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Daniel  Posts:3
 Newbie
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| 02/25/2008 1:32 AM |
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I was reading an article by Dr. Sears. It the article he said to don't bother with the blocks and just use the fist method to fill your plate with healthy foods. He said that he regrets having mentioned the 40/30/30 but that those ratio are nevetheless important to understand that on the Zone carbohydrates intake must be higher than either fat or protein intake. In the article Dr. Sears also said to get your carbs from fibrous veggies or low sugar fruits. But something doesn't work there. Vegetables containe on average 2,5 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. Low sugar fruits contain on averate 4 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. Let's say a person consume 1800 calories a day. He would need at least 170 grams of carbohydrates to have a diet where carbohydrates are more than proteins and fats. To get 180 grams of carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables one would need to eat 9 pounds of veggies or low sugar fruits. To get 60 grams of carbs from vegetables and low sugar fruits one would need 4 pounds of vegetables and low sugar fruits. But 60 grams of carbohydrates would make a diet ketogenic and the balance of the Zone would be compromised. My conclusion from these numbers if that if one gets his/her carbs from fruits and low sugar veggies the diet becomes automatically very low carb and ketogenic and fat intakes becomes way way higher than carbohyrate intake and hence you're not anymore on the zone! Might work as long as one is on a very calories diet to lose weight but doesn't work with maintenance and for children which Dr. Sears addressed in that articles saying that they should get their carbs from veggies. Starches seems absolutely necessary to have enough carbohydrates to balance the proteins and the fats (hence to remain in Zone) while on maintenance. Any thought? |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 02/25/2008 10:49 AM |
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I can't remember the last time I ate a starchy food in order to balance my carbs! I don't totally agree with your statement. First, I don't recall Sears stating that he says not to bother with the blocks. Sure, it is probably easier to use the hand/eye method, or plate method, but there are other more precise ways of putting zone meals together. Second, Sears has said that he regrets ever mentioning 40-30-30, but the block method has more to do with 40-30-30 than just getting the right percentages of carbs/protein/fat. And, the "balance" is basically a starting point. Since we are all individuals, not everyone sticks with that balance. Some require more carb, some require less. Third, the Zone does advocate eating large amounts of veggies and fruits. However, one does not have to eat large volumes of food in order to get the right number of blocks (or carbs, or whatever you choose to count). If you take a look at the carbs listed on the food block guide, there are a variety of veggies and fruits-some are more volumous and some are less. In order to keep the food plate manageable, zoners generally mix it up to keep the volume down, while assuring that they are getting adequate carb intake. For instance, one can add a block of black beans to the meal, which is only 1/4 cup per block. Additionally, one can add some tomato sauce to a meal, which is only 1/2 cup per block. Then, add a piece of fruit as part of the "dessert", and you will have a meal that easily fits on your plate and meets the body's carb requirements. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Sue K  Posts:8674
 Zone Expert

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| 02/25/2008 12:08 PM |
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| Cran, the block method does have to do with 40-30-30 because the ideal P/C ratio (about 0.75), which falls at the the midpiont of the acceptable Zone range of .6 to 1, when Zone balanced with the appropriate recommended amount of fat, is almost exactly 40-30-30. As I understand, what Dr Sears regrets re 40-30-30 is originally having described the Zone as a 40-30-30 eating plan, because that caused some people to misunderstand and not realize that the Zone also includes adjustments, which take it out of the 40-30-30 description. |
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sue
Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!
