The Zone Diet – Developed by Dr. Barry Sears
Their claims:
- Clinically proven
- Anti-inflammatory
- Reduce the risk of chronic disorders
- Fight aging
- Improve physical and mental performance
- Long term weight loss
The Zone Wellness Pyramid consists of five tiers:
- Level one, eating a balanced diet is the foundation of the Zone Wellness Pyramid. Balance your protein, carbohydrates and fat at every meal. This will help balance your hormones and therefore control hunger. Other important points of the Zone Diet include choosing low fat protein, low glycemic carbohydrates and monounsaturated fats.
- Level two, include omega-3 (EPA and DHA) in your diet to reduce silent inflammation. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are good for the health of our heart, brain, joints and immune system.
- Level three, include polyphenols in your diet. Polyphenols are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative. It also activates the key enzyme that helps restore energy level in our cells.
- Level four, exercise. Do thirty minutes of moderate exercise six days per week. Since exercise will cause some inflammation in our body, taking fish oil can help repair the damage to our muscle tissue and also make it stronger. Exercise will also alleviate insulin resistance and reduce belly fat.
- Level five of the Zone Wellness Pyramid is targeted supplements which are specific to your condition.
Basically, the Zone Diet is promoting healthy and balance diet as a mean to lose weight. This is the best way to lose weight anyway. Not only is it healthy but it is easier to maintain the weight loss in the long run.
In summary, the Zone Diet is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Choose low fat protein, low glycemic carbohydrates, good fats such as omega-3 and monounsaturated fat. It is also emphasizing a lot on anti-inflammation by taking omega-3. These essential fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon. If you don’t eat a lot of fish, then consider fish oil supplements. And finally, don’t forget to exercise.
Check out these books on the Zone Diet by Dr. Barry Sears to learn more: