (done through the Bio-Cybernetics Center) is used for assessing how to individually treat each patient. Blood shows transportation of say nutrients while hair shows storage of for example toxins like mercury, arsenic, lead, copper, bismuth, etc. Many people who have arthritis or any type of joint or muscular pain commonly have toxic metal poisoning, as do women with severe PMS or difficulties conceiving. Commonly also are people with candida or Epstein-Barr virus having excess copper (likely from copper pipes) or mercury (likely from silver fillings).

The adrenal glands and the thyroid are the energy producers in the body. Many people may also have energy issues due to deficiencies in their reproductive organs - the prostate and testicles for men, the ovaries, uterus and mammary glands for women. In fact, candida in women is very likely linked to issues of either too low or too much estrogen. Women need special attention in regard to rebalancing their reproductive organs as estrogen is always fluctuating throughout the month. In general although men may have hormonal imbalances, they need less attention to hormonal therapy.

To boost the energy level and to get the glands working properly, specific nutrients the person is deficient in are given, for example, vitamin A and C may show up as needed mutritional supplementation. Or B-complex. Mineral deficiencies may also show up, but supplementation may not be done with minerals as a further imbalance could be created with this micronutrient category. Protein concentrates are given and these are actual protein organ extracts of animals specifically raised for the purpose of gland and organ processing. Specific herbs for stimulating specific organs or glands could be prescribed.

On this phase diet is changed to address the issue of building the body's nutritional defences. The diet is changed to fit the person's fast or slow metabolism. If the person has a slow metabolism, the person should eat a meal high in protein and low in fat to stimulate the thyroid, adrenal glands and energy-producing glands for raising the metabolism and for burning more calories. Only protein is capable of increasing metabolism and the calorie burning rate. If the person has a fast metabolism (only about 20% of the American population), then he/she burns up carbs and starches too quickly and runs out of energy so needs to consume more fats and oil which are slow-burning fuels for maintaining a more constant level of energy within the body.

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PHASE 4 : Support and rebuild the immune system

This phase deals primarily with the immune system and to make sure the thymus gland, spleen and lymphatic system are functioning properly, and very importantly, to make sure the liver is producing antibodies and has an immune system response. Of course the adrenals need to be furthered strengthened, so reintroducing some of the Phase 2 supplements might be considered. Phase 4 has two parts - the first is to take nutrients for 1-2 months to build and repair the immune system, and the second is to use specific herbs which stimulate the immune system.

Part 1: Nutrients to build and repair the immune system

Which supplements are given are determined through blood and/or hair testing, or even occasionally through a special test for T-cells and B-cells (similar to the test given to HIV patients) for determmining exact immune system requirements. However, the principal test that will determine progress is by the white blood count and the many individual white blood cells which are measured on a complete white blood count: cenefils and basofils (white blood cells that indicate allergies), monocytes (tell how well the liver is functioning), and then the primary indicators, the nutrofils and lithocytes (which are good indicators of infection in the body). In another section on the blood test, the total globulin (a protein utilized by the immune system) also tells how well the immune system is doing, as also does the albumin (another protein). A test called totalbillyrubin can give some idea of the functioning of the thymus and the liver and also an idea of the immune system's response.

In the hair analysis, some of the principal minerals which indicate the immune response in the body are zinc, copper and iron. In an immune-deficient person an excessively low zinc and an abnormally high copper is common. A very low or high iron also tells how the immune system is functioning. The mineral selenium indicates how well the body is responding to chemical toxins or odors and fumes and things in the environment which cause sensitivities. Toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic and copper also give an idea of how well the immune system is doing - the lower the metals, the better the immune response.

Part 2 : Specific herbs for boosting the immune system

Vitamin C flush - Sometimes a vitamin C flush is necessary for boosting the immune system. The flush gives the system very high doses of vitamin C to the point where it totally saturates the system. For this flush, vitamin C is given every hour (strict records are kept documenting time and amount as well as outcome, e.g. loose stool, diarrhea). For example, if someone takes 1000mg of vitamin C every hour for 6 hours and then has loose stool or diarrhea, then 6000mg was consumed before reaching evacuation. So, subtract 1000mg from the total to reach 5000mg, and then in the next 3 hours the high tolerance doses of 5000mg is given to saturate the body and boost the immune system. Another example, is a person takes 12,000mg before having loose stool, and so subtracting 1000mg, the high vitamin C dose of 11,000mg is given within the next 3 hours. The high dosages would continue for up to 3 days at 3 hour intervals, but every time 1000mg less would be given, and the outcome of the doses would no longer result in loose stool or diarrhea. This is the vitamin C flush. [The reason for achieving loose stool is for the body to indicate that it is totally saturated by vitamin C. The flush has been shown clinically to raise the immune response as high as possible by the megadoses.] High power vitamin C used in this program could be Ultra Potency by Metagenics or another high powered one by Alacer company or a supplement called Emergency-C or even another kind.