To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 02/25/2008 1:06 PM |
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Sue, The block method is based on much more than 40/30/30. 40/30/30 is solely choosing carbs/protein/fat so that the calories are in the correct ratio. However, the block method is more variable. It isn't a perfect 40/30/30 (don't forget the uncounted grams/calories of the insignificant amounts of protein in a veggie source, or the uncounted grams/calories of fiber). Also, one must consider using the food block guide and choosing favorable foods, keeping unfavorables to a minimum. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 02/25/2008 3:45 PM |
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Sue, I didn't say that you said that, either! But, you DID say "the block method does have to do with 40-30-30". My post was a clarification on how simplistic 40/30/30 is, compared to the block method. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Daniel  Posts:3
 Newbie
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| 02/25/2008 11:31 PM |
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> Daniel, what's the point you're trying to demonstrate when you > attempt to estimate the weight in pounds of approximately 18 Zone > carb blocks composed of lower density fruits and veggies? It seems to me that once a person has no more weight to lose and need to raise the calories and find a maintenance level then the amount of food by volume to get 40% of calories as low density carbohydrates becomes not very feasible because those carbohydrates are indeed so low density. 20 mini blocks of carbohyrates are required to have 40% of carbohydrates out of 1800 calories. So are 20 blocks stricly low density carbohydrates a feasible amount by volume and weight? For example to have 20 mini blocks of carbohydrates as apples one would need 10 cups of apple. Seems a lot to me! To have 23 mini blocks of carbohydrates as snow peas one would need 16 cups of snow peas. Seems a lot to me! I know people in the forum who just fill the plate with protein, a dab of healthy fat and lot of veggies. I believe that they're not in a Zone balance at all but are actually consuming way less carbohydrates and way more fat. More like 25/30/45 |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 02/26/2008 12:21 AM |
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Daniel, I think I am seeing the point that you are trying to make. I believe that you feel that it is not feasible for one to consume such large volumes of veggies, and even if they tried, they certainly could not possibly be getting the amount of carb that is required--right? Well, I don't know if you read my other post earlier on this thread. But, most people in the Zone actually DO NOT consume such large volumes. They actually create smaller volumes using the ingredients that I listed in the previous post. Barry Sears himself makes this point. Not many people are going to eat 4 cups of broccoli in one sitting, nor are they likely to eat 10 cups of lettuce. And, those are 1 block portions, not even enough for a meal. However, most of us combine our foods, we use such low density veggies in much more manageable smaller portions, and then we use other veggies which essentially are of smaller volumes. I am not sure why you are using the examples of 20 blocks and 23 blocks, when you are trying to illustrate an 18 block meal plan. However, your apple example is not a valid example because one would not eat 10 cups of apples in one sitting. But, over the course of the day, that could easily be a manageable volume of food to eat. Same with the snowpeas. I DO agree, however, that some who use the plate method may not be getting adequate carb. Personally, I do not believe that the plate method is a very accurate way of getting a zone balance. But, it is a good method to know and to use when in a situation where he/she is not the cook. It is all about balance and moderation. And, it is about what works good for you. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Daniel  Posts:3
 Newbie
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| 02/26/2008 1:04 AM |
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> Well, I don't know if you read my other post earlier on this > thread. But, most people in the Zone actually DO NOT consume such > large volumes. They actually create smaller volumes using the > ingredients that I listed in the previous post I see what you mean now. I read your post but I was confused by the fact that you claimed no starches are needed and I thought that included beans. Speaking of which I checked the menus on the Zone Chef service just out of curiosity. Their meals to me (aproximate calculation) don't seem to be in the zone at all. Less carbohydrates and more protein and beans are rarely used. Are beans the only favorable carbs with a small volume enough? > I am not sure why you are using the examples of 20 blocks and 23 > blocks, when you are trying to illustrate an 18 block meal plan. I used 20 blocks because at 91 calories per clock a 1800 calories diet should be 20 blocks. If 18 blocks were 1800 calories the amount of carbohydrates would be lower. At 9 grams per block one would have 162 grams of carbs which is 35% not 40%. > However, your apple example is not a valid example because one > would not eat 10 cups of apples in one sitting. But, over the > course of the day, that could easily be a manageable volume of > food to eat. Same with the snowpeas. 10 cups would be like 2.2 pounds of apples or 7-8 apples. Even spread over the course of 5 meals, isn't it too much bulky food? |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 02/26/2008 9:59 AM |
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I think I am getting what your point/question is about, now. Beans are one of the more dense carbs in the "favorable" carb category. They do have a relatively low glycemic load, which is probably why they are favorable. Another "starch" that is favorable are steel cut oats. You can consume 1/3 cup cooked oats per block of carb. I am not familiar with Zone Chefs, and I do not believe that they are endorsed by this site or Dr. Sears. I can't speak to their "zonability". Looks like you are using calories to do an analysis of the Zone. However, the focus in the Zone is not on calories. The Zone IS going to give you far fewer calories. But, the focus is on insulin control, and that lower levels of insulin will cause fat loss (and not just a decrease in calories). You should not become ketogenic, though. Simply put, if you do become ketogenic, then the recommendation is to increase carb intake. On your apple example, I do not think that 7-8 apples over the course of the day is too much bulky food, if that was what I would choose to eat for my carb all day. Really, it is 1 1/2-2 apples per meal, depending on the number of blocks for that meal. Perhaps, so that I can understand your point better, you could explain why you are concerned about eating too much bulky food? To me, a perfect world is one in which I can eat endlessly and not have to worry that I am getting too much! |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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ActiveForums 3.6
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Dr. Barry Sears is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years to the study of lipids. He holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
A turning point in his research occurred in 1982. That year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for discoveries of the role that specialized hormones, known as eicosanoids, play in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. Since eicosanoids are only generated from dietary fat, Dr. Sears reasoned that one could apply intravenous drug delivery principles to nutrition in order to control these exceptionally powerful hormonal responses with laser-like precision. In essence, his approach treats food as if it were a drug.
