Age-Free Zone
by: Barry Sears
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Barry Sears started the diet movement of the decade with the Zone's 40-30-30 eating plan (40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent each fat and protein). In The Anti- Aging Zone, Sears explains that he thinks aging is not caused so much by depleted hormone levels but by a lack of communication among hormones. So what exactly do these hormones have to do with aging? Estrogen and testosterone levels affect sex drive and skin tone; a drop in melatonin can lead to insomnia. Wavering serotonin levels have been shown to be a factor in depression. Insulin gone haywire can mean diabetes. While the intricacies of these hormonal interrelationships are the makings of a graduate degree in endocrinology, Sears offers a layperson's short course. It boils down to this: the vastly complicated hormonal action in humans is controlled by eicosanoids, what he calls "super hormones." And eating in the way advocated by The Anti-Aging Zone, he argues, can help maintain proper eicosanoid functioning, thereby preventing the litany of health problems associated with aging--both mental and physical. The Anti-Aging Zone is sure to be controversial: Sears recommends a daily intake of just 1,200 calories for women and 1,500 for men, about 40 percent fewer than the U.S. RDA. It's also not just a diet plan, but a lifestyle plan, with guidelines for meditation (to reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone) to improve brain longevity, and moderate amounts of exercise, including strength training. But Sears adds a solid guide to supplements (the essential, the important, the exotic and expensive) and herbs, and a rundown of the mind-body-diet connection. While The Anti-Aging Zone isn't especially easy to follow, it's an eye-opening and educational guide to the aging process and the control you have over your own health.
Reviews:
This is Barry Sears' most technical book so far about the biological principles behind his Zone diet. He describes biological markers of aging and mechanisms of aging. He also gives a short course in hormones, which are strongly involved in aging. Sears explains his anti-aging pyramid, which consists of meditation, moderate exercise and his Zone diet. Unlike the US Department of Agriculture food pyramid, which put bread, grains and starches at the bottom, to be eaten in big amounts, Sears' pyramid puts these at the top, to be eaten very sparingly, to reduce insulin secretion. Insulin is so important to his Zone diet that he devotes an entire chapter to its effects on the body. He also devotes a chapter to cortisol, a hormone important in stress reactions. Plus, he has a chapter about eicosanoids, which are hormones that are very important in coordinating important body functions. Insulin strongly affects the output and mix of eicosanoids. Since maintaining the correct amount of insulin in one's body is fundamental to his Zone diet, Sears gives a list of 14 different signs that one has the right amount and kind of eicosanoids active in one's body. These signs consist of such varied things as hair strength and texture, appetite for carbohydrates, length of time of appetite suppression between meals, sleeping time and grogginess on awakening. If all of these 14 different signs have the right status, it's an indication that one has had the right amount of insulin in one's body recently. Sears ranges widely enough to get into trouble. For example, he recommends Coleus forskohli as an anti-cancer agent. Actually, it's catnip for some kinds of cancer.
For several years I have had high triglycerides (TGL). Two and half years ago, my TGL/HDL ratio was 25. My doctor said I could either follow the American Heart Association (AHA) diet, or start taking medication. I choose the AHA diet, and after following the high carbohydrate, low fat diet for a year, my TGL/HDL ratio was 42. My doctor was alarmed and strongly advised taking Gemfibrozil in addition to the AHA diet. Last November after a year of Gemfibrozil and AHA diet, I was developing muscle pain in my legs where I had never had pain, lower back pain, and was gaining weight. My TGL/HDL ration was only down to 8.8. My doctor told me I had bad genes and was destined to have heart problems, and should continue with the medication to minimize the problem. I discussed the problem with my boss at work and he told me about the "Entering the Zone" book. I read most of it and on November 20th, 2000 I stopped taking Gemfibrozil and I started the Zone Diet. At the end of January after being on the Zone diet for just over 8 weeks, my TGL/HDL ration was down to 2.2. For me, a side affect of the Zone diet has been the loss of a little over 30 lbs since starting the diet. The real benifit has been to reverse my aging metrics. The Anti-Aging Zone book isn't easy reading, but is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. I highly recommend you read it and try it. It has improved my health in many ways mot mentioned in this summary.