Minerals & Your Nervous System

Episode #224: Minerals & Your Nervous System [+last episode of A JOY TO BE ME]

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Rewilded Wellness: A New Chapter in Health and Healing

Welcome, to what marks both an end and a beginning. This is my final episode of "A Joy To Be Me", I will be transitioning to a new name and a renewed focus: "Rewilded Wellness."

A Journey Through Time and Transformation

It feels like a lifetime ago when I launched "A Joy To Be Me" in February 2020, just before the world changed with COVID-19 lockdowns. For those who've been with me since my first podcast, "The Vibrant Health Podcast," you know this journey has been years in the making.

The past five years have been transformative, leading me to pivot and stake my claim in a new territory of wellness. Two years ago, with episode 160, "The fundamentals for human health are so sexy," I began shifting the podcast's direction. Now, I'm fully embracing this evolution with the new name, "Rewilded Wellness."

Personal Growth Through Adversity

My path has been marked by chronic health issues, trauma, loss, and grief. Through these experiences, I've learned invaluable lessons about supporting those facing similar challenges. If you know someone battling chronic health issues or major life disruptions, I urge you:

- Be patient with them
- Stay connected
- Keep showing up

I owe my current strength to those few individuals who stood by me through my darkest times, especially in recent years as I grieved and rebuilt myself.

Understanding Grief and Healing

Grief is a wild force that exists outside of time. It often manifests as completely falling apart for years. Did you know that being "recently bereaved" can last up to FIVE YEARS after a significant loss? This includes losing homes, relationships, and beloved animal companions.

For me, 2020 marked the beginning of a profound grieving cycle. It's been over five years since losing our mold-infested home in November 2019, and nearly four years since the abrupt end of a significant relationship. Only now am I beginning to feel recognizable to myself again.

I'm not the same person I was—I've changed, becoming more authentically myself with each passing year. I'm embracing this new version of me, determined not to waste the lessons of my suffering.

The Power of Patience and Support

To anyone who relates to my journey: be patient with yourself. And to those supporting grievers and chronic health sufferers: your patience and presence are invaluable. The fog may be thick and take time to clear, but we don't have to walk through it alone.

Nervous System Healing: The Core of Rewilded Wellness

A crucial part of my healing journey has been nervous system restoration. The three elements that have helped me most—minerals, microbes, and nature's ways—form the foundation of "Rewilded Wellness."

This rewilding journey has taught me to view my body as an ecosystem, much like nature itself. True thriving requires addressing all factors that support a healthy ecosystem.

Connecting Human Health to Environmental Wellness

My perspective now encompasses a deep appreciation for local environments, seasonal foods, and supporting local farmers. I've come to understand that caring for human health inherently means caring for the soil and our surroundings.

I believe our collective disconnection from the natural world is a core wound we all share. Our widespread nervous system dysregulation signals a pressing need to return to nature's wisdom.

Looking Ahead: Navigating the Messy Middle

As we move forward, we find ourselves in a "messy middle"—a cleanup era of sorts. We're witnessing breakdowns all around us, but this presents an opportunity for breakthrough and repair.

It's crucial that we acknowledge and grieve what's been lost. Acceptance is the first step towards rebuilding, and we must allow this process to unfold in its own time. There's no going back—only forward into a new, rewilded future.

The Mineral Connection: Powering Your Nervous System

In our journey towards Rewilded Wellness, understanding the role of minerals in our nervous system is crucial. Let's dive deeper into how these tiny yet powerful elements keep our body's complex communication network functioning optimally.

The Nervous System: A Complex Electrical Network

Imagine your nervous system as an intricate communication system within your body. The brain serves as the control center, the spinal cord acts as the main information highway, and nerves are the messengers reaching every part of your body.

Minerals: The Unsung Heroes of Nervous System Function

Different minerals contribute to this system in various ways:

1. Sodium, potassium, and calcium: These act like electricity flowing through wires, creating and transmitting signals along your nerves.

2. Calcium and phosphorus: These serve as building blocks, helping construct and maintain nerve cells.

3. Copper: This mineral helps form myelin, the insulating layer around nerves, ensuring efficient signal travel - much like the plastic coating on electrical wires.

