Diets - 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/
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