Metabolic typing is an approach to diet based around your individual goals, nutritional needs and body type, and is designed to address your individual genetic strengths and weaknesses. As an athlete competing at the highest level you need any extra edge that you can get over your competition, and while a solid nutritional plan may be able to give you that edge, to achieve optimal results, you really need a plan that is tailored to you. This is where metabolic typing comes in.
Metabolic Typing
Metabolic typing diets were first introduced in 1987 by researchers William Wolcott and David Vaughan. The concept is that each person's metabolism, nervous system and body mechanism works differently, and that in order to thrive, you must consume a diet that is specific to your body type. According to Wolcott, your body falls into any one of nine different metabolic types, each of which requires a different nutritional strategy for optimal performance. The nine types are -- sympathetic fast, sympathetic mixed, sympathetic slow, balanced fast, balanced mixed, balanced slow, parasympathetic fast, parasympathetic mixed and parasympathetic slow.
Testing
The metabolic typing test consists of 65 questions regarding your food choices, stress levels, sleeping patterns, digestion and general health. Depending on your answers, you will fit into one of nine categories listed above.There are two options regarding testing. The first is to purchase a copy of Wolcott's "The Metbolic Typing Diet," which gives a basic self-assessment test and advice on how to set up your diet plan. The second option is to hire a certified metabolic typing instructor, who will perform a more in-depth test, including testing your hormone levels, neurotransmitter balance, electrolyte levels and blood type, and then set up a diet for you.
Advantages
During exercise, one of the main systems your body uses to generate energy is the Krebs cycle. According to nutritionist Michael McEvoy, you are classed as either a fast oxidizer who uses fat and protein as fuel during the Krebs cycle, or a slow oxidizer who relies on carbohydrate. Metabolic typing will determine which category you fall into. Knowing this is essential during competition, as it allows you to optimize the effectiveness of your pre-exercise nutrition.
Your nervous system also plays a role in how you perform, and you will either be sympathetic or parasympathetic-dominant. Choosing the right foods to match your nervous system dominance is critical for optimal performance and managing body composition. A metabolic typing diet will also maximize your cellular oxidation rate, which allows for better performance and increased recovery rates, advises Eric Talmant, powerlifter and certified metabolic typing instructor.
Considerations
Although metabolic typing may be advantageous, performing a metabolic typing test can be time-consuming, and the results can vary based on your emotions at the time of taking the test. In order to ensure your results are as accurate as possible, Wolcott advises performing the test twice, leaving a few days in between. Hiring an instructor to plan your diet can also be costly. If you have been following a certain diet for a number of years, you may find that switching diets is difficult, and you suffer extra psychological stress which can negatively impact your performance when transitioning to metabolic typing.
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