Feb 05 2012
The Hair Tells The Tale: Nutritional Balancing Explained
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It has been a year since I started my journey with the GAPS diet (Gut & Psychology Syndrome). But, I have a confession. I only stuck with it for 3 months. I was doing it to see if it would help with hormonal issues, mainly adrenal fatigue and sluggish thyroid, but to also support my daughter, who was doing it with me. The main issue with her was related to speech, more specifically, disfluency and articulation. In the three months we did the diet, I did not see one single change in her speech or my adrenal health. However, my digestion was running very smooth. See my 8 week GAPS update for more details. I know what you are all going to tell me, we didn’t do the diet long enough, three months is too short! I agree. And, I would have stayed on the diet longer had I noticed *some* change with her speech, even small changes, but I didn’t. Which, was really disappointing, because here we are, a year later and we are still having speech issues and now seeing a speech and language pathologist. But, it did tell me that our gut dysbiosis was minor. It also told me that her speech problems had nothing to do with her gut bacteria, and same with my adrenal/thyroid issues.
The Missing Link
So, what could it be then? I wasn’t about to give up on trying to obtain better health for us. Prior to starting GAPS we were already eating a nourishing traditional diet. But, for some (read=most) the food we put into our mouths is just not enough anymore. With nutritional deficiencies and toxins passed down for several generations now, it is no wonder that food is just not enough to “fix” us. That is why if you are on the GAPS diet, it can take 2+ years to heal, and some may never fully heal. I have mentioned before that both my daughter and I have been on another program called Nutritional Balancing or Biochemical Restoration. I have been on this program since September 2010, and my daughter since February 2011. It is a lengthy and very involved protocol, but ultimately one I have come to highly believe in because I can see the changes through my hair tests as time goes on. I have now been on the program for about 18 months and I am anticipating being on it for another 18 months or so. Why does it take so long? Well, most people don’t realize that in the grand scheme of life, 1 or 2 years is really not that long to correct several generations of nutritional deficiencies and other toxicities. We are all conditioned to just take that magic pill and be healed. Sorry folks, it just doesn’t work that way! By the way, this program is hard work and full of frustration, amoungst many other emotions — but soooo worth it!
The beautiful thing about this program, unlike any other program out there, is that it is tailored specifically for you. The lab analyzes your hair and prescribes you a specific supplement protocol based on your results. There is no guessing what supplements you should be taking to bring you back into balance. You don’t need to be a detective and self-medicate! You are given specific nutrients designed to pull out heavy metals and work synergistically with each other. Most people assume that if they are anaemic that they should just supplement with iron, or supplement with magnesium if they have insomnia. But, do you really know what the consequences of doing that are? What are you putting out of balance by guessing? Are you creating other problems by trying to fix the original one? Did you know that just because the test shows that you are low in magnesium, it doesn’t mean that you need to supplement with magnesium! Make no mistake, I am a real foodie, as I’m sure many of your are, and I don’t like taking supplements. Well, on this program, it is their goal to have you off the supplements once your imbalances are corrected. Yes, supplements are necessary for a short while, but they should not be for life. In a perfect world, we would have never needed them to begin with.
I have been fortunate enough to work with a practitioner specifically trained in how to read the analysis and coach us on this journey in terms of supplements, detoxification, and lifestyle modification. Her name is Pam Killeen, from London, Ontario. Some of you may have heard of her because she is an author, who co-wrote The Great Bird Flu Hoax, with Dr. Joseph Mercola, and her most recent book called Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic. She is also an educator and nutrition consultant. She teaches classes on the work of the WAPF, and is a regular guest on 1290 AM CJBK, London ON. Pam will also be speaking at the WAPF Wise Traditions Conference in Santa Clara, California this coming November, 2012. Her seminar is titled “How To Fix a Broken Brain”. Please visit Pam’s website for consultation information. She can work with you via telephone, email, or Skype. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Nutritional Balancing Explained, By: Pam Killeen
Have you been struggling with a long-standing health problem? Have you spent thousands of dollars on a variety of remedies and not made any progress? If these questions apply to you, don’t despair. One of the most overlooked aspects of health and healing involves repairing one’s biochemistry using a very new and cutting-edge science called, Nutritional Balancing. Nutritional balancing addresses the underlying biochemical reasons why we get sick – both physically and mentally.
Nutritional balancing draws from many branches of science, including biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, stress theory, pathology and psychology. It is based upon the work of a Dr. Paul Eck, a physician and biochemist who spent many years studying the work of several health pioneers including, Hans Selye, MD, Roger Williams, PhD, Carl Pfeiffer, MD, PhD, Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, Linus Pauling, PhD, and George Watson, PhD. Nutritional balancing involves a precise means of assessing and monitoring the condition of your body’s chemistry. It also includes an innovative new way to interpret hair mineral test results. Finally, it encourages the application of following a traditional foods diet (based upon the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, author of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration), targeted supplements, detoxification protocols, mental and emotional suggestions and more to raise one’s energy level and restore a more balanced chemistry.
