On my recent HTMA re-test, I stayed in slow oxidation but I moved out of a Four Low Pattern! Let me back up and explain what that means.

When interpreting an HTMA, it's important to identify any major pattern and put all of the focus there first. For me, I started in a Four Low Pattern.

This is when the core four minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium are, you guessed it, low. This pattern is amplified by something called an inversion which is a low Na/K ratio, or sodium to potassium ratio. Something I also presented with. YIKES!

When it comes to patterns and ratios, there are some main causes and I like to help my clients explore these to see what feels most relevant to their body. It's important to understand if we want to correct them.

The Four Low Pattern can be due to an overwhelmed nervous system which might be because you are a worrier or have a hard time relaxing, it might be from excessive sugar or caffeine throughout the day, malabsorption due to gut issues, an illness, or some type of big stress (like a divorce, job loss, or mold exposure, for example). We usually have an inner knowing.

Thanks to Vykon, patience, prioritizing nourishment, and rest, I have moved out of the four low pattern. PHEW! Seeing this on paper felt good, but also felt pretty validating. With this latest re-test, I'm still in slow oxidation (rate of metabolism) but my inversion (the low Na/K ratio) improved from extreme to moderate. This movement kind of feels like you're coming alive, a really good thing.

In training, they warn us that people in my pattern may feel worse before they feel better and I can vouch that this was true. This is where the patience and some discipline came in.

The focus for correction now shifts from the Four Lows to the inversion which means I got to reformulate my custom Vykon powder! I thought I would show you what that looks like and tell you a little bit about each of the components I chose.

This is really special that I get to do this not only for myself but for my clients. Take a look! First I start by selecting a base formula to work with based off oxidation rate and/or a pattern. From there I can make modifications to that base by either eliminating an ingredient or raising or lowering dosing. Finally, I can choose custom additions that would be beneficial for them. There is no guesswork because we have the results to reference.

Here is my new formula:

**Slow Ox Base Formula**

**Magnesium (Glycinate): 350 mg / Magnesium (Malate): 150 mg**
Involved in energy production, calms the nervous system, useful for insomnia, activates vitamin D, reduces inflammation, assists in cell membrane permeability, key element in cellular metabolic functions, reduces insulin resistance, can help alleviate constipation, assists in alleviating cardiovascular conditions (arterial plaque build up and heart attacks), and is a co-factor in the production of DAO which breaks down dietary histamines. Both are low histamine forms which is important for anyone with a histamine intolerance like me!

**Sea salt: 1,750 mg (1/4 tsp)**
Supports the adrenals, supports stomach acid production, regulates body's fluid balance, PH, and blood pressure.

**Potassium (Gluconate): 450 mg**
Sensitizes the cells to thyroid hormone, involved in carb metabolism, regulates cell permeability, helps maintain fluid balance with sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

**Selenium (L-Selenomethionine): 200 mcg**
Converts T4 to T3, aids in liver detox, supports intestinal homeostasis, protects the body from mercury and cadmium, important for hair, skin, and nails, involved in O2 transport.

**Boron (Citrate, Aspartate, Glycinate): 5 mg**
Crucial for magnesium absorption, affects the adrenal glands, stomach, and skeletal systems, ties in with estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone balance.

Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol acetate): 400 IU
Supports the increase of sodium levels, synergistic to selenium, protects the mitochondria, potent antioxidant.

Vitamin K2 (MK-7): 120 mcg
Fat soluble vitamin, shuttles calcium into the bones and teeth.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride): 100 mg / Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): 500 mg
The most important B vitamin, enhances energy production and metabolic rate, copper antagonist, especially necessary for those with a low Na/K ratio, alcohol consumption reduces B1, B3 in the form of niacinamide is part of the co-factors for iodine (hello thyroid function!).

Vitamin B6 (P-5-P): 100 mg
Plays a role along with B1, B3, and B5 in the glycolysis and krebs cycle, enhances energy production, B6 is a synergist for the absorption of magnesium and also supports elevation of sodium, B6 should be in the form of P-5-P, great support for the adrenals.

Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate): 5,000 IU
Fat soluble vitamin needed for immunity, supports integrity of mucous membranes, synergist with zinc, slow oxidizers do not convert beta-carotene well so this is a great nutrient for them, helps mobilize copper. FYI, just 3% of the plant based vitamin A pre-cursor beta carotene gets converted in a healthy adult which is just one pitfall of a vegan/vegetarian diet.

BioCore Optimum Enzymes: 75mg
Designed to jumpstart digestion in the upper stomach, works with the body's enzymes to ensure nutrient availability.

VITAMIN C SOURCE: Ascorbic Acid+Citrus Bioflavonoids 1,400mg
Critical for adrenal function, enhances the oxidation rate and plays a role in immune health, raises potassium levels, aids in moving calcium out of storage and tissue and into circulation, assists in wound healing and collagen synthesis, is a copper antagonist, potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger, a co-factor for iodine, helps with iron absorption.

