Q: Hi, I'm 450 pounds at 34 years old. I was diagnosed recently with PCOS/insulin resistance, and along with that I also have Sjogren's disease and osteo-arthritis all diagnosed this year. I'm wondering what the best way is to get started with the Zone, if I should actually do the blocks or if I should do the divided plate method. And will the Zone help the PCOS. I fear having gastric bypass but don't know if any diet will get that much weight off. Any advice would be appreciated.
A: The Zone Diet was developed for reducing insulin resistance, which is the underlying cause of PCOS. The other conditions that you are experiencing are a consequence of the increased inflammation coming from elevated levels of insulin and its impact on increasing arachidonic acid formation. I would suggest starting with about 7.5 grams of EPA and DHA per day to reduce the inflammation and then using the hand-eye (divided plate) method initially to start the Zone Diet. The insulin resistance will be significantly reduced within 30 days. The fat loss will take longer, but your blood chemistry will have quickly changed for the better.