Nutritional Balancing honors the fact that we are all individuals with our own unique metabolic blueprint. It involves a paradigm that is much different than traditional, functional, orthomolecular or naturopathic medicine. Standard medical and natural treatments are based on an allopathic model — the naming of a disease or a condition for which a remedy or treatment is then prescribed or recommended. With Nutritional Balancing, the label of one’s condition is not the focus; rather, the starting point for healing is the understanding of your biochemical imbalances and then repairing your unique chemistry.
Program Benefits
* Renewed and Improved Health
* Improved Digestion
* Increased Vitality
* Attain a Better Quality of Life
* Improved Relaxation
* Healthy Weight Loss
* Correct Weakened Detoxification Patterns
* Heavy Metal Removal
* Learn improved lifestyle
* Restore Balance to your life
* Re-mineralize your body
* Reverse Aging Process
* Stronger Immune System
* Enriched Relationships
* Enhanced Athletic Performance
* Improved Concentration and Academic Achievement
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?
Universally, a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is known as a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. It is a tissue mineral biopsy that is non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and extremely accurate. An HTMA is a screening test for the level of 20 minerals and toxic metals in a sample of hair. A small sample of hair tells me the level of 20 minerals and toxic metals. It also provides me with a blueprint of one’s biochemistry (metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity).
Hair Analysis Can Identify
* Trace element deficiencies
* Trends for psychological and emotional conditions
* Heavy metal toxicity
* Cellular energy levels
* Glucose tolerance
* Kidney and liver stress
* Adrenal and thyroid activity
* Trends for over 30 health conditions
* Which nutritional supplements are right for you
Nutritional balancing involves a tremendous amount of work on behalf of the client. Patience is required as it can take several months for your biochemistry to restore itself. Depending upon their compliance, clients usually report significant improvements in their health within three months of starting the program. As you progress on the program, your biochemistry will gradually balance out even more; eventually, you’ll feel remarkable improvements in your overall physical and mental health.
Pam Killeen is a nutritional consultant, educator and public speaker. She is also the author of Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic and co-author of The Great Bird Flu Hoax. Her website is www.pamkilleen.com and email is pam@pamkilleen.com. You can find her on Facebook where she regularly posts health and nutrition updates.
In the next blog post, I am going to detail for you what my journey has been like thus far on this program, including examples of my hair analysis, supplements I am taking and the changes that are happening in my body! To read more about nutritional balancing, please visit Dr. Lawrence Wilson’s website. He is one of the leading experts in this field, having studied with Dr. Paul Eck.
Thoughts or questions about this? I want to hear about them in the comments below!
This post is being shared over at Monday Mania, Fat Tuesday, Real Food Wednesdays, Fight Back Friday and Real Food Forager’s Detox Challenge.
Photo Credit: Girl With Flying Hair by: dimodi’s photostream on Flickr
Hey, neat! I just had a hair analysis done by our homeopathist. Our family has been working with him for about 15 years now to support changing health issues and it has been interesting to see his protocols change as he encounters information that is new to him. The hair analysis results were pretty interesting to view, and see how my mom and I differed in our retained heavy metals that need to be chelated, etc.
Where do you get the hair tested? Does it also attest to the minerals you have?
The lab I am getting it done through is Analytical Research Labs in Arizona. They are one of the best labs around, and they don’t wash the hair. But, you need to work with a practitioner, like Pam Killeen. If you go to Dr. Larry Wilson’s website, I think he’s got a list of trained practitioners that work with him from around the world. Here it is: http://www.drlwilson.com/do%20hair%20analysis.htm
You could check if there is someone more local to you, but Pam is able to work with people from anywhere. She is awesome!
And yes, the test shows your mineral ratios and imbalances.
I offer Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis as well as an important part of my healing programs. The insight it offers is really valuable and interpretation is also key. My clients also love how easy it is to receive the little kit at home and send the sample right to the lab. I work with Trace Elements from Texas, best lab in US so far, very pleased with them!
Yes, that lab, along with Analytical Research Labs (Endo-Met) are the only two labs that Dr. Wilson recommends.
Thanks! I have been toying with doing GAPS, but haven’t had the “guts” (ha, ha) to do it yet b/c of the long term commitment, for one. Though this sounds like it is very involved, as well, something really speaks to me that this may be the way for me to go. I have a bunch of dental work that needs doing (mercury removed), do you think I should have that done first, before doing this? Thanks VERY much for the info!!!
p.s. funny thing is, I had a hair analysis done years ago, but never followed the protocol (or at least not all of it); I was leery of it, for one thing. I was taking supplements & didn’t see a need to take MORE (or spend money on yet more). And guess what, it told me I had adrenal issues, and I ignored it to my detriment, because it only got worse (though better now, & I know could still be MUCH better). thanks again!
