Dr Barry Sears PhD states:
“The Zone… is a real physiological state in your body where the hormones that control silent inflammation are maintained in a zone that is not too high, but not too low. This requires treating food as if it were a drug to be taken at the right dose and at the right time. However, saying food is a drug is actually derogatory to food since your diet affects hormones that are hundreds of times more powerful than any drug. In many respects, food will be the most powerful drug you will ever take because you are using this drug at least three times a day for the rest of your life. Thus your diet can be your greatest ally or worst enemy because the hormonal rules for humans haven’t changed in the past 150,000 years, and they probably won’t change tomorrow.”
http://www.drsears.com
The hormones that Dr Sears refers to are primarily glucagon (released in response to protein), insulin (released in response to carbohydrates) and eicosanoids, hormones made from essential fatty acids.
By eating protein, carbohydrate and fat in an ideal ratio, glucagon and insulin and are balanced. By eating plenty of Omega 3 anti-inflammatory eicosanoid hormones are made.
