| |
| |
| The Isometric Diet and Balanced Health
The concept isometric has been a part of the health care vocabulary for decades. The most common application of the term, until now, has been with respect to physical exercise. Taken from the Greek root word Iso, meaning equal, the familiar term Isometric exercises involves applying equal weight to achieve strength goals. Fairly recently, health researchers have discovered another innovative application of the isometric concept in the health care field: nutrition. These researchers have identified that an isometric approach to diet - a.k.a. the "Isometric Diet" -- can lead to health improvement. The Isometric Diet®, which provides the philosophical basis for the Zone Diet, has swiftly gained respect from the health and nutrition community because it applies this clear "balance" lens to the rather confused, often misinformed world of dieting. Created by Dan Duchaine in the mid 90s, and evolved by researchers such as Dr. Barry Sears (founder of the Zone Diet?), the Isometric Diet is an eating regimen that calls for a balanced ratio of protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. The balanced ratio is the result of an overall awareness that the human body does not necessarily desire, or require, all kinds of micronutrients in all situations. While carbohydrates, proteins, and fats do provide the essential building blocks of human life, not all sources of each are optimal in all situations. The Isometric Diet therefore takes a holistic approach to eating, and incorporates both macronutrient and micronutrient sources of energy. This goes beyond simply balancing proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Instead, an optimal balance is achieved on a deeper level one that leads to optimal body functioning, normalized blood-glucose levels, a controlled metabolism, and a healthy satiating of hunger. This optimal balance, and particularly the point about healthily satiating hunger, is in stark contrast to some "fad diets", which seek to artificially suppress hunger. This potentially dangerous suppression often forces eaters to experience a weakened immune system, bone density loss, and other adverse consequences of malnutrition. The Isometric Diet is founded upon five integrated principles: balance protein diversity unsaturated fats low glycemic carbohydrates and awareness of food priority. Principle One: Balance. The Isometric Diet recognizes the fact that the human body functions optimally when it is fueled by a balanced micronutrient ratio of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.[i] The optimal ratio for these three is 1:1:1, or the same number of calories from proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Principle Two: Protein Diversity. The human body responds differently to different sources of protein.[ii] For example, a post-exercise meal that consists of quick-assimilating whey protein will have a more beneficial health impact than an intake of caseinate or soy protein. The Isometric Diet therefore promotes a blend of protein intake to seek an amino acid balance, and to select the most appropriate assimilation rate for optimal health. Principle Three: Unsaturated Fats and MCT's. The Isometric Diet recognizes that the human body processes saturated fats differently from mono- and polyunsaturated fats.[iii] Furthermore, the diet exploits the fact that there are some fats, called Medium Chain Triglycerides or "MCTs", which are shorter chains of 8-10 fatty acids. These MCT chains are shorter, absorb quickly, and digest very easily. The end result is a more efficient digestive system and better results through less effort.[iv] Principle Four: Low Glycemic Carbohydrates. Healthy eaters are swiftly adopting the Isometric Diet's promotion of carbohydrates that do not cause the blood-sugar to rise. Dieters can therefore use the "glycemic index" (GI) as an intelligent way to measure the body's insulin response to a given food and to monitor the intake of "good" carbohydrates.[v] Principle Five: Awareness of Food Priority. The Isometric Diet is aware that there are naturally occurring micronutrients found in food that supplements, typically, cannot engineer. As such, the Isometric Diet does not propose an eating regimen that regularly replaces food with supplements. Rather, a controlled diet that is fortified by scientifically designed supplements is most effective.[vi] This is particularly important in a very fast paced world where eating a complete meal can be quite a challenge. In such cases, the Isometric Diet approves of the supportive value of supplements - provided that such supplements are created in light of the above four principles. One such supplement that has been engineered within the framework of these principles, and that is receiving positive acclaim in the health care field, is called Isometric®, created by Pennsylvania-based Protica, Inc. So named to reflect its balanced composition and support of the Isometric Diet principles, Isometric is a third-generation supplement that provides a complete spectrum of macro- and micronutrients. Of greater importance to most health-conscious eaters, however, is Isometric's balanced micronutrient breakdown. Each all-natural 3-fluid-ounce serving - which can be responsibly used as a meal replacement -- delivers 25 grams of low-glycemic carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein, and 10 grams of unsaturated, highly-bioavailable essential fatty acids. Of added value to dieters is Isometric's? modest 300-calories per serving. The path to perfect eating balance is an evolving one. The more information that nutritional science uncovers, the more effective shall be the resulting eating regimen. However, regardless of what innovations lay ahead, one principle will remain constant: the human body craves equilibrium, and it achieves optimal health through a holistic balance of micronutrients and macronutrients. Enabling that balance today is the Isometric Diet, and more recently, Isometric from Protica, Inc. About Protica Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com. References [i] Source: "Balancing Fats, Proteins, and Carbohydrates". About Network. http://nutrition.about.com/od/recipesmenus/a/balanceddiet.htm [ii] Source: "Picking Your Protein". C-Health http://chealth.canoe.ca/columns.asp?columnistid=9&articleid=10798 [iii] Source: "Best Diet for a Healthy Heart". WebMD. http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/54/65205.htm [iv] Source: "MCT: Do They Really Make it Easier to Lose Weight?". http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/mct.htm. [v] Source: "Study Shows Benefit from "Good-" Carb Diet". