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Summary: good scientific info but little info for vegans
Review: Info was informative and made sense but was unable to follow diet plan because I am vegetarian and do not like tofu (the main source of protein listed in the book for non-meat eaters.) I called the help line provided in the book--the staff was less than friendly and could not provide me with the info I was looking for in regard to vegan menus.
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Summary: pesudoscience
Review: This book has no scientific merits. Nutrition science (metabolic biochemistry) has been well established through vigorous experiments and peer reviews over the last few decades. And this book is a total contraditory to the established science. The author forgets that sugar (glucose)is not poison but lack of sugar is poisonous. The brain and nervous system depend exclusively on sugar energy. Furthermore, a few personal testimonies has no place in scince. Science requires hard data to support it. I believe the author's primary purpose is to make money. It is not true science.
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Summary: Sensationalistic, but don't knock it until you try it.
Review: You either love this book or hate it, it seems, but I notice that those who hate it haven't tried following its advice. Yes, there's a lot of exaggeration and the "proof" presented is far from rigorous, but if you can ignore all that and just follow the fundamentals, you'll find it works. It worked for me. Before, I was "overtraining" (ie, not recovering fully) when biking more than 75 miles per week. Following the book's advice, I went to 200+ mile weeks without any symptoms of overtraining.
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Summary: Healthy for 1 1/2 years, great
Review: This book helped me to havea new life stye of eating. I have lost weight, sleep better, have more energy and like myself. The first book is difficult to understand butworth it being read more than once to get the idea. His next two books are easier.
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Summary: Interesting "new" take on nutrition and diet
Review: In this book, Dr. Sears describes what he believes is the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrate, and fat for human nutrition. He bases this data on the balance of hormones, mainly insulin and glucagon, which determines how your body digests food and stores fat. The data seems very convincing, and the description is easy for the lay person to understand. With this balance of nutrition, the body sheds excess fat, muscles are built, and the brain runs more smoothly. He cites tests in diabetic patients, world class athletes, and average, overweight Americans. In this book and the sequel, he gives good suggestions on achieving this balance in one's diet daily in the modern world of quick meals and fast food. His conclusions are much different than the governments recommendations of low-fat high-carbohydrate diets, but the idea of balance in ones diet is appealing.
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Summary: A note on "control groups"
Review: Before I tell you how "Enter the Zone" changed my life, I have a few words for those holier-than-thou medically-educated reviewers: Get off your high horse! So what exactly do your often-cited "control groups" prove anyway? You know all too well that many "scientific" studies (with control groups included) have been contradicted by other studies with -- wouldn't you know it -- control groups. You people love to pull out the tired there's-no-control-group argument whenever someone challenges your Establishment. Besides, sometimes observation alone more than illustrates ones point. For example, do you need a scientific study (with a control group, of course) to prove that if you were to walk in front of a fast-moving car, then you'd be hurt? I hope not. Since reading this book, I now eat just as much -- and as many calories -- as I used to. I just eat way less carbs and way more protein (being Italian, I lived mainly on pasta dishes for years). I used to spend 3-4 evenings (2-3 hours each) a week at the gym because I always had a bit of a gut; now I spend about one-quarter the amount of time that I used to spend exercizing. For the first time, my energy level is consistently high and, as a result, my career has taken off AND my personal relationships have improved. An added bonus: Not only did I lose 15 pounds (I'm now totally "ripped" muscularly), but strangers now ask me if I'm a model! Not bad for a book with no "control group"...
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Summary: there's really nothing new for this "evolution"
Review: It all seems to me as a repackaging of what we have known for years. In the 60-70s, we all know cutting on carbonhydrates will result in lose weight. In the 80-90s, we all know that the fat causes the problem. The fact is that, those "science" of insulin level may or may not be right, but it's just overwhelming with the so called proof and repackage what we knew for years. Fact too, after I calculating my so called body mass measurement and calculate the the blocks I can have within a day, it's amazingly only about 500-600 kcal per day. I am eating lesser and lesser alreay, but it's not less enough to "stay in the zone". Believe me, I've tried that before, and I lost sooooooo many pounds, and then I am now a eating disorder. Years after years, there some new things comes up, some Dr. someone comes up, and tells you they know the truth and they can help you to keep it off forever and it's quick and easy solution. It's not about will-power to stay in, but the determinnation that you are about to change your entire life. Cutting all the major sources of refined carbonhydrate and go on for a low fat diet, who doesn't know it helps you to lose weight? Is that insulin really matter? I don't really think so, even you understand it, and it's true, so what? It just told you to change to a "healthy diet" (which doesn't really seem so),and that's all. Nothing of a big deal. And the charts and statistics is so funny to read, treat the reader as math idiots.
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Summary: Find out why cavemen didn't eat lasagna.
Review: Dr. Sears does push some observations off as science and the fanatical Dr. touts the Zone diet as a cure for just about everything; but it works. I lost 25 pounds in 6 months and felt great, following this diet pretty loosely- I mainly quit eating complex carbohydrates. It's a well written book. Finally gave me some understanding of what the body actually does with food, and ties together a lot of the nutrition/health studies. Also- a great reminder that we humans haven't been farmers for long. We lived just fine without pasta & bread, etc. for a million years...so the new food pyramid doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Think about it. OK...stop thinking about it- try it. It's not really so radical despite the sour grapes of other nutritionists.
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Summary: Buy it, use it - it works
Review: I was very resistant to buying a diet book. I thought that The Zone was just another silly fad book. But it's not. Is is clear reasoned advice that works. In a month I've dropped my blood pressure from 160/100 to 130/75 ! From dangerous to healthy in 4 weeks. I've also lost 15 lbs. It's easy to follow and stick to - it just takes a little more planning than you are used to. It's worth it though. Buy the book, try it for a few weeks. You'll be a convert as well.
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Summary: A simple guide for easily gainning great health
Review: Sears address's the food hormone connection in a simple directway. He presents new concepts with sound descriptions of theirfunctioning in easy to understand language, that may upset the old guard that has yet to find a solution for the common cold. From my experience in trying it I am now energized,pain free and I have lost 20 lbs. without trying to do so. Basically he says what my grandmother said...eat you meats,vegatables and some fruits with a little fat ...then he tells you why this ageless secret really works. Just remember "every new idea is hounded by a thousand angry men appointed to guard the past", when you read other reviews of this great dietary presentation, and if you want to feel great out here on the leading edge follow this simple plan.
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