A fast oxidizer vs a slow oxidizer

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One of the reasons why there is no perfect diet that will work for everyone depends upon whether you are a fast oxidizer or a slow oxidizer or have a metabolic rate somewhere in-between.

The rate of metabolism is the rate in which food is converted into energy in the body. Depending on your rate of oxidation and body type, your body will do better or worse with different foods.

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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 many 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.

B vitamins and magnesium can deplete in a fast oxidizer if junk food is consumed. These nutrients are needed to convert food into usable energy.

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

What is a slow oxidizer?

A slow oxidizer converts food into energy at a slower rate. As s result they are more likely to struggle with weight gain and chronic fatigue due to inefficient energy production. Healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are best for a slow oxidizer.

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

You have either a fast or slow oxidizer at each end of the sliding scale. You can use the following symptoms to determine where you are on the metabolic scale to help guide your eating habits according to 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:

• low body temperature or easily gets cold hands 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)

Slow oxidizer dietary recommendations

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

• vegetables
• unrefined whole grains
• fruit

Someone with a slow metabolism does best on a low fat diet with quality protein in their diet. Lots of vegetables and fruits in their whole form or smoothies are best for slow oxidizers as they 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.

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 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 fatty foods and protein. Some healthy fats for a fast oxidizer diet include:

• avocado
• nuts and seeds
• nut butters
• eggs
• quality animal protein, including fatty meats

A fast metabolizer does better with a high-fat diet; a smaller percentage of the diet is unrefined carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. These people can have strong appetites, especially if they don’t fuel with good sources of protein and high-fat foods.

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. A high fat intake will not work for a slow metabolism, so it is beneficial to find out what your oxidation type is.

Dialing in the macro-nutrient ratios according to a person’s metabolic 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. You will find an in-depth questionnaire to help you discover your oxidation rate and a list of specific foods to support your unique body chemistry.