Which Body Type Are You?

Imbalances in the glandular system can cause weight gain. Different body types need slightly different types of nutritional programs in order to maximize weight loss. Some people fit a body type to a tee. Others may have a combination of characteristics from two or more body types. By studying this information below you should be able to zero in on your body type and how to best loose weight.

Pituitary Types

Pituitary type people gain weight all over--a rolly polly baby fat so to speak, usually look young for their age and have child like body features with lots of mental energy.

Over weight pituitary type people should avoid all dairy products, fruits and refined carbohydrates, while increasing the intake of protein. Digestive enzymes are helpful in digestion of excess protein. Pituitary types should eat a big breakfast, eat moderate in the middle of the day and light at night. If meal replacement shakes are used, they should be consumed in the evening. Hot foods work well with pituitary types.

Licorice, slippery elm and marshmallow can help with food cravings. Pituitary types usually need more sodium in the form of unrefined sea salt or dandelion. Best exercises are ones that strengthen the arms and upper body.

Thyroid Types

Thyroid types are usually skinny until about 35 to 40 and then develop a spare tire around the mid-section. Their limbs usually remain skinny and have long faces and necks.

For weight loss eat more protein and less carbohydrates, such as bread pastries and pasta. Many thyroid types have digestive problems and should take digestive enzymes to aid in digestion. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and stimulants.

Eat warm foods, not hot. Eat a larger breakfast, moderate lunch and light supper. (This is usually the reverse eating patterns of thyroid types.) Do not eat heavy foods after 6pm. If using meal replacement shakes, consume them in the evening.

Herbs such as red raspberry, bayberry or bugleweed can be used for cravings. Take licorice, ginseng and schizandra to strengthen adrenal glands, which tend to be weak. Kelp can also be taken to strengthen the thyroid gland, which is usually exhausted when overweight. More calcium is needed in the diet.

Exercise the over all body with strength training.

Adrenal Types

Adrenal types have weight problems because of slow metabolisms due to slow thyroids, leading to easy gain weight in the stomach and upper body, but usually not in the buttocks, thighs and legs. They usually have more muscle than other body types. Adrenal types need to reduce protein, especially red meats and eggs, increase complex carbohydrates, especially whole grains and vegetables. (Adrenal types usually crave meat and refuse to eat vegetables.) They do well on cold foods. If using meal replacement shakes, consume them for breakfast and/or dinner. Lunch should be the largest meal and the evening meal should be the lightest.

Usually the salt/ potassium balance is off. Salt should be reduced and potassium should be increased. Potassium is high in green leafy vegetables. Herbal seasonings are high in potassium and can be used for salt substitutes.

Adrenal types need herbs such as capsicum, garlic, mustard, peppermint, fennel, and catnip, which can help reduce food cravings. They need exercise that strengthens the upper body. Their thyroid is usually low. Kelp, dulse and irish moss can help boost the thyroid.

Reproductive Type

Weight tends to settle in the lower parts of the body, hips thighs and buttocks with reproductive types. The upper part of the body tends to remain small, pear shaped with a wide pelvis.

They need to avoid rich, fatty, creamy or spicy foods. Diet should be simple bland fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Naturally sweetened foods are beneficial. Eat dairy in moderation. If using meal replacements shakes, consume them at breakfast or dinner. Lunch should be the largest meal. Dinner should be a light meal. Cool foods are beneficial for reproductive types. Bitter herbs can help food cravings, such as Oregon grape, dandelion and burdock. These herbs also help flush the liver, which is often congested. They usually need more magnesium.

Reproductive types usually have weak pituitary and thyroid glands, which can be helped with alfalfa, blue-green algae and spirulina. Digestive enzymes are also helpful. Choose exercises that work the lower body.

References: The Endocrine Symphony by Steven Horne p. 59-64