There are 3 different metabolic types

1. The Protein Type
2. The Carbohydrate Type
3. And the Mixed Type

Protein types do better on low-carbohydrate, high-protein and high-fat diets. A typical ratio might be 40 percent protein and 30 percent each of fats and carbohydrates, but the amounts could easily shift to 50 percent fats and as little as 10 percent carbohydrates depending on individual genetic requirements.

Carbohydrate types normally feel best when the majority of their food intake is carbohydrate based. However, just as we only have one word for snow while the Eskimos have many more, we only have one word for carbohydrates while there are actually different types. There is a major difference between vegetables and grains and yet they are both referenced to as “carbohydrates."

If you are a Carbohydrate metabolic type you will require about 60 percent of your food as carbohydrates, 25 percent protein and 15 percent fat, but this type may need as little as 10 percent fat and as high as 80 percent carbohydrates in exceptional times. If you followed an Atkins Diet you might improve initially but eventually your system would break down because it required far more carbohydrates.

Once a person attains a normal weight and does not struggle with other insulin related disorders, it is actually possible to consume some grains and remain perfectly healthy. Carbohydrate types actually can do quite well with grains, but remember this is likely to only be about 15 percent of the population at best.

Don't stress out about the percentages; they are only rough guidelines. Even if they needed to be precise, you wouldn't take the time or make the effort to eat exact percentages of foods every single time you ate, especially for the rest of your life.

Additionally, your activity and stress levels will affect and alter the quantity of food, as well as the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates; you need to feel your best.

Lastly, there is also a circadian rhythm to account for. Your biochemistry moves through various phases throughout the day. These rhythms involve your hormonal output, your acid/alkaline shifts, your waking/sleeping times and many other time-based variables. While some people will have a need for the same ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrates at each meal, others will discover that they need very different ratios at the different meals in order to derive optimum energy, well being and performance.

How to Determine Your Metabolic Type

In the book, "The Metabolic Typing Diet", there is a basic test that you can do to determine your metabolic type. It is generally helpful but not as accurate as the typing program that is available through certified metabolic typing clinicians, such as the doctors at the Calgary Centre for Naturopathic Medicine.

The program at our clinic takes you a step beyond the book in defining your metabolic individuality, and this process involves simple and easy lab procedures which analyze your urine and blood.

All procedures are done in-house, and you will have the results within a couple of hours. It will help you accurately identify specific subtypes of your metabolic type to determine whether you are a Parasympathetic, Sympathetic, Fast Oxidizer, Slow Oxidizer or Mixed type.

Our service also recommends an appropriate metabolic type dietary program and basic supplementation for your metabolic type, as well as provides access to the doctors who will guide you through the program and answer your questions.