Down the Middle
Diets are as fashionable as clothes, hairstyles, and makeup, and they can change just as rapidly. Fad diets crop up everywhere we look, each of them promising perfect bodies and peak health. Those who have tried them usually gave up after a short time, saying that it was too hard to stay on the restrictive plans or too expensive to buy the pills or meals.
Some diets are on the border between accepted and dismissed, having nearly equal supporters and detractors. The Zone Diet by Barry Sears, PhD, is one such diet. Many people have experienced success with the diet, and many have not. Some experts offer unconditional support, and some have qualifiers in their recommendations. Some organizations like it, and some do not.
The Zone diet works by increasing protein and fat intake while reducing carbohydrates from grains. The goal is to reduce the amount of the hormone insulin that the body produces in response to eating. Since grains tend to offer the biggest boost to blood sugar levels, the diet restricts them. To further reduce the glycemic load, Sears requires that 40% of the diet be fats from sources like nuts, oils, and vegetables like avocados, which he states retard the absorption of nutrients, giving the body more time to process and stay full longer.
Sears based his plan on 15 years of research and study, yet he cites none of it in his writings, raising eyebrows in the medical communities. With no sources for his claims, it is difficult to determine their validity. However, the abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, the emphasis on lean meats, and limited amounts of saturated fats do line up with accepted health standards, which leads many to ride the proverbial fence regarding his diet plan.
The lack of verifiable science notwithstanding, some experts like the plan, provided that dieters don't go too far in eliminating carbohydrates. Since the plan is fairly easy to follow and does get results, some experts cautiously approve it for general use. Those who have gotten those results, of course, cannot say enough god things about the plan and how it has improved their health and quality of life. The diet does have the potential to reduce diabetic and cardiovascular risk, earning it a few more points on the approval scale.
Detractors also note the lack of citation for the large amount of scientific-talk that fills the book. Readers can get bogged down in the complexity that Sears creates with his research. The American Heart Association does not believe the Zone Diet is effective in the long term and should not be followed for weight loss. The plan, with its restrictions on certain food groups, can eliminate certain vitamins and nutrients needed for overall health, giving some medical professionals concerns.
Thousands of people have had success with the Zone Diet, which does promote foods and habits endorsed by much of the medical community. The lack of support for the "science" in the method does trouble many, however, and not everyone can keep up the restrictive calorie quantities the plan allows. As a result, the Zone may or may not be the place for optimal health.