Minerals also play vital roles in:

• Energy production for nerve cells
• Creation and regulation of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers of your nervous system)
• Protection against cellular damage
• Proper enzyme function, acting like tiny machines performing various tasks in your nervous system

The Importance of Mineral Balance

Maintaining the right balance of minerals is crucial. An imbalance or deficiency can lead to various nervous system problems, ranging from minor issues like muscle cramps to more serious neurological conditions. These disruptions can manifest as movement problems, memory issues, seizures, or muscle weakness, depending on which part of the 'communication network' is affected.

The First Rule of Minerals: No Mineral Works Alone

It's essential to understand that no mineral functions in isolation. Everything affects everything else in our body's complex system. Due to our disconnection from nature, soil degradation, and excessive chemical exposure, our mineral balance has been disrupted. We've inherited imbalances from previous generations, and without intervention, we'll continue to pass them on.

Spotlight on Magnesium and Copper

Two minerals deserve special attention when it comes to nervous system health: magnesium and copper.

Magnesium: The Master Key

Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy nervous system. It's like a master key that unlocks many important processes in your brain and nerves:

• Maintains the delicate balance of ions in nerve cells
• Influences how your brain adapts and learns
• Controls the release of important chemical messengers
• Acts as a brake pedal for your body's stress response, helping to regulate stress hormone release

Your central nervous system requires a certain amount of magnesium to function correctly. If levels drop too low, it's like a car running out of oil - things start to go wrong.

Magnesium moves around your body more quickly than once thought, traveling between your spinal fluid, the fluid around your cells, and your bones. In fact, your bones act as a savings account for magnesium, storing it for when your body needs more.

The Magnesium-Calcium Balance

Magnesium works closely with calcium, and their balance is crucial. If calcium levels increase, it can cause magnesium to drop in your nervous system. Chronic low magnesium levels can lead to serious problems, ranging from minor issues to more severe conditions like seizures or even coma in extreme cases.

Interestingly, for those low in magnesium, everyday stimuli like loud noises, excitement, or physical contact might trigger nervous system problems. Some of these issues can even mimic other serious neurological conditions.

Essentially, minerals are the nuts, bolts, fuel, and electricity that keep your body's complex communication network functioning properly. Understanding this connection helps us support neurological health more effectively by viewing the entire 'communication network' when symptoms appear.

Copper: The Versatile Brain Builder

Copper is a fascinating mineral that plays multiple crucial roles in the development and function of our central nervous system. Think of it as a versatile tool that our body uses for several important tasks, especially when it comes to our brain and nerves.

Key Functions of Copper:

1. Myelin Production: Copper helps create the protective coating around our nerve fibers, called myelin. This is like the insulation around electrical wires in your house, ensuring signals flow smoothly through your nerves.

2. Brain Structure: It's involved in building the very structure of our brain, acting almost like a construction worker laying down the framework of a house.

3. Neurotransmitter Balance: Copper helps create and balance the chemicals that allow our brain cells to communicate with each other, functioning somewhat like a telephone operator connecting calls.

4. Neuroprotection: It plays a part in protecting our brain from damage and producing energy for brain cells.

5. Oxygen Delivery: Copper works with iron to ensure our brain gets the oxygen it needs.

6. Enzyme Function: Many crucial enzymes in our brain rely on copper to do their jobs, from giving color to our skin and eyes to creating important brain chemicals like dopamine.

7. Neural Connections: Copper helps our brain cells form connections with each other, comparable to creating roads between neighborhoods in a city.

The Importance of Balance

While copper is essential, it's crucial to maintain the right balance. Too little can cause problems with all these important functions, but too much, especially in the wrong form, can overstimulate the brain and lead to stress and burnout.

Calcium: The Nervous System's Messenger

Moving on to calcium, we find another mineral playing a pivotal role in our nervous system's function.

Key Aspects of Calcium in the Nervous System:

1. Cellular Communication: Calcium ions act as tiny messengers, crucial for how our nervous system works. They're involved in many important processes, from helping our nerve cells communicate to triggering various reactions inside these cells.

2. Delicate Balance: Our bodies maintain a delicate balance of calcium, with much more outside our cells than inside. This difference is vital for proper nervous system function.

3. Action Trigger: When calcium moves in and out of cells, it can trigger all sorts of actions, making it a key player in neural activity.

4. Potential Disruptions: If too much calcium gets inside our nerve cells, it can lead to problems. This might happen in cases of brain injury, stroke, or conditions like epilepsy.

