Another response to this need for individualization has been the introduction of the personalized health plan, the personally designed diet, the nutritional analysis, the metabolic profile. Far from being satisfied with recommending calorie limits based on sex and weight, many of these methods use in-depth surveys to determine lifestyle factors that affect nutritional needs. Others test pulse rate, saliva, blood, hair, and urine.* These trends, aside from confirming that we humans are fascinated with technology and with putting ourselves into categories, indicate a positive and growing appreciation for the needs of individuals. Any viable system, including those advanced here, must offer a wide range of tolerance. No matter how much an approach to nutrition may have served me personally, my dietary successes are based on my own needs and experiences and will not work for everybody.

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* Among many different types of personal health evaluation, the hair mineral analysis offers a clear understanding of the body's mineral and trace element levels. It can usually identify inorganic toxic materials that may be present, so that appropriate treatments can be begun to eliminate them naturally from the body. Search the Internet for hair analysis" or "mineral analysis.""

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