Minerals and the Dyslexic Brain
the missing piece...
What if there was a missing piece to symptoms?
Increasing research and clinical practice suggest that mineral imbalances play a powerful role in how the dyslexic brain functions as well as being responsible for various other symptoms dyslexic kids typically experience such as anxiety, depression, anger outbursts, meltdowns, tantrums, aggression, ADHD, OCD, ADD, and more.
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At Lively Rooted Family Wellness Center, we believe dyslexia is not just a learning difference to be managed, it's a window into your child's biochemistry. By uncovering hidden mineral imbalances, we can support the brain while also noting the importance of interdisciplinary care.
Minerals: The Brain's Electrical System
Dr. Henry Schroder, MD called minerals the spark plugs of life.
They:
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Create energy
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Support neurotransmitter production and balance (dopamine, serotonin, GABA)
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Regulate the stress response
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Influence learning, memory, focus e
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Support the immune system
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Support nerve transmission
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Support healthy bones and teeth
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Create stomach acid
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Help muscle contraction
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Regulate blood sugar
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Assist wound healing
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Hormonal health
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Support the thyroid, metabolism, and prevent infections
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And much more!!
If minerals are imbalanced or heavy metal toxicities are present, this can show up through symptoms. Symptoms are your child's way of communicating with you - it is the way all of our bodies communicate with us. Symptoms signal deeper imbalances. Some opt to cover up symptoms with medication while others opt to dig deep and find the true root cause and stimulate healing from there. The number one way I help my clients uncover these imbalances is through HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing. This non-invasive test can be done in the comfort of your own home and only one teaspoon of scalp hair is needed.
HTMA TEST FROM DYSLEXIC MALE
Why Hair and not Blood?
A common question we receive is, "Why test hair and not blood?"
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The short answer is: blood isn't an accurate measure of mineral status.
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Why? Let's take potassium for example. 98% of potassium is found in the cells (not the blood). Blood pulls from mineral reserves like the cells, bones, teeth, etc to remain homeostatic for a reason. Most everyone comes back "normal" on standard blood work. This is why we use hair. Hair gives us an accurate picture of how the body is using minerals for various functions like thyroid, metabolism, hormones, blood sugar, stress response, mental/behavioral health, blood sugar, and infections. It will also assess heavy metals that may be present and contributing to symptoms as well. The HTMA test kit is also non-invasive as we need one teaspoon of scalp hair, cut as close to the scalp as possible. Blood work can be scary for some kids and very invasive.
