Issue #101

Genetics and Blood Testing: Part II of a Series

by: DrJMW

Part II--Problems associated with the body types and how training, diet, and pharmaceuticals affect each type and their blood test results.

Of all of the body types (endo, meso, ecto), the mesomorphs tend to have the optimal genetic make-up. Their appearance and blood test results tend to be ideal. They are the easiest to enhance. They also tend to recover quickly from negative influences (psycho-social, environmental, dietary, pharmaceutical stimuli). As they age, their appearance and blood chemistries seems to stay in the normal level. Unfortunately, the mesomorph makes up such a small percentage of the population.

Think about the times early in our evolution. There were times when food was scarce. There were times when humans had to be able to outrun their enemies and endure great hardships. The endomorph is genetically equipped to withstand long periods of famine and food scarcity. His body's metabolism slows down and he is able to preserve fat. The endomorph has the most efficient fat burning mechanism when it is required. As a matter of fact, the endomorph will always burn muscle ahead of fat--given a calorie deficiency and a moderate to high carbohydrate diet. Surprising, many endomorphs show healthy results from certain blood testing (cardiovascular/cholesterol levels, blood counts, liver panels, and blood chemistry). Typically, their testosterone levels are low and their HGH levels are low as well. Unfortunately, as they age and put on more fat, their systems begin to show signs of ill-health.

The ectomorph, on the other hand, was built to outrun its enemies and thrive in an environment with an abundance of food. They are extremely lean, sometimes with BF% close to one percent. Their blood testing appears to be normal, with variances in Testosterone levels and Thyroid hormone levels as well. They are the hardest to enhance, for they have to overcome a high metabolic rate and low testosterone levels. If they temporarily overeat and train to gain weight, their basal metabolism will burn off all of their gains once they stop. Ectomorphs tend to have long life spans, as long as there is food available

Weight Training is a temporary environmental stimulus for all body types. Each body type will experience some benefits, but once the training is ended for a period of time, all gains are lost. The body only makes adjustments when required, based on the training. Strength training generally promotes size and strength gains. "Stamina" training (more sets, reps and lighter weights) generally promotes stamina required for sports participation. Endurance training (even more sets, reps, and lighter weights than stamina training) promotes endurance for those that participate in track events (distance running), marathons, and ironman competitions. Many endomorphs, like offensive linemen, are more successful with strength training than with endurance training. Many ectomorphs, like marathoners, are more successful with endurance training than strength trainings.

Many mesomorphs can go either way. The reasoning is genetic in nature. Without getting too technical, bone and muscle structure are important determining factors. This is apparent in all three body types.

Diet is also a temporary stimulus. Endomorphs that have successfully lost weight, regain it "with interest" when they go off their weight loss diet. Ectomorphs that have successfully gained weight, lose that weight when they return to normal eating. Again, mesomorphs can go either way. They can get leaner, but lose the muscular definition when they go back to their baseline eating habits. They can gain weight and possibly keep it, depending on baseline testosterone levels.

Our ultimate goal is to get the ectomorph and the endomorph "looking" like the mesomorph. This can be done with pharmaceutical enhancement. The first step, though, is to perform baseline blood testing, BF% determination, and blood pressure measurement, as well as look at other vitals like age, weight, training experience, dieting experience, pharmaceutical enhancement experience. It is important to determine body type and to see if there are any pre-existing conditions that need to be corrected before beginning any performance enhancement program.

Part III--Required Blood Tests and their meaning; Pre-Existing Conditions requiring correction.