What IS an Eicosanoid?
Can you name the one group of master hormones responsible for the reversal of heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and depression?
If you said: Eicosinoids, insulin, and glucagon you are correct!
Did you know there are over 100 different eicosanoids currently known? Gee, I didn’t. I don’t even remember hearing the word in vet school although we studied some of the prostaglandins. I don’t remember the word Eicosanoid.
Eicosanoids are naturally-occurring substances derived from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids including prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and epoxyeicosatrienoid acids. These eicosanoid substances act in the body as hormones turning on and off biomechanical pathways (basically telling the body what to do and when to do it in the area of pain.)
There are both good eicosanoids and bad ecosanoids. When the body is in balance or tilted towards making good eicosanoids, the body is healthier, happier, and lives longer. Bad eicosanoids are a major key to all aging processes. See for yourself how you are doing with your eicosanoids balance. If you check 3 or more boxes, your constitution would highly benefit from the Zone Diet.
Check appropriate boxes for your Eicosanoid balance:
___Daily performance decreased
___Appetite for carbohydrates is increased or unreasonable
___Length of time of appetite suppression between meals is less than 3 hrs.
___Fingernail strength or growth is weak and slow
___Hair strength is weak with split ends, hair feels rough and lusterless
___Stools do not float and there is either constipation or diarrhea
___Sleeping time is not normal (increased or not getting enough sleep)
___Grogginess upon waking
___Sense of well being is decreased
___Mental concentration is off or you experience “brain fog” throughout the day
___Fatigue is increased
___Skin condition is poor, dry, or too oily
___Flatulence is increased
___Have weight issues—either chronic or pounds gained each year as you age
___Periods of depression
___Have or have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes
___High blood pressure challenges
___High cholesterol or an increase in LDL (Bad cholesterol)
___Proteinuria (protein in the urine due to some kind of kidney disease)
___Periods of PMS (Pre Menstrual Syndrome)
Well, how did you do? If you checked more than three boxes from the above questionnaire, you will want more information about the Zone Diet. Your eicosanoid balance needs adjusting.
Eicosinoid information consolidated from Dr. Barry Sears’ book, “A Week in the Zone.” © 2000 by Regan Books www.drsears.com
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