Through a combination of field research claims and minimal, but convincing clinical research, he proposed that consuming meals that contained 30% of the calories in the form of fat (unsaturated, healthy fats), 30% from protein, and 40% from very low-glycemic carbohydrates was the perfect physiological way to eat. I say minimal clinical research because prior to the release of his book, there was no comparative studies done by independent sources to verify his claims. His own research linked the positive effects of his methodology to his diet, but not through impenetrable studies. Since the release of his book, however, several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the Zone in terms of body fat loss, cholesterol reduction, and related health issues, yet the interpreter still has to accept by faith that his cellular presuppositions are actually happening. These include the foundation of his theories, eicosanoid production.

Eicosanoids are a group of hormones that are involved in cellular communication throughout the body. Poor diets, according to Sears, restrict the production of "good" eicosanoids and promote the dominance of "bad" eicosanoids. Most in the nutrition industry either don't know physiology at this depth or cast doubt on whether or not Dr. Sears' methods truly change the eicosanoid balance dramatically enough to make a difference.

If you have never read his first book, Enter The Zone, it would be an excellent resource to learn about general nutrition. Whether or not you would ever chose to follow his diet exactly as prescribed, his explanations of good fat versus bad fat, the differences in carbohydrate structure, and the need for protein is right on the money. His biggest criticism has been an inability to bring nutrition down to the level of the reader in a way that he or she can jump into his diet readily. You may get bogged down in his depth, but you'll still gain a tremendous amount of knowledge. His next book, Mastering The Zone, was an attempt to answer his critics with a more usable level of information. The Anti-Aging Zone, actually does finally achieve a better presentation of his general nutritional theories and is much easier to read. Dr. Sears also expands into several key areas of health that are directly effected by nutrition. Besides several supportive books such as a collection of recipes, his only other book is The Soy Zone.

Turning to the review at hand, The Anti-Aging Zone, Dr. Sears titles Part I, Hormones and Aging. He successfully links degenerative conditions and disease processes that seem to be accelerating in humans (though medical advances should be decreasing the trends) to the changes in food consumption in this modern era. Refined starchy carbohydrates, sugar, and saturated fat, are chief culprits in poor health and disease. Sears explains the biochemical mechanisms behind such nutritional chaos. I believe this is his best explanation of the Zone to date. The later chapters in this section give the scientific evidence of his methods and begin relating them to the overall aging process.

Part II, Beginning Your Anti-Aging Zone Lifestyle Today, takes the reader from a convinced state into a practical "how-to" section. I have the advantage of working with clients one-on-one for extended periods of time either in my facility or long-distance via email and fax. It is very difficult to convey everything you want a reader to know through a book when it comes to putting the new knowledge into practice. I still find Dr. Sears' attempt at transitioning readers into an actual diet plan a little difficult. He tries to make it easy with a food exchange list and suggesting different amounts that he calls "blocks" for everyone to chose from, yet some find it confusing and I find it a little too imprecise. I agree with his physiological contentions and most of the structure that he packages the Zone diet into, but I have found that people still do much better if they have a qualified nutrition coach to guide them even if it's using the Zone. I use many principles that concur with Sears in my nutritional consulting, but each client is unique in goals and lifestyle and to be successful I have to create the best nutrition plan that will work for them as individuals. Dr. Sears is emphatic on the issues of precision at every meal and though there may in fact be biochemical substance to back him, most readers and clients would fail miserably without the allowance of flexibility on some of his points.

Part III of The Anti-Aging Zone provides deeper support for the science behind the theories. It is appropriately titled, Why The Anti-Aging Zone Lifestyle Pyramid Works. A greater understanding of hormones and why nutrition so greatly affects them will be garnered in these four chapters.

Parts IV and V wander slightly away from weight loss and general health to skirt specific aging issues. Growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen are fully explained including their roles in libido, menopause, and andropause. Other hormones, supplements, and a chapter on the mental/emotional response to nutritional changes round out the last two sections. The book concludes with recipes, example meal plans, and tips to help the reader get started.

In conclusion, I believe the reader interested in fully understanding nutrition, health, and weight loss should become familiar with Dr. Sears' work. The Anti-Aging Zone doesn't need to be read in turn behind his first two books, it stands alone as perhaps his best presentation of his theories. You may decide to follow the Zone plan to the letter or you may integrate some of the obvious truths necessary to be healthy and control your weight. Whatever you do with the information, reading The Anti-Aging Zone will leave you much more educated and with new convictions regarding your health.