Basic science of Metabolic Typing

Metabolism is simply the sum total of all the chemical and biological activities that are necessary to sustain life. These metabolic activities can be summarised as nutrition, transport, respiration, synthesis, regulation, growth and reproduction. In order to sustain life, all of these metabolic activities require energy. Air, water, sunlight and food (nutrients) are used to produce this vital life-sustaining energy.

Foods provide the raw materials needed to build, repair and heal our bodies. They also provide the fuel that is oxidised (burnt) in our cells to provide energy for metabolic activities.

In fact, every biochemical process in your body is entirely dependent on the rate, quality, and amount of energy available to you.

"It is on a cellular level that all metabolic activity takes place and efficiency or inefficiency is determined"

These metabolic activities are under the control of just a few Fundamental Homeostatic Control FHC's mechanisms. The two major ones are the Autonomic Nervous System and the Oxidative System.

Autonomic Nervous System

The ANS is commonly known as the 'Master Regulator of Metabolism'. It is the involuntary part of the nervous system responsible for controlling bodily functions - the functions we don't need to think about like breathing, digestion etc.

The ANS is divided into two divisions - Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. They function simultaneously, but in opposition, to maintain homeostasis (metabolic balance). For instance, sympathetic nervous stimulation will speed up heart rate, while parasympathetic stimulation will slow it down. Together they work to maintain normal function.

Certain organs are 'switched on' by the sympathetic and 'switched off' by the parasympathetic branches, and visa versa. eg. The digestion system is 'switched on' by the parasympathetic side, and 'switched off' by the sympathetic.

Some people will have inherently stronger organs and glands that are stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system and are termed Sympathetic Dominant.

Similarly, some people will have stronger organs and glands that are stimulated by the parasympathetic side - Parasympathetic Dominant.

Others will be balanced between the two - Balanced Dominant.

Different foods and nutrients will stimulate either the sympathetic or parasympathetic division. So, to work towards homeostasis, or balance, you need to support your weaker side. Eg. If you are a Sympathetic Dominant type, you will want to eat to support/stimulate the parasympathetic side.

Oxidative System

The oxidative system concerns the rate at which your cells convert foods/nutrients into energy.

Cellular energy is derived in two ways.

  1. Glycolysis - this involves the combustion of carbohydrates and is responsible for about 20% of potential energy production. A by-product of glycolysis is a substance called Oxaloacetate.
  2. Citric Acid Cycle (or Krebs cycle) - This is responsible for the remaining 80% of potential energy production. In simple terms, in order to make energy, the Citric Acid Cycle needs Oxaloacetate (from carbohydrate combustion in Glycolysis) and Acetyl Coenzyme-A (from the metabolism of proteins and fats in Beta Oxidation).

Insufficient Oxaloacetate OR Acetyl Coenzyme-A will result in decreased cellular energy production.

These energy systems also require different micro nutrients, for instance Glycolysis is supported by potassium and magnesium (amongst others) while Beta Oxidation needs calcium and zinc.

The Metabolic Types within the Oxidative system are:

  • Fast Oxidiser
  • Slow Oxidiser
  • Mixed Oxidiser

Fast Oxidisers are overly reliant on the combustion of carbohydrates in Glycolysis for energy production. They are poor metabolisors of fats and proteins, and as such produce too little Acetyl Coenzyme-A.

Slow Oxidisers on the other hand, are poor at carbohydrate combustion and have too little Oxaloacetate.

Both types will have deficient cellular energy production, but for exact opposite reasons.

Through analysis of these systems, we can accurately define inherent genetic expressions of metabolic individuality, and as such we can recommend individual nutritional programs which promote internal balance and homeostasis.

"When optimum energy is available to your body on all levels - to all your cells, organs, glands, and systems - then optimum (balanced and efficient) functioning, or good health, is possible". William Wolcott