Eicosanoids Relating to the Zone Diet

Eicosanoids are considered “super hormones" because they affect the synthesis of virtually every other hormone in a human's body. Eicosanoids have the responsibility of maintaining the body's cellular check and balance system. Eicosanoids are controlled by the body' dietary fat and insulin. In other words, eicosanoids can be controlled if a person is consuming the correct amount of Omega-6 and Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and controlling a good hormonal balance between insulin and glucagon. Eicosanoids come from the Greek word “eicosa” which means twenty. They are twenty carbon compounds, which are powerful substances that have influence on about 60 trillion cells in our body. Eicosanoids are considered either “good” or “bad” and have opposing actions. A balance of these opposing actions means good health whereas an imbalance of these actions means disease. Decreases in insulin, loss of excess body fat, and a state of wellness, all indicate a relation of a good balance of eicosanoids, and are also all benefits of the Zone lifestyle. The Zone lifestyle is a diet created by Dr. Barry Sears, and you can read more about how to follow this diet in some of the other pages on this site. (Dr. Barry Sears, and The Zone Diet). An imbalance of eicosanoids can be cause many adverse reactions in our body including: allergies, asthma, arthritis, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, chronic infection and Alzheimer's disease. Following the Zone lifestyle involves treating food as a “drug” and supplementing with pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Doing these things will all help to ensure that a person is controlling insulin and eicosanoids, both good and bad. When both these hormones are controlled simultaneously one can enjoy the benefits of “super” health. Source: Dec. 13, 2005. . ăCopyright A-M B-WELL inc.

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