The mineral germanium - [Purpose : unclear] Another mega-dosing program is with the use of the mineral germanium, to be effective, taking germanium in a 4-day to 1-week course. For example, a person might start with 25mg one day, the next take 50mg, then 100mg, then 150mg, then 200mg, and then 250mg. Perhaps then the person would take a 2-day break and then start over at the 25mg dose and work up in the same way. The cycle could even be repeated again.

Vitamin A - For mega-dosing with vitamin A, water-soluable A (a kind of vitamin A that does not accumulate in the liver for long periods of time) is used and in dosages of up to 250,000 units. The 250,000 dosage can be maintained for 2-3 weeks and then dropped down to 50,000 units for 1-2 weeks, and then brought up to 250,000 units for another few weeks before being dropped back to 50,000 units for a week or so. So, one could conceivably be taking 250,000 units a day for 2-3 weeks, and 50,000 units for 1-2 weeks. This again serves to stimulate certain parts of the immune system at a very high level.

Glandular concentrates - Certain other glandular concentrates from the thymus, lymphs, spleen, adrenals and liver are also used in very high doses in order to generate and increase immune response. Sometimes they may be taken every hour.

The vitamin C flush, germanium, vitamin A and the hourly technique of taking glandular concentrates may also be used if the person is feeling on the verge of a relapse or coming down with a cold or flu. Echinacea, a commonly used herb for the immune system, can also be used to ward off an oncoming cold or flu. The dose is 2-3 teaspoons, 3 times a day, and then after the inital high dosages, dropped down to 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day.

Phase 4, the rebuilding of the immune system which took years to destroy, takes the longest; it may very likely take as long as a year. In this very individualized phase, fiber supplements to keep the bowels moving, some flora supplement for aiding correct bacteria growth, and digestive supplements for assisting with digestion are employed. Energy boosters from Phase 3 might even be continued in addition to the mega-dosing techniques above.

Sometimes in this phase a rash or pimples might appear. These are primarily the result of the lymphatic sstem and the immune system cleansing themselves. If this happens, a dry massage to massage off dead skin can be done to activate better circulation of the vascular and lymphatic systems which will help push poisons out of the skin. Saunas and steam baths are even more efficient for cleansing impurities out.

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Other principles to keep in mind:

Phase 1 and Phase 2 are done under a very carefully regulated diet. The Biamonte Center has three diet choices: a high-protein diet that includes meat with few carbs, a vegetarian diet which includes a few more carbs, and the caveman diet which is for toughest candida (mainly meat protein with low carb vegetables).

Phase 1 and Phase 2 primarily eliminate the total infection; Phase 3 and Phase 4 build back the immune system and repair the damage caused by the infections.

Phase 1 handles active infection; Phase 2 handles the digestive system and nutrient absorption; Phase 3 addresses energy; Phase 4 aims for rebalancing the immune system.

Rule of thumb - Liquids are taken on an empty stomach; all tablets or capsules are taken with meals.

At no time in the program does a person want constipation. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fiber is to help flush the body regularly and speedily from the toxins that are poured into the colon, but if constipation occurs, the toxins build up and are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and possibly making the person very ill indeed.

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All the of the above material came from the Biamonte Center's webpages, specifically under the category of "Tour Our Program". I have tried to condense the pages describing the program as succinctly as possible without changing any of the therapies or nuances of the 4 phase candida cleansing and repair program. I do NOT agree with everything in the program, but this summary is just what it is, a summary of a program and devoid of my opinion.

