Metabolic Profiling is a nutritional science dating back to the 1930's and determines our genetic nutritional requirements by decoding our body language. According to William Wolcott, author of The Metabolic Typing Diet, the body communicates its needs through mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral characteristics, and the way we metabolize food into cellular energy is what establishes those characteristics. When we give the body the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, it is happy, and we are healthy. When we give it the wrong mix, we've got trouble in River City, and we're gonna hear about it from the body in the form of weight gain, fatigue, illness, digestive problems... All the fun stuff. 

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So, what is this "right mix" that seems to ever-elude us? This is where that "one size fits all" method of dieting does not work. Because we are all unique on a biochemical level, we all burn food and create cellular energy differently - some do it slowly and others more quickly. Some need more protein to feel energized, maintain an ideal weight, and achieve optimal health, while others need more vegetable carbohydrates. Different foods produce different biochemical reactions in the body depending on your genetic type. This is why foods that work well for your aunt Lucy may actually cause weight gain or health problems for you. So, if your goal is optimal health and wellness and an ideal weight, it is important to find out your metabolic type and give it the corresponding right mix of fuel. 

 

Here's an overview of the three main metabolic types - Protein, Carbohydrate, Mixed:

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Protein - Functions best on a high-protein/high-fat/low-carb diet.

Protein Types oxidize carbohydrates too quickly. This means that instead of being converted into energy, almost all carbohydrates consumed are stored as fat.​ In other words, that plate of pasta goes straight to the hips! Fat storage was a superb genetic feature back in the hunter-gatherer days when you never knew when you were going to eat again. You could live off of the fat of the land, so to speak, until the next kill. Nowadays, this feature can lead to a fun problem known as weight gain.​ Protein types tend to think about food a lot, always planning the next meal. They also have the strongest appetetites and the biggest aversion to exercise, which can be a bad combination since they tend to have high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For all these reasons, Protein types have to really watch what they eat, and do well on a high-protein/high-fat/low-carb diet. Emotionally speaking, Protein Types are friendly, intuitive, and patient. Physically speaking, they tend to be shorter and wider, with a round face and skull. They tend to need lots of sleep and they look younger than they really are.

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Carbohydrate - Functions best on a low-protein, high-fruit/vegetable carbohydrate diet.

In contrast to Protein Types, Carabohydrate Types oxi​dize carbohydrates too slowly. This means that the carbohydrates they consume give them a steady supply of energy throughout the day.  This also means they have a hard time gaining weight because their bodies don't do well storing food as fat. Yes, they're the ones who can eat all those high-glycemic foods like cookies, pastries, pasta, bread - a.k.a. the "bad carbs" - and not gain an ounce of weight! They must've been in the back of the line when the fat storage gene was being handed out! Because of this ability to use food as fuel so efficiently, they tend to have low appetites and can even forget to eat. (Forget to eat?!)  Carbohydrate types do well on a diet low in protein and high in good fruit and vegetable carbohydrates. Digesting protein and is too difficult and makes them feel sluggish because it takes up a ton of energy to do so. Physically speaking, they tend to be tall and slim with more angular features. They have a lot of energy and stamina and need lots of exercise to feel good. Emotionally, they are high-spirited, highly-motivated, aggressive, focused, intellectual, analytical, left-brained, and can be introverted. High blood pressure and hypertension are common. They also tend to look older than their age.

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Mixed - Functions best on a balanced amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Mixed Types make up the majority of the average healthy population and contain characteristics of both the Protein and Carbo types. They are the most balanced of all metabolic types and can consume a wide variety of foods without too much trouble. In other words, your basic human garbage disposal. Gluten, however, can be a problem for mixed types as it can lead to allergies, digestive problems, yeast overgrowth, and Celiac disease. Physically speaking, they are balanced in every way, with average weight and shape, average energy, metabolism, and stamina, and normal blood sugar. Emotionally, they are split down the middle as well, being pretty friendly, patient, creative, and analytical, and they tend to look their age.

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For more info on Metabolic Typing, visit Mr. Wolcott's website at www.metabolictypingdiet.com