5. Homeostasis and Cofactors: Calcium homeostasis is a complex game of cofactors. Historical overemphasis on calcium in processed foods has led to excess exposure to poor forms of calcium without its necessary cofactors.

Understanding Calcium's Role

Studying calcium's function in our nervous system is crucial not just for understanding normal brain function, but also for unraveling what goes wrong in various brain diseases. It's comparable to studying traffic flow in a city to understand both smooth operations and causes of congestion.

The Stress Factor

It's important to note that stress significantly affects our mineral system, potentially leading to breakdown. This underscores the importance of a holistic approach to nervous system health, considering not just individual minerals but also how they interact and how our lifestyle impacts their balance.

Next we have . .  Sodium & Potassium

Our sodium-potassium pump plays a large role in nervous system regulation.

Imagine your nerve cells as tiny factories, each surrounded by a fence (the cell membrane). The sodium-potassium pump is like a special gate in this fence that helps maintain order inside and outside the factory.

This pump works tirelessly, using energy (in the form of ATP) to move sodium and potassium ions in and out of the cell. It's like a security guard that kicks out three sodium ions for every two potassium ions it lets in. This might seem unfair, but it's crucial for keeping the right balance of these ions on both sides of the cell membrane.

By maintaining this ion balance, the sodium-potassium pump helps to:

1. Keep the cell's electrical charge stable (like maintaining a steady voltage in a battery)
2. Control the cell's size (preventing it from swelling or shrinking too much)
3. Help the cell communicate with other cells

In nerve cells specifically, this pump plays a big role in how neurons respond to signals from neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of the nervous system). It's like fine-tuning a radio to pick up signals more clearly.

The sodium-potassium pump is like a hardworking janitor in your nerve cells, constantly maintaining the right environment for your neurons to function properly and communicate effectively. This is represented on a hair analysis by the sodium potassium ratio - which represents overall vitality and when it deviates from optimal there can be body wide breakdown. If this ratio is too high or too low there will be nervous system dysregulation going on. 

Zinc :Oh zinc there is SO much to say about this beloved mineral 

Zinc is like a Swiss Army knife for our body - it's essential for many different jobs. In fact, about 1% of our genes are dedicated to making proteins that use zinc. But in our brain and nervous system, zinc has an extra special role.

Some nerve cells in our brain, called "zinc-containing neurons," store zinc in tiny bubbles along with their main communication chemical, glutamate. These zinc-filled bubbles are super concentrated, kind of like a strong cup of coffee.

These special zinc-containing neurons are mostly found in the "thinking" part of our brain, the forebrain. Over time, in mammals like us, they've developed into a complex network that connects different parts of our brain, especially areas involved in memory, emotion, and higher thinking. It's like these zinc-containing neurons have their own private communication line in our brain. 

Researchers have spent a lot of time figuring out how to spot these special zinc-containing neurons, how they're arranged and connected in the brain, and how they release their zinc cargo. They're also interested in how zinc gets into and out of these neurons, what this released zinc does in normal brain function and in brain diseases, and what kinds of stress can cause these neurons to release their zinc.

Dr Malter highlighted the zinc/copper ratio and the brain/psychology to me early on in my HTMA mentorship  - as it was a big player in helping my son’s recovery and my own. 

Understanding these zinc-containing neurons and how they work could help us better understand how our brain functions, and maybe even lead to new ways to treat brain disorders. In essence, zinc in our nervous system is like a secret ingredient that helps our brain cells communicate in special ways, particularly in the parts of our brain responsible for complex thinking and emotions.

Iron another one that deserves a lot more time with b/c iron homeostasis is a bit complicated in part due to excess iron exposures of the wrong form of iron - in addition to other minerals. 

Iron is crucial for our brain, but getting it there is a bit tricky. Our brain has special barriers (the blood-brain barrier and blood-CSF barrier) that control what gets in and out. It's like having a strict bouncer at a club, making sure only the right things get inside.

Iron typically hitches a ride on a protein called transferrin to get into the brain. It's like taking a special taxi that has the right pass to get through the brain's security checkpoints. Once inside, iron gets handed off to different brain cells, each with their own needs.

In the brain, different types of cells handle iron in unique ways:

- Oligodendrocytes, which help insulate nerve fibers, make a lot of transferrin (the iron taxi).

- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are great at storing iron.

- Neurons, the main thinking cells, have lots of receptors to grab iron because they need it for energy production.

The brain is really good at holding onto its iron. Even if the rest of your body is low on iron, your brain will keep its supply. It's like the brain has its own iron savings account that it's very protective of.

As we age, iron tends to build up in certain parts of the brain, like the globus pallidus, red nucleus, dentate nucleus, and substantia nigra. Scientists aren't sure why these areas collect more iron, but they think it might be the brain's way of making sure it always has enough iron on hand.

Iron is super important for the brain because it helps with:

- Making myelin (the insulation around nerve fibers)

- Producing neurotransmitters (brain chemicals for communication)

- Transporting oxygen

- Generating energy in brain cells

However, too much iron can be a problem. Some neurological disorders are associated with iron building up in the brain. It's like having too much of a good thing – balance is key. In essence, iron in the brain is like a valuable resource that's carefully controlled, distributed, and stored to keep our brain functioning properly.

 

Manganese: The Tiny Helper with a Big Impact

Manganese is a small but mighty mineral that acts as a helper for many of the body's processes, particularly in the brain and nervous system. Think of it as a key ingredient in numerous recipes that keep our bodies running smoothly.

Key Points about Manganese:

1. Growing Scientific Interest: Researchers are increasingly focusing on how metals like manganese function in our bodies. They've observed that when the body can't properly control these metals, it can lead to health problems, especially in the brain.

2. Balance is Crucial: When manganese levels become imbalanced - either too much or too little - it can contribute to several brain diseases. These include well-known conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, among others that affect brain function.

3. Brain Sensitivity: The brain is particularly sensitive to manganese imbalances due to the mineral's importance in nervous system function. It's comparable to how a car engine is very sensitive to the right type and amount of oil.

4. Deficiency Concerns: In my work with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), I've observed that most people are deficient in manganese. A significant factor in this deficiency is the prevalence of glyphosate, a mineral chelator with a particular affinity for manganese.

5. Excess Issues: While less common, excess manganese can also be problematic. The key is having enough of the right form of the mineral, efficient metabolism of that mineral, and avoiding too much of it (especially in the wrong form, which can act like a toxin similar to heavy metals).

The Heavy Metal Connection

When discussing minerals and nervous system health, it's crucial to address the impact of heavy metals:

1. Toxicity Concerns: Heavy metals can have toxic effects on the nervous system when present in excess or in the wrong forms.

2. Disruption of Mineral Balance: Heavy metals can interfere with the proper absorption and utilization of essential minerals, further complicating nervous system health.

3. Long-term Effects: Chronic exposure to heavy metals can lead to cumulative damage to the nervous system over time.

4. Environmental Factors: Our modern environment often exposes us to higher levels of heavy metals than our bodies are equipped to handle naturally.

The Importance of Screening and Prevention

Given the significant impact of mineral imbalances and heavy metal exposure on nervous system health, preventive measures are crucial:

1. Pre-conception Screening: I strongly advocate for using HTMA as a screening tool for people preparing to have children. Understanding and addressing mineral imbalances before conception can potentially improve outcomes for both parents and children.

2. Ongoing Monitoring: Regular mineral testing can help individuals maintain optimal balance and identify potential issues before they become serious health concerns.

3. Environmental Awareness: Being mindful of potential sources of heavy metal exposure in our environment and taking steps to minimize this exposure is an important part of protecting nervous system health.

Cadmium: The Unwelcome Guest in Our Bodies

Cadmium is a metal that serves no beneficial purpose in humans or animals. Instead, it's known to be seriously harmful to our health. What makes cadmium particularly troublesome is our body's struggle to eliminate it once it's absorbed.

Key Points about Cadmium:

1. Sources of Exposure: People can be exposed to cadmium through various sources including industrial activities, contaminated food and water, and polluted air, including tobacco smoke.

2. Toxicity Factors: The harm caused by cadmium depends on the level of exposure, duration, and route of entry into the body.

3. Effects on the Body: Cadmium can damage the lungs when inhaled, harm the liver when ingested, and accumulates in the kidneys and other parts of our body, including the nervous system.

4. Nervous System Impact: Cadmium can enter our nervous system through our nose or olfactory pathways, even weakening the brain's protective barrier. It interferes with brain chemicals, causes oxidative stress, disrupts the use of other important metals, mimics estrogen, and can alter gene function.

