by Lawrence Wilson, MD

BELLIGERENCE PATTERN ON A HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS

Dr. Paul Eck learned that when the magnesium level of a hair mineral analysis is less than about 3 mg%, there is a tendency for a person to feel and demonstrate belligerence. The hair must not be washed at the laboratory for accurate mineral readings.

Belligerence is a feisty quality, and not exactly the same as aggressiveness, which is associated with a low hair calcium level. Perhaps the distinction is not important, but Dr. Eck felt it was different. Belligerence is often more benign, but can be very annoying to be around.

Magnesium is required for thousands of enzymes in our bodies. In some of these, other minerals cannot substitute for the magnesium. Magnesium is widely deficient in modern diets due to low soil levels of magnesium, refined food diets and the fact that magnesium is low in dairy products and meats, as well.

Good sources of magnesium are whole grains, nuts and seeds. However, these are not eaten in any quantity by most people. Nuts and seeds must be chewed very thoroughly or eaten as nut butters for best absorption. Also, the magnesium in these foods is not necessarily well-utilized by the body. As a result, magnesium deficiency is widespread, and this is one reason magnesium is supplemented in all nutritional balancing programs.

MAGNESIUM ON A HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS

Magnesium on a hair mineral analysis does not correlate just with the diet. It has more to do with the response of the body to stress. A low level is associated with a fight-or-flight response or alarm reaction of the sympathetic nervous system. Calcium and magnesium are excreted in the urine as part of this reaction. If the reaction is chronic, then a person develops a low tissue magnesium level that causes or contributes to this pattern.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW TISSUE MAGNESIUM

In addition to belligerence, common symptoms include nervousness, irritability, anger, ADD, ADHD, muscle tension, muscle cramps, and others associated with low tissue levels of calcium as well as magnesium.

WHY IS THE BELLIGERENCE PATTERN IMPORTANT?

One could give many reasons why belligerence is a quality that any doctor or anyone should pay attention to. For one thing, it is a form of aggressiveness that can get out of hand if it becomes extreme. It could lead to violence, for example.

Another reason is that it puts great stress on a person’s body, and also on those around a person. This may not seem important, but low magnesium is also associated with heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and other potentially fatal conditions.

Also, a personality that is belligerent will usually not develop very well in a mental and spiritual sense. This is a great problem for adults, in particular, but also for children. For example, if a child is belligerent and tends toward hyperactivity, he or she may not learn well in school, even though the child is very intelligent. This will set the child back and can also seriously impair one’s self esteem and confidence. It could even lead to suicide, and it does. So, for all these reasons, and more, belligerence pattern on a hair mineral analysis should never be ignored or minimized.

Courses | About Dr. Wilson | Contact Us | The Free Basic Program