Are You a Fast, Slow, or Mixed Oxidizer?
It is the rate at which you burn nutrients within your food, otherwise referred to as the metabolism. The lower the Na/K (sodium to potassium ratio), along with higher Ca/Mg (calcium to magnesium ratio), the slower the oxidation rate.
What is Metabolism and Oxidation Rate? (The Hidden Connection)
I would like to explain the differences between the 3 categories. Your oxidation can affect not only your physical body but also your mental state.
Fast Metabolism Signs: High Energy, Apple Body Shape & Acidic pH
A fast oxidizer or a fast metabolism individual tends to have low pH levels and is acidic. These individuals have a greater sympathetic (internally focused on vital organs) nervous system for quick constriction during fatigue or an upsetting situation. They are also more likely to catch viral/bacterial infections.

They do prefer red meat and high purine foods like sardines and organ meats. The ideal ratio for nutrition for a fast metabolizer would be 50% fat, 35% protein, and 15% carbohydrates.
The fat will help to “cool” the body and slow down digestion so that the protein or carbohydrates can be utilized more efficiently. This metabolizer tends to gravitate toward meats, fats to slow oxidation, and salty foods.
This type of oxidizer tends to have an apple-shaped body type due to high cortisol levels that cause high insulin. They lean more toward higher estrogen, larger busts, and thinner extremities. There is also often a higher tendency to histamine levels and allergies due to increased cell permeability.
Other characteristics may include oily skin but a healthier-looking complexion due to better circulation, eliminatory functions, and sweat more easily. They typically have at least one bowel movement daily, with more frequent diarrhea.
Slow Metabolism Symptoms: Low Energy, Pear Body Shape & Poor Digestion
The slow oxidizing or slow metabolism type of individual tends to lean toward a higher pH with more alkalinity, with a poor immune response. Cell membranes are less permeable because of higher Calcium and Magnesium levels, low fatty acids, slow thyroid functions, and blood glucose fluctuations. Due to the increased bio-unavailable calcium, cells are less permeable, trapping more heavy metals and toxins.

The best nutritional ratio would be 50% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 25% fats. This rate seems to metabolize protein slower so a higher protein or fat-based diet (Keto) inhibits liver functions. Eating chicken, fish, eggs, and turkey is preferred for better digestion as well.
They will crave sweets or starches more often for energy, but they truly need more protein. They will struggle to digest fats, as it slows all systems. In this state of slow oxidation, we will have an imbalance in the pH, decreasing the ability of blood to ionize or make Calcium and Magnesium bioavailable.
A targeted diet and specific supplementation can support the body, but until the oxidation is improved, recovery or stages of stress won’t improve.
How to Identify Slow Metabolism: 7 Warning Signs You’re Missing?
A slow oxidizer will be on the “cold” side or yin in Chinese medicine. They often have chronic hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and ongoing yeast or fungal infections that thrive on dying and dead tissue. These could be within the genital areas, on the feet (itchy foot fungus), or inside the colon. Toxins start to build up, allowing for the development of infections and diseases.
The slow oxidizer typically has a pear-shaped body type due to adrenal burnout, low thyroid gland activity, estrogen dominance, as well as thicker hips and legs. When they are sympathetic dominant, their progesterone hormone will be higher, resulting in fewer curves, a more slender body type, with cold hands and feet.
Root Causes of Slow Metabolism: Chronic Stress, Toxins & Mineral Deficiency?
Among many reasons, acute stress will enhance oxidation, whereas chronic stress exhausts the body, leaving slow oxidation behind. An accumulation of free radicals and sluggish metabolism will develop in time, along with nutritional deficiency.
Many will abuse stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, or drugs to give a boost of faster oxidation, only to leave one slower in oxidation after adrenal burnout.
Balanced Metabolism: The Ideal Mixed Oxidizer Type for Optimal Health?
The ideal state would be a slow, mixed, or balanced metabolism. This would be when your body metabolizes the mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. You may be a mixed slow or a mixed fast, depending upon which you lean more toward in metabolizing your foods.
A slow mixed is the perfect place to be after puberty, as children are fast before that time. The ideal ratio is 35% carbohydrates, 35% fats, and 30% proteins.
Best Diet for Your Metabolism Type: Fast, Slow & Mixed Oxidizer Meal Plans?
By eating a vast variety of different vegetables, you will consume large amounts of nutrients. Steaming or cooking 6-9 cups a day, not only saves your body the energy of breaking down the fiber but it will also kill potential parasitic contamination.
Healthy fats such as butter, EVOO, ghee, nut, or seed butter will give you the much-needed fat you need. Adding seeds, soaked beans, and nuts, as well as different proteins for amino acids used throughout your body and brain, will help balance your diet.
pH vs Metabolism: Why Mineral Balance Matters More Than Alkaline Water?
