Dr. George Watson’s research led him to discover fast and slow oxidizers and they each have different mental issues that distinguish them from one another. He found that certain food groups either benefited or hurt them mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

 

A fast oxidizer needs different nutrients than a slow oxidizer and vice versa. This is why bio-individual nutrition is extremely important and no one diet is the best for anyone. Fast metabolizers typically experience intense stress while slow metabolizers typically experience the burn-out stage of stress. A balanced metabolism relates to the resistance stage, which is ideal. There are very few people in the world that are balanced metabolizers (this means that everything is within balance, no symptoms, etc.)

 

Slow oxidizers usually experience hypothyroidism or a decrease in adrenal or thyroid activity. These individuals are the lower energy individuals who feel “wired but tired”, they crave sugar, dry hair and skin, constipation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, leaky gut, bloating, and are likely to get sick more often. The slow oxidizer may be losing magnesium but retaining calcium and as a result a calcium shell may build (read further on calcium shell). Sodium and potassium tends to decrease compared to calcium and magnesium leaving the slow oxidizer in a parasympathetic state. Slow oxidizers typically have a difficult time digesting and absorbing fat and protein. Refined sugars and processed foods don’t work well with the slow oxidizer either. Even though they feel the quick burst of energy from the sugar, this will result in a sugar crash and they will typically report feeling like they are riding a roller coaster when it comes to their energy. Blood sugar imbalances also are a result of this, typically leaning towards hypoglycemia. 

 

Fast oxidizers are typically high energy individuals who are “wound up” all the time, irritable, anxious, short-tempered, and fast thinkers. These individuals may experience hyperthyroidism or overactive adrenals and thyroid glands. They may also experience diarrhea, high blood pressure, and weight gain in the lower abdomen. When they were younger they might have been prescribed medication for A.D.H.D. where parents and teachers saw a positive effect but then a “crash” later. This “crash” is due to the temporary increase in sodium which gives a false sense of hope for the child. However, stimulant drugs such as Adderall or Ritalin decrease magnesium which is known as “nature’s calming mineral”. When sodium continues to rise over magnesium, magnesium will be depleted or ‘lost’ from the body, increasing the irritability and anxiety these people typically experience. Fast oxidizers, especially seen in children, are eating processed sugars and carbohydrates, breads, pastas, and boxed foods that keep them at a constant fast metabolic rate. Hyperglycemia is likely a result. Foods such as fats and oils slow the metabolism which would be beneficial for the fast oxidizer. 

 

Extensive HTMA research has discovered that the population has seen a shift in oxidation types. Forty years ago and prior, most of the population were fast oxidizers due to the vast amounts of nutrients found in soil and foods. However, today a majority of the population is found to be slow oxidizers due to the lack of nutrients in soil and the depletion / removal of nutrients by the way our food is processed. 

 

An HTMA is a wonderful marker for metabolic type of individuals and serves as a great tool useful for recommendations in nutrients, diet, and supplements if one is struggling with their mental, physical, or emotional health.