Hi Amy,
I too have three mercury fillings that need to come out, but Dr. Wilson and Pam did not see the need to have them removed at the beginning. In fact, my adrenals were so weak that I was not detoxing at all. My body just didn’t have the energy to. Everybody detoxes, everyday, my body was just too weak. Now, about 18 months later, I have now been given permission to have them removed! My mineral ratios have improved, metals are coming out, and so it is not going to be as hard on my body when they are removed (hopefully sometime this year).
I would have a first test done, and see what the results are first. Let whoever your practitioner is know about your mercury fillings. They will tell you when it is best to have them taken out.
I would have to say that doing this program is easier than GAPS. You follow a WAPF type diet, take your supplements, rest more, do saunas and enemas and let the program work. If you don’t do these things, the program won’t work. In my next post, I will detail all the parts of my program.
Hi Christine,
After much thought and reflection, I am about to embark on a similar healing journey with a lady by the name of Theresa Vernon. I’ve been following the WAPF diet for 8 years, but have not seen any improvements in some of the health issues that I’ve been facing for many years.
My understanding is that many of us come from mothers whom had adrenal fatigue. Many of us were born to mothers who suffered from severe mood disorders, alcoholism and many more. These things had huge effects on all of us physically since they have been passed down from generation to generation. I know this because all of the above exist in my family of origin.
I love what WAPF is doing for all of us but at the heart of the matter is the important fact that many of us are coming from backgrounds with severe nutritional deficiencies which diet is not going to cure. Following the WAPF diet will help the process along, but again, many of us need to go down this road of healing with nutritional balancing as well, especially us child-bearing women. I also believe that this needs to be acknowledged in a big way by many of us whom are writing and following WAPF diets. Therefore, I commend you for coming out and sharing this story with us, your readers. I will be following your progress.
Cheers
Dionne
[...] Nutritional Balancing, or Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. This program is so different than many others because your own [...]
[...] it! How about using coffee for detoxification? If you’ve been following my journey with Nutritional Balancing, you will know that I’ve got some heavy metals I’m trying to get rid of. We are all [...]
Hi Christine,
I was wondering if you know of anyone else who is or has done this program. I would love to hear more stories like yours and the process they went through. I know everyone is different and their path to healing, but still nice to see other successes.
Thanks! Look forward to your next post.
I have been working with Pam Killeen on this program for just over 4 months. It’s still very early in the process for me but I’m committed to sticking with it as I truly believe in it. I have been on my journey to optimum health for many years but always could only get so far, never anywhere near to where I want to be. On this program I feel better in so many ways already – I’m much more emotionally balanced, steady energy, less irritable, and – one of the things I had most trouble figuring out- I’m sleeping better than I have in years.
Hi Gail-
Christine asked if I would comment for you on my journey. I just recently began my journey with this protocol so I don’t have a lot of advice or testimonial, but I will share what I have.
I have tried several things to reverse or reduce many of the health issues I was having or am having with some success, but still have lingering problems. I have eaten mostly Primal since mid-2010 and while that helped with a lot of gut issues it hasn’t helped in other areas. Mainly my hormones and thyroid, which affects so many things. I have read a lot about balancing minerals and removing toxicity to balance the body so that is the route I am trying now.
I have been on the protocol from almost a month now. I haven’t had any of the horrible detox symptoms, but I am doing the sauna’s and coffee enema’s which help with the detox symptoms.
I can say that the report that comes with the test is amazingly accurate. Scary almost.
Sorry I don’t have more information, but I will check back in when I do my 3 month retest.
[...] would I want a sauna anyway? Well, Pam has been on my tail to get a sauna ever since I began Nutritional Balancing. Using a sauna on a regular basis is another big part of the detoxification protocol used in [...]
I think that the main question you should ask yourself is where all these nutritional deficiencies come from? The reason is not that you are not getting enough nutrients from the diet, provided you are eating healthy whole food diet. The problem is in absorption.
Many people have some degree of gluten sensitivity, dairy and other food intolerances and don’t know about it because they are not necessarily have digestive symptoms. People with autoimmune thyroid condition Hashimoto’s disease and other autoimmune diseases ALL have some sort of reaction to certain foods that damage their intestine and also promote leaky gut syndrome.
The main goal of GAPS diet is to heal intestinal lining. Healing of the gut also will prevent nutritional deficiencies and stop leaking of antigens through the intestinal barrier that otherwise creates a perfect setup for development of systemic autoimmune, chronic and inflammatory conditions.
[...] the time I took my very first hair mineral analysis test and embarked on the Nutritional Balancing program, it has been about 18 months. Approximately 7 months after my first hair test, I took a [...]
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[...] had to double check that date; boy, that was a long time in between test dates! Generally, with Nutritional Balancing, you will re-test every 3-4 months. The problem was that I got my previous results back in mid [...]