Metabolic Typing Gold Coast
In the 1930′s, dentist Weston A Price began expeditions around the world and uncovered the link between modern eating habits and chronic degenerative diseases. He also discovered that there was no one diet that would be healthy for all people – there was too much variation in climate, local produce, environmental conditions, heredity, genetics, culture. In later years, George Watson, Roger Williams, William Kelley, and others continued research in this area. They believed that people’s metabolisms functioned differently when it came to two factors, which are largely determined by heredity:
Autonomic nervous system dominance. There are two branches of this system. One of these branches, the sympathetic nervous system, is often referred to as the “fight or flight” branch. It helps you burn energy. The other branch is the parasympathetic nervous system. This branch helps you conserve energy. It also helps you digest food. Advocates of this diet believe that one branch tends to be stronger or more dominant than the other.
Rate of cellular oxidation. This refers to the rate at which cells convert food into energy. Some people are fast oxidizers, because they rapidly convert food into energy. In order to balance their systems, fast oxidizers need to eat heavier proteins and fats to that burn slowly. In contrast, slow oxidizers convert food into energy at a slow rate. In order to balance their systems
- Protein types — Protein types are fast oxidizers of parasympathetic dominant. They tend to be frequently hungry, crave fatty, salty foods, fail with low-calorie diets, and tend towards fatigue, anxiety, and nervousness. They are often lethargic or feel “wired”, “on edge”, with superficial energy while being tired underneath.
- Carb types — Carb types are slow oxidizers or sympathetic dominant. They generally have relatively weak appetites, a high tolerance for sweets, problems with weight management, “type A” personalities, and are often dependent on caffeine.
- Mixed types — Mixed types are neither fast or slow oxidizers, and are neither parasympathetic or sympathetic dominant. They generally have average appetites, cravings for sweets and starchy foods, relatively little trouble with weight control, and tend towards fatigue, anxiety, and nervousness.
Recommended quantities of food types:
A Metabolic Typing assessment is used to help you determine the optimal macronutrient ratio (fats: proteins: carbohydrates) to begin the process of fine-tuning your body’s feedback mechanisms. For those of you not sure what a fat, protein or carbohydrate is, note that if the food comes from something that has a pair of eyes it is going to come from something that is higher in fats and proteins. Fats and proteins most often come together in nature, for example meat, bird and fish products. Vegetables, fruits and grains do not come from a source that has a pair of eyes and are generally much higher in carbohydrates and lower in fats and proteins. There are a few exceptions to this rule such as nuts, seeds and avocados which have no eyes, yet are high fat foods.
Protein Types can aim to make every meal 45% protein, 20% fats and oils, 35% carbohydrates.
Mixed Types can aim to eat 40% protein, 10% fats and oils, 50% carbohydrates throughout the day.
Carbohydrate Types can aim to eat 20% protein, 10% fats and oils, 70% carbohydrates throughout the day. According to the metabolic typing diet, the three metabolic types should eat the following foods:
- Protein types should eat diets that are rich in protein, fats and oils, and high-purine proteins such as organ meats, pate, beef liver, chicken liver, and beef. Carbohydrate intake should be low.
- Carb types should eat diets that are high in carbohydrates and low in protein, fats, and oils. They should eat light, low-purine proteins.
- Mixed types should eat a mixture of high-fat, high-purine proteins and low-fat, low-purine proteins such as cheese, eggs, yoghurt, tofu, nuts. This type requires relatively equal ratios of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
What are the strengths of Metabolic typing for healthy eating and weight management?
Unlike other ‘diets’ that recommend the same plan for everyone, the metabolic typing diet recognises that we are all individual. Our metabolisms differ, so our diets should as well. The metabolic typing theory helps to explain why some people do better on a high protein, low carb diet, while others do better on a high carb diet.