Dr. Barry Sears

Is there any value in calorie counting? Yes, as excess calorie intake will lead to excess accumulation of body fat. However, the balance of those calories is even more important because of their hormonal consequences. #zoneliving

Frozen vegetables have greater nutrient density than raw veggies since they are frozen right the at the time of picking. Furthermore, more frozen vegetables have a greater shelf life in the freezer than will raw vegetables in the refrