OK, I don't have the book, and I might buy it....but, how do you do anti-aging? I mean is it just the zone diet and exercize? Or is it a little different?

Basically, all of the things that are the Zone lifestyle are the things you would do for anti-aging. You can find information on this website, but the book might be helpful, for deeper explanation.

janet, it's acheived simply by following the Zone diet and lifestyle. Nothing different, no additional steps to take. The book , "The Anti-Aging Zone", goes into detail about the benefits, both physical and emotional, to a body that's in the Zone.

**ANTI-AGING AND CALORIE RESTRICTION**

I am hugely interested in calorie restriction, with the Zone. I believe as Dr. Sears explains in "Anti Aging Zone" that the Zone diet is super for those who want the calorie restriction benefits.

I reseached it for several years - but the general public is unaware - and..friends, this is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves !!

ANYONE in my community share the same interests: CALORIE RESTRICTION AND ANTI AGING with the ZONE ?? I live in Manhattan Beach, CA....


Karen L.

P.S. Let's remember: lack of insulin equals more growth hormone production !! At night that is, it's a "Thin Awakening" for the next day. Not a bad proposition.

P.P.S. Luigi Cornaro, yes.

OMG Karen, I found a Zone Buddy who lives near me! I run on the Strand regularly. I am interested in the anti aging as well but I think it also has a lot to do exercise over the long haul. I have been an avid distance runner since 1985 and I really think it has reduced my age (especially appearance) by at least 15 to 20 years.
No one ever believes I am almost 50.
Let me know if you would be interested in meeting sometime; maybe the PCH Starbucks by Diamond?

I agree that exercise and activity is important, but I think it's only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to anti-aging. What you put into you body (and what you don't ) is very important, and well as your attitude, disposition, friendships, ability to enjoy life, and many other things.

joanna, most people don't believe my age either (57); they think I'm much younger. I love it! :-)

I will join the bandwagon, most people don't believe my age, either (45)!

a very young 52 . . .

YAY! Great comment too!

Yay! You hit the nail on the head with food being a major part of the aging process. I read somewhere that sugar is VERY aging to the skin as well as not good for the body. You can tell if people have a clean diet by their overall appearance. It reminds me of the movie Supersize Me when the guy began eating McDonalds. After a month he looked AWFUL! And he did a ton of walking in NY.

You guys all look great and are very inspiring!

Thanks Christine. :-)

i too am 45

Diet First - although I use Zone Polyphenols (Sea Health Plus & XT - one at home, one when away) and Eico Rx fish oil, I disagree with the Zone Diet to some degree. I believe the key to anti-aging is a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet. I also avoid all sugars, artifcial sweeteners, grains, legumes, and alcohol. I exercise with High Intensity Training in mind, e.g. Heavy weights for low reps until muscular failure, and wind sprints every week. I am fat-adapted. Intermittent Fasting (24 hour fast once or twice a week) and a high quality multivitamin works for me. My only dietary vice is cigars (of course I don't inhale, and I feel great after my weekly set of 8 x 100yd sprints).

Karen-

I'm interested in calorie restriction too. I wonder what is in your mind the ideal calorie intake on a calorie restricted diet. Thanks.

John- You mentioned that you believe the key to anti-aging is a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet. When you say fats, do you mean monosaturated fats or all fats? Thanks.

I never mentioned high fat nor low carb.
Stick with the Zone!
My wife and I just added a paleo component, eliminating grains,
which are unfavorable, mostly, anyway.

reading through the thread, I believe it was a different John that mentioned high fat, mod protein and low carb. (thats why I use "cranberrycat", so that I don't get mixed up with all of the Jennys and Jennifers out there).

Low calorie-well, if you stick to the Zone, you should achieve low calorie. I would personally not recommend pushing calories lower than 1000. My dietician friends would even disagree with that, they say no lower than 1200. Generally, an 11 block Zone plan is about 1100 calories, although I always manage to push the calories up a bit higher to 1200-1300, and sometimes even up to 1400. This is still considered low calorie, I believe. But, much more realistic and sustainable.

... and TOO Low calories and you body goes into "starvation mode" - where-in it conserves by slowing down your metabolism quite a bit,
and you might actually gain some weight, all fat stores, for times of famine ...

I've eliminated grains, too and sugar. Easy to live with after a couple of months.

Dr. Sears says 1200 and I think it's fine. If you are NOW overweight, esp. obese, I'd cut back the calories gradually. Although, I've read a book by another doctor who didn't cut his patient's calories down gradually. I am fairly thin and have a body fat % of 21. I thought I read in his Anti-aging book thyat 17% is best. THAT IS gonna be hard to accomplish!

I follow Sears' diet somewhat closely....but, only fish 2-3x wk and NO meat or eggs or low or high-fat dairy..only 0% fat dairy. my triglyceride/HDL is 58/50. I need to exercise (rarely do anymore) to get my HDL up. I DON'T currently take any fish oil. Will get my AA/EPA test done soon...only $130 in ATL. But it may be the 'wrong' type, not the one Sears prefers (phospolipid type). John what is your blood pressure, cholesterol and AA/EPA? I want this type of feedback from everyone to see how I can tweek my own diet/lifestyle/numbers/health!!
My urea nitrogen is 11. My total cholesterol 127, my LDL 64. My cholesterol/HDL ratio 2.5. I welcome all comment or suggestions.

Have you tracked your 'progress' both with and without the Zone fish oil to see if you really felt better or more energetic like he claims? I LOVE his diet (esp. the Soy (and fish) Zone, but it seems as if he may just be blowing smoke regarding the fish oil. I will get a few more blood tests soon to see how i'm doing, then immediately after the tests are taken will start eating fatty fish EVERY day, once a day...then get another few tests in 3 months to see the results on paper. Have you seen results on paper AFTER losing all of the weight? BTW, I can now tell my obese family members about YOUR progress and refer them to the Zone diet! Thanks! I worry about them.:

Joanna, my brother Eric, when 34, had his gallbladder go out on him because he ate McDonald's 5 days a week for lunch. He played rugby, gardened and was NEVER, ever overweight. The oily foods did him in!

Joanna, I think longevity, according to the MANY books I've read on the subject, has more to do with diet and low-impact exercise/activity/work than with strenuous marathon, body-building-type exercise. Read Dan Beutner's Blue Zones to start with abd there is a book out there on Okinawa's centenarians that is good. The things all of these very long-lived people have in common is: tons of walking, homegrown veggies eaten very fresh from their own backyard in order to preserve all of the nutrients, and constantly staying active doing something, even in very old age. No couch potatoes. They all also gardened in very high mineral soil. I need to work on that aspect..my soil is icky. Most consumed very little meat, except for the Okinawans who ate lots of fish.