The original of this can be traced back to the 1930s, where a dentist by the name of Weston Price uncovered the link between modern eating habits and chronic degenerative diseases. It seemed that no one diet works for everyone. Many variables affect the response of certain dietary practices depending on climate, local produce, heredity, environmental conditions, culture and genetics.



William Wolcott, the author of The Metabolic Typing Diet, identifies the ideal balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to suit the body's specific biochemistry.

It seems that the same type of food can cause different patterns of metabolic balance.

There are two factors that determine the metabolic function of individuals:

1) Autonomic nervous system dominance

There are two branches to this system. One is called the sympathetic nervous system which helps you burn energy. The other is the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps you conserve energy and digest food.

2) Rate of cellular oxidation

This refers to the speed of your cell converting food into energy. There are fast oxidizers (or converters). They are better suited to consuming more proteins and fats. The slow oxidizers are recommended to eat more carbohydrates.

There are three metabolic type:

Carb Type

These are the slow oxidizers or sympathetic dominant. They love sweets, don't have much of an appetite, can't manage their weight and can't live without coffee. The macronutrient ratio for this type is 25% Protein, 15% Fat, 60% Carbohydrates.

They should eat more starches, fruits and vegetables as well as fiber and go easy on the proteins and fats.

Protein Type

These are fast oxidizers or parasympathetic dominant. They are always hungry. They crave salty, fatty foods, are always leaning towards nervousness and lethargy.

The macronutrient ratio for this type is: 40% Protein, 30% Fat, 30% Carbohydrate.

They should lean towards high-purine protein foods such as organ meats, beef liver and pate. This type of proteins should supply them with sufficient fats. Their carbohydrate intake should be low.

Mixed Type :

These are neither slow or fast oxidizers and they are neither parasympathetic nor sympathetic dominant. They have average appetite, crave sweets and starchy foods and tend to be nervous and anxious.

The macronutrient ratio for this type is 30% Protein, 20% Fat, 50% Carbohydrate.

This type should eat a mixture of high-fat, high purine proteins and low-fat, low-purine proteins like cheese, tofu, yogurt and nuts.

When you discover the right macronutrient ratio for yourself, you will experience the following symptoms:

1) You are more satisfied. There will be less tendency to overeat due to feeling hungry all the time, any time of the day.

2) No food cravings. Many people crave sweets or salty foods at different times of the day. This will be greatly reduced.

3) Restored energy. No more feelings of lethargy or hyper-activeness. You will stabilize.

4) Feeling happy. Depression and ill-temperedness could actually a symptom of the wrong food type.

5) Stabilize or improve disease symptoms. If you already have a disease, it will be maintained or improved.

Try this for a week and make a note of your mood and energy level throughout the day. Be aware of hunger pangs and cravings. Did you snap at your child today for no reason? It could be your diet. With the right combination of food, not only will your life improve, you may even lose weight, if you need to. Weight loss is always a by-product of good eating habits.