The 8 Metabolic Types by Rate of Metabolism

The BioCorrect Nutrition™ Analysis (BNA) segregates a person’s metabolism into 8 metabolic types or classifications determined by hair tissue mineral analysis coupled with resting metabolic rate studies at the University of Texas in the 1980’s. These metabolic types are separated into 4 “Fast” and 4 “Slow” categories which are dominantly tied to either the sympathetic (fight or flight) or parasympathetic (rest-and-digest or feed-and-breed) autonomic nervous systems respectively.

Born with Fast Metabolism

One must recognize that we are all born as Fast Metabolizers.  Unfortunately with genetically / metabolically mismatched and unhealthful eating habits combined with less active lifestyles starting in childhood, we manage to turn our metabolisms into disease-promoting, fat-fostering, and genetically-antagonistic Slow metabolisms.  Genetic/metabolic nutrition research shows that statistically speaking, it’s not your gene’s fault for unhealthful states and premature aging.  You have more control over your own metabolism (and genes) than you think – if you only take the time to understand them and then perfect them decisively!

SLOW METABOLISMS

SLOW METABOLISMS: Type I-IV
Approximately 80% of the American population is categorized as SLOW METABOLIZERS, which is higher than any other country in the world.  The U.S. is Number 1 for diet-related diseases reflecting our epidemic state of “slow metabolisms” characterized by obesity and overweight syndromes, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, widespread diabetes, rampant heart disease, drug dependencies, unrelenting levels of Alzheimer’s, allergies and cancer, plus many more degenerative diseases.

SLOW METABOLISM: TYPE I – Characteristics

Manifestations of the emotional and physical characteristics of both fast and slow metabolizers depend on a number of factors including degree or severity of mineral (aka trace element) imbalances – including vitamins and amino acids, endocrine (hormone) activity and the length of time imbalances have been present.

  1. Parasympathetic Dominant nervous system (the energy-conserving autonomic nervous system)
  2. Thyroid gland activity = slow (or decreased from ideal levels)
  3. Parathyroid gland activity = fast (or increased which increases calcium loss from bone)
  4. Adrenal gland activity = decreased (or insufficient or less than ideal function)
  5. Stomach acid = insufficient
  6. Pancreatic activity = decreased enzyme production with increased insulin hormone production
  7. Body shape consideration = usually pear-shaped and *linear when lean
  8. Energy profile = constant fatigue
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = VH or very high
  11. Stress Index = constant, low to high degrees

*Slow Type I – IV’s, when underweight or lean, are usually linear.

SLOW METABOLISM: TYPE II – Characteristics

  1. Parasympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = decreased
  3. Parathyroid activity = increased
  4. Adrenal activity = increased
  5. Stomach acid = insufficient
  6. Pancreatic activity = decreased enzyme and insulin hormone production
  7. Body shape consideration = when overweight – slightly more apple-shaped
  8. Energy profile = periodic energy fluctuations followed by fatigue
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = VH
  11. Stress Index = usually follows an acute emotional and/or physical stress reaction.

SLOW METABOLISM: TYPE III – Characteristics

  1. Parasympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = increased
  3. Parathyroid activity = decreased
  4. Adrenal activity = decreased
  5. Stomach acid = decreased or increased depending on other factors
  6. Pancreatic activity = usually overactive but variable depending on other factors
  7. Body shape consideration = pear to apple
  8. Energy profile = fluctuates dramatically
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = VH
  11. Stress Index = prolonged emotional stress with large mood swings

SLOW METABOLISM: TYPE IV – Characteristics

  1. Parasympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = increased
  3. Parathyroid activity = decreased, sometimes temporarily increased
  4. Adrenal activity = increased
  5. Stomach acid = varies
  6. Pancreatic activity = decreased enzyme production, increased hormone production
  7. Body shape consideration = apple or pear shaped
  8. Energy profile – periodic high energy followed by extreme fatigue
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = High (H)
  11. Stress index = very acute stress reaction

FAST METABOLISMS

FAST METABOLISMS: Type I-IV
There are a few factors which cause a person to become a fast metabolizer.  The majority of children inherit their respective mineral retention patterns from their parents both genetically and environmentally.  With few exceptions almost every child is born with a fast metabolic rate.  A fast metabolism is nature’s way of ensuring that every child has the metabolic resources for a quick and constant growth rate.

