Part II: Understand Your Metabolic Type

Friday, July 01, 2011 by: Dr. David Jockers
Tags: metabolic type, nutrition, health news

(NewsTarget) Every individual has unique characteristics that define their personality and biochemical processes. Many factors such as genetics, blood type, & ethnicity go into defining who you are and how you metabolize your nutrients. Some individuals have strong appetites and fast metabolisms while others eat little and have trouble losing weight. Understanding your own unique metabolic type can dramatically help you reach your health goals.

Metabolic typing distinguishes between individual differences based on the pace of his/her digestive system to oxidize/metabolize nutrients. Individuals can be classified into one of 3 major groups:
1. Fast oxidizers
2. Slow oxidizers
3. Balanced oxidizers

In part I of this series on metabolic typing we discussed fast oxidizers. This section will focus on slow and balanced oxidizers.

Slow oxidizers break down nutrients in their food slowly. They do not get a quick release of glucose into their blood stream but instead they have a sustained release over time when they eat carbohydrates. Slow oxidizers do not spike their blood sugar when they eat carbohydrates. Because of the slower release of glucose they can handle eating small amounts of healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, quinoa, and sprouted grains.

Slow oxidizers typically do have more trouble losing weight due to their slower metabolic rate. Slow oxidizers should avoid sugars and high amounts of starchy carbs due to the sustained levels of insulin. As long as insulin is elevated in the blood stream the body cannot effectively burn fat for fuel. This metabolic type must eat small meals that emphasize vegetables and good fats.

This metabolic type should eat lots of fresh and cooked vegetables of all different varieties. Nutrient rich veggies such as kale, collards, cabbage, and bok choy are particularly good for the slow oxidizer. The best fat sources for slow oxidizers are coconut products, avocados and olive oil. Animal fats should be avoided as much as possible.

Fat and protein are more challenging to digest and tend to slow metabolism down. Slow oxidizers should eat smaller quantities of healthy fats and protein at each meal and load up on non-starchy vegetables. They should stick with low-purine meats such as white meat chicken and turkey and eggs. Red meat, fish, organ meats, beans, & legumes are higher in purines (rich in DNA) containing proteins that slow down digestion.

Mixed metabolic types need a healthy balance of both protein, fat, & non-starchy carbohydrates. Mixed types will do best on a low carbohydrate, moderate protein/fat diet that emphasizes nutrient rich fruits (in moderation) and vegetables and healthy protein/fat sources. On a balanced diet they can usually stabilize their energy levels and burn fat effectively.

http://caloriecount.about.com/metabolic-type...
http://www.drkaslow.com/html/fast_oxidizer_d...
Wolcott, William; Fahey, Trish; The Metabolic Typing Diet, DoubleDay, New York, 2000.

About the author

Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com