Customer Reviews

The Anti-Inflammation Zone (Zone (Regan))

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Few books prompt me to want to TELL THE WORLD because it may make a big difference in the quality of life of anyone who reads it. This is the first book I've read about the Zone diet, inflammation and fish oil supplements so it was all news to me and makes sense. An excellent companion book is Zone Meals in Seconds which enabled me to apply the theory using recipes, canned/frozen food, and even restaurant visits.

A high cholesterol report and watching Morgan Spurlock's movie, Super Size Me, prompted me to pursue some changes in my diet. in the month since entering the Zone I have discontinued Sudafed use (after years on it) and my husband is off of glucosamine and pain free. Plus, we are not hungry, have energy, and sleep better than before. Don't underestimate the health effects of the right food if you are currently in pain or taking any medications this book "might help, won't hurt".

I was lucky enough to find an internist who recommended this book to me when I went to him with symptoms of cold intolerance, fatigue, swollen and inflamed joints, thyroid disorder and a host of other symptoms. In the meantime, while awaiting the results of the tests, he advised me to read this book as it would explain inflammation in the body.

Previously I had been diagnosed with arthritis and treated for symtoms and became progressively worse. Within two weeks of implementing the changes outlined in this book; both diet changes and adding 5 grams of enteric-coated fish oil per day I had significant reduction in the swelling and inflammation.

To understand how inflammation works on the body and to reduce a host of symptoms and beliefs associated with Alzheimers, etc. this book is a valuable tool for self-enlightment. Many physicians today don't take the time to treat underlying causes of illnesses before they progress to more serious problems for the patient. Read this book and Help Yourself. It won't do any harm and may do you a world of good.

My chiropractor gave me this book to read after I complained that working out wasn't ceasing my back spasms. He wanted me to start a core workout program rather than continue with a bodybuilding workout program (after a month, the former has greatly reduced my back pain and increased strength in my back and legs), and he also thought I wasn't eating right. I began the core program immediately and started reading Dr. Sears' book, initially in earnest.

I don't think Dr. Sears is wrong about the significance of all kinds of inflammation as well as the health benefits of taking purified, high-dose fish oil. Like a good theorist, he compiles the work of many, many previous researchers and concludes an untested theory that truly deserves a massive study to confirm Sears' contentions. All of that is fine.

But I now understand why my doctor gave me the book while mentioning some reservations about its content. First and foremost, this is probably the most repetitive book I have ever read. In fact, I did not read every word, or even every chapter. I felt insulted when I would read the same ideas in every chapter, often the same sentences and phrasing. The exercise section is pathetic and possibly dangerous if you have a bad back. Don't bother reading it. The week's worth of meals is also weak, yet the exercise and meal sections together total 100 pages. Notes and appendices comprise another 100 pages. Discounting those sections, Sears leaves only 200 pages to explain what his book is about. And he's not going to make it pleasant. What's funny about repetition in a book is that it actually confuses the reader, because each time a concept is repeated, something new is added to it so that it becomes foreign again. Sears truly needs an editor.

That being said, the essence of his ideas is interesting, but I imagine there are not more than 100 pages of text worth reading here. In a nutshell, Sears believes you should take high-dose fish oil (make sure it's pure, like Eskimo-3, or a similarly reputable brand); avoid grains, rice, and pasta; eat small portions of protein at most meals; eat fruits and veggies; avoid sugar and juices; and avoid egg yolks, butter, vegetable oil, and a few other "bad" oils. That's it. Now if you really want to know why you should eat this way for the rest of your life, you'll have to read his book. Although it takes him a few hundred pages to get it out, the reasons for this diet and for taking fish oil are in there.

I've been a reader and fan of Barry Sears since his first book and never fail to learn something from his books. Sears was the first to really pull together various forms of cutting edge information--caloric restriction, minimal consumption of bad grains, restricted amounts of saturated fats--and blend it into a usable, realistic program. Even if one tries other "diets" on the market, there are still take-aways from the Zone that will help optimize the value of other programs, there is that much information available. His new book provides new insights on his Zone prescription with updated research and information for the reader.

For "Love to Read", just a couple of suggestions:

- Canola Oil is extracted from rapeseed and there is some controversy as to the safety of this product. Rapeseed byproducts are used for fuel, soap, lubricants and synthetic rubber base, and in magazines to make the pages "glossy". Hence the concern over safety for human consumption.

