Types of Metabolism and Subtypes as Recognized in HTMA Patterns

The types of metabolism recognized in HTMA are Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Metabolic Types, along with subtypes that reflect different stages of stress, neuroendocrine dominance, and specific mineral patterns in the body. Many clients have asked questions about these metabolic subtypes and what they mean for health, recovery, and individualized healing. Although each type is described in individual reports, this discussion provides further detail for people using HTMA to understand chronic stress-related patterns, mineral imbalances, and the metabolic factors that shape personalized diet and healing protocols, as well as for students and practitioners interested in naturopathic and holistic health education.



Note that sodium is elevated relative to magnesium. This pattern suggests an acute stress reaction. The stress may be physiological, psychological, or a combination of both. This slower pattern can be loosely compared to an endomorph body type, as endomorphs among the major body types generally tend toward a slow metabolism. An endomorph body may gain fat easily, store extra body fat and excess fat, and find it harder to lose weight, often with a larger bone structure and thicker arms. This would also indicate an alarm phase of stress due to the elevated sodium-to-potassium ratio. An increase in stress activates an adrenal response and in particular pro- inflammatory hormones. This reaction results in an increase in magnesium loss and a relative magnesium deficiency can then ensue. Lowered magnesium can produce an enhancement of the stress response as well. The stress contributing to this mineral pattern can be associated with a number of health conditions if it becomes chronic, such as inflammation, intestinal conditions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastritis, as well as anxiety. For an endomorph-focused diet, high fiber foods and complex carbs can help regulate carb intake, support insulin sensitivity, and assist with weight loss, while high protein foods can improve satiety. Including healthy fats can also help stabilize energy levels. Choosing healthy oils in moderation may further support a balanced plan. High intensity interval training done 2-3 times per week can be useful in exercise routines to burn calories and support weight management and a healthy weight. Since sodium and potassium are also under renal control, any major imbalance between these two elements could indicate a renal issue. Many somatotype models estimate roughly 70% of the population has endomorph characteristics. Adrenal support is often necessary to aid in enhancing the resistance and recovery stage of stress.

Slow Metabolic Type 3

The next graph is indicative of the Slow Metabolic Type 3 mineral pattern.



The sodium-to-potassium ratio is low as is the calcium-to-potassium ratio. This pattern can be related to the resistance stage of stress. The low Ca/K ratio would suggest that thyroid activity may be elevated, however this could be due to the adrenal response unrelated to the thyroid expression. The elevated potassium relative to the sodium or low Na/K ratio indicates that a chronic resistance stage of stress is present. This would result in increased glucocorticoid output leading to a catabolic dominance. Mesomorphs, by contrast, often gain muscle easily and maintain lower body fat more readily than endomorphs, which commonly have a larger bone structure and thicker arms, because they tend to develop muscle tissue efficiently; in metabolism and body types, these patterns reflect the body's natural inclination rather than a fixed body size or the full picture of overall health. Again, any major dysregulation between sodium and potassium should alert the practitioner to the possibility of renal involvement. This pattern can suggest protein breakdown or chronic degenerative health conditions, as well as glucose disturbance, which can impair muscle building and make it harder to build muscle. Mesomorph-focused nutrition typically includes protein in every meal, with lean proteins and protein rich foods helping support muscle mass and recovery; as metabolism slows with age, reducing processed foods can also help. Adrenal support will aid recovery from the resistance stage of stress.

Slow Metabolic Type 4

The Slow Metabolic Type 4 mineral pattern shown below would be indicative of a controlled resistance stage of stress as evidenced by the lowered Ca/K ratio and elevated Na/Mg ratio with a normal Na/K ratio. This would be considered a normal pattern related to the various stages of the stress reaction. This is to say that the stress is being handled properly and recovery should occur.



Fast Metabolic Type 2 and Fast Metabolism

The following is an example of a Fast Metabolic Type 2 pattern which is showing a sympathetic neurological dominance. This pattern can resemble the ectomorph body type, with a fast metabolism, lower body fat, and a tendency to burn calories quickly, which can make it harder to gain weight and may affect weight gain if calorie intake stays too low. Nutritionally, these individuals often do better when they eat smaller meals, around 5-6 times daily, to support steady energy levels. The elevated sodium-to-magnesium represents adrenal dominance while the elevated calcium-to-potassium indicates a trend toward reduced thyroid expression. This pattern is also related to a possible acute stress reaction and inflammatory trend. This can lead to episodic increases in blood pressure due to an enhanced stress response.

Fast Metabolic Type 3

This Fast Metabolic Type 3 pattern is associated with sympathetic neurological dominance, but due to the low sodium-to-magnesium ratio, adrenal insufficiency may be developing or is actually present. The low calcium-to-potassium would indicate thyroid dominance and or excessive glucocorticoid production reflected in the low sodium-to-potassium. In practical terms, some faster profiles may do better with a workout routine built around strength training to help preserve or build more muscle mass, especially when weaker upper body muscles are evident. Such an approach can emphasize large muscle groups and moderate to heavy lifting rather than excessive cardio. This can be viewed as a chronic resistance stage of stress or the beginning of the exhaustion stage of stress.

Fast Metabolic Type 4

This Fast Metabolic Type 4 pattern can be the result of exhaustion even though sympathetic neurological dominance is still present. This is often a pattern of the “burn out” syndrome as chronic stress has resulted in the reduction of both adrenal and thyroid activity. Eventually this pattern can progress to a Parasympathetic or Slow Metabolic Type 1 pattern.

In review, the subtypes typically represent various stages of stress in both metabolic types. Stress can produce a de-synchronization between the nervous and endocrine system. This can be due to the body attempting to adapt. Some metabolic pathways produce ATP as beta oxidation breaks down fatty acids. In lipid metabolism, thermogenesis shifts energy toward heat production rather than captured energy. Fermentation can also produce ATP without an electron transport chain, using an organic molecule as the final acceptor. Anaerobic respiration uses alternative final electron acceptors when oxygen is absent. Each stage of stress must progress for normal recovery. For instance, when a pattern is indicating an alarm stage of stress, support is necessary for the second stage, or resistance phase to develop and ultimately recovery.



Have you ever looked at the Periodic Table of Elements? These elements make up everything in the universe! Everything; including us. In fact, we are the microcosm of the macrocosm. In Biblical terms, we are made in God's image. In chemistry, we are composed mostly of about 40 elements on the Periodic Table. Our make up is essentially the combination of elements made flesh, with the spark of spirit that gives us life.

In the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), the biological activity of 37 Elements is measured. They are: 15 important Nutritional Elements, 8 Toxic Heavy Metals, 14 Trace Elements. With the information of the HTMA, we now know what is available and being used in the body or what is lacking. Health begins to deteriorate when cell metabolism does not have the right foods and elements it needs. A mineral imbalance follows. Over time, function goes down and structure begins to lose its integrity. With the right foods and a balance of elements on a daily basis the body's cells will repair and reverse aging.

The HTMA will show:

• How to avoid disease states
• Any toxic or heavy metal overload
• A complete profile of 37 different elements
• The correct diet schedule based on your biochemistry

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Best Selling author Johnny Delirious worked with one of the first pioneers to use the scientific modality - Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), to get the right diet and supplements to experience life free of disease. The guessing game to achieve good health is over. Today he gives his expert advice with over 40 years of experience as a professional in the health industry.