This area of his research led to various patents in the area of hormonal control by essentially using food as an oral drug delivery system to modulate eicosanoids especially for cardiovascular, diabetic, and neurological patients.
The impact of Dr. Sears’ revolutionary work in the dietary control of hormonal response began with the publication of his landmark book, The Zone. Since its publication in June 1995, The Zone has sold more than 2,000,000 hardcover copies, and became a #1 best seller on the New York Times book list. In addition, The Zone has been translated into 22 languages indicating a worldwide response to Dr. Sears’ research. His second book, Mastering the Zone, published in 1997, also became a New York Times bestseller with hardcover sales in excess of 500,000 copies to date. His third book, Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes, published in 1997, quickly became one of the best-selling cookbooks of 1997 and an another New York Times bestseller. The Anti-Aging Zone was published in 1999 and provides the molecular insights into how the Zone Diet can reverse the aging process. The Omega Rx Zone, published in 2002, explores the molecular foundation of chronic disease and how high-dose fish oil can dramatically reverse it. His latest book The Anti-Inflammation Zone discusses how to combat silent inflammation in order to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and many other inflammatory conditions—and how to reverse these conditions if they are already present. To date more than 5 million hardcover copies of his Zone books have been sold in the United States.
His research has elevated food from more than simply a source of calories to being recognized as an exceptionally powerful drug. Because of his revolutionary research, Dr. Sears has been a frequent guest on many national programs such as 20/20, Today, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, CNN, and MSNBC.
Dr. Sears continues his ongoing research as President of Zone Labs, a biotechnology company in Danvers, MA as well as the President of the non-profit Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. In addition to continuing research on the hormonal effects of food, Dr. Sears has expanded his research in developing innovative dietary approaches to treating cancer and neurological conditions, as well as his on-going work in treating cardiovascular diease and type 2 diabetes.
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I have been taking the Fish Oil for over 3 years now. I am 44 playing hockey and working out. The Fish oil helps with the pain that I get from playing hockey. It greatly enhances my performance on the ice and while working out. I have noticed a big difference in my energy, attentiveness and memory. If I miss a day for whatever reason, I notice a huge difference and it feels like something is missing. Anyway that is my short little story and it comes from the heart.
– Carter B.
I am a nutritionist and Ph.D. doctor of health and nutrition. For Dr. Sears to figure out balancing fat, carbs and protein, is really beyond brilliant. It is a milestone in diet history. I go over people's diet/emotional journals. Mostly all the time, we discover that the fatigue, irritability, unstable emotions were due to the imbalance in their diet. Using the Zone to balance them out, helps control weight, roller coaster emotions and gives them energy. Dr. Sears is so right when he says food is medicine. He has figured out the most powerful drug combination going, called The Zone.
Best and healthy wishes,
– Elaine W., Ph.D., N.C., M.A.
I have a very exhausting job as a flight attendant. I read the "Omega Rx Zone" about 4 years ago and started taking the fish oil. I am 47 and have been flying for 22 years. I am very active, I run and lift weights. But combining lack of regular sleep, a physically demanding job, and irregular eating patterns this job takes a toll on the body. Since taking the fish oil, I have noticed that I do not get exhausted. I get tired, but not exhausted. I stopped taking it for a couple of months and then started taking another company's fish oil. I started getting exhausted again. I came back to Zone Labs and will continue with the fish oil for the rest of my life. I believe in the product and it makes a huge difference in my life. It makes a difference with my running as well. I also bring the bars and shakes with me on the road. It is almost impossible to eat the way I should at work. I haven't found the right secret. At least I have my Zone fish oil, bars, and shakes.
