|  Recently, there have been a number of diets that promote a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to help people lose weight and lower their cholesterol. These books include the Atkin's Diet, the South Beach Diet, Protein Power, Sugar Buster's food plan, etc. Other diets such as "The Zone" suggest a balance of protein and carbohydrates. On the polar opposite, there are the diets promoted by Dean Ornish and Pritikin that suggest a diet high in complex carbohydrates as the key to weight loss and improved health.
It's easy for a person to feel confused by the conflicting approaches. Which is the best diet for me? The answer is that none of them are. All these diets have a fundamental flaw. They all assume that there is one diet that is best for everybody. The truth is that we are all biochemically unique. Metabolic typing is a science based testing procedure that can determine the specific diet best for each individual. All health conscious people know that there are some foods that are bad for everyone, such as sugar, white flour, and hydrogenated oils. The truth that most people don't realize is that there are also wholesome foods that are good for you and other wholesome foods that are not so good for you. Identifying your individual metabolic type is an easy way to identify foods that promote your health and foods that detract from it. A person's metabolic type is based on how quickly they convert food into energy and what part of the autonomic nervous system has the most influence on their metabolism. Oxidative types are people whose metabolism is primarily controlled by how quickly they convert glucose into energy. These people can be categorized into two groups. A fast oxidizer is a person that metabolizes food quickly and tends to have a slightly acidic blood pH. A slow oxidizer converts food into energy over a longer period of time and has a tendency to have a slightly more alkaline blood pH.Autonomic types are people whose metabolism is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic types tend to have a nervous system that is over stimulated, and they have a tendency to be in "fight or flight" mode. Their energy system is focused on energy utilization and they tend to have slightly acidic blood pH. Parasympathetic types have nervous systems that tend to become sluggish when they are out of balance. Their energy system is focused on energy conservation and they tend to have slightly alkaline blood. Metabolic typing is determined by evaluating the results of a questionnaire and a metabolic typing test. This in house test measures changes in a person's blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and other factors in response to drinking a small potassium/glucose drink.Once a person's metabolic type is identified, they are encouraged to follow a specific food plan that will optimize and balance their blood pH and their metabolism. The metabolic type food plan will detail the proper ratios of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The food plan also provides a comprehensive list of protein sources, vegetables, fruits, grains, fats, and carbohydrates that should be eaten as well as those that should be limited or avoided. After six weeks of following the recommended diet the test is repeated to measure the improvements in blood sugar regulation in the patient. Many patients using this approach have found they can lose weight without feeling the stress of dieting. Many also report improved energy and a general sense of well being. The program works so well because it is a very effective way to insure proper blood sugar regulation and prevent all the diseases associated with syndrome X and type II diabetes.Although this is not a treatment for any disease, it has been helpful in improving the symptoms associated with depression, pms, fatigue, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, digestive complaints, and many other health problems. Metabolic typing also establishes a healthy dietary foundation so conventional or natural therapies can work better.
By Dr. William Nelson, NMD - Asktheinternettherapist.com © 2004
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