Figuring out your body’s dietary needs can be challenging because there are so many factors to consider. Your biological makeup is unique, so your needs differ greatly from those of the person next to you. People come in all shapes and sizes and there are a variety of elements, both environmental and biological, that contribute to how you are built and how you process the foods that you eat.
One of the physiological factors that plays a large role in determining this is the endocrine system which is made up of glands that secrete hormones and serve as the body’s chemical messenger system. Through centuries of observing and studying the human body, scientists have found that most people tend to have one gland that has dominated their development. Because of this, a system of body-typing has been created that is based on the gland that is most dominant in an individual. In rare cases, a person might have a very well-balanced endocrine system, known as Eumorphic, but in general, people can be divided into one of four categories: Pituitary dominance, Thyroid dominance, Adrenal dominance, and Gonadal dominance. This particular balance in the endocrine system greatly affects an individual’s physical development, metabolic patterns, emotional tendencies, and food preferences. These glands perform very different functions in the body so the dominance of any of these produces very distinctive traits.
Pituitary Dominance (P-Type)
The pituitary gland, also called the “master gland”, is located in the brain and produces hormones that control many other glands such as the adrenals, thyroid, ovaries, and testes. The most notable function of the pituitary gland for body typing purposes is that it produces the growth hormone. P-types tend to be a lot taller than other individuals due to the over-stimulation of the pituitary gland which causes it to secrete higher quantities of the growth hormone. People with pituitary dominance tend to do better on a diet that is full of proteins including red meats, chicken, and fish and avoiding simple carbohydrates like sugar. Prolactin, which is a hormone found in milk, is a stimulant for the pituitary gland so P-types often crave dairy products. However, to restore greater endocrine balance it is best to avoid dairy as much as possible.
Thyroid Dominance (T-Type)
T-types have an overactive thyroid so one of the most obvious characteristics of someone whose thyroid gland dominates their endocrine system is leanness. This is because the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating the speed of your metabolism. It is stimulated by foods like coffee, sweets, chocolate, juice, and alcohol so T-types tend to crave these and often have low blood sugar. If they indulge their cravings, they often have peaks and valleys in their mood and energy levels throughout the day. To restore systemic balance, T-types can try to minimize eating these thyroid stimulating foods and shift towards a diet that is high in protein and healthy fats but low in simple carbohydrates.
Adrenal Dominance (A-Type)
Located on top of both kidneys, the adrenals are best known for producing responses to stress but they also secrete hormones that regulate the metabolism, immune system, and blood pressure. People whose adrenals dominate their physiology are typically strongly built and have a lot of intramuscular water retention. Bad allergies, asthma, and high blood pressure are common problems that A-types struggle to control. They often crave foods that are salty, greasy, and high in cholesterol such as chips, fries, and red meat because these stimulate the adrenals. To balance out the effect of this dominant gland, A-types should try to limit the amount of fat and sodium they consume and eat more complex carbohydrates throughout the day to supply energy to the body.
Gonadal Dominance (G-Type)
The gonads are primarily responsible for producing gametes (sex cells) in the ovaries and testes, as well as hormones that control sexual development. They also signal the closing of growth plates which is why G-types are typically short in height along with a high degree of sexual development. The gonads are stimulated by spicy foods, creamy sauces, and red meats which are common cravings that should be avoided. Instead, consuming more dairy products to stimulate the pituitary can help balance out their system. Eating more complex carbohydrates and cooked vegetables also help build a more complete and balanced diet for G-types.
Looking at how your body is built and keeping track of cravings and energy levels can be useful tools in understanding how your body works and what it needs. Modifying what you eat based on your body type can not only help you feel better, but can even help you lose weight in a healthy and natural way. Of course, body type isn’t the only factor necessary in determining the best way to maximize health. Looking at food allergies/sensitivities and family history is also important as these play a large role in how we develop.
If you have any questions related to body typing, food allergies, dieting, or nutrition in general I would be happy to try to answer them. There is no single way to improve health or lose weight that works for everyone and I would love to help you take a step in the right direction of what works best for your body.