– Kathryn S.
I have been in the Zone, for about 1 month now. I wanted to share with you how wonderful I think this program is. I have been a personal trainer for almost 10 years and actively compete in numerous athletic activities. The Zone program has helped me to achieve a better awareness of my nutritional needs and the results I have seen are amazing! I have lost nearly 13 lbs since I have been in the Zone. I feel more mentally alert, more focused at work, have greater intensity during my training, have made significant strength gains, and just feel better over all. With that said, I would like to thank you for helping me in my quest for "super-health"!
Thank you!
– Rob Y.
I read 'The Zone' and as exactly as I could followed the advice for diet. I noted weight loss progress. Over six months, I lost 33 pounds. One year has passed since then. I have maintained the new weight, guided always by Zone concepts. The Zone is powerful - I have found it fantastic and I am very grateful to Dr Sears.
– Lyn S.
Before I stumbled across the Zone I was weighing close to two hundred pounds and I was depressed. I used to be a gymnast as a young man. I would think, "look at me now," when I looked in a mirror. The day I found 'The Zone' book, I was intrigued and as I read it the science made sense and so, I began to follow the "treatment". I began to lose weight and I was feeling way more energetic. I am forty two years old, I am very active and my weight is down to 162 lbs, 38 pounds lost on the Zone. I cycle, walk, jog, swim and I can now perform some of the more simple gymnastic skills I did twenty years ago...I literally feel like I have turned back the clock.
Thank you!
– Jack J.
I have been on the Zone diet for 7 years. I did not go on the diet to lose weight necessarily; but fairly quickly I lost 25 pounds, going from 190 to 165; from a 36-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. I primarily did the Zone to live healthier. My health is excellent now. I just turned 62 years old. My Zone is my eating lifestyle now; I seldom stray; and I do not miss anything. It is The Good Life.
– Curtis Y.
My wife's doctor told her to read "Enter the Zone" and to do the diet, so I told her I would do it with her. After only one week on the plan we went on a strenuous hike (the first of the year), and when we stopped at our favorite coffee shop on the way home I was able to get out of the car and stand upright and walk into the place without pain or stiffness. The Zone had eliminated all the inflammation that had always forced me to stumble all humped over into the coffee shop any time we skied or hiked all day.
Thank you, Doctor Sears.
– Larry C.
I used to have a lot of knee pain when I walked or ran. I have been taking Omega Rx for almost a year now, and rarely have any pain. I believe it is the anti-inflammation action of the oil. I feel smarter as well. Thanks for developing such a superior oil!
– Joe W.
Prior to following the Zone Diet, my body fat was around 15% and my weight around 153 pounds. No matter what I did, my weight and body fat did not change much. I regularly cycled 20-30 hours per week logging well over 400 miles. That had little impact on body fat or weight. Diet also seemed to have little impact on body fat or weight. Within a couple of months of following the zone diet, my weight dropped rather quickly to 142 pounds and body fat to about 8%. I still regularly cycle up to 20 hours per week (during the summer). I have also started strength training. I eat about 16 blocks per day. I take 3.6 grams of fish oil per day, along with Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and B & C vitamins. I also take GLA, which in my opinion, has significantly reduced fatigue and improved recovery times after exercise.
– Jeremy S.
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All polyphenols have antioxidant properties than can be measured by their Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC), but not all polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenols in Dr. Sears’ Zone Polyphenol Plus have been carefully chosen to have both.
Polyphenols are the phytochemicals that not only give fruits and vegetables their color, but also help regulate inflammation. In addition, polyphenols also activate the key enzyme (AMP kinase) that helps restore cellular ATP levels. Polyphenols also help regulate the activation of inducible inflammatory proteins (such as COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines).
There are more than 4,000 known polyphenols, and the richest sources are fruits and vegetables. In general, the more color a fruit or vegetable has, the richer the polyphenol content.
