The concept isometric has been a part of
health care vocabulary for decades. The most common application of term, until now, has been with respect to physical exercise. Taken from Greek root word Iso, meaning equal, familiar term Isometric exercises involves applying equal weight to achieve strength goals.Fairly recently, health researchers have discovered another innovative application of isometric concept in health care field: nutrition. These researchers have identified that an isometric approach to diet – a.k.a. “Isometric Diet” -- can lead to health improvement.
The Isometric Diet®, which provides philosophical basis for Zone Diet, has swiftly gained respect from health and nutrition community because it applies this clear “balance” lens to rather confused, often misinformed world of dieting. Created by Dan Duchaine in mid 90s, and evolved by researchers such as Dr. Barry Sears (founder of Zone Diet™), 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 result of an overall awareness that human body does not necessarily desire, or require, all kinds of micronutrients in all situations. While carbohydrates, proteins, and fats do provide 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 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 fact that 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 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 most appropriate assimilation rate for optimal health.
Principle Three: Unsaturated Fats and MCT’s. The Isometric Diet recognizes that human body processes saturated fats differently from mono- and polyunsaturated fats.[iii] Furthermore, diet exploits 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 Isometric Diet’s promotion of carbohydrates that do not cause blood-sugar to rise. Dieters can therefore use “glycemic index” (GI) as an intelligent way to measure body’s insulin response to a given food and to monitor intake of “good” carbohydrates.[v]
