If your body’s insulin levels are neither too high, nor too low, and glucagons levels are not too high, then anti inflammatory chemicals are released. Sears’ idea is that it is a 30:40 ratio of protein to carbohydrates which causes this effect labeled, “The Zone.” Sears also says that this is a heart friendly and healthy diet for most people.
The human body is highly efficient at burning calories because it cannot burn calories and store them at the same time. It takes a while for the body to switch back to lower insulin levels after eating. It has been found that using stored fat for energy causes rapid and steady weight loss.
The Zone focuses on the 40:30:30 ratios of calories consumed daily from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The exact percentage is still a debate but the one provided has been used in many studies and has been known to show significant results at normal budget prices.
The Zone diet also includes an intake of the right ratio of Omega-6 fatty acids. Dr. Barry Sears is actually the one who made taking expensive Omega 3 fish oils a common and popular thing to do.
D. Sears also focused on a hormonal paradox of which low fat increases the production of the hormone insulin, which is what our body produces to store more fat. He believes that monounsaturated fats in a food will contribute to the feeling of satisfaction and modulates the rate at which carbohydrates are absorbed in to your bloodstream.
If your body has slow carbohydrate absorption is means lower insulin levels which equal less stored fat and a faster switch into burning fat. When your body is in desperate need of energy then you can’t burn fat because of high insulin levels and also causes you to feel tired. This happens because the brain is running on glucose and high insulin levels which deplete blood glucose levels.
The Zone diet requires you to eat as much protein as the palm of your hand, the highest amount of raw vegetables that are non-starchy as you can, and enough carbohydrates to keep perfect mental function because the brain runs on glucose. Also eat enough monounsaturated oils to keep hunger pangs at bay.
The Zone diet took America by storm in 2003 and 2004 with celebrities boasting their success stories about the diet, but Sears claims man miss the point. Sears thinks that they are ignoring the importance of hormonal balance and the influence of dietary balance on digestion and hormone production.