Focusing on pH levels is not as advantageous as accomplishing mineral balance. Distilled water can pull acidic toxins and heavy metals, making it slightly acidic. Suggestions for fruits to change alkalinity can slow oxidation (Ca/Mg ratio on a Hair Analysis test), setting it up for fungal issues, creating acidity.
Many alkaline water units use coral calcium-containing heavy metals found within the ocean waters. Using targeted supplements and a diet high in steamed vegetables is a much more effective and long-term correction. If we neutralize pH to become more alkaline, we can inadvertently shift our stomach acid to a more neutral state, leaving major digestive issues. We need acidity in the first stage of digestion to kill bacteria and properly break down our food.
Since slow oxidizers are burned out and mineral deficient, they have poor digestion and absorption to maintain alkalinity. By correcting the mineral balance, the pH, digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and symptoms can be addressed to leave you feeling the best quality of health possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metabolism Types
How do I know if I have a fast or slow metabolism?
Fast metabolism signs often include: High energy levels, apple-shaped body type, oily skin with good complexion, a warmer body temperature, daily bowel movements, preference for red meat and salty foods, and acidic pH levels. You may also experience frequent sweating and better circulation.
Slow metabolism signs include: Low energy, a pear-shaped body type, chronic hypoglycemia, cold hands and feet, cravings for sweets and starches, difficulty digesting fats, and recurring yeast or fungal infections. You typically have alkaline pH levels and a poor immune response.
What should I eat based on my metabolism type?
Fast Oxidizers should follow: 25% fat, 15% protein, 10% carbohydrates. This is different from mainstream government-licensed recommendations, which might suggest even higher fats. The high fat can bog down the liver, so increasing protein is better if your Hair Analysis shows good liver function. Focus on red meat, sardines, healthy fats, and possibly added salty foods to help “cool” your system.
Slow Oxidizers should follow: 10% carbohydrates, 15% protein, 15% fats. Choose chicken, fish, eggs, turkey, and easily digestible proteins while avoiding heavy fats that slow your system further.
Mixed Oxidizers will depend on whether they are slow/mixed (follow the slow diet) or fast/mixed (follow the fast diet).
Why do I crave certain foods based on my metabolism type?
Fast oxidizers naturally crave red meat, fats, and salty foods because these help slow down their rapid oxidation rate. Slow oxidizers crave sweets and starches for quick energy, but need more protein to support their sluggish metabolism.
Can my metabolism type change over time?
Yes, your oxidation rate can shift due to chronic stress, toxin accumulation, mineral deficiencies, and lifestyle factors. Acute stress can temporarily speed up oxidation, while chronic stress often leads to slower oxidation and adrenal burnout. I often see clients “flip” oxidation/metabolism on retests.
What causes slow metabolism?
Common causes include chronic stress (vs. acute stress), accumulated toxins and heavy metals, mineral deficiencies (especially calcium and magnesium imbalances), adrenal burnout, low thyroid function, and overuse of stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, or drugs.
Is alkaline water good for my metabolism?
Not necessarily. Many alkaline water systems use coral calcium as mentioned above, containing heavy metals. More importantly, neutralizing your pH can disrupt the stomach acid needed for proper digestion. Focus on mineral balance through targeted supplements, naturally alkaline foods, and steamed vegetables instead.
What's the difference between pH and mineral balance?
While pH indicates acidity or alkalinity, mineral balance is more important for long-term health. Proper mineral ratios (like sodium/potassium and calcium/magnesium) directly affect your oxidation rate and overall metabolic function.
Should I follow a keto diet if I have a slow metabolism?
No, high-fat diets like keto can inhibit liver function in slow oxidizers. Since you metabolize protein and fats more slowly, a higher complex carbohydrate intake for sustained fuel with moderate protein and fat works better for your metabolism type.
How does my body shape relate to my metabolism?
Fast oxidizers typically develop apple-shaped bodies due to high cortisol and insulin levels, with larger busts and thinner extremities. Slow oxidizers usually have pear-shaped bodies from adrenal burnout and low thyroid activity, with thicker hips and legs.
What's the ideal metabolism type to have?
A slow/mixed or balanced metabolism is ideal after puberty (children naturally have faster metabolisms). This allows your body to efficiently metabolize a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins without extremes in either direction.
How can I test my metabolism type accurately?
Hair Mineral Analysis is more effective than blood tests for determining metabolism type because it shows mineral ratios and oxidation patterns over time. The sodium/potassium ratio and calcium/magnesium ratio specifically indicate your oxidation rate.
Why do I get frequent infections with my type of metabolism?
Fast oxidizers are more prone to viral and bacterial infections due to greater sympathetic nervous system dominance and higher cell permeability. Slow oxidizers experience chronic yeast and fungal infections because toxins build up in their less permeable cells, creating an environment where these organisms thrive.
Hair Analysis and Your Metabolism Type: Hair Mineral Analysis vs Blood Tests
If you would like to get personal to find out what you can learn from your Hair Mineral Analysis, LET’S CHAT! about your health goals!
Learn more about oxidative stress.
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