Anti-Aging Zone (Hardcover)

by Barry Sears (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Barry Sears started the diet movement of the decade with the Zone's 40-30-30 eating plan (40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent each fat and protein). In The Anti- Aging Zone, Sears explains that he thinks aging is not caused so much by depleted hormone levels but by a lack of communication among hormones.

So what exactly do these hormones have to do with aging? Estrogen and testosterone levels affect sex drive and skin tone; a drop in melatonin can lead to insomnia. Wavering serotonin levels have been shown to be a factor in depression. Insulin gone haywire can mean diabetes. While the intricacies of these hormonal interrelationships are the makings of a graduate degree in endocrinology, Sears offers a layperson's short course. It boils down to this: the vastly complicated hormonal action in humans is controlled by eicosanoids, what he calls "super hormones." And eating in the way advocated by The Anti-Aging Zone, he argues, can help maintain proper eicosanoid functioning, thereby preventing the litany of health problems associated with aging--both mental and physical.

The Anti-Aging Zone is sure to be controversial: Sears recommends a daily intake of just 1,200 calories for women and 1,500 for men, about 40 percent fewer than the U.S. RDA. It's also not just a diet plan, but a lifestyle plan, with guidelines for meditation (to reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone) to improve brain longevity, and moderate amounts of exercise, including strength training. But Sears adds a solid guide to supplements (the essential, the important, the exotic and expensive) and herbs, and a rundown of the mind-body-diet connection. While The Anti-Aging Zone isn't especially easy to follow, it's an eye-opening and educational guide to the aging process and the control you have over your own health.

From Library Journal
First came Sears's blockbuster, The Zone, which looked at how foods affect us hormonally. Now Sears uses that information to help block the aging process.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (December 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060392436
• ISBN-13: 978-0060392437
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #250,320 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #61 in

  Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Geriatrics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult, but essential reading, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

If you're just starting out on the Zone, this book 's definitely not the one to start out with (get Mastering the Zone.) In fact, one should also read the original Zone book as well before embarking on The Anti-Aging Zone.

But, for those who are well-versed with Zone's eicasanoid theory, this book is a definite must for all ages.

Anti-Aging Zone is essentially an introduction to endicrinology that specifically elucidates the roles of insulin, cortisol, growth hormone, testoserone and other hormones, how each affects the aging process, and how each is affected by your diet. Moreover, it discusses how the new drugs (DHEA, Viagra among others) affects you on a hormonal level. Needless to say, there's ALOT of science here, but Sears manages to organize it in such a way that the reader can absorb the gist of the whole book without necesarrily understanding everything the first time. Of course, rereading each section will help greatly, but it's not an obstacle to making the book useful.

Athletes, especially bodybuilders, will benefit from this book too, since the 4 above mentioned hormones are critical to building muscle. All in all, the Anti-Aging Zone, provides the solid science that alot of faithful Zoners have been waiting for years.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Zone Diet works for me., June 12, 2001

By A Customer

For several years I have had high triglycerides (TGL). Two and half years ago, my TGL/HDL ratio was 25. My doctor said I could either follow the American Heart Association (AHA) diet, or start taking medication. I choose the AHA diet, and after following the high carbohydrate, low fat diet for a year, my TGL/HDL ratio was 42. My doctor was alarmed and strongly advised taking Gemfibrozil in addition to the AHA diet. Last November after a year of Gemfibrozil and AHA diet, I was developing muscle pain in my legs where I had never had pain, lower back pain, and was gaining weight. My TGL/HDL ration was only down to 8.8. My doctor told me I had bad genes and was destined to have heart problems, and should continue with the medication to minimize the problem. I discussed the problem with my boss at work and he told me about the "Entering the Zone" book. I read most of it and on November 20th, 2000 I stopped taking Gemfibrozil and I started the Zone Diet. At the end of January after being on the Zone diet for just over 8 weeks, my TGL/HDL ration was down to 2.2. For me, a side affect of the Zone diet has been the loss of a little over 30 lbs since starting the diet. The real benifit has been to reverse my aging metrics. The Anti-Aging Zone book isn't easy reading, but is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. I highly recommend you read it and try it. It has improved my health in many ways mot mentioned in this summary.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Live Well or Die Gruesomely--your choice, March 20, 1999

By	[e-mail] (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews

Techically, not a "Diet" by a system to moderate your "autocrine" hormones. It made the difference between my wife having moderate asthma to no asthma (ongoing 14 months). But it's more than that. If you would like to choose to maximize the likelihood of not getting the major civilization diseases, i.e., heart attack, stroke and cancer--read this book. If you want your brain to last as long as your body--read this book. Your choice: live well or die gruesomely.