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Zone Labs’ Ultra Refined Omega-3 Concentrates are three times fresher and contain less than 1/10th the mercury than what is allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard
Zone Labs adheres to the International Fish Oil Standard (IFOS), an independent third party validated laboratory quality standard that is more rigid than any other global standard for purity.
- No company in the worlds runs more tests with IFOS than Zone Labs
- Zone Labs receives a 5 out of 5 star IFOS rating for every batch it tests
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| Standard |
IFOS Standard for a 5-Star Ranking |
Council for Responsible Nutrition |
European Pharmacopeia |
Norwegian Medicinal Standards |
| Peroxide |
< 3.75 meg/kg |
5 meg/kg |
10 meg/kg |
10 meg/kg |
| Totox Levels |
< 20 meg/kg |
26 meg/kg |
NA |
NA |
| Lead |
< 10 ppb |
10 ppb |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
| Mercury |
< 10 ppb |
10 ppb |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
| Dioxans and Furans |
< 1 ppt |
2 ppt |
2 ppt |
2 ppt |
| PCBs |
< 45 ppb |
90 ppb |
NA |
NA |
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"IFOS – THE TOP GLOBAL PURITY STANDARD FOR OMEGA-3 FROM FISH"
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Zone Labs products show no detectable lead or mercury when tested down to 10ppb, which is 10 times below the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits.
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Zone Labs products are three times fresher than the minimum allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standards (based on average peroxide values).
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Zone Labs starts with only wild, small fish from pristine Chilean waters and ends with proprietary validation and testing processes to achieve an IFOS certified 5 star rating.
8-Step Manufacturing Process - Quality Assured
Testing to specification all raw materials, bulk products, packaging material and finished products – always using stringent internal standards and in-process testing.
- Extraction of fish oil
- Winterization – remove limited amounts of saturated fats
- Absorption – remove heavy metals
- Preliminary Molecular Distillation – refining “touch up” to reduce contaminants
- Oil conversion to ethyl esters
- Ethyl ester thermal fractionation – remove additional saturated fats
- True Molecular Distillation – final refining to remove pcb’s and long-chain monoenes
- Rigid Processes – proprietary validation, inspection and encapsulation methods. Independent lab verification of IFOS requirements and certified 5 star rating
No farmed fish. No large fish. Pristine waters.
Zone Labs starts with wild sardines & anchovies fished from cold, pristine waters off of South America where there are less environmental impurities.
A recommended serving of Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Concentrates delivers 8 times more omega-3’s than a typical retail fish oil supplement.
Most fish oil supplements have 30% or less of the healthy omega-3s EPA and DHA, with the remaining 70% of the capsule containing unbeneficial, lesser refined fatty acids that contribute to their bad taste and gastric side effects.
Getting a clinically valid dose of omega-3’s is easy with Zone Labs’ Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates.
Typical Retail Dose = 300mg omega-3
Standard Zone Dose = 2400mg omega-3
A serving of canned tuna has 12 times less omega-3’s than
Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates
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Commonly consumed fish and shellfish in the United States
Mercury Source: Food and Drug Administration, FDA 1900-2004, “National Marine Fisheries Service Survey of Trace Elements in the Fishery Resource". Omega-3 Level Source: American Heart Association Website.
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Mercury level
in parts per million (ppm) |
Omega-3 fatty acids
(milligrams per 3-oz. serving) |
| Zone Omega-3 Products |
< 0.01 |
2400 (standard 4 capsule serving |
| Salmon (fresh, frozen) |
0.014 |
1200 |
| Flounder or sole |
0.050 |
480 |
| Pollock |
0.041 |
450 |
| Crab |
0.060 |
400 |
| Scallops |
0.050 |
290 |
| Shrimp |
ND* |
290 |
| Catfish |
0.050 |
270 |
| Clams |
ND* |
250 |
| Cod |
0.095 |
210 |
| Canned Tuna (light) |
0.120 |
200 |
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Zone Labs’ leading product. OmegaRx delivers all of the benefits of Zone Labs’ ultra-refined omega-3 concentrates.
Advantages
- Delivers clinically proven health benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA*
- Promotes a healthy heart, healthy brain, healthy immune system, healthy circulatory system, healthy joints, healthy moods, healthy triglyceride levels and a healthy pregnancy*
- Combats silent inflammation
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