Reaction to Bottled Water (Headaches and Numbness)

In January I started to feel poorly again. I didn't really understand but thought maybe it had to do with being bored as I didn't have winter work so I wasn't getting as much exercise as when I'm running around teaching and with papers to grade while trying to accomplish a lot during the week. I was starting to have weird headaches and low energy too. In Februrary I went home for two weeks and felt really good while at home (seems natural!). The headaches disappeared, the achy feeling in my back let up, and I had more energy. OK, I was going home, but still, I didn't exercise much at all at home. It was cold outside and my aging parents are becoming more and more housebound in the winter so we pretty much had a low-energy, low-key 2 weeks together (not my choice of lifestyle). In March when I came back, the headaches started again - mild at first but getting more and more noticeable. Odd, because I've never been one to have headaches and my diet was careful and good.

Then this past week, hell really started. The headaches became really bad and my arms became numb - 5 long days of numbness with the intensity varying throughout the day. I'm not sure when the numbness started as I've had arm problems (pinched nerves, reaction to sugars, swelling at the wrists ...) off and on since this Candida struck. I just try to ignore it if I can, but I've never really experienced anything like this ... numbness in my arms that lasted for days and days and days??? It's been really bad all week, horrendously bad, and to the point where my hands became very weak, especially the left, and it was hard to type, or even hold things. Yesterday was probably the worst - I was walking across my kitchen room with a half-eaten bowl of soup and the bowl just slipped out of my left hand ... SHATTER and SPLAT! My hand didn't even register it slipping!

Then last night before I called my parents I picked up a bottle of Korea's best bottled water, SamDaSoo, what I've principally been drinking since January, that is, since I was on winter vacation and didn't go to work every day and have filtered water, and also because in February I moved away from the subway line and so no longer felt like carrying a bottle of filtered water home every day after work. Anyway, I picked up the bottle and took a good chug on it before calling my mom and another huge headache hit and within seconds numbness descended into my arms and down my back. I REALIZED THE NUMBNESS IS CAUSED BY THE BOTTLED WATER, SAMDASOO. After we talked on the phone, I thought I'd try another bottled water, Seoksu, which I had bought that afternoon. It was so much cheaper so I thought I'd test it out. SAME THING WITH SEOKSU - BIG HEADACHE AND NUMBNESS DOWN THE ARMS!

Yesterday morning before going to church, I posted on Facebook the problem of the numbness caused by bottled water, Samdasoo and Seoksu, and if anyone knew where I could get testing. A colleague (thankfully!!!) did some research for me and suggested that my symptoms fall under arsenic poisoning and that arsenic has been located at toxic levels in many water sources - tap and bottled - throughout the world. On the first website he suggested, I found this statement that matches my symptoms: "When someone is suffering from arsenic poisoning, he or she may first experience headaches. Later, headaches will transform to a lightheaded sensation. Numbness and a tingly feeling in the hands and feet may also occur at the onset of poisoning."

He also wrote: "Arsenic poisoning is a medical condition caused by elevated levels of the element arsenic. The dominant basis of arsenic poisoning is from ground water that naturally contains high concentrations of arsenic. A 2007 study found that over 137 million people in more than 70 countries are probably affected by arsenic poisoning of drinking water.[1] from wikipedia. Seems very possible it can come from drinking water, and from the link above your symptoms match some of the signs."

Then he explained a little about tap water and bottled water: "Although more often found in contaminated ground water, it's also well known that bottled water is no better than tap water in many cases. Often just repackaged tap water with some minor chemical treatments and sold at a profit. There are numerous articles about that." The site he suggested that I read more on is titled "Bottled Water Not Better".

Arsenic poisoning does make sense on another level. In my hair analysis test of January 30 this year, arsenic did register as a toxin. I've never had arsenic show up on my two previous tests, each about 10 months apart. But on this last test, arsenic was the toxin that registered the highest in my body. It registered in the "low range" at 0.102 with 0.3 registering as high ... but for it to show up where it has never registered before does create cause for some concern considering the symptoms.

Yikes! I'm ordering an arsenic poisoning water test kit and testing both my house water AND SamDaSoo so I can perhaps KNOW why I'm reacting so terribly. This is not living!!!

Hair Analysis - 3rd (2012-1-31)

I've been on the anti-candida diet for almost 14 months now and am not seeing much improvement. In fact, lately have been lethargic with general feelings of malaise, a bit of general achiness ... but maybe because it's winter and I really need to get my vitamin D (D3) through the sun because I don't eat vitamin D (D2) foods, like dairy products. Anyway, so it seems time for another hair analysis.





Well, as can be seen, the company where I've always gotten my hair analysis testing is either using another company for the lab work or the lab has changed its format. I'm not too keen on the last chart labeled "Toxic Elements". The chart doesn't make total sense to me as there are only two categories - "low" and "good", but 4 out of 6 of my ratios being presented actually should register way off the chart, so what is the next category? why is the company hiding a category of "high" that shows another kind of "bad" imbalance like in the previous tests? and what is the "normal" range?

4/6 Registering off the chart:
selenium/mercury - (range here) 0~2.7; (mine) 3.341 = much higher
calcium/lead - (range here) 0~900; (mine) 2629 = extremely higher
zinc/lead - (range here) 0~450; (mine) 492.3 = much higher
zinc/cadmium - (range here) 0-9000; (mine) 30,920 = WAAAY higher

RESULTS

Out-of-balance ratios
Calcium/Phosphorus (high) - indicates dominant parasympathetic nerve system causing reluctant body metabolism and decreased adrenal gland function; results in dried skin and hair, reduced sweat, declined thyroid function (laziness), weight gain in hips and feet, obesity, low temperature, and other chronic symptoms

Calcium/Magnesium (high) - indicates abnormal calcium metabolism causing calcium deposits on soft tissues or diastolic hypertension. Caused by high calcium intake, excessive vitamin D, or low magnesium intake.

Calcium/Potassium (high) - can indes impaired thyroid gland. Results in fatigue, depression, hypersensitivity to coldness, sociopathic-personality, and alopecia

Copper (Cu) - low
Either copper ingestion insufficient or interruption of absorption
Function: helps absorption/use of iron, composes hemoglobin, cross-bonds the collagen and elastin of cohesion tissue; forms skeleton and sustains cohesion tissue of the cardiac circulatory system, works to supplements enzymes with neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and dopamine), forms the immune system, participates in the coagulation and cholesterol metabolism, related to the antioxidazation process for generating energy. If low, cholesterol metabolism poor.
Copper exists most in the liver and brain, followed by the heart, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, lungs, bones and muscle. Lack of copper disturbs organ function.
Symptoms: chronic fatigue, anemia, weakness, rheumatoid arthritis, joint soreness from calcium depletion, dermatitis, osteoporosis, scorbutic symptoms, heat failure, infarction, ischemic heat disease, hypythyroidism, gout, high blood pressure, hair loss, emotional disturbances like manic disorder and insomnia.
Caused by insufficient copper, excessive zinc or manganese, chronic infection, excesive ingestion of vitamin C
Food: cockles, sesame, almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, citron, vitamins D, B1, B2, folic acid, calcium, cobalt, iron, foods with selenium

Molybdenum (Mo) - low
[Hair test shows more accurate results than blood test b/c Mo in blood very low.]
Function: Mo is a sulfite oxidase (coenzyme) crucial in the human body; involved in amino acid metabolism including sulphur-like cystine; closely related to oxidation-reduction reaction, liver and kidney function, is crucial for copper and iron metabolism; is effective for effectiveness in dental problems caused by fluorine pigmentation.
Symptoms: little is known, but increase in cavities has been reported
Foods: mung beans, millet, sweet potato, green pea, broccoli, apple, chicken liver, red crab

The outcome of this test was definitely better than the one 10 months previous! Yes! I do want to question, though, the growing appearance of arsenic which was very minimal on my two previous hair analyses. Seems odd b/c I haven't been around new buildings, new wallpaper or floorings (all sources of arsenic still in Korea - arsenic very high in the glue and bond for housing). Hmmm, odd.

Hair Analysis - 2nd (2011-03-22)

I don't remember having any specific horrendous problems when I had this analysis. By the time I took this, I had been on the anti-candida diet for 4 months. I SHOULD HAVE seen some improvement in my condition by this time, but other than the fact that once I figured out my problem -- bacteria out of control, which I don't know but candida has 81 kinds, or so one website says -- I should have seen improvement on the diet that made my symptoms of 1 1/2 years virtually disappear in one week. But, anytime I tried adding anything, the problems (joint pain, asthma-like wheeziness, and chest tightness, among others) would reappear. The diet, however, was really contolling the problem though! Time for another hair analysis ... but strange that this hair analysis actually shows more (but not as bad) imbalances than my last one.





