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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/25/2009 11:46 AM |
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This has probably been asked before, but I couldn't find it. I am curious why Dr Sears went from a low calories, 800 to 1200 (page 201 The Zone), to 1100 as the lowest he recommends? Many thanks Linda |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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janet  Posts:860
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| 01/25/2009 4:42 PM |
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| my guess: to keep the diet in the range of healthful diets, not one which has you digesting your own muscle to get protein! |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/25/2009 8:42 PM |
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| Somehow I don't think that is the answer! lol |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Anna  Posts:62
 Aspiring
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| 01/25/2009 9:07 PM |
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| If you mean Enter the Zone I don't see the reference on page 201. But Dr. sears rarely talks calories and he did change from a wider range of blocks to a minbimum of 11 blocks for women. Is this perhaps what you are refering to? If so, janet is right, it is to support and maintain your lean body mass while yu lose fat. |
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This is the first day of the rest of our lives...
Anna |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/25/2009 9:38 PM |
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| In his first book (hardback) 'The Zone Dietary Road Map' page 201 "For the average person, that will be 800 to 1200 calories a day. This may seem like a starvation diet, but I guarantee you that you'll have a hard time eating all the food necessary to get to those calorie levels if you follow the rules of the Zone -favorable diet." I did the calculation for the diet according to his original writings and I come up with 884 calories a day, balanced with 30f,40c, and 30p of course. I eat that way, feel wonderful and am doing very well. I was just wondering why he upped it and why the number 1100? |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 01/25/2009 11:09 PM |
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| The lower calorie range was based on the fact that he originally stated that smaller people could go with as low as 8 blocks per day, rather than 11 blocks per day. But, as I understand it, an 8-block day was falling short of providing the necessary amounts of vitamins and minerals in food. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/26/2009 9:35 AM |
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| Thank you Cranberrycat. Do you know where I could find that information at? Is it in one of his newer books or on this site somewhere? I can compensate for the vitamin and minerals as long as my body is getting the macronutrients it needs. I was doing the higher 1100 and didn't feel as well as I do at the lower number. I can't eat enough on the higher amount without really getting into dense carbs and I enjoy eating the way he has outlined in his original books. I think perhaps some of the zoners who have problems losing on the zone may be because of the higher 1100 requirements. That's just a guess, and I could very well be totally wrong. Thanks again for everyone's input and answers to my question. |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Cranberrycat  Posts:5313
 Zone Expert

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| 01/26/2009 8:11 PM |
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| Well, he also says that no adult should go lower with calories, either. I can't tell you specifically where it is written, but I believe it was in "Mastering the Zone". |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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janet  Posts:860
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| 01/27/2009 11:05 AM |
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| if you went with 800, would you use fewer carbs, or just fewer blocks ? Fewer blocks would lower your macronutrients, while fewer carbs would take you out of the zone.... |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/27/2009 2:50 PM |
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| Remember please that I am going by Dr Sears original book The Zone. It's based on my protein requirements as the zone principles indicate. My lean body mass is about 112 (rounded) and at a moderate level of exercise (x 0.6) that makes it 67 protein grams daily. I get 2.6 blocks 3 times a day and two snacks at .9 blocks a day (9.6 blocks a day). My calorie requirement is about 884 a day. I am very much 'In The Zone'. I feel great and have energy to spare. When I am working hard (very active - LBM x 0.9) my levels would go up to 101 protein, 45 fat, 131 carbs and 1334 calories a day. All according to the original book. So I am still curious why he upped it to a set level as he has instead of going by the individual's actual needs. |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/27/2009 3:03 PM |
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| According to the Zone calculator online at Very active my protein requirements would be 101 (rounded), and 14 blocks (rounded). So I really figure I am not way off base... |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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janet  Posts:860
 Zoner
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| 01/27/2009 4:01 PM |
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| interesting, Linda, it seems you are very much aware of your needs....so, yeah, I'm a bit curious now too. Don't know the answer, and am not an expert, either, just another questioner. |
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Paula  Posts:5
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| 01/27/2009 4:11 PM |
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Hi Linda, I'm from Mexico and I have the same problem as you. Based on the books, my requirements of protein would be 88 and 8 blocks per day, but according to the calculator online my requirements would be 11 blocks per day. Apparently an adult can not eat less than 11 blocks a day, so at some point this became a standard. Anyway, I have an appointment next week with a specialist in zone diet, to remove any doubt about that. I keep in touch! PS:Sorry for my english! |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/28/2009 11:29 AM |
