Determining Your Metabolic Type
Dr. Philip Goglia is one of the top nutritionists in the nation and author of Turn Up the Heat: Unlock the Fat-Burning Power of Your Metabolism. He offers tips for determining your metabolic type using blood work.
It is likely that most people will be able to ascertain their metabolic type just by filling in the questionnaire. However, if you are within one or two points of another metabolic type, it would be a good idea to get your blood work done. If your doctor has taken your lipid profile within the last year, you can use those values. If your weight and health have changed significantly since the last time you had this test done, you may wish to get another one, because one of the joys of a metabolic food program is watching your cholesterol and triglyceride levels drop dramatically. If your insurance or HMO will not cover this procedure unless you are ill, you can have your blood work done for a minimal cost at a local Red Cross, clinic or health service.
To determine your metabolic type using blood work, refer to the instructions and table below:
Dual-Efficient Carbohydrate-Efficient Fat- and Protein Efficient
HDL Above 45 Below 45 Above 55
LDL Below 115 Above 140 Below 110
TC Less than, equal to, or greater than 200-----------------------------------------
RATIO Below 3.5 Above 3.5 Below 3.5
TRIGL Below 120 Below 100 Above 120
Even though total cholesterol (TC) is listed in a standard lipid profile, it plays no role in determining metabolic type. Therefore, I have simply listed it as "less than, equal to, or greater than 200" in the chart above. Use the following steps to interpret this chart:
Step 1"Go to Column 1, Dual-Efficient Metabolism: If your numbers fall within three out of four of these categories"HDL, LDL, ratio and triglycerides" then you have the dual-efficient metabolism. If not, move on to Step 2.
Step 2"Go to Column 2, Carbohydrate-Efficient Metabolism: If your numbers fall within any three of these four categories"HDL, LDL, ratio and triglycerides"then you are carbohydrate-efficient. If not, move on to Step 3.
Step 3"Go to Column 3, Fat- and Protein-Efficient Metabolism: If your numbers fall within any three of these four categories"HDL, LDL, ratio and triglycerides"then you are fat- and protein-efficient. If not, move on to Step 4.
Step 4"(if you cannot determine your metabolic type): Some people will find that the values of their lipid profile do not fit within the ranges of steps 1â€"3.
The reason for this might be a genetic predisposition, such as a family health history with unusually high lipid values, an illness such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, or a type of medication currently being used.
If this is the case, simply follow the dual-efficient metabolism food program, which will help you reestablish greater nutritional equilibrium. At the end of four weeks, retest your lipid profile and reassess yourself. If your values still fall outside of the range of steps 1â€"3, continue following the food program for the dual-efficient metabolism.
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