The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Zone (Regan)) [Paperback]

Barry Sears (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 13, 2005 | Series: Zone (Regan)

Combat silent inflammation -- the most serious health threat you never heard of

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans.
Cancer is the #1 fear of Americans.
Dementia is the #1 concern of Americans.

What do these devastating illnesses have in common? All three have been linked to silent inflammation, a condition that occurs when the body's natural immune response goes awry. Silent inflammation attacks the heart, arteries, and even the brain -- and you will not even know it. Obesity is the primary cause of silent inflammation and excess body fat is causing today's epidemic rise in countless health threats.

Now Dr. Barry Sears shows you how to combat silent inflammation in this comprehensive guide. His research shows that following the Zone dietary plan, including supplements of ultrarefined fish oil concentrates, is the best way to ensure the future of your health. You can reduce your risk of each disease and condition, or reverse silent inflammation if you have it already -- in only thirty days. The Anti-Inflammation Zone includes a week of Zone meals, exercises that you can do at home, and tools and tests for determining your level of silent inflammation. Follow this plan and enjoy these benefits:

• Better health
• Greater longevity
• Reduced symptoms of chronic diseases
• Improved emotional control
• Greater mental acuity
• Improved physical performance

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Barry Sears is recognized as one of the world's leading medical researchers on the hormonal effects of food. He is the author of the number one New York Times bestseller The Zone as well as Mastering the Zone, Zone-Perfect Meals in Minutes, Zone Food Blocks, A Week in the Zone, The Age-Free Zone, The Top 100 Zone Foods, The Soy Zone, The Omega Rx Zone, Zone Meals in Seconds, and What to Eat in the Zone. His books have sold more than five million copies and have been translated into twenty-two languages in forty countries. He continues his research on the inflammatory process as the president of the nonprofit Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The father of two grown daughters, he lives in Swampscott, Massachusetts, with his wife, Lynn.

From AudioFile

The initiator of much public discussion about blood chemistry and chronic disease, Dr. Sears explains the importance of sub-clinical levels of inflammation in joints, tissues, and blood vessels. Inflammation is the number one cause of most diseases and much of the pain of old age--both of which are preventable with attention to how eating patterns influence the ebb and flow of hormones in the body. As in his previous audios, the author's resonant voice is upbeat, making his ideas difficult to put aside, especially if you're over 50 and not feeling so good. His lesson makes proper eating sound so easy that most listeners will wonder why they're ignoring this advice. T.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060834145
• ISBN-13: 978-0060834142
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.2 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Pathology > Diseases

More About the Author

Barry Sears is a pioneer in biotechnology, specialising in the human body's hormonal responses to different types of diet. He has based his work on Nobel Prize-winning research as well as his own unique research, to create a simple dietary plan that has changed lives. A widely published scientist and researcher, he is President of the biotechnology firm Eicotech and is the bestselling author of The Zone books.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 104 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing March 1, 2005

By hawkeyestc

Format:Hardcover

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".

131 of 143 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars There are some good ideas in this book, but Sears' sloppy argumentation is a burden on the reader August 28, 2007

By ninjasuperstar

Format:Paperback

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.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have Arthritis- Read this Book February 25, 2008

By Janet W. Jesse

Format:Paperback

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.