Metabolic Typing
Many people are familiar with various nutritionists advocating one type of healthy diet for everyone. Dean Ornish and Nathan Pritikin tout the benefits of a low fat, low protein, high carbohydrate diet. Robert Atkins recommends restricting carbohydrates and emphasizing good amounts of protein and fat instead. Barry Sears insists the Zone diet (40% carbohydrates, 30% fat, 30% protein) is the way to go. How is a person to know what is right for them?
Each of us is unique in our metabolic biochemistry. We each have different needs for the type and quantity of nutrients to maintain health. Some foods are unhealthy for everyone. These include processed, refined carbohydrates with white flour and white sugar, as well as bad fats. But within the realm of whole foods, certain foods are healthy for some, but not for others. This depends upon your metabolic type.
Over the last fifty years, researchers have identified different metabolic systems within individuals, based on the scientific work of Drs. Roger Williams and George Watson. More recently, William Wolcott and Harold Krystal have provided trained clinicians with methods of personalized metabolic nutrition testing for those interested in uncovering their biochemical individuality.
Metabolic nutrition typing is a state of the art methodology for determining whether a person is better suited to a more agrarian, vegetarian-oriented diet, or perhaps will thrive on a diet higher in animal fats and proteins. Metabolic typing can also direct a person in choosing which vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrate sources are ideal for his or her body.
Metabolic nutrition analysis is based upon balancing blood pH. We now know that most diseases result from metabolic imbalances in the body, meaning excess acidity or alkalinity. By correcting metabolic imbalances, nutrients can be absorbed more efficiently and utilized optimally.
It is difficult for most people to know intuitively what their ideal diet should comprise. We are constantly bombarded by mixed messages of what a “healthy” diet includes. Metabolic typing can help resolve this confusion.
Correcting imbalances through proper nutrition can enhance health on many levels. Achieving and maintaining ideal body weight, improved digestion, greater energy levels, and reversal of some chronic illness patterns are all areas that have been positively impacted by individuals following their appropriate metabolic diet.
Metabolic typing is more successful than conventional nutritional approaches for enhancing health because it addresses our individual differences. When it comes to nutrition, one size definitely does not fit all!