Includes bibliographical references (page 251) and index

The human body has the amazing ability to switch which fuels it uses for energy based on what fuel is available at the time--researchers call this metabolic flexibility. Bodies that are able to make this switch can burn sugars, proteins, and other food nutrients when available, and then switch to burning the body's fat storage or fatty acids when food calories are not available. It turns out that losing weight is not just about burning calories, it's also about switching between these pathways as efficiently as possible. Yet little has been written about how to achieve metabolic flexibility--until now. Dr. Ian K. Smith is a renowned medical expert and the author of numerous bestselling health books. In The Met Flex Diet, he offers a one-of-a-kind plan to improve metabolic flexibility through changing the types and quantities of food/beverages consumed, as well as the type of exercise. Timing is also a factor--timing of meals and timing of exercise relative to when the meals are consumed. All of these variables will play an important role in helping the body make the important switch from one fuel source to another