A fast oxidizer vs a slow oxidizer

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What is a fast oxidizer?

A fast oxidizer or someone with a fast metabolism will rapidly convert food into energy. Fast oxidizers need to eat heavier proteins and fats that burn slowly to balance out their fast metabolisms and keep blood sugar levels stable.

While lots of people want to have a fast metabolism, keep in mind that a fast oxidizer will also burn through the micro-nutrients needed to make energy in the body as well.

B vitamins and magnesium can become depleted in a fast oxidizer if junk food is consumed. B vitamins and magnesium are micronutrients needed to convert food into usable energy.

The fast oxidizer still needs to consider the nutrient density of food to ensure adequate intake of B vitamins and magnesium for energy.

What is a slow oxidizer?

A slow oxidizer converts food into energy at a slower rate. Healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are best for a slow oxidizer.

You can think of the metabolic rate on a sliding scale from zero to one hundred. You can be anywhere on that scale with the middle indicating balanced and mixed oxidation or metabolic rate.

At each end of the sliding scale, you have either a fast oxidizer or a slow oxidizer. You can use the following symptoms to determine where you are on the metabolic scale to help guide you in eating the best foods for your metabolic type.

William Wolcott, the author of the metabolic typing diet, has in-depth questionnaires and diet plans for fast, slow, and mixed oxidizers.

Slow oxidizer symptoms include:

• lower body temperature or easily gets cold hand and feet
• general fatigue or lack of energy
• craves sugar
• hypofunction of the adrenal and thyroid glands
• prone to constipation and sluggish transit time
• weight gain in hips and legs
• craves lighter, more hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables
• feels weighed down and fatigued after eating heavier foods such as animal protein, fats, nuts, and seeds
• tends toward hypoglycemic (low blood sugar)

Diet for a slow metabolism

Someone with a slow metabolism will want to implement a slow oxidizer diet and fuel their body with a higher percentage of healthy carbohydrates such as:

• vegetables
• unrefined whole grains
• fruit

Slow oxidizers do best with a small percentage of healthy fats and quality protein in their diet. Lots of vegetables and fruits in their whole form or smoothies are best for slow oxidizers.

Slow oxidizers tend to have difficulty losing weight if too many fats and animal proteins are consumed. The best foods for a slow oxidizer to lose weight include liver cleansing fruits and vegetables.

Slow oxidizers also do great with plant-based protein sources while eating an anti-inflammatory diet high in colorful fruits and vegetables.

This energy-boosting matcha mango smoothie is fantastic for slow oxidizers to boost their metabolism and lose weight.

Adding in a scoop of optimal detox protein powder to smoothies is a great way to provide micronutrients needed to cleanse the liver with minimal calories.

If you need help losing weight grab my weight loss cheat sheet.

Signs of a fast metabolism or fast oxidizer symptoms include:

• warm body temperature and does not get cold easily
• more prone to feeling anxious or wound up
• sweats easily
• hyperfunction of the adrenal and thyroid glands
• rapid transit time
• tends toward hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• weight gain in the abdominal area
• craves heavier foods such as fats, animal protein, nuts and seeds
• does not feel satiated after eating the lighter hydrating foods such as vegetables and fruits

Diet for a fast metabolism

Someone who is a fast oxidizer will want to fuel their bodies with a higher percentage of healthy fats and protein such as:

• avocado
• nuts and seeds
• eggs
• quality animal protein

A fast oxidizer does better with a smaller percentage of the diet being unrefined carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, and grains, and legumes.

The diet that works wonders for your best friend might not be the diet that will work for you if you have different metabolic rates.

Dialling in the macro-nutrient ratios according to your metabolism type will help to provide the necessary satiety and energy levels for your individual needs and metabolic rate.

You can learn more in-depth info on your metabolism type and how to eat for your metabolic type in the Metabolic Typing book.