- Dr. Sears notes that humans can only utilize a certain percentage of flaxseed oil. Some researchers note it ranges between 10 - 20%. Per Sears, you'd have to consume quite a bit of flaxseed oil to get the (current) recommendations of Omega 3 which would be detrimental to your weight.

- The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter (2003) noted that primrose oil has no proven properties and may have potentially toxic side affects in consumed in too high of dosages.

Regarding Sears "selling" his products via his books, well, that is just good ole capitalism. Body for Life/EAS, Udo Eramus/Udo's Oi, etc., are no different. ;0)

January 2005

If you have never read any of the Zone books, then this is a must read. But even if you have remained current through the last book Omega Rx, there is new information presented here.

As you read through this work, it appears apparent that the author has researched this topic and does an excellent job of presenting the information in an easy to read format.

For those who tried the Zone in the past, but had difficulty with "blocks", Dr Sears has added a point system that may make it easier to follow.

Keep in mind that any changes to your medical program should be discussed with your physician, as they may change the dosages and mix of medications that you may be on. Even if you are not on any medications, it is best to work with an "open minded" Physician so that you can maximize your health benefits.

As a direct beneficiary of Dr Sear's work, it is nice to know that there is a program like this out there. It is also reassuring that the work outlined here is now being substantiated by other sources and research.

Update: June 1, 2005
I first mentioned this book to one of my bosses about 4 months ago. They have since recommended it to others. To make a long story short, my copy of this book has been on loan for some time. Some questioned it's wisdom at first, but after trying it, could't wait to recommend it to others.

It's depressing. The majority of trade-book authors treat their audience with considerable disrespect. We do have brains; we do not need to have an idea repeated a dozen times. Repetition is annoying in several ways. It wastes time, certainly, but it wastes even more time than the simple repetition. I expect a new sentence to tell me something new; when it doesn't seem to I begin by assuming I missed something subtle, so I go back and read both sentences again.... only to find out I gave the author too much credit and he gave me too little. Agggghhh! In other words you can skim this book in an hour. Just read the topic sentence of each paragraph.

That said, as someone who studies fatty acids and fat metabolism professionally, I feel comfortable saying that Sears is right: the Omega-6/Omega-3 imbalance in our diets is inflicting serious damage on both our bodies and our minds. If we can sue R.J.Reynolds for cigarettes we should be suing ADM and Cargill for corn.

I did NOT want to read this book or do anything it said. My doctor recommended it and highly suggested it. He told me to try it for ONE month. It has been about three months and I feel great. Great book - follow what it says and it will change the way you feel and thus change your life.

This is another great installment in Dr. Barry Sears line of Zone books that can help us be far more healthy than we currently are. this book explains how following the zone diet and taking high dose fish oil can alleviate the inflamation (pain) and silent inflamation (the percursor to many diseases)that most of us have in our bodies. He explains how the modern American diet that is filled with high sugar foods and Omega 6 fats cause our body to be inflamed in combating the high blood sugar and lack of healthy Omega 3 fats.Eventually this inflamation leads to many health problems, high blood pressure, Parkinson's,Alheimer's, strokes, type 2 diabetes and many more. Follow his guidelines and you will live longer and be much more healthy and pain free. I lost 50 pounds on the Zone diet 8 years ago and it is a healthy diet you can easily live with.

Thank you Dr. Sears for all the lipid research that you have done in the past 30 years.

In December 2007 the week between Christmas and New Year's, I woke up one morning and couldn't get myself out of bed. I ached all over and couldn't move my body, it was something that I had never experienced. In Feb. of 2008, I went to a rheumatologist and he confirmed my worst fears. I had osteo-arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. The doctor wanted to immediately put me on prednisone. I said that I would wait and see how the Celebrex would work. A few months later, I caved in and said yes, because I was in so much pain.

I am now going to so many doctors, my days off are filled with appointments.

In his book Dr. Sears gives us pain sufferers information that the medical community is not aware of. That food can make a difference in this type of disease, as well as others. I am a 14 year breast cancer survivor and just went through 3 gruesome months of tests etc., all came out negative.

