The Anti-Aging Zone

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.

As a zoner for nearly 2 years, I can personally attest to Dr. Sears scientific evaluation of America's high carbohydrate - low fat diets, and the current government dietary pyramid scheme. His latest book describes the hormone system and how sustained high insulin levels accelerate aging. This book explains in great detail how Dr. Sears, through the empirical results of his own studies and research of others, formulated the "Zone Diet". This book should give those who believe in the current wisdom of high carbohydrate - low fat diets pause. The book is not an easy read, but given the complexity of his subject I don't see how it could be more simply written. Just do like I did; read it twice.

I'm 35 and bought a copy of the Anti-Aging Zone for my parents. They loved it and I got a second copy for myself. I've always been in decent shape, but I've seen some stunning changes in the last two months. I'm about 30% stronger and considerably faster. I've lost about 12-15 lbs of fat and have gained about 5 lbs of muscle. The serious athletes among you might want to use the Zone and supplement with glutamine and creatine (both essential amino acids which are shown to increase lean/fat ratios). Dr. Klatz's book on HGH is a good companion to the Zone series. When there is a disagreement between the two, I've usually found the Zone to be more accurate.I've seen some other strange effects from being in the Zone, like grey hairs being replaced by brown ones and a marked reduction in muscle soreness after workouts. This is a great book to get for your parents, if you want them to be around for a long time. I'll be first in line for Athletes in the Zone, if Mr. Sears ever gets around to writing one.

I read Mastering The Zone and have been in the zone for about two months. The Anti-Aging Zone is more technical but provides more information on vitamins and ways to verify that you are in the zone. I was especially interested in the Harvard Medical study on heart attacks and the relationship of the Triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio. A ratio over 4 is bad news. Before starting the zone diet, my ratio was 7.6. Now, just over two months later, its below three. The goal is to have a ratio below 2. Overall, the book re-enforces the benefits of the zone diet. But if a person is just starting this diet, then I suggest Mastering The Zone or Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes as better "How To" books.