RESULTS

Out-of-balance ratios:
sodium/potassium (Na/K) [increase] - if potassium low, kidneys reabsorb more sodium and potassium is excreted, and vice versa; result: acute stress or inflammation
calcium/potassium (Ca/K) [increase] - if potassium low, hypothyroidism results which is generally related to hypoglycemis, chronic fatigue, hypotension, melancholia
zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) [increase] - if copper low, cholesterol increases and cardiovascular disease may occur; if zinc is high compared with low-density lipoprotein; lipoprotein with high-density gravity is decreased resulting in fat deposits in arteries, which damages the immune system and/or increases bacterial infection, and in women, irregularity, PMS, fatigue, melancholia, weight gain, headache, constipation, breast pain, anxiety ...

Zinc - excess
Function: essential for male/female hormones and preventing diseases and viral infection; present in eyes, visual nerve, skin, adrenals, bone, brain, heart, kidney, liver, muscle, prostate, testicles (basically the organs)
Symptoms: fatigue, anorexia, hypotrophy, melancholia, apathy, apatheia, diarrhea, hypogeusia, hyposmia, postprandial fullness, anemia, night blindness, delay in injury curing, skin dryness, dermatitis, keratitis, alopecia areata, growth retardation, delay in sexual function matureness, sexual dysfunction (impotence) female infertility, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, increase in cholesterol

Iron - deficiency
Function: generates hemaglobin, maintains intellectual abilities of the brain, essential in activating enzymes concerned in brain neurotransmitters; if bacterial infection, iron sent to organs including bones, liver, spleen, and lymph system
Symptoms: absorption disorder, parasite, malnutrition, drug, deficiency of other vitamins/minerals, anemia, fatigue, fingernail weakening, irregularity, constipation, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, infection by immunodepression, concentration disorders, depressed level of consciousness, brain damage and nervous development problems, ex. excessive behavior
Food: dry laver, coarse tea, curry, boiled hard-necked clam, green tea, dry anchovy, brewer's yeast, dry bamboo shoot, dry salted shrimp, boiled kelp, pig liver, roasted sesame, soybean, powdered beans; herbs: peppermint, chickweed, comfrey root, licorice root, goldenseal
Vanadium is useful for iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E. Iron rich in animal protein.

Chromium - deficiency
Function: helps absorption/use of glucose in cells with insulin, so if deficiency an increase in insulin results; relevant to nerve cells and vascular diseases; reinforces muscle and reduces fat
Causes of deficiency: excessive insulin, pregnancy, female hormones, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, infection, heart disease, anxiety, melancholia, mental/physical stress such as shock
Symptoms: may cause numbness/insensibility of limbs, peripheral neutropathy, arteriosclerosis, increased cholesterol level, interferes with vitamin C absorption, incurs diabetes symptoms, growth disorder, corneal opacity, headache, fatigue, anxiety and uneasiness
Food: brewer's yeast, wheat bread, roasted red peppers, shellfish, potato, wheat germ, eggs, chicken, apple, butter, clam, cheese, banana, carrot, cabbage, mandarine orange
Vitamins/Minerals: intake of iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, A and E increase chromium absorption.

Manganese - deficiency
Function: spread in most body tissues, esp mitochondria in cells which gives the body energy; is an enzyme which activates other enzymes involving synthesis and metabolism of fatty acid, carbs and protein; prevents damage caused by free radicals, esp peroxide free radicals; maintains normal thyroid function
Symptoms: fatigue, headache, lack of endurance, weight loss, asthma, ringing in the ears, decrease in hearing ability, decrease in natural fat and lipoprotein due to metabolism disorders, results in musculoskeletal diseases (posture, growth, joint and waist disorders, tendon disorders, osteoporosis), infertility, degeneration of ovary and testicles, inborn errors of metabolism, ex apply syrup disease and Phenylketonuria; cause dermititis, delay in nail and hair growth, hair discoloration into reddish-brown
Food: brazil nuts, almonds, barley, rye, buckwheat, dry peas, wheat, walnuts, spinach, nuts, raisins, carrots, uncleaned rice, wheat bread, cheese and cabbage; a high protein diet can improve manganese levels

MERCURY (Hg) - increase!
"Please be advised the 30% or more of the permissible range of mercury is deposited in the body!"
Damage to brain, kidneys, nerve system, unborn children. Once mercury enters the body through respiratory or digestive organs, 80% of it is deposited in the kidney and liver and seriously damages the brain.
Sources of mercury: amalgam, cosmetics, hairdye, manometer, thermometer, disinfectant, bactericide, agrichemicals, insecticide, flourescent lamps, manufacturing and transportation of petroleum products
Symptoms:
(early stage) alopecia, chronic fatigue, dizziness, melancholia, uneasiness, impatience, insomnia, anorexia, gingivitis, serious mood changes
(middle stage) alopecia, sterility, abortion, stillbirth, allergy, asthma, hypertension, stenocardia, palpitations, arthritis, nightmare, keratinization of the skin
(late stage) epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
Food: pectin, selenium, zinc, sulfur amino acids, vitamin C, beans, garlic, onion, eggs, parsley
[The only food I now eat at restaurants is small salt-water fish, once every two weeks or so. I also was eating about a can of tuna a week, and these two sources are probably where I got the increase in mercury. Yikes! Time to eliminate the canned fish now :( ]

Hair Analysis - 1st (2009-10-17)

In June and July I was starting to have weird problems. In August I went home and other than severe asthma, which I did not have before, I was fine. Then upon returning to Korea, I got dog sick, so sick in fact that I spent one week in and out of the hospital emergency rooms and then getting no headway whatsoever rushed to a US-based nutritional hospital for 11 days, Wildwood Lifestyle Center and Hospital. I was reacting to all kinds of foods and had whittled my food down to hardly anything (everything made me sick and then because I wasn't eating due to reactions, I was quickly getting weak). I also had horrendous insomnia, as in, maximum of 2 hours of sleep a night. Upon returning to Korea, a friend told me about a facility where I could get a hair analysis so assess my nutrient levels over the past 3 months. Blood tests weren't picking up anything but hair analyses can find things that a blood level on one day can't. So my results:





RESULTS

Out-of-balance ratios:
sodium/magnesium (Na/Mg) - if magnesium low, hypoadrenalism may occur
calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) - the balance is important for maintaining the bones, muscular contractions, nerve conduction, and cardiovascular system; magnesium deficiency may result in calcium deposits in bones and tissues, muscular spasms, diastolic hypertension, arteriosclerosis from fat and calcium deposits in arteries, bladder impairment (feeling of bladder fullness or urgency), constipation
calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) - needed for maintaining skeleton and teeth
calcium/potassium (Ca/K) - generally related to hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, hypotension, melancholia
zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) - if copper is low, increase in cholesterol and cardiovascular disease and low=density lipoprotein is increased (which results in deposits in arteries) and causes damage to immune system or increases bacterial infection

Zinc - excess
Zinc is antagonized with copper; therefore, excess zinc may occur when copper is deficient. Symptoms: fatigue, anorexia, hypotrophy, melancholia, apathy, apatheia, diarrhea, hypogeusia, hyposmia, postprandial fullness, anemia, ight blindness, delay ininjury curing, skin dryness, dermatitis, keratitis, alopecia areata, growth retardation, delay in sexual function matureness, sexual dysfunction (impotence), female infertility, diaetes, liver cirrhosis, increase in cholesterol level.

Iron - deficiency
Causes: pregnant or menstrating women, lack of iron intake, absorption disorder, parasite, malnutrition, drug, deficiency of other vitamins/minerals, hyperparathyroidism, abnormal acidity in the stomach (causing malabsorption in the intestines), antacid
Symptoms: anemia, fatigue, alopecia, fingernail weakening, irrularity, constipation, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, infection by immunodepression, concentration disorders, depressed lefel of consciousness, brain damage, damage to nervous development such as excessive behavior
Sources: dry laver, coarse tea, curry, boiled hard-necked clam, green tea, dry anchovy, brewer's yeast, dry bamboo shoot, dry salted shrimp, boiled kelp, pig liver, roasted sesame, soybean, powdered beans; herbs: peppermint, chickweed, comfrey root, licorice root, goldenseal root.
Vanadium is helpful to use iron. Collaborative vitamins: vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E. Animal protein has large amounts of iron.

