If you read this week's article "What Is The Perfect Human Diet? ", then you are aware that I'm not a big fan of a myopic "one-size-fits-all" approach to diets.

And yet, despite the enormous amount of biochemical individuality that exists from person to person, there is still a plethora of diet books published each year (particularly close to swimsuit season or the New Year) that promise to be the de facto final solution for everything from fat loss to banishing acne to beating cravings and building muscle when, in fact, the same ketogenic diet that helped your neighbor shed twenty pounds can result in rampant inflammation, brain fog and oxidized cholesterol for you.

The same could be said for a vegan diet, a carnivore diet or many of the other currently popular eating approaches. In today's podcast, Part 1 of a 2 part series on customizing your diet to you, you're going to discover more about the concept of biochemical individuality, along with how to test your body to determine the perfect diet for you, and a range of dietary options to choose from that have been vetted by yours truly. Enjoy!

During this solosode discussion, you'll discover:

-The concept of biochemical individuality...7:35

• Book: Biochemical Individuality by Roger Williams
  • No such thing as an "average" person.
  • Nutrition and environment can affect our outcome.
• Some people do not need to supplement Vitamin C, A, Riboflavin, etc.
• Others are resistant to things such as Vitamin D; taking the recommended amount damages their system.
• What worked for someone else may be damaging for you.
• Ketogenic Diet
  • I used this when racing in Ironman triathlons; I still use it for days I need endurance.
  • Some are high in cholesterol, high liver enzymes.
  • Familial hypercholesterolemia; negative response to high intake of fats.
  • Low amount of Alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) is converted into usable DHA or EPA
  • Elongation of Omega 6 fatty acids
• Thrifty gene hypothesis (James Neal in 1962): Why humans build fat mass
  • Some people possess genes that cause them to accumulate fat faster than others.
  • FTO and PPRA genes are responsible for storing fatty acids.
  • Consider a low fat, or plant-based diet vs. a ketogenic if you have these genes.
• Book: Wired to Eat by Rob Wolf

-Differences in methylation between individuals...30:20

• Meat eaters: most meat has high amounts of methionine, which is a high methyl donor
• Methylation occurs when a methyl group is taken from one compound or molecule and is transferred to another.
• If you're undermethylated, you would benefit from a high intake of muscular meats.
• Folate acts as a serotonin reuptake promoter. Good for undermethylators.
• Overmethylation: last thing you need is a bunch of meat for every meal.
  • Consume protein, but don't be an extreme carnivore.

-How to eat according to your ancestry...35:05

• Northern European: Access to fish, Vitamin D
• Mexicans, Hispanics, Chinese: More folate rich foods, leafy greens.
• Japanese, Continental Europeans: High starch consuming
• Lactase persistence gene
• If of European descent, more likely to be lactose intolerant.
• Genes help determine biochemical individuality

-The best types of tests to figure out what diet is right for you...

• Get a good blood test:
  • Wellness FX Longevity Panel
  • Cyrex test for food allergies
• Stool testing:
  • Viome
  • Genova Diagnostics
• DNA testing:
  • Youtrients (listen to my podcast with Kharim Dhanani, Youtrients founder)
  • 23 and Me
  • Genetic Genie
  • Use Dr. Google
• Urine testing:
  • Dutch test
  • Organic amino acids test
• Arresting metabolic rate test

-The best diets and books I've come across over the years...44:05

• Regardless of the diet you follow, follow basic practices.
• Auto-Immune Paleo diet
  • Good for healing inflammation and leaky gut
• Specific Carbohydrate Diet
  • Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall
• Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GaPS)
  • Book: Gut and Psychology Syndrome
• Swiss Detox Diet
• Colorado Cleanse
• Elemental Diet
  • Book: SIBO Info
  • Book: Healthy Gut, Healthy You by Dr. Michael Ruscio
• Walls Protocol
• Plant Paradox Diet
• Lower carb, lower sugar Mediterranean diet
• Weston A. Price Diet
  • Closest to how I and my family eat
  • You can customize it to your ancestry
• Book: The Jungle Effect by Daphne Miller (listen to my podcast with Daphne)

-And much more...

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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for me about customizing and personalizing your diet? Leave your comments at http://bengreenfieldfitness.com/fdiets and I will reply!