Warning: strftime() [function.strftime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EDT/-4.0/DST' instead in /home/medhelp/public_html/3rdparty/Smarty/libs/Smarty_Compiler.class.php on line 409

In 1995, Dr. Barry Sears, a biochemist, introduced the Zone Diet when he published his book, The Zone: A Dietary Road Map.  While advocating a fixed ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat as so many other diets do, the Zone addresses hormone levels, including insulin, and the inflammatory influence of the foods eaten.  When insulin levels are at optimum level and inflammation is held at bay, the dieter is said to be in the ideal zone for robust health.

As with all popular diets, the Zone has many fans but plenty of critics, too.

Sears recommends a ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat consumption on a daily basis.  He says this ratio of macronutrients is necessary to maintain optimum hormonal balance.

Critics say this is too much protein and fat but Sears maintains the body needs them both to eliminate hunger pangs.  This diet contributes to a feeling of satiety and slows down digestion of carbohydrates.  The slower carbohydrate digestion produces lower, steadier insulin levels that, in turn, means fewer excess calories are stored as body fat and fat already stored is more readily burned as fuel.

Also, when insulin levels get too high, glucose levels drop, thereby robbing the brain of its key nutrient.  When glucose levels in the brain drop, it gets hungry, sluggish, and metabolism slows.  All these starving brain reactions rev up the appetite and cause cravings even though the cravings are usually for nutrient-poor foods, such as sweets and starchy carbohydrates.  When the starving dieter turns to these non-nutritious quick fixes, the cycle begins anew.

Foods have inflammatory or anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to overall wellness.  Numerous medical studies indicate it’s the overall inflammatory level in the body that contributes to or possibly even triggers the onset of many chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and age-related dementia.

Sears says eating foods in the Zone Diet’s ratio reduces systemic inflammation by releasing chemicals called eicosanoids, which are chemically similar to aspirin but without the gastric bleeding so often associated with aspirin-based anti-inflammatory medications.

To put this biochemistry data into dieter-friendly terms, Sears suggests keeping daily protein intake in check by using the palm of the hand as a guide.  Total daily intake of protein-based foods should be no larger than that.

Eat as many vitamin-rich non-starchy, raw vegetables as possible and enough complex carbohydrates (whole-grain breads and pastas, minimally processed grains, and potatoes) to produce enough glucose to keep the brain functioning at maximum capacity.

Sears advocates consuming 30% of daily caloric intake as fats so don’t shy away from them but limit them to lean meats, fish, and monounsaturated oils, such as olive oil, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids.  These healthful fats will supply the nutrients only they contain and slow digestion to prolong feelings of fullness between meals.

In some much-publicized studies, followers of the Zone Diet have been able to add muscle mass while reducing body fat more quickly than study participants following different diets.  Some of it’s biggest fans say the Zone Diet calls for so much nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods they have trouble eating enough of it to get all the day’s required calories.

Latest Article: Shellfish Bacteria

What it is: Eating shellfish has been related to a number of diseases, including those caused by bacteria, viruses including hepatitis A and Norwalk agent, and those caused by toxins. Symptoms: Persons who eat raw or undercooked shellfish harvested from sewage contaminated waters may get diarrhea.  If the bad...

Related Articles:

• Sports Nutrition
  The concept of sports nutrition health involves several different elements in order to ensure that athletes perform to their very best ability.  A combination of good nutrition, physiology,...
• The Zone Diet
  In 1995, Dr. Barry Sears, a biochemist, introduced the Zone Diet when he published his book, The Zone: A Dietary Road Map.  While advocating a fixed ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat...
• Nutrisystems Diet
  The Nutrisystems Diet focus is on eating foods that are nutritionally balanced, a decreased calorie intake and regular exercise. One of the main goals that the company wants to accomplish is...
• Mayo Clinic Diet
  Nobody knows exactly where the Mayo Clinic Diet got its name since it did not actually originate from the Mayo Clinic. This diet offers combinations of foods that claim to induce fat burning....
• Master Cleanse Diet
  Discover the Master Cleanse Secrets Lose Weight in 10 Days! The Master Cleanse Diet, also known as the lemonade diet has been met with good reviews and bad reviews. This diet is more of a...
• You On A Diet
  The You on a Diet plan is one that focuses on loses inches off your waistline rather than losing weight. The goal of Drs. Oz and Roisen is to shrink waist sizes down to the ideal sizes of 32...
• Vegan Diet
  The Vegan Diet is known to help with weight loss and is also healthy and nutritionally sound. Vegetarian diets are found to be one of the best known diets that often will help with coronary...
• The Best Life Diet
  If you're looking for an easy to follow diet, then The Best Life Diet could be the perfect diet for you. This diet is described as a life style change and not a diet at all. Emphasis is put on...
• Special K Diet Plan
  You've probably seen the commercials for Special K cereal but did you know they also offer a Special K Diet Plan? This diet is so easy and simple to follow that you'll no longer have an excuse...
• South Beach Diet
  In simple terms, the South Beach Diet works by simply substituting bad carbohydrates and fats with the good ones. This is a very basic concept to follow. Those who plan to try the South Beach...
• Slim Fast Diet
  When it comes to dieting, Slim Fast Diet is a name that is widely recognized. It works by replacing breakfast and lunch with one of their well-balanced shakes, which are high in nutrition...
• Atkins Diet
  The Atkins Diet is one of the most popular diets used today. With a success rate that has been proven to work, this low carbohydrate diet can be just the diet you're looking for. The Atkins Diet...
• Biggest Loser Diet
  Discover the Master Cleanse Secrets Lose Weight in 10 Days! Many have heard of the Biggest Loser Diet and have watched pounds melt away on the Biggest Loser contestant show. If you want to...
• Grapefruit Diet
  The Grapefruit Diet has been around for many years but was most popular in the 1980s. Some people claim that this diet has worked for them while others found it difficult to stay on the...
• Fitness Blood Pressure
  CONTROL YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DRUG DREE in 3 Weeks or Less ormal blood pressure, which reads 120/80 mm HG (where 120 is the Systolic pressure measure and 80 the Diastolic pressure measure),...
• Fat Smash Diet
  Discover the Master Cleanse Secrets Lose Weight in 10 Days! The Fat Smash Diet created by celebrity fit club’s very own Dr. Ian Smith is said to be the diet to try by most that has...
• Diabetes Diet
  Being diagnosed with diabetes for some is almost like a life sentencing for some, especially those who enjoy eating a variety of foods. Yet a diabetes diet is important to follow, for a...
• Cabbage Soup Diet
  Discover the Master Cleanse Secrets Lose Weight in 10 Days! In the 1980's a new fad diet emerged known as the Cabbage Soup Diet. This weight loss diet was designed to help lose weight...
• Hallelujah Diet
  The Hallelujah Diet is said to follow the diet pattern that was laid out in the bible for first century Christians to eat. The founder of this mostly raw natural diet of fruits, vegetables, and...
• Jenny Craig Diet
  Discover the Master Cleanse Secrets Lose Weight in 10 Days! The Jenny Craig Diet offers pre-packaged meals that initially start out in a pre-planned menu. With a variety of over 75...
• Raw Food Diet
  When many hear the words Raw Food Diet, they often cringe. However, once doing a bit more of research they find that this diet consist mainly of uncooked as well as unprocessed plant life,...