Manganese - deficiency
Generates energy and needed throughout the body, especially in mitochondria in cells. Is a component of enzyme which activates other enzymes, so helps with synthesis and metabolism of fatty acid, carbs and proteins. Plays an important role in fighting against free radicals and maintaining normal thyroid function.
Symptoms: fatigue, headaches, lack of endurance, weight loss, asthma, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing ability, decrease in neutral fat and lipoprotein, disturbances in posture/growth, disorders in joints and waist, delay in bone growth, tendon disorder, osteoporsis, infertility, degeneration of ovary and testicles, inborn errors of metabolism, ex. apple syrup disease and Pyenylketonuria, dermatitis, slow-growing nails and hair, hair discoloration to reddish-brown
Foods: brazil nuts, almonds, barley, rye, buckwheat, dry peas, wheat, walnuts, spinach, nuts, raisin, carrots, uncleaned rice, wheat bread, cheese, cabbage (high-protein diet can improve manganese levels)

Vanadium - deficiency
Results: limits synthesis of amino acid, protein, cholesterol and hemoglobin, hyperglycemia, respiratory infection, kidney stones, hypokalemia in blood
Symptoms: increased cholesterol level, cardiovascular and renal diseases, decrease in fertility; in actuality, little is known about deficiencies in vanadium
Excessive vanadium found in work places, ex. petroleum refining, boiler washing, metal refining, etc

Bone Pain and Rib #10

By the end of 2009 I had seen a series of chiropractors for intense rib and thoraccic pain. In December these doctors had started commenting on my odd rib movement, because more and more ribs were moving. So in February 2010 when I was forced to wear a rib belt (and then later, two belts) to prevent rib movement of right rib #10, I went back to the hospital (I had boycotted going since finding out about the steroid) for x-rays of the lower cartilage that I said was breaking. [In fact, tearing. Bones break and cartilage tear, and rib #10 was in fact moving a lot and as a result causing myofascial pain in the right lingual area, the pain of which I was still attributing to the steriod and subsequent inflamed lymph nodes of months before.] Of course cartilage hardly shows up on x-ray so of course nothing to make a diagnosis on could be seen - waste of time, waste of money, what were the doctors thinking? I demanded a CT scan of the rib cage, and then had to go in again for re-taking it (and get loads of extra radiation) because the technicians didn't scan the lower cartilage area, the affected area - what were the technicians thinking? The technical report of the scan was "tortuous change to rib #10" but not one of several bone specialists I then went to acknowledged that this was a problem! WHAT WERE THE DOCTORS DOING? NOTHING!

This is my March 12, 2010 copy of my chest CT. By the time I had this CT scan, my rib cartilage was hurting badly in a number of areas. The areas I had complained about for the longest was right rib #4 where it meets the sternum but by this time my chiropracter acknowledged that three of the right ribs and two of the left off the sternum were slightly dislocated (soon afterwards, another left rib off the sternum also slightly popped up). Also, rib cartilage felt crunchy under the right breast so much that I stopped twisting in any way, and when the right rib #10 got so bad that I had to even stop wearing the two rib belts (damn, it was bad) I didn't dare move even a millimeter to the left or the right. Rib pain was on the left too, but that pain was manageable. Because the body has more lymph fluid than blood and both fluids need to be circulated so a person can recover more easily, I did make myself walk outside in the cold every day that I had energy. Exercise is important and walking without swinging the arms in the cold, cold weather seemed to ease some of the pain. [In hindsight, I realize this was what was boosting my vitamin D. Getting the regular doses on my face for 2 or so hours a day is probably what slowly eased the pain and was probably the best thing I could do for myself.]

I've finally decided to go ahead and post my personal information. Maybe someone, a medical student perhaps, will benefit from this. Anyway, note the pieces of something that very much look like cartilage fragments falling under the right rib cage. That was where I hurt, hurt, hurt, and when the doctor (the one who prescribed Xanax for me and told me to see a psychiatrist) didn't address this and it's in the area of my complaint, I asked him what that was. He said, "Artifacts." I asked, "Artifacts from what?" He looked at me like I was stupid and never said anything. He did read the analyst's comment to the CT scan, "Tortuous change to rib #10." That was all. Neither he nor any subsequent doctor ever addressed this as a problem!



I was starting to get more and more aggressive about finding my problem, so early in March 2010 I had already gone to a private clinic and had ordered a hair analysis, a complete nutritional analysis as well as blood work on 6 vitamins: B1, B6, B12, A, D, and E. [This was the first step in me becoming my own doctor.]