The Resolution Zone

Dr Barry Sears's new book is the most comprehensive statement of his ideas in 25 years of writing books on what he calls the Zone. His central contention is the critical role of diet in controlling inflammation that underlies the emergence of chronic disease. Reaching the resolution zone is the path to healing. He expresses this in a simple equation whereby inflammation equals damage and resolution equals healing. The three key components are the Zone diet to reduce diet-induced inflammation mediated through eicosanoids, Omega-3 fatty acids to resolve residual cellular inflammation, and polyphenols to repair damaged tissue once this residual cellular inflammation is sufficiently reduced. The book explains the elements of the process very clearly, including the roles of various factors and in particular of sufficient protein intake, where the author provides a helpful chart, especially so for nonmeat eaters. There is a useful comparison with other diets, also referring back to his book on the Mediterranean diet, the last one I reviewed in these pages. Later chapters address obesity and the ageing process with advice on how to maximise one's health span. He sees the future of medicine in terms of evidence-based wellness on the basis of genetic diversity as a way of addressing chronic disease through diet and lifestyle. A series of appendices gives more technical detail, with one on using pro-resolution nutrition to control viral infections, including Covid-19. He is sceptical about the prospects for a vaccination, partly due to rapid mutation. Then at the end, there are nearly 70 pages of references. A landmark exposition.