Hi,
I have always tried to follow the Zone but I get extremely constipated even within the first days (I notice a huge difference even after day 1) ...I am going to try again, and I notice that fish oil has helped a lot , but I am afraid of taking too much. I read somewhere on Dr Sears' website that it is possible to take up to 12 capsules a day at the beginning? (I'm assuming that it was 1000mg capsules) ...is going over this limit dangerous or seriously unadvisable? I am thinking about increasing the amount of fat blocks overall as well at each meal...I really hope there someone could reassure me because I don't know what to do anymore ! (I had a colonoscopy two years ago and was told I have a very long colon...that probably does not help)!
I hope someone can let me know their thoughts...

Hi,

The recommendation is to take a minimum of 8 capsules of Omega RX every day when beginning the diet, if you have the typed of health conditions that warrant higher fault doses as explained in some of his books (refer the book "Ttoxic Fat" by Barry Sears). Constipation when beginning the Zone is often due to the initial reader of AA (fatty acid that causes inflammation) as you begin to burn stored body fat. It should subside with a little time. Also, drink plenty of water.

Sorry , typos in my last post,. I meant to type: "conditions that warrant higher daily doses" and "initial release". (my smartphone was doing it's own thing!)

Thanks Sue for your help! Just one more thing: Is it still best to avoid going over 12 capsules ? I'll just wait for it to subside...I think my skin could get quite oily if I went over that ..

S, if you don't require more than 12, no need to take more. If you need more than 12 it's fine. I've never heard not to go over 12. If your stool becomes watery (as in all water, no form to it) you've hit your limit. If so, cut back a little. When my son began Omega Rx he was taking 16 a day and after a while bacjed off to 12 because of the watery stool. Incidentally, this was under the direction of Dr. Sears himself, who was helping various members of my family establish their correct fish oil doses.

Another really good source for determining fish oil dosing is THE OMEGA RX ZONE. This book was written a few years earlier than TOXIC FAT, but I have found it to be very useful in helping to determine a starting point for fish oil dosing of certain conditions.

If you are primarily using fish oil for constipation, rather than some other condition, your dosing may fluctuate as the levels of AA go down in your body, so just pay attention to what is going on.

THanks Sue and Cranberrycat. That all seems to make sense. I will gauge on the basis of the stools then. Is there anything to be said for taking free fish oil (not in capsules)? A friend told me perhaps it would be better to take it directly in its liquid form , to avoid ingesting all those capsules. Its probably not a big deal.. but I'm just asking to be absolutely sure!

It isn't really a big deal, unless you are concerned about the material in the capsules or the printing on the surface. Some people prefer to take it in liquid form because they don't like swallowing capsules.

I used to take it in liquid form because I was taking 8 capsules and was fearful of gagging on the large capsules. I blended my fish oil into my smoothie in the morning for a big brain shake. Nowadays, I am able to swallow the capsules just fine. I had to get myself over that because there were times that I wasn't making a smoothie and I could not take swallowing that stuff by itself!

S, it just depends on your preference. If you don't want to eat the capsule material then take the liquid. The Omega Rx in the capsules is exactly the same as the liquid. :)

thanks sue and cranberrycat! i prefer the capsules...i'll stick to that!

another question- i am doing a lot more exercise than I am used to this week - will that help the constipation or will it worsen it (because I am speeding up the fat-burning process). I got an answer from Dr. Sears' website telling me to increase meals by one carb block to slow down the process of fat-burning. I feel great doing more exercise but I'm afraid I am stepping it up too much too fast. What do you think?

Will I increase the amount of fish oil...(even if I've reached 22 capsules today?)? - (I am a little worried all the same about changing my habits too soon too fast)-
or decrease the exercise?
(that is my question basically!)

S,


You would not typically increase fish oil dose based on an increase in exercise. Exercise wisely within your ability to prevent injury. Regardless of the amount of exercise you perform, you won't lose much more than1.5 pounds per week with the Zone. When you significantly increase exercise. remember to recheck the amount of blocks you require (block amounts are based on yor amount of LBM and the amount of exercise you perform. Use this Body Fat Calculator to check: http://www.zonediet.com/tools/body-...calculator

The amount of Omega Rx you'd take daily depends upon your degree of wellness. It's explained in Dr. Seears' most recent book, TOXIC FAT, as follows (grams refer to total amount of EPA and DHA combined).

To maintain wellness, 2.5 g/day (4 caps; 1 teaspoon liquid).

For overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or before starting a diet, 5 g/day (8 caps; 2 teaspoons liquid).

For chronic pain, 7.5 g/day (12 caps; 3 teaspoons liquid).

For existing neurological conditions 10 g/day (16 caps; 4 teaspoons liquid).

In addition, exercise should help constipation, in general. It should not make it worse. Exercise should improve the motility, and should aid in the process.