No Magic Bullet

A diet based on your metabolic profile sounds interesting don't you think? Its name has the patina of science all over it. Yet, to date, I can't find any reliable scientific studies to back up its claims. What I have found are numerous anecdotal accounts of people who have said they use this method for weight control and are happy with it. Isn't that the same mantra as the folks who swear by blood type diets?

In his best selling book, Biochemical Individuality, Dr. Roger J. Williams says that, "There is no such thing as an average person-we are all genetically and biochemically unique." As members of the human race, we are all snow and as individuals, we are snowflakes and not two of us are alike. If that is so, and I believe it is, how can we have confidence in an approach that claims we fall into certain categories?

Various schools of thought contribute conflicting ideas. One says that we fall into one of three categories depending on the results of a lengthy written questionnaire. You are either a protein type, a carbohydrate type, or a mixed type. Another school says that there are five types, T-thyroid, A-adrenal, G-gonad, P-pituitary, and GP-gonad pituitary. There are others, but you get the point. The law of contradiction says that they can't all be right. But, they could all be wrong.

I answered a free on-line questionnaire and was shocked by the number of questions that included the term "normal." as in " Do you eat a big lunch, a small lunch, or a normal lunch?" What is normal anyway? Whats normal for a Sumo wrestler or Lance Armstrong may not be normal for me. I find it hard to give the questionnaires any credence. To date, I have not found any local source who offers either blood or urine tests for metabolic profiling.

First, lets take a look at the definition of metabolism as outlined in the text book Understanding Clinical Nutrition [ second edition ]-Cataldo, Rolfes, and Whitney, "Metabolism: the sum total of all the chemical reactions that go on in living cells." That's a lot of chemical reactions to be crammed into three or four specific types of metabolisms.

Here's what the Mayo Clinic staff says: That besides the chemical reactions in our trillions of cells, other factors include body size-body composition-sex-age-homogenises-physical activity-aerobic exercise-strength training-and lifestyle activities. " While its true that metabolism is linked to weight, it may not be in the way you expect. In fact, contrary to popular belief, a slow metabolism is rarely the cause of excess weight gain. Although your metabolism influences your basic energy needs, it is your food and beverage intake and your physical activity that ultimately determine how much you weigh. Your body generally balances your metabolism to meet your individual needs. People who are said to have a fast metabolism are probably more active than are others."

It seems to me that people are always looking for that magic bullet. That one bullet that solves all the problems of weight control. But, there is no magic bullet. A more reasoned approach can be found in the facts outlined in Dr. Barbara Rolls important book The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan which teaches you how to feel full on fewer calories and The New Glucose Revolution by Miller,Wolever,Colagiuri, Powell et. al. with a forward by Dr. Andrew Weil which says," The concept of the glycemic index has been distorted and bastardized by popular writers and diet gurus. Here , at last, is a book that explains what we know about the glycemic index and its importance in designing a diet for optimum health...." They are both based on science and clinical experience. The two plans are complimentary and apply to all of us .



Bottom line: We can opt for diets based on the machinations of an unscientific approach clothed to look scientific or we can rely on the work of reputable professionals supported by one of the most respected nutritional exerts in the country.