After reading "The Anti-Inflammation Zone, I was so excited to start the program. I am very overweight and this Zone Diet is very easy to follow. I have everything to gain by following this Zone diet. Diet is a greek word that means "Way of Life". I truly understand that this is a new beginning for me.

On my next appointment to my rheumatologist, I will bring in the book and tell him that I have already lost weight and I feel better already after only 10 days. I know that if I weigh less, I will not have as much pain because I will have less fat to carry.

I also do swimming 3 to 4x a week. This helps allot with my mobility, I also see a acupuncture once a week and meditate every day for at least 20 minutes. I have taken a 10 week pain management course and that has helped.

Dr. Sears focuses on 1 main ingredient in the Zone diet and that is fish oil, Omega 3. I have been taking these for quite a few years from another company but have switched to Dr. Sears formula in the liquid form. I want the best refined Omega 3 fish oil that is out there.

I am know reading "Toxic Fat", also by Dr. Sears.Toxic Fat: When Good Fat Turns Bad I will do a review when I am done.

If you think that the ultrarefined fish oil products sold by Barry Sears' affiliated company may be very overpriced, at the end of this review I'll give two sources which you may find are equally certified quality and are certainly half the price or less.

First, there's a reason I gave this book only one star rating.

In Barry Sears' Zone program there is far too much protein food.

I'll suggest where to look for scientific, authoritative sources

that support this view.

Let me summarize my current perspective on this Zone book by

Barry Sears. I agree with some of the comments by the earlier

reviewer, "Longtimelifter", to the effect that Sears pulls together various topics of cutting edge information, such as caloric restriction, limited amounts of saturated fats, etc., and blends it into a usable, realistic program. I disagree with the reviewers positive assessment to the extent of two major elements in the Zone program that have real potential for negative impact.

Sears' program in terms of protein intake and caloric intake is contradictory to accepted studies on nutrition, diet, and health.

The most important element is the quantity of protein Sears recommends. The second element is the low total calorie intake,

with a very low percentage of calories from carbohydrate foods,

without regard to one's body type and activity level.

I know studies have shown recently that there's value in certain

kinds of calorie restriction, but I think it's important that one get enough essential nutrients from food and supplements. One should not be eating an excessive amount of protein in the process. I think you would find in the bibliography of the Zone

book no specific references supporting the protein in large amounts and frequencies that Sears recommends.

I think that the primary unhealthy effect of Barry Sears' Zone program is that it leads people to eat more protein, and usually more meat, than is good for them. After reading this book last November, I started buying chicken regularly. I had been mostly vegetarian, with dairy products and fish also. Then I happened to read an Amazon reviewer who named two books of major impact.

One was by an author whose earlier book I liked, so I got his newer one from the library, "The Food Revolution".

John Robbins examines, in one chapter, the diet plans of three well-known authors, Dr. Robert Atkins, Barry Sears, PhD, and Peter J. D'adamo. The other two authors are even more erroneous than Sears in contradicting the evidence of scientific studies, Atkins because of an even more extreme ratio of protein to carbohydrate foods.

Robbins book has many numbered footnotes which give the exact source for what he says or quotes in a particular sentence. He points out that Sears has never published an article in any peer-reviewd journal. That's OK in itself, but Sears has a couple of invalid items in his book that are troublesome.

The several strange, unfounded elements in Sears' program are examined in the six pages of Robbins' commentary. He says on page 68, "Sears also seems to have an odd obsession with precise protein consumption. "My daily protein requirement,' he says, 'calculates to be 100 grams. If I eat any less than that amount,

I'll be protein malnourished. If I eat more than 100 grams of protein, that will be too much'"

On page 70 of Robbins book, some of the items under the heading

"What We Know" are:

U. S. Recommneded Dietary Allowance for adult protein intake: 10 percent of total calories.

World Health Organization international guidelines for optimum

protein intake: 10 to 15 percent of calories.

Barry Sears recommended protein intake: 30 percent of total calories.

For lower prices on quality "molecularly refined" fish oil I have turned to Life Extension Foundation and to Vitacost.com. The former source has at least one of its batches listed on the IFOS

program website recommneded in Sears' book.

For others authors on the subject of inflammation syndrome, diet

and health, at least one of them a peer-reviewed author of relevant scientific articles, I suggest:

Inflammation Cure, by William Joel Meggs, M.D. and

Inflammation Nation, by Floyd H. Chilton, PhD.