From the environmental standpoint, a family’s eating habits can either reinforce a fast rate or slow it down considerably.  In effect, a family’s eating habits can “cement” their offspring’s biochemistry as fast or slow on a highly permanent basis.  A faster metabolism is generally better to possess for fat and health control when balanced, but an unsynchronized over-fast metabolism can be very dangerous especially when exposed to prolonged stress.

Unfortunately, even though slow metabolisms invite in many diseases; imbalanced Fast Metabolisms are especially prone to cardiovascular disease, peptic ulcers, histamine-related allergies, some types of arthritis and diabetes.  Fast Metabolic Types can usually “eat more and gain less” than “Slows” but they can still pack on excess fat, mostly around the abdominal region, if they constantly overeat.  In time they usually end up with an apple-shaped physique when they persist in imbalanced eating practices.

FAST METABOLISM: TYPE I – Characteristics

  1. Sympathetic Dominant (high energy utilizing, highly reactive autonomic nervous system)
  2. Thyroid activity = increased
  3. Parathyroid activity = decreased
  4. Adrenal activity = increased
  5. Stomach acid = high
  6. Pancreatic activity = enzymes increased, insulin decreased
  7. Body shape consideration = *lean muscular to apple
  8. Energy profile = very high with mood swings to very low at times
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = H or L depending upon other variables
  11. Stress Index = usually constant from high to low

*When body fat is low Fast I – IV’s usually retain more muscle tone than “Slows” with “squarer” builds.

FAST METABOLISM: TYPE II – Characteristics

  1. Sympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = decreased
  3. Parathyroid activity = decreased
  4. Adrenal activity = increased
  5. Stomach acid = usually sufficient
  6. Pancreatic activity = may be increased but not always
  7. Body shape consideration = lean muscular to apple
  8. Energy = usually high with stress-induced fluctuations
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = H to M (medium) depending on other variables
  11. Stress Index = Acute stress reaction and/or inflammatory condition

FAST METABOLISM: TYPE III – Characteristics

  1. Sympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = increased
  3. Parathyroid activity = decreased
  4. Adrenal activity = decreased
  5. Stomach acid = sufficient
  6. Pancreatic activity = variable
  7. Body shape consideration = lean muscular to apple
  8. Energy = exhaustion, energy loss
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate = high
  11. Stress Index = very high from strong, prolonged period of stress

FAST METABOLISM: TYPE IV – Characteristics

  1. Sympathetic Dominant
  2. Thyroid activity = decreased
  3. Parathyroid activity = increased
  4. Adrenal activity = decreased
  5. Stomach acid = low
  6. Pancreatic activity = increased
  7. Body shape consideration = lean muscular to apple
  8. Energy = periodic fatigue and depression
  9. Disease susceptibility – refer to “Disease Classification Process”
  10. Toxic retention rate – variable, but usually high
  11. Stress Index – classic “stress burnout”

A fast Slow I or a balanced Fast I are classified as the most healthful, age-resistant, sustained high energy and fat-free Metabolic Types. No matter which Type you are determined to be at the beginning, it’s most beneficial to bring all minerals and their ratios into balance over time.

CONCLUSION – Winning the War on Fat

Medically-proven, clinical laboratory science provides the ability to measure and effectively correct an individual’s biochemistry and attain biochemical balance.  If you haven’t already been tested via the BioCorrect Nutrition™ Analysis, get going before you waste another moment not knowing how to precisely engineer a better body to the most specific degrees for peak metabolic performance every time!

Stop Guessing! “It’s in your BNA.”

Suggested Reading:
1. Tefft, GH. Your Personal Life. Westlake Village, CA: Angel Mind, 2006
2. Tefft, GH. For Your Body Only: Discover the Diet You Were Born to Eat. Dragon Door Publications, 2003
3. Watts, D.L. “Commonly Asked Questions About Hair Mineral Analysis.” US: Trace Elements, 1999
4. Watts, D.L. Trace Elements and Other Essential Nutrients. T.E.I., 1995.

These statements have not been directly evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease as a substitution for standard medical care.