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| It will be very interesting to hear what he has to say Paula. Not of course, that it will change how I am eating because I feel very comfortable with what I am doing, but it will be good to know. Because of the controversy on this subject, I would hesitate to encourage anyone else from going to the lower levels. Once I understand why he changed it, I will feel better about it. What I am thinking is that he upped to to take in all those who would go lower without proper knowledge and actually damage their health. At 1100 it not only keeps the protein at a level that is considers adequate, it also keeps calories in the range that 'experts' say is required for health. And it may be to prevent liability on Dr Sears' part. Not that I think he would disclose that. |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Karen  Posts:868
 Zoner
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| 01/28/2009 12:17 PM |
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I just spoke with an expert on the help desk. She said the first book was confusing and there was supposed to have been a disclaimer that the minimum number of blocks was 11. She said that is why they came up with the calculator on-line so that people would never go below 11. She said the body can go into starvation mode on anything less than 11 blocks per day and the body will not be able to get all the nutrients it needs. Note: She said the minimum number of blocks for women is 11 and the minimum number of blocks for men is 14 ... even if calculations come out lower. |
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Happy Zoning! Karen |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/28/2009 1:17 PM |
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Thanks for letting us know that Karen... I am not sure I believe that was the reason because there was no such disclaimer in The Soy Zone either, at least not that I remember. But it is the safest route and most people should pay attention and do as Dr Sears says. I feel much better at the level I am at now than I did at the higher 1100 calorie level so I will stick with it until I start working harder. Thanks again... |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Karen  Posts:868
 Zoner
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| 01/28/2009 1:56 PM |
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| You're welcome, Linda! |
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Happy Zoning! Karen |
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Linda  Posts:41
 Aspiring
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| 01/28/2009 2:28 PM |
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Posted By Karen on 01/28/2009 12:17 PM Quote: "I just spoke with an expert on the help desk. She said the first book was confusing and there was supposed to have been a disclaimer that the minimum number of blocks was 11. She said that is why they came up with the calculator on-line so that people would never go below 11. She said the body can go into starvation mode on anything less than 11 blocks per day and the body will not be able to get all the nutrients it needs." end of quote I just had a thought. If that is true why doesn't he have a disclaimer on his website about the first books. He must know there are a lot who use his books more than the website. Perhaps he has one and I am just not aware of it? |
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My store: http://store.lincroft.echoechoplus.com/ |
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Anna  Posts:62
 Aspiring
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| 01/28/2009 2:42 PM |
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| Actually, Linda there is science behind the answer they have given you. If you get below 1200 calories a day (I would have to check this amount to be absolutely sure) the body goes into starvation mode. It is not just that you are not getting enough nutrients but the body becomes "calorie conservative". When you are getting plenty of food the body becomes kind of wasteful, it does not digest every little bit. When it goes into starvation, your body takes every bit of nutrient it can and then slows down the metabolism to burn as little as possible for maintenance. If you go back to eating more than that minimum you will gain wait quickly. So it sets you up to have more difficulty over time. |
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This is the first day of the rest of our lives...
Anna |
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Sue K  Posts:8666
 Zone Expert

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| 01/28/2009 4:47 PM |
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Here's Barry Sears' explanation of why he changed to the 11 block minimum (this info is from drsears.com). <<Protein requirements - Relevance: 3030 Q: I noticed that you have changed the minimum daily protein requirements. My husband and I have been on the Zone diet for approx. 2 1/2 years and when we figured our blocks according to your first book, I was at 8 protein blocks a day and my husband at 11. When I got the message that this site was opening up I read that you advocate a minimum of 11 protein blocks a day now. Could you please clarify this information because I don't want to start putting on weight as I am still trying to lose. Respectfully, Priscilla R A: Dear Priscilla, I suggest 11 blocks a day as the minimum for an adult just starting out on the Zone Diet. This corresponds to about 1,200 calories per day, which corresponds to the caloric level recommended by the American Diabetes Association. However, if you have no hunger and maintain your physical performance at this block level, you may wish to decrease the number of blocks by one per day and see how you feel for the next two weeks. I would never go below 8 blocks per day. A great number of women do very well at a level below 11 blocks. However, because of the lower carbohydrate intake at 8 blocks per day versus 11 blocks, you might want to think about taking an inexpensive vitamin and mineral capsule as a cheap insurance policy to make sure that your micronutrient load is being maintained at this lower block level. The Zone diet is based on years of research. And more important, continuing research for many more years to come. During our clinical study in San Antonio with Type II diabetics, one factor that came into greater focus is that many of the Type II diabetic women showed more compliance and therefore enhanced clinical results when we increased their minimum daily block amounts from 8 or 9 blocks to 11 blocks per day. That is why I increased the minimum number of blocks per day for adults to 11. http://www.drsears.com/SearchIndexer/tabid/467/itemid/9231/Default.aspx - 8/24/2007 11:32:38 AM >> |
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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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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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