The Six Metabolic Food Groups

 

The following briefly discusses the foods that comprise the six metabolic groups. Each Metabolic Group comprises the foods that strengthen or weaken specific metabolic functions and organs, as well as having specific effects on your mental and emotional wellbeing. You will see that certain foods are listed in more than one group. This double reference is because these are metabolic groups, not food groups. That is, foods are classified by how they affect your system metabolically. For example, beans are listed in the Hormonal (steroidal) Group because of their hormonal effects, and in the Carbohydrate Group because of their carbohydrate content. Excessive or low quality foods, not only place undue stress on the organs and physiology most responsible for their digestion and utilization, but on related hormonal systems as well. The Metabolic Diet is concerned with maintaining a high micronutrient (vitamins, minerals and enzymes) to macronutrient (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) ratio, as well as related hormonal effects. Therefore, the healthiest foods are complete, but moderate sources of essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and are also extremely high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and other co-factors. The following paragraphs discuss each of these metabolic groups and their effects on our physiology.

 

Protein Group

The Protein Group consists of complete proteins and protein digestion that supply the amino acids necessary for building proteins and neurotransmitters. The organs and tissues related to this group are the central nervous system, stomach, pineal and heart. The best source of amino acids is sea vegetables such as nori, arame, wakame, etc. Nori being on the top of the list as it is a good source of B12 and EPA. Sea vegetables are one of the best sources of high quality omega-3 fatty acids as well as complete sources of protein and are an essential part of a healthy diet. Dairy, however, is placed on the outer ring as a poor source of amino acids, allergies, and can cause issues with prolactin, just to name a few.

 

On an emotional level, this group relates to our general sense of self. Over-stimulation (e.g. consuming dairy or animal protein) often results in feeling overly self-conscious, uncomfortable in large groups of people, or even slightly paranoid. Too little nourishment from this group (e.g. not enough sea vegetables or fish) plays a role in depression or poor self-image. If you consume enough sea vegetables and/or fish (for non-vegetarians), you can more easily obtain a clearer thought process and greater self-esteem. This is due, in part, to readily available amino acids for greater neurotransmitter function.

 

Hormonal Group

The Hormonal Group is concerned with building protein required for hemoglobin, and tissue and muscle growth and repair. The foods of this group are tropical fruits for proteolytic enzymes and other foods that provide hormonal factors, which stimulate the cells to build protein. The organs related to this group are the adrenals, kidneys, spleen, lymph, ovaries and testicles. Tropical fruits (e.g. mango, pineapple, papaya, and figs) are the best sources for supporting protein anabolism. While beans, eggs, fowl and animal meats all contain steroidal factors and hormones, it is much healthier to supply the required minerals and enzymes from tropical fruits and have the cells regulate steroid production through exercise and substrates from other metabolic groups. The female hormonal system is dependent more on fat metabolism and lipids. Where as the male system is dependent more on protein. This is why women will develop menstrual issues if their body fat drops too low and men naturally build muscle easier.

 

On an emotional level, this group relates to our sense of personal power. When the adrenals are not receiving enough nourishment or not enough of the right type of exercise, you will likely feel hopeless or lethargic. When this group is overly stimulated, you will typically feel anxious and irritable. When the adrenals are properly nourished, you will feel a strong sense of personal power and outward energy.

 

Carbohydrate Group

The Carbohydrate Group is concerned with the digestion and utilization of carbohydrates and sugars primarily for the energy requirements of the cell and cholesterol production (within healthy limits). The organs related to this group are the thyroid, pancreas, anterior pituitary and small intestine. As the wheel shows, yellow, orange, white and root vegetables (e.g. carrots, jicama, onions, squash, etc.) are by far the best source of carbohydrates. Starches (i.e. all whole or processed grains, beans, peas, nuts, white potatoes, pasta, flours, lentils, etc.) can be some of the most damaging foods in the diet as inflammation, weight gain, depression and diabetes (the diseases that plague developed countries) are all consequences of carbohydrate abuse. However, sprouted foods (grains, peas and beans) have less starch and greater nutritional value than whole or processed grains.

 

On an emotional level, this group relates to eneral optimism and enthusiasm for life. You most likely will feel optimistic when you are well nourished from high quality carbohydrates (such as yellow, orange, white and root vegetables) and pessimistic when you are over-stimulated from too much sugar and/or starch. Not eating enough of these quality foods can cause depression primarily due to blood sugar fluctuations with associated colon toxicity.

 

Fat Group

The Fat or Lipid Group is concerned with digestion and utilization of fats and oils. The organs associated with this group are the liver, gallbladder, uterus and prostate. As you see on the wheel, citrus fruits are very nurturing and cleansing for this group as they support the liver, the organ most intricately related to the digestion and assimilation of fats. Animal and dairy fats, margarine, fried foods and nuts are located on the outer ring as they may create problems due to their specific types of fats (rancid fats, arachidonic acid, etc.).

 

On an emotional level, this group relates to our sense of responsibility toward our self and others. Over stimulation of this group (e.g. consuming animal and dairy fats) usually results in feeling overly responsible for everything or a sense of wanting to take care of or "mother" people. Too little nourishment (e.g. not enough citrus or high quality oils) is often a factor in a lack of desire to take care of yourself or a desire for others to be responsible for you. However, if a healthy balance of high quality fats and oils are consumed, you will experience a deepening desire to better nurture yourself.

 

Vegetables and Fruits

Both the Fruit and Vegetable Groups relate directly to the intracellular and extracellular fluids. This category comprises two slices of the wheel and the entire inner circle, thus comprising the healthiest foods in the other categories as well. These are the foods of choice for clarity and metabolic and cellular nutrition and cleansing. Vegetables and fruits, combined with the optimum exercise programs, bring the body out of catabolism (breakdown and disease) and into anabolism (growth and repair). The primary organs and tissues related to this group are the lung, large intestine, bladder, parotid, capillary beds and breast tissue. Note: since the inner circle is basically made up of foods from this group, all the organs will benefit from eating these foods. This group also deals with oxygenation, healthy flora (microorganisms), digestion and circulation (capillary beds).

 

On an emotional level, eating foods from this group (preferably closer to the inner circle) results in the greatest amount of mental clarity and emotional wellbeing due to the high micronutrient to macronutrient ratio.

 

 

The Metabolic Wheel

 

Considerations for the Metabolic Diet