The Zone Diet, proposed by Barry Sears, limits carbohydrates, including fruits and vegetables, by restricting carbohydrates to 40% of total calories ( 40 % carbohydrates, 30 % protein and 30 % fat). This 40:30:30 concept is seen in a number of commercial products with Envion® perhaps being one of the largest.
The Theory Behind the Zone Diet is the belief that excessive carbohydrates leads to obesity by increasing insulin and fat storage which leads to heart disease and cancer.
The Facts Behind the Zone Diet are that Vegetarians have been shown to have lower risks of heart disease and cancer and are leaner than the rest of the population. Clinical studies also show that a diet high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates leads to higher risks of stroke, high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes and certain cancers.
The Result of the Zone Diet is a quick, initial weight loss. This convinces some people that the diet "works". But, most of the weight loss is due to loss of water (dehydration). When a person consumes carbohydrates, fluid or water is retained also. Therefore, reducing carbohydrates leads to water loss in this and many diets. What's worse, if the calories are too low, much of the later weight loss is lean muscle mass, not fat. Unfortunately, the weight is usually regained just as quickly as it is lost and long term results are not good.
The Dangers of the Zone Diet is that it is low in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and therefore, very low in fiber. In addition, a high protein diet may lead to ketosis, promote calcium loss and osteoporosis. We consider the Zone Diet to be a "Fad Diet" and do not recommend it.
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