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The Zone Diet was developed
by Barry Sears, a former researcher in biotechnology at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.
What is the Zone?
The Zone is not some mystical place. It is a real physiological state
in which the hormones (insulin and eicosanoids) governed by the food you
eat are maintained within zones that are not too high, nor too low. The
benefits of controlling insulin are increased fat loss, decreased
likelihood of cardiovascular disease and greater physical and mental
performance. The benefits of controlling eicosanoids are decreased
inflammation and increased blood flow, which will help improve virtually
every chronic disease condition and improve physical performance.
The blood tests that define the Zone are ultimately the same tests that
can be used to define wellness. This is what Dr Sears calls evidence-based
wellness which is the foundation for 21st century health care.
The Zone Dietary Program
The Zone dietary program is based upon consistent insulin control
coupled with the supplementation of high-dose fish oil in order to
modulate the synthesis of arachidonic acid.
Insulin control is achieved by balancing protein and carbohydrate at each
meal (1-4). The insulin-control component of the Zone dietary program can
be described as a moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, and
moderate-fat dietary program. The maximum amount of low-fat protein at any
one meal should be no bigger than the size and thickness of the palm of
the hand (this is approximately 3 oz. for females and 4 oz. for males).
The majority of carbohydrates should come from vegetables and fruits, with
starches (such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta) used sparingly as
condiments. Finally, most of the fat should consist of heart healthy
monounsaturated fat. Unlike high-protein diets (that induce ketosis) or
high-carbohydrate diets (that elevate insulin levels), the insulin control
component of the OmegaZone dietary program is based on balance and
moderation at each meal.
The other component of the Zone dietary program is supplementation with
high-dose fish oil. This has only become possible with the advent of
pharmaceutical-grade fish oil that for the first time allows the use of
high doses without severe gastric disturbances.
The goal of the Zone diet is to keep a hormonal balance between
fat-storing insulin and the hormone glucagon sand. Glucagon is responsible
fore releasing stored glucose from the liver when it is needed.
Maintaining a balance between the two hormones is achieved by limiting the
amount of certain food groups. In particular, it can be defined as keeping
the hormone insulin in a tight zone: not too high, not too low. The Zone
Diet is a life-long hormonal control strategy.
The Zone's eating plan is a combination of a small amount of low-fat
protein, fats, and carbohydrates in the form of fiber-rich vegetables and
fruits. Proteins should be eaten with every meal and at every snack.
Carbohydrates should be twice the size of the protein portion. These
include vegetables, beans, and whole-grains. "Unfavorable
carbohydrates" such as brown rice, pasta, bananas, bagels, etc.
should be eaten in smaller portions.
By eating too many fat-free
carbohydrates or too many calories at any one meal. Americans do both.
It is
impossible for dietary fat alone to make you fat
It is excessive levels of
the hormone insulin that makes you fat and keeps you fat.
How do you increase
insulin levels?
People tend to forget that
the best way to fatten cattle is to raise their insulin levels by feeding
them excessive amounts of low-fat grain. The best way to fatten humans is
to raise their insulin levels by feeding them excessive amounts of low-fat
grain, but now in the form of pasta and bagels.
www.zoneperfect.com
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