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6567344/ [vi] Source: "Dietary Supplements No Substitute for Proper Diet". CNN. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/diet.fitness/09/05/diet.cancer.ap/ Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Constipation Cures Exposed! If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking for some answers to bring relief. Treatments for constipation vary with the type of constipation from which you're suffering. Bye Bye Holidays and Holiday Eating Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and relaxing mix of Holiday eventfulness or lack thereof. Whatever it was that you did, that it most suited your moods and needs. How To Get Fit And Slash Your Health Insurance Costs Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of this article. I want you to get so healthy, you'll never need to make a health insurance claim. What You Eat Can Protect Your Skin from the Sun (ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all of the health reasons there are for eating your vegetables. But recently, researchers from Harvard University have announced that lutein -- a potent antioxidant found in such dark green, leafy vegetables as spinach and kale -- may protect the skin from sun damage. Chew Your Food I am going to share with you possibly the most important piece of advice you will ever receive about nutrition. This piece of advice is not about supplementation. Buying Organic Produce: 6 Tips on How to Shop Wisely and Save Money Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due to higher cost and less availability. Here are a few ways to make organics more affordable and easier to purchase for your family. The Best Way to Consume Vitamin C Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is that right? Probably yes because orange is rich with this nutrient. Vitamin C is a very essential nutrient for human body because its play a great role as a powerful antioxidant. Fasting & Enemas...For A Clean Body Detox A hundred years ago, life was very different here on earth. The air was cleaner and the earth was rich in nutrients. Ayurvedic Nutrition: Let Your Food Be Your Medicine It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has become overlooked in the modern health care system, and how in the name of convenience our fast paced society has given way to fast foods, microwaves, quick fix medicines, and eating on the run. Fortunately, there is a growing focus in the important role that nutrition plays in maintaining good health. 6 Power Foods For Your Heart Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Traditionally, a low fat diet has been the prescription for heart health which causes many people to shrink away. A Diet Deficiency Today is a Clinical Event Tomorrow For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance in our lives, this statement makes all too much sense doesn't it?Today, six out of the top ten causes of death are diet related and chronic degenerative diseases afflict over 120 million Americans. Cancer has moved from the eighth leading cause of death to number two, even after Richard Nixon's "War on Cancer" spent thirty billion dollars attempting to find a cure. Using Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right quantities can prevent or relieve constipation. They can support the health of your colon and keep you regular. The Truth About the Meat You Eat There are so many topics to discuss which affect our health that it is hard to choose just one at a time. My motto is Unhealthy Soil = Unhealthy Plants and Animals = Unhealthy People. Lesser of Two Evils: Splenda or Equal? While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar," one competitor argues that this statement is nothing short of false advertising.In fact, this rival, Equal manufacturer Merisant Co. There is No Miracle Cure for Arthritis, but Improving Your Diet can Help Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't have to tell you how bad it is. If you don't suffer from it yet, keep reading - I want to make sure you will do everything in your power to prevent yourself from getting it. How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the increasing problem of obesity in the world today. It's stored in the fat cells of the body. Prevent Constipation and Other Health Ailments with Papaya Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through your colon remains too long in your colon before traveling out of the rectum. You become aware that you are constipated if you have difficulty passing motion or take a few days to do one purge. Preventing Heart Disease: What Not To Eat About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease. Understanding Amino Acids and their Importance in Diet The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well known to nutritional scientists, and widely understood by the general population. Indeed, every bodily system is directly or indirectly supported by protein. The Joys of Being Healthy It is amazing to be able to say I am a whole, happy, healthy, loving woman. I was sick for the first 40 years of my life.
|
| © 2006 |
