Dr L Wilson
All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.
In some interesting ways, this is the opposite of the step up pattern, and appears this way visually. Instead of steps ascending to the right, it appears as steps descending from the left to the right on the hair chart. Other names for the pattern are coming back to life or stepping into life.
The pattern is defined as:
1. A slow oxidation rate.
2. A double high ratio pattern. This means the sodium/potassium ratio is above about 5 and the calcium/magnesium ratio is greater than about 9.5
3. Visually, the chart must look like steps going down to the right.
4. Four lows must not be present. (If it is present, the pattern has a different meaning explained below.)
Step down pattern with a four lows pattern, but only on an initial hair test. In this case only, the pattern seems to indicate a person who is moving ahead with determination to leave this life. Why this is so different than when the four lows pattern is not present I do not know, but it changes the meaning of the step down pattern very much.
It is the same in that the person is directed, determined and “moving ahead firmly” with something, but it is a four lows context and that is the difference.
MEANING OF STEP DOWN PATTERN
We find step down pattern is more common in women. The person is often very determined to move ahead in his or her life, in spite of some fatigue or exhaustion. The person is often moving ahead slowly, with this pattern, and doing well, even though the energy level is low. It is thus a pattern of overcoming odds against oneself, and slowly pushing forward in one’s life. One can call it “digging in one’s heels” and moving ahead in spite of obstacles.
Developing the will. One may say that the step down pattern is associated with developing the quality of focused and concentrated will in one’s life. This is in contrast to a step up pattern, which is associated with a need to develop the quality of love and surrender, and to move past the lower will of the ego. I know this may sound vague, but it indicates how the hair tissue mineral patterns can relate to developmental states of a human being.
ROLE OF COPPER, ZINC, SELENIUM AND OTHER MINERALS IN THE STEP DOWN PATTERN
Copper. Those with step down pattern tend to be high in copper, even if the hair copper level is normal or low. Often indicators of hidden copper toxicity are present with this pattern. These might include an elevated calcium level, or a very low potassium level.
As with the step-up pattern, some of the copper is usually biounavailable. However, it is probably not “amigo” copper, which is a copper oxide.
Iron. Most people with step down pattern also have too much biounavailable iron. This raises the sodium level and can give rise to a high sodium/potassium ratio. They also have too much of the other “amigos” in almost all cases, such as aluminum, manganese, and biounavaillable chromium, selenium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, boron and others (but not copper).
Other toxic metals. Those with step down pattern are usually quite toxic. This has to do with their slow oxidation rate, which is always associated with the accumulation of many toxic metals, even if they are not revealed on any type of blood, urine, saliva or hair test. These toxic metals include lead, cadmium, arsenic, aluminum and mercury.
A strong need for zinc. Dr. Eck discovered that when the sodium/potassium ratio is high, one needs a lot of supplementary zinc. Zinc tends to lower this ratio.
Zinc supplementation is even more necessary when the double high ratio pattern is present, which occurs with step down pattern.
A more yin pattern. Step down pattern is a more yin or pattern (high copper and slow oxidation). One of the most important minerals to correct this tendency is the modern “male” mineral, zinc.
Selenium. Another male mineral, selenium, may also be helpful or even essential for step down pattern. Selenium is an even more advanced or spiritual “male” mineral that helps to balance this pattern.
Avoid giving copper. Although a copper supplement is vital for the step up pattern, it can be damaging for those with step down pattern. Do not give copper supplements, or high copper foods for step down pattern, even if the hair copper level is very low.
OTHER ISSUES INVOLVED WITH STEP DOWN PATTERN
Conflict issues. Step down is definitely a pattern related to some internal conflict. The person is determined to move ahead, but is somewhat slowed down by low energy, low adrenal and thyroid activity, and usually by sympathetic dominance, which involves some fear, anxiety, anger and depression.
Scattered, yet focused. Step down is also a combination of a tendency to be somewhat spacy or scattered (high copper) and a determination to move forward in a focused way.
Often intelligent, spiritually-minded individuals. While step down pattern is common, it often occurs in people who are of above average intelligence and often those who are interested in spiritual matters.
STEP DOWN PATTERN ON A MINERAL ANALYSIS RETEST
This is a wonderful event. It usually means a person is feeling better, and has made some important decisions to enter into a new life path or a new project, at least. It is a decision to move ahead with life in some way. It might be to pursue a new job or career, or to begin or deepen an interpersonal relationship, or to move one’s residence, or simply to take a new interest in living.
This is in stark contrast to step-up pattern on a retest, which is not very important.
All step-down patterns are what might be called “karmic beginnings”, or starting a new movement in one’s life. This is also the case when it occurs on a retest during a nutritional balancing program.
A SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE PATTERN
While the degree varies, all step-down patterns tend to have sympathetic dominance pattern as part of their quality. Sympathetic dominance is associated with a tendency to push oneself and to overuse the sympathetic nervous system. For more on this important autonomic nervous system-related pattern, please read Sympathetic Dominance on this website.
COMBINATIONS WITH OTHER PATTERNS
Step down pattern may be found in conjunction with a number of other common patterns. These include:
1. Four highs or three highs. This is a weaker version of the step down pattern, we believe, but basically similar.
2. Four lows. As explained above, this changes the meaning of the pattern completely, and may indicate a person who is moving in a direction to leave this life, and somewhat enthusiastic about it. Fortunately, it can be turned around with a nutritional balancing program if the person will follow the program carefully.
3. A calcium shell (calcium greater than 165 mg% for a woman and about 155 mg% for a man). This does not seem to alter the pattern much, especially if the calcium level is less than about 300 mg%.
4. Sympathetic dominance pattern (potassium of 4 mg% or less). This is seen very commonly with step down pattern. This has been discussed above.
5. Spiritual defensive pattern (Ca/Mg ratio greater than 13.5). This is often present. It indicates a need to let go of something in the lifestyle. Usually, it is considered a negative pattern. However, it does not seem to interfere with the positive nature of a step down pattern.
6. Poor eliminator patterns (very low toxic metal levels). This is very common with step down pattern. The likely reason is that when a person is in slow oxidation, and in sympathetic dominance, which is often the case with step down pattern, less nerve energy goes to the eliminative organs, impairing normal elimination of toxic metals and of toxic forms of vital minerals as well.
