METHODS OF RATIONALLY DESIGNING A PERSONALIZED NUTRITIONAL PLAN

1 . A method of determining a healthy carbohydrate intake for an individual, the method comprising:

a) establishing nutritional ketosis in the individual;

b) determining, while the individual is experiencing nutritional ketosis, the amounts of one or more fatty acids in a biological sample from the individual to generate an optimal range of one or more fatty acids, wherein the one or more fatty acids are selected from palmitoleic acid (POA) and di-homo gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA); and

c) prescribing a diet comprising appropriate carbohydrates, or appropriate carbohydrates and proteins, such that the amounts of the one or more fatty acids are maintained within the optimal range.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the appropriate carbohydrates comprises an appropriate amount of carbohydrates and/or an appropriate glycemic index of carbohydrates.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual s at risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual has been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual is being treated for type- 2 diabetes with a medicament.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual has been diagnosed with a disorder associated with insulin resistance.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the disorder associated with insulin resistance is selected from the group consisting of obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, hepatic steatosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and sleep apnea.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is established when the concentration of ketones is about 0.4 mM to about 4 mM.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is established when the concentration of ketones is about 0.5 mM to about 3 mM.

10 . The method of claim 1 , Wherein nutritional ketosis is established when the concentration of ketones is at least about 0.5 mM.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is established when the concentration of ketones is at least about 0.75 mM.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is established when the concentration of ketones is at least about 1.0 mM.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the concentration of ketones is determined in a biological sample selected from whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, tears, and breath.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is maintained in the individual for at least about a week before the determining step is performed.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is maintained in the individual for at least about two weeks before the determining step is performed.

16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein nutritional ketosis is maintained in the individual for at least about one month before the determining step is performed.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological sample is a buccal swab.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological sample comprises cheek cells.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological sample is whole blood, red blood cells, plasma, or serum (e.g., serum phospholipids, serum cholesteryl esters, serum triglycerides).

20 . The method of claim , wherein the determining step is qualitative.

21 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the amounts of one or more fatty acids in a biological sample from the individual when the individual is not experiencing nutritional ketosis.

22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step is repeated.

23 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising modifying the diet of the individual so as to maintain the one or more fatty acids within the optimal range.

24 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the amount and/or glycemic index of carbohydrates consumed by the individual so as to maintain the one or more fatty acids within the optimal range.

25 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing the protein intake of the individual, if necessary, so as to maintain the one or more fatty acids within the optimal range.

26 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a baseline of the one or more fatty acids prior to establishing nutritional ketosis.

27 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing serum and cheek cell data of the individual to further refine the optimum ranges for the at least one fatty acid to predict long-term weight stability,

28 . A method of determining an upper limit of healthy carbohydrate intake for an individual, the method comprising:

prescribing a diet to the individual that comprises a healthy carbohydrate intake, wherein the healthy carbohydrate intake is determined for the individual by:

establishing nutritional ketosis in the individual;

determining, while the individual is experiencing nutritional ketosis, the amounts of one or more fatty acids in a biological sample from the individual to generate an optimal range of the one or more fatty acids, wherein the one or more fatty acids are selected from palmitoleic acid (POA) and di-homo gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA),

wherein the diet that comprises a healthy carbohydrate intake is a diet that maintains the amounts of the one or more fatty acids within the optimal range.

29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the healthy carbohydrate intake comprises a healthy amount of carbohydrate intake and/or a healthy glycemic index of carbohydrates.