5. Mechanisms of Damage: Cadmium triggers the production of harmful reactive oxygen species and attaches itself to important molecules in our body, stopping them from working properly. It can also replace helpful metals like zinc, manganese, or copper in our body's enzymes, causing them to malfunction.

6. Systemic Disruption: This metal interferes with how our body uses zinc, affects our bones, handles stress, and maintains the balance of other important metals like iron, copper, and manganese.

The Plant Connection: Heavy Metals in Our Food and Medicine

While discussing cadmium, it's important to address the broader issue of heavy metals in plants we consume, particularly in light of increasing cannabis use:

1. Cannabis as a Hyperaccumulator: Cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana, are known as hyperaccumulators, absorbing more metals from their environment than most plants. This property, while useful for environmental cleanup, poses potential health risks when these plants are consumed.

2. Increased Exposure Through Smoking: Cadmium exposure has increased through cigarettes, marijuana, and e-cigarettes. A recent study found that marijuana users tend to have higher levels of lead and cadmium in their bodies compared to non-users.

3. Not Just Cannabis: Many plants are heavy metal accumulators, not just cannabis. This is particularly relevant in the world of herbs and foraging, where understanding the micro-climate of each plant's growing environment is crucial and the conditions they've been raised in before consuming them regularly. 

4. Factors Affecting Metal Uptake: The presence of heavy metals in soil doesn't guarantee they'll end up in the plant. Plants are selective about what they absorb, and their uptake of heavy metals depends on several factors, including the form of the metal, soil conditions, and concentration.

5. Sources of Heavy Metals: While heavy metals are naturally occurring elements in soil, problematic sources include industrial emissions, mining, waste disposal, and certain pesticides and fertilizers.

6. Water Contamination: Water can be contaminated with detrimental heavy metals, highlighting the importance of water filtration systems.

The Path Forward: Awareness and Action

Given the potential risks associated with heavy metal exposure, particularly for long-term use and nervous system health, what can we do?

1. Testing and Awareness: There's a growing awareness about the need for heavy metal testing in plants known to accumulate these elements. This is a positive step towards safer consumption.

2. Environmental Consciousness: Being mindful of the sources of our food and herbal products, including understanding their growing conditions, can help us make more informed choices.

3. Supportive Measures: Utilizing tools like Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) can help us understand our body's mineral balance and take appropriate measures to support our health in light of potential heavy metal exposure.

4. Holistic Approach: Remember that while individual plants or substances may have benefits, it's crucial to consider their long-term impact on our overall health and nervous system regulation.
 

The Power of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

HTMA is a powerful tool for assessing nervous system health and mineral balance. As a practitioner, I look at several key patterns and markers for each client, including:

- Sympathetic dominance patterns
- End-stage stress patterns (fast 4 or 4 lows)
- Oxidation rates (slow or fast)
- The sodium to potassium ratio
- Overall mineral levels (high or low)
- The calcium/magnesium ratio
- Presence of heavy metals (which may be hidden in initial tests)

The Importance of Knowledge

What you don't know about your body's mineral system could be hurting you. My own journey with HTMA began in 2014, and the insights from that first test were eye-opening. It provided real evidence of how my nervous system had been impacted and what steps I needed to take. More importantly, it connected many dots in my health journey that might have otherwise remained mysteries.

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to our health. Understanding our unique mineral balance can provide crucial insights and guide us towards more effective, personalized health strategies.

An Invitation to Deeper Understanding

If you've been seeking clarity about your own body and health, and you're ready to take your health into your own hands more seriously, I invite you to explore the option of HTMA consultations and my online program. Your hair tells a powerful story about your health, and I'm here to guide those who are ready to listen to that story and take action.

Looking Ahead: Rewilded Wellness

As I close this chapter of "A Joy To Be Me," I want to thank you all for being here on this journey. Feel free to share this episode with anyone you think would find it helpful.

Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter as I transition to "Rewilded Wellness." We'll continue to explore how we can align our health practices with nature's wisdom, diving deeper into topics like the microbiome, environmental health, and holistic approaches to wellness.

Remember, your health journey is unique, and understanding the intricate balance of minerals in your body is a powerful step towards optimal wellbeing. Here's to your health, and to the exciting path of Rewilded Wellness that lies ahead!