Molecular baking represents a fusion of material science technology and food technology. In essence, it treats proteins, carbohydrates and fats as polymers that can be reorganized into different sturctures that look and tasted like traditional bread, pasta and rice products. The key to this technology lies in the development of extensible dough. This revolutionary new dough consists of protein, fat and carbohydrate in a 1-2-3 ratio that can be baked as a traditional dough, but now imparts a unique variety of hormonal properties. The first is the reduction of insulin levels. by reducing the glycemic load flours through the replacement of carbohydrates with protein, the glycemic loadof the final product is dramatically reduced thereby reducing insulin secretion. Such products represent low-glycemic versions of the foods that most individuals desire to eat. Now rather than restricting them from the diet because of their adverse impact on insulin secretion, their inclusion in an anti-inflammatory diet provides far greater dietary compliance for the individual since they are eating the foods they are accustomed to.

More importantly, the process used to make extensible dough for molecular baking also provides a mechanism to increase PYY secretion. Normally protein and carbohydrate are prepared separately, or if combinded, they are kept at low temperatures to prevent extensive cross-linking due to increased temperatures encountered in the baking process. With extensible dough, this problem is circumvented as the intereaction between protein and carbohydrates is controlled at the molecular level in the dough mixing process. As a result, when baked, the amount of cross-linking is minimized to prevent the rapid breakdown and absorption of the protein before it reaches the L-cells in the distal portion of the ileum. This is important as it is the L-cells in the lower portion of the gut that release PYY, which goes directly to the brain to induce satiety. This is exactly the mechanism for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Much of the small intestine is bypassed, and the limited amount of protein that can be absorbed (due to the reduction of the stomach size) is delivered in high amounts directly to the L-cells. This is why the first thing that the gastric bypass patietn experiences after surgery is an almost immediate lack of hunger, often for the first time in their lives. Products made using extensible dough can deliver many of the same hormonal benefits as gastric bypass surgery. this is because more of the dietary protein is delievered to the L-cells since the rate of digestion and absorption of protien in the upper section of the gut has been reduced due to the controlled corss-linking of the protein and carbohydrate during the baking process.

With the advent of molecular baking, it becomes much easier for the individual to maintain an anti-inflammatory diet since breads and pasta become an integral part of their dietary success to increase satiety. It should be kept in mind that the 1-2-3 macronutrient balance is still necessary to control insulin as this is critical for the relaxation of the fat trap, thus allowing more stored fat to be released into the circulation for inreased ATP production. Keep in mind without the use of bread and pasta products made with the new extensible dough technology, the stimulation of PYY secretion will still be compromised regardless of how well the 1-2-3 macronutrient balance is maintained by the individual.

Pilot studies we hae conducted indicate that approximately 1000 calories per day of extensible dough products delivered in three meals and 2 snacks are sufficient to maintain high levels of satiety. This allows for another 500 calories per day for additional low-glycemic carbohydrates, such as non-starchy vegetables and limited amounts of fruits that are rich in polyphenols. However, it must be remembered that it is the increased PYY secretion that makes it possible to maintain a calorie-restricted dietary program indefinitely.

Cranberrycat---Thanks for taking the time to give this to us...fascinating I think...the product is working nice for me..it is nice to know some of the mechanics..Thanks again. CoCo

I keep reading and reading this over and over to make more sense out of it.

When PYY is secreted, it sends a message to the brain to turn off the hunger switch. It isn't the insulin, it is the PYY that controls hunger. If it weren't for the PYY, then there would be no way that the insulin levels can be controlled. Sure, the 1-2-3 balance helps to reduce the glycemic index, but it is not enough all by itself to control hunger

It is the molecular baking that makes it possible. The dough is made up of the 1-2-3 balance of macronutrients, and the baking creates crosslinks. The crosslinks make it possible for the protein to move through the gut without being digested, to the L-cells, so that the PYY can be secreted.

With all of this information presented, I think that gives us a basic understanding of why it works, but I don't really think that it explains exactly what molecular baking is.

Can anyone shed more light on it?

Lynne, that is a really good analysis--it seems to make more sense to me now.

But, I still don't know what molecular baking is, either.

from Lynne, "... The cross-links make it possible for the protein to move through the gut without being digested, to the L-cells, so that the PYY can be secreted. ..."
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That helps some. However, if it does not get digested, then how does one get the protein into their system? Or any of the nutrients? Which brings to mind another question, if one is strictly eating ZoneFast foods and not real foods; then, there are no or nearly no nutrients (Vitamins and minerals) and lots of other umkonn nutrients our God placed in food for us - like we get from whole, and raw real foods. So one then has to add even more supplements to get the additional vitamins and minerals - while on ZoneFast?
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NOTE: This is NOT a criticism but a legitimate Question and possible concern!

John, that has been one of my concerns for quite some time, lack of nutrients and also lack of fiber. I wholeheartedly agree that the food which God intended for us to eat definitely was designed that way for a purpose.

Yep, one must supplement additionally while on the Zonefast plan, and I would guess most people would be using artificially-prepared vitamin supplements. Again, most vitamins are best absorbed from the food, the way that it was intended.

I really don't have a clue about what happens to the protein... I imagine that there must be some digestion occurring, but I also wondered if it were possible that protein was not being absorbed. However, Sue seems to be doing fine not losing her LBM stores. But, after reading through all of this, I kind of wonder if that is why I always sensed a "lumpy" feeling in my gut, maybe that was the undigested protein shifting past the gut?!?

Hi Zoners,



"Yep, one must supplement additionally while on the ZoneFast plan".

This is not my understanding. It would be helpful if the author could provide us with a reference from Barry Sears or Zone Labs that support this claim.



"However, Sue seems to be doing fine not losing her LBM stores."

I am fine, not simply "seem to be". My ZoneFast results are measurable ones. Since I switched to the plan in the beginning of November 2009, I've lost almost 15 pounds of stored body fat and gained lean body mass. I'm feeling better than ever after, and I had previously thought the way felt Zone was the best it gets!

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Sue K on 02/15/2010 8:45 AM

Hi Zoners,



"Yep, one must supplement additionally while on the ZoneFast plan".

This is not my understanding. It would be helpful if the author could provide us with a reference from Barry Sears or Zone Labs that support this claim.



"However, Sue seems to be doing fine not losing her LBM stores."

I am fine, not simply "seem to be". My ZoneFast results are measurable ones. Since I switched to the plan in the beginning of November 2009, I've lost almost 15 pounds of stored body fat and gained lean body mass. I'm feeling better than ever after, and I had previously thought the way felt Zone was the best it gets! </div>


Sue, with all due respect, one does not need to quote Barry Sears or any other source to determine whether or not supplementation is required while following the ZoneFast plan.

First, one needs only to read the nutrition label. There are a LOT of necessary vitamins missing from the foods. If it is the intent of the developers of the Zonefast plan to make these products the staple of the diet, then the products are hugely lacking with regard to vitamin content and polyphenol content.

Second, since there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding whether or not 8 servings of veggies are required, that leaves a lot of room for error, with regard to the nutritional content of the food. However, if we are indeed recommended to EAT 8 servings of veggies (and no less), then perhaps the nutritional analysis may change a bit. But, no one has really given any of us a straignt answer on exactly how many servings of veggies are required on this plan, and if one eats the foods alone without additions, then there is a lot of fiber that is lacking, as well.

Finally, I am really happy for you and your success with the plan.