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Sorry about the condition of the last post Effects of the Zone Diet on Body Composition, Blood Lipids, and Fuel Utilization      A summary of the research conducted by                     Marialice Kern, PhD, FACSM                                 Department of Kinesiology,                              San Francisco State University  The researcher, Marialice Kern, holds a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from  Berkeley University and a fellowship in the American College of Sports  Medicine. She currently teaches and conducts research in the department  of Kinesiology at San Francisco State University.  Approximately 30 percent of the American population is overweight, or, to  use a more precise term, over-fat (National Center of Health         Statistics)(1). Obese people are at the far end of the range of the body  composition spectrum. This increases the risk of heart disease and decreases  life expectancy in comparison with normal-weight people.(2)    A low-calorie diet is the first-choice solution for reducing excess body  fat and the health risks associated with obesity. The ideal calorie con-  trolled diet should help to reduce body fat while supporting lean body  mass, and decreasing cholesterol levels and insulin insensitivity.    Little is known about the optimal percentage of protein, carbohydrate,  and fat needed during a calorie controlled diet to achieve these goals.  Many suggest a diet made up of a high percentage of fiber-rich carbo-  hydrate, a low percentage of fat rich in mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty  acids, and adequate protein to achieve these results. (3-5) More recently,  many investigators have suggested a lower, or moderate carbohydrate  intake, a moderate fat intake, also rich in mono- and poly-unsaturated  fatty acids, with adequate protein levels to achieve the desired results.(6-14)    Dr. Kern's study set out to examine the effects of the 30/40/30 diet on  body composition, cholesterol and insulin levels, and fat utilization. Abstract   The purpose of this study was to determine if following a Zone favorable diet (30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% fat) would encourage greater fat utilization during exercise, loss of body fat, and a decline in cholesterol, and insulin levels. Methods of Study   Fifteen over-fat women (greater than 28% body fat, average age 34) were recruited to follow a Zone-favorable diet, com- prised of 30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% fat for  a period of six (6) weeks. Before the six-week trial period each participant completed a series of comparative tests to measure the following:   * Current body weight and body composition     This information was determined using seven-site skinfold     measurements and the ENVION Personal Profile Analysis.   * Current fat utilization during exercise     Participants completed randomly assigned exercise trials     using either a motor-driven treadmill or bicycle ergometer.     Maximum oxygen consumption was measured by respira-     tory exchange.   * Nutritional intake analysis/Average daily calorie intake     Participants provided 3-day dietary recall to assess pre-     program dietary habits. Data was analyzed for macro     nutrient content via Nutritionist IV (a computerized food     analysis program).   * Blood lipids (total serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol,     LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Total/HDL ratio,     TG/HDL ratio), blood glucose, and insulin levels     Participants reported to the Student Health Center on the     SFSU campus for a fasting blood draw, which was ana-     lyzed by SmithKline-Beecham.   After completion of preliminary testing, all participants received an ENVION Programmed Nutrition Personalized Meal Plan. The information in the plan was _base_d on each individ- ual's lean body mass and personal dietary choices, and included seven days of example menus. Each subject also received ENVION's BioZone meal replacement bars (enough for 2 per day), to use as snacks.   Participants followed the Programmed Nutrition plan for six weeks, then returned to the lab to repeat the same tests for com- parative analysis. Results   The average pre-program meal composition was approxi- imately 15% protein, 55%. carbohydrate, and 30% fat. During the research period, meal composition was adjusted to 30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% fat. (Fig. I) A significant decrease in total body weight and percent body fat was seen following the six-week program. Participants lost an average of 5 kilograms (9 lbs.), or 1.5 lbs. per week. There was no change in lean body mass, which indicates that all weight lost was in the form of excess body fat. Total percent body fat decreased from 36% to 32%. (Fig. 2) Results, cont.   All participants experienced greater fat utilization during mild and moderate exercise trials after following the Zone-favor- able diet. The body must use a combination of stored body fat and glucose for energy. Using stored body fat as the preferential fuel source is essential for body fat reduction.   Fat utilization was assessed by measuring the ratio of carbon dioxide (VC02) expelled to oxygen (V02) consumed during exercise. The post-program respiratory exchange figures show a ratio closer to .7.  