Zone Diet

By Cliff Pape

Barry Sears, a former researcher in biotechnology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, created the popular zone diet, a diet that condones eating calories from carbs, proteins, and fats in a balanced ratio. The Zone Diet works on the 40:30:30 ratio on calories eaten daily as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Though under slight scrutiny, some studies have been done to prove that the diet actually produces weight loss.

Sears got the name "The Zone" to describe proper hormone balance in the body, when the insulin levels are at a steady rate and glucagon levels are not elevated, anti-inflammatory chemicals are then released. These effects are similar to taking an aspirin, minus the side effects. Sears said the 30:40 ratio of proteins to carbs causes this to happen.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence to prove that eating in this manner affects hormone levels. The eventual goal is that the human body gets in caloric balance, thus eliminating the need to store excess calories and fat. It is impossible for the body to store and burn fat all at the same time, and Sears believes that it could take a significant amount of time to bring the body to such a state that using stored fat as a source of energy actually causes the weight loss.

Dr. Sears also provides another important feature of his diet in his later books. The intake of a specific ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s plays a key role in losing the weight. Dr. Sears is thought to have made the consumption of Omega-3 fish oils popular.

Sears describes a Zone meal as eating a protein potion the size of the palm of the hand and eating as many raw vegetables as desired. He says to eat as many carbs as needed to maintain mental clarity since the brain needs glucose, and to consume enough monounsaturated fats that hunger pangs are kept at bay.

Like many other diets, the Zone diet gets criticism from the best of them. The American Heart Association warns about the popularity of diets that get most of their calories from protein. They also pointed out that by allowing so much meat, there are risks of high amounts of saturated fat. Sears has discredited this theory, however.

In many of his books, Sears states a formula he has based on lean body mass and levels of activity to determine the appropriate daily consumption of protein. The amount though, differ in men and women.

One question still out there is that is the Zone diet really a low-carb diet or not. It does not restrict carbs as much as say the Atkins diet, Sears does point out that many low-carb diets do not efficiently get the job done, and states that they lack proper amounts of moderation and balance.

Dr. Sears has written several books that describe this diet plan in more detail, and using more specific examples of what the Zone diet really does for an individual. There are also quite a few celebrities who have been known to be followers of the Zone diet. The only way to tell if it works, however, is to try it for yourself. - 31828

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