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.
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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