My Custom Additions:

Extra Potassium (Gluconate): 150 mg / Potassium (Citrate): 750 mg
When potassium is VERY low or in an extreme loss, we add more (tells us there is potentially quite a bit of copper to move). Adults need roughly 4,700mg daily between food and supplement!

Zinc (Picolinate): 10 mg
When zinc is extremely low or in a loss we can add this but we must take other minerals into consideration like magnesium, sodium, and copper before doing so. I often see people taking this in isolation, I do not recommend that. That's not how minerals work!

Manganese (Gluconate): 10mg
Involved in carb, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Low manganese is related to low blood sugar levels, problems with ligaments, and reproductive dysfunction.

N-Acetyl Cysteine: 500 mg
Shown to increase glutathione levels, helps break up excess mucus, can protect the liver, can be effective with heavy metals.

Alpha-lipoic Acid: 300 mg
Scavenges free radicals, fights inflammation, slows aging process, helps with balancing blood sugar, supports detox of heavy metals.

Dandelion Root: 125 mg
Supports the liver, can help with digestion, is anti-inflammatory, aids in liver detox processes, promotes bile production, helps with breakdown of fats and elimination of waste from the body.

Humic:Fulvic Acid (5:2): 150 mg
Great for when minerals are overall trending low, supports absorption of minerals, good support to mop up glyphosate and heavy metals.

Taurine: 500 mg
Assists in the production of bile and detoxification, important for so many functions in the body, missing from vegetarian or vegan nutrition plan.

Trimethylglycine (Betaine Anhydrous): 500 mg
Powerful methyl donor (MTHFR) and supports lowering of homocysteine levels (something we check in bloodwork), supports detoxification in the P450 system, linked to increased power output and volume and endurance for athletes.

Creatine (Micronized): 4,000 mg
Energy production, improves cognition, supports brain function, improves memory, provides neuroprotection, reduces muscle wasting, increases muscle strength, offsets sleep deprivation, increases cellular hydration, helps injury rehab, lowers blood sugar, supports methylation, enhances bone density, boosts performance, and more.

Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin): 1.0 mg (1000 mcg)
Added especially when Cobalt is extremely low, powerful methyl donor, helps keep body's nerve and blood cells healthy. Missing from vegetarian or vegan nutrition plan.

Slow Ox/4 Lows B-Complex (B2-30 mg, B5-30 mg, B7-400 mcg, B8-50 mg, Folate-400 mcg, Choline 30 mg): 150.8 mg
Did you catch my email on B vitamins and homocysteine two Sunday's ago? Vykon uses methylated B's and groups them for your oxidation rate. If you are already in sympathetic dominance, I wouldn't want to add stimulating B's in right away. If you are in slow oxidation, I wouldn't want to add anything overly relaxing or sedating early on. These nutrients support stress, carbohydrate metabolism, methylation, mood, and nerve function.

I want you to hone in on the dosing here too. If I were to purchase each of these nutrients separately and take them to match the Vykon dosing, it would not only add up quickly, but I would be taking many, many capsules and all of those bottles would take up loads of space in the house. Not to mention I would need to reorder more frequently.

For someone in a burnt out, depleted state, that approach is not setting them up for a good outcome. That's why I choose Vykon in addition to thoughtful diet and lifestyle changes. This has worked beautifully for myself and my clients. Granted, repleting is a slow game. I don't make the rules, though, so try not to get ornery with me!

One more thing. Did you notice the reference to digestion, blood sugar handling, immune function, mood, energy, detoxification, and hormones? Minerals must be part of the equation if you have dysfunction or imbalances in any of these.

If you aren't being given the education or answers that you'd like by your provider, please don't wait to come see me.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

This is a new feature, a place where I would like to anonymously acknowledge the hard work of my incredible clients!

"I am more regular and consistent in my bowels. I don’t go 3 or 4 times a day now, just one or two. And rarely loose. I am much better! I mean much. And I haven’t had a spike in my BP since just after I started. Latest reading was 121 over 73. I sleep mostly straight through the night. Rarely wake up at 3 for an hour like I used to. Energy has been very good consistently and my attitude is better."

This was an update I received from a male client in his early 70's who just began working with me in mid-December! He also reported reduced swelling, less frequent cramping, and that his belly fat is going down! The holidays came and went and he is grooving right along. I am thrilled with these updates!

Clients who booked a single service with me don't have to report their updates to me but many choose to and I check in from time to time too because I truly care!

My six month program is a high-level, education-forward, 1:1 container of support and accountability. It's designed to ensure success with 3 up-front labs, custom protocols, 9 check-ins, pre-recorded self-paced webinars, helpful resources, and access to me via chat in between it all. I'm very excited!