A ratio closer to .7 indicates higher fat utiliza- tion and reduced glucose utilization. (Fig. 3)   These tests also indicated that the percent of energy being produced by fat utilization during exercise was significantly higher than pre-program test results. (Fig. 3)   Blood analysis showed insulin levels decreased dramatically while glucose levels remained unchanged. Insulin is the hor- mone that initiates the uptake and storage of energy in the forms of glucose and fat. Overproduction of insulin causes excess stor- age of energy, which can only be stored as body fat.   Glucose levels remained steady. Steady glucose levels indi- cate that the body is responding more efficiently to the insulin present in the body. (Fig. 4A, Results, cont.   Blood analysis also revealed lower levels of total serum cho- lesterol, specifically LDL, the bad cholesterol and triglyc- erides. The same test showed HDL, the good cholesterol , levels remained unchanged.  HDL acts as a beneficial magnet to remove fat from the blood and transport it to the liver where it is broken down. (Fig. 5) Conclusions    A major concern during a weight management program is the loss in lean body mass, or muscle, while reducing percent body fat. In this study no loss in lean body mass was seen. Participants consumed between 65-100 grams of protein each day. Findings indicate this level was adequate to maintain muscle mass and promote fat loss.    On the average, subjects lost approximately 9 pounds over a six-week period, all of which came from fat loss. This represents a weight loss of 1.5 lbs. per week, which is con- sidered optimal and healthy.    Program participants experienced more efficient fat uti- lization for energy during mild and moderate exercise trials.    Blood cholesterol levels were reduced. Total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels went down. HDL levels remained unchanged.    Circulating insulin levels fell, while glucose, or blood sugar, remained steady; indicating adequate energy levels were available.    The change to a 30/40/30 Zone-favorable diet - which is carbohydrate moderate and protein adequate - produced significant positive changes in overall body composition, blood parameters (cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels), and fat utilization.   The complete abstract of this study, with the results. has been published in The Physiologist, Effects of the Zone Diet on Body Composition, Blood Lipids, and Fuel Utilization: Kern, MV 30. (#5); Oct '96, pg. a-14.   The complete research, including statistics on the control group, will be published in Medicine and Science in Sport & Exercise, Effects of ENVION's 30/40/30 Zone Diet on Body Composition and Fuel Utilization: Kern, M. V28, (#5); May 1997. References  I.  National center for Health Statistics Healthy People 73(1) National Health      Promotion and Disease Prevention _object_ives DHHS Pub No (PHS) 91-501213.      Washington. DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services     1990.  2.  Hubert, H., Feinleib, M.. McNamara  P, Castelli W.    Obesity as an Independent      Risk Factor for cardiovascular Disease    A 26 year I Follow-up of Participants in the      Framingham Heart Study. Circulation 67(5):968-977  1983  3.  American Diabetes Association. Nutritional  Recommendations and Principals for Individuals       With Diabetes Mellitus. Diab Care.  14(Suppl. 2):20-27, 1991  4.  Grundy. D., Nix. D.. Whelan, M., Franklin L    Comparison of Three Cholesterol      Lowering Diets in Normolipidemic Men.  JAMA 256:2351-2355       1986.  5.  Ornish. D.. Brown. S., Scherwitz. L.,   Billings J.,  Armstrong, W., Ports, T.,      McLanahan. S.,  Kirkeeide. R., Brand, R.,    Gould, K.   Can life_style_ changes reverse      coronary heart disease'? Lancet. 336:129-133     1990  6.  Golay. A., Allaz,, A., Morel, Y., Tonnac, N.,   Tankova, S.,  Reaven, G.  Similar weight      loss with low-or high-carbohydrate diets   Am J Clin Nutr  63: l73-178. 1996.  7.  Nelson, G., Schmidt. P., Kelley, D Low Fit Dies Do Not Lower Plasma      Cholesterol Levels in Healthy Men compared to High Fat Diets with Similar Fatty      Arid Composition at Constant Caloric Intake. Lipids. 30:969-976, 1995.  8.  Hughes., V., et al.  Long Term  effects of a high-carbohydrate diet       and exercise on Insulin Action in older subjects      with impaired glucose tolerance. Am. J Clin Nutr. 62:426-433, 1995  9.  Racette. S., et al. Effects of  aerobic exercise and dietary       carbohydrates on energy expenditure and body composi-       tion during weight reduction in obese women. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61:486-494, 1995. 10.     Chen, Y. et. al.   Why Do low fat High- carbohydrate Diets       Accentuate Postprandial Lipemia. in Patients With        NIDDM?   Diab. Care. 18(1):10-16, 1995. 11.  Campbell. L., et. al. The High  Monounsaturated Fat Diet as a        Practical Alternative to NIDDM    Diab. Care. 17(3):177-182, 1994. 12.  Garg. A.. et. al. Effects of varying Carbohydrate Content Diet      in Patients with Non-insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. JAMA. 271(18):1421-      1428.   1994. 13.  Reaven, G., How High the Carbohydrate? Diabetologia.   19:409-413 1980. 14.  Zimmerman, J., et al. Effect of  Moderate Isocaloric Modification of Dietary Carbohydrate      On High Density Lipoprotein Composition and Apolipoprotein A-I Turnover in      Humans, Isr. J Med. Sci 22:95-104.1986.