Q: I have been reading your book and have an 11-year-old son who has JRA. He is very thin – 88 pounds and 5'4". Could you recommend a way to keep him in the Zone and still be able to maintain or gain weight.
Thanks, Cindy R.
Dear Cindy,
A: It’s not gaining weight as much as gaining muscle mass. The Zone Diet will supply the necessary protein levels required for muscle mass formation. I suspect it is the medication that he is taking (most likely a cortisol-type medication) that is preventing weight accumulation. I would also recommend adding at least 5 grams of EPA and DHA to his diet to help reduce the inflammation with the goal of reducing his medication levels.