May N.Y.R. - Eat According To Your Metabolic Type

Individuality In Diet Is Key

In the highly respected book entitled Biochemical Individuality by Roger Williams, we are just as unique on the inside as we are on the outside and we function differently and have different nutritional needs. Dr. Weston A. Price's investigations of dietary variations among 16 diverse primitive cultures across the globe in the early 1930's revealed how native cultures ate what was ideal for their lineage and geographical region--what was right for their metabolic type. Dr. Price and other pioneering doctors who studied native cultures in the first half of the 20th century found that these people enjoyed robust health and had excellent physiques--until they adopted what Price called a "white man's diet" (and the quality of grains and other processed foods were not as bad then as they are now!!)

Vegetarians Take Note!

In Price's book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, he writes that in all of his journeys he did not come across a single healthy tribe or group that existed on a diet completely free of meat. The tribes that rarely ate meat did so because it was scarce. Primitive Eskimos at the time enjoyed vibrant health and no malignant disease while eating a high-meat diet. Today's so-called nutritional "experts" emphasize the harm caused by high-meat diets (this may be true if the meat source is only commercially-raised meats as previously discussed). The American Dietetic Association tells us to eat lots of grains, cereals and breads when our ancestors thrived on a much different diet.


Are You A Protein, Carb or Mixed Type?
Our digestive systems are only minutely different than those of our ancestors thousands of years ago. Though few of us are really sure of our genetic heritage, we need to return to a diet similar to the one that each of our systems is designed to eat. In the book The Metabolic Typing Diet William Wolcott explains the importance of eating balanced meals for improved nutrient availability and digestive efficiency. The questions he asks in the metabolic typing test helps you fine-tune your senses so that you become acutely aware from meal to meal what your body needs to optimize your genetic potential and suppress your genetic weaknesses. Once you have determined the optimal fuel ratio for your body, you have a starting point for proportioning your meals. Each type has a ratio of meal portions that are from protein, fats/oils, and carbohydrates. Diet plans are given for each type that best support and balance your body chemistry.

Protein Types Ignore The Food Pyramid!

Protein types become chunky, fat and downright miserable if they don't eat more protein and fat than carbs to slow down the digestion of carbs in there bodies. They require the amino acids found in dark meats, red meat, and sardines/anchovies. They have a greater appetite for salt which is okay as long as they only consume unprocessed sea salt. Protein types rapidly burn carbs in their metabolic pathways leaving them with low blood sugar. The body is then stressed in an attempt to raise blood sugar levels resulting in a yo yo fluctuation of hormonal tides and rhythms (melatonin is not released and they don't sleep well). So many seemingly unrelated symptoms will occur that they'll end up making endless doctor visits and receiving an arsenal of medications when they would find relief by simply eating according to their metabolic type.

Carb Types Need To Stay Clear Of Junk Food
Just because you can handle more carbs doesn't mean you can take a muti-vitamin and then eat poorly. Eat real preferably organic food and include some fat and protein at each meal. Full-fat dairy products or fatty meats may make you resort to stimulants like coffee and sugar. Carb types do better eating light meats like chicken breasts, lean meats and light fish.

Mixed Types Must Read The Messages Your Body Gives
You might be the easiest to feed but the toughest to train. You will oscillate back and forth between protein and carb types. You'll likely lean toward one or the other but you won't feel well if you just stick to one pattern of eating and ignore your internal body language.

What You Need To Do:
Read the book The Metabolic Typing Diet by William Wolcott and any books by nutritional experts Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig. Free yourself from calorie counting diets that don't work in the long run because they disrupt important hormones and enzymes. You won't lose weight since eating too many carbohydrates for your metabolic type or skipping just one meal make it more difficult for the body to lose fat.


Tips:
* Eat more above-ground vegetables - lower glycemic index (less sugar)
* Consider carb content of drinks - orange juice has 21.3 grams
* Don't drink alcoholic beverages on empty stomach - causes low blood sugar so you you crave and over-indulge in displacing foods like bread and chips
* Retest your metabolic type every couple of months - it is common to change types as you become healthier