Zone diet

Zone diet was popularised by Dr.Barry Sears. It advocates consuming carbohydrates, proteins and fats in a balanced proportion of 40:30:30 respectively. It helps in controlling insulin production, so that body stores less amount of fat.

Concept

Zone diet brings in old eating habits into the modern era. The concept of Zone Diet is that food should be treated like a prescription drug  that is designed to promote desired hormonal response(insulin, glucagon and eicasonoids). Zone diet is the latest nutrition strategy that promises to improve  health, weight and athletic performance with correct ratio of carbohydrate to protein to fat intake. Zone Diet prefers mono-unsaturated fats for saturated fats, says a big no to both processed foods and meals that contain too much salt.

Consumption of carbohydrates produces  insulin, a hormone that tells the body to store nutrients. This prompts the body to convert carbohydrates into fat. But protein which has the contradictory effect stirs up the hormone glucagon, which signals the body to let go carbohydrates that are stocked up in the liver. When these carbohydrates are released into the blood, the brain tells the body that its energy supplies are fulfilled and thus limits food intake. Consequently, limiting the type of carbohydrates and balancing them with 3-4 ounces of low-fat protein at every meal will keep insulin and glucagon balanced, controlling hunger with smaller number of calories. End result is fat loss and weight loss. This is how the Zone Diet functions.

Benefits

• Weight loss
• Clarity of mind and better concentration levels due to stable glucose levels
• Better performance due to increased oxygen concentration in muscle cells
• Happier and less hunger as there is constant supply of fuel to the brain

Results and changes

Within 48 hours of starting the diet there will be an increase in the energy level, better concentration and a happier mind. There will be increased urination to eliminate body’s excess sodium and water. One can drop 5-10 pounds of weight in first 2 weeks which will later slow down to around 1-2 pounds per week. After 6 weeks there will be dramatic improvement in cholesterol levels.