The zone diet is considered a fad diet created by a biochemist named Barry Sears. In reality it’s not a fad diet in that it is not planned to only be consumed in short periods, but rather to become the normal eating habits for a person. It is considered a low carbohydrate diet, however is more based on balancing hormones and therefore does not restrict carbohydrates as much as other low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet.

The basis of the zone diet is a ratio of calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats all of 40 to 30 to 30. Television studies have concluded that the diet can work. In fact, many of these nonscientific studies show that people gain muscle mass while losing weight on the zone diet. People included in the studies said it was very easy to stick to the zone diet as compared to other low carbohydrate diets.

The result of the zone diet and its hormone balance is the body releasing anti-inflammatory chemicals like those found in aspirin, but without side effects. Sears also pointed to heart health as a side benefit of anti-inflammatory chemicals. The zone diet also creates a state in which the body stops storing fat. If the body isn’t storing fat, it’s losing weight. Fatty acids such as omega 3 were later added in the form of supplements such as fish oil.

Sears told people who were on the zone diet to eat a piece of meat that would fit in their palm, just enough carbohydrates to avoid feeling weak, and as much non-starchy vegetables as they could stomach.

A man who once weighed 1200 pounds attributes amazing weight loss to the zone diet. He had tried every diet and even liposuction, but after 24 months on the zone diet he lost about 400 pounds. The man’s current diet consists of 2000 calories broken up into six meals per day. It includes egg white omelets, fresh salads, chicken, fish, and other healthy foods mandated by the zone diet.

Give the zone diet a try, but be careful.