The Fatal Flaw of the "Body Type" Diet

i have observed a number of body type diets, including the aptly named "Body Type Diet." I applaud the efforts of the inventors of these plans for attempting to further differentiate us as individuals using certain person-specific criteria. it represents a step in the right direction. These plans are certainly a lot closer to providing a healthier nutrient balance than some of the other extremist plans I've seen in use.

The inherent weaknesses in these types of diets is their requirement for respective personalization strategies. This undermines their effectiveness and validity. These weaknesses all fall under one category: speculation.

The criteria required for entry into any one of these body type programs are usually based on questionnaires or charts. Aside from the scientific controversies about the inconsistencies, discrepancies, and limitations of some of these programs (like Sheldon's or Kelley's Systems) they all make the fundamental mistake of speculating about—rather than actually measuring—your nutritional needs directiy.

To better understand this "speculation factor," let me ask the following question: Would you expect your family doctor to diagnose and treat your health condition from a mere phone call, without the benefit of a physical exam, blood and urine tests, x-rays, or other evaluative modalities, and without a follow-up? Of course not! It works the same in these chart-driven or questionnaire-mediated "Body Type Diet Programs." Without directly measuring and classifying your body's metabolic functions and nutrient status, you can't possibly tell what's right for you. Questionnaire and chart programs simply make too many unprovable assumptions without true body specific criteria. Human error further compounds this issue rendering even more inconsistencies into the assumptive criteria. Most people fill out questionnaires inaccurately in the first place.

With true typing, there are very little speculative and assumptive criteria because there are so many body-specific measurements taken directly from the person in question. In typing speculation is at an all time minimum. A typer would know if his urine was too acidic and that he had a full-blown folic acid deficiency, based on actual lab tests. He would know what to do about it and then be able to double-check his/her progress with a retest to validate improvement. The process of typing goes well beyond what questi onnaire and chart mediated body typing can do.