Everything! Just as we all look different externally (hair color, eye color, skin color), we are all very unique internally on a biochemical level. That said, our bodies process food (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and create cellular energy differently as well – some slowly and some quickly. For this reason, our nutritional needs vary. Some people need more protein, while others require more vegetable carbohydrates in order to feel energized, maintain an ideal weight, prevent disease and achieve optimal health.
The heart of the matter is that we are all genetically programmed to require the same foods as our ancestors. Where your ancestors were born and what they ate has a tremendous impact on the types of foods that are most beneficial to you. This is the science behind metabolic profiling.
So, if your parents were from Poland and were raised eating a great deal of sausage and sauerkraut, then by golly, that is likely what your body requires on a biochemical level. Trouble arises when you decide to become a vegan or a vegetarian because it’s the “in” thing to do.
As a result, you find that you are exhausted daily, constantly hungry beyond belief, and actually start gaining weight when your expectation was to lose. Or let’s suppose your heritage is from Asia and you have developed a strong affinity for bread and pasta. You may very well be setting yourself up for a lifetime of weight-gain and diabetes without even knowing it.
Aside from the onset of pounds and inches, health problems also arise when one selects a mainstream diet or trend over their true genetic profile. While one may be able to physically function by eating in a certain manner, their health may be compromised on a cellular level. William Wolcott, a pioneer in metabolic profiling, explains this genetic domino effect best: “Unless you acquire all the nutrients for which you have a genetically programmed need, your cell’s ability to perform their functions will be impaired. As your cells lose the ability to produce adequate energy (because they lack specific nutrients), they lose their ability to repair and rebuild tissue. As the cells of an organ become weakened and less able to fulfill their roles, the function of the organ itself becomes weak and inefficient. When this happens, stress is put on your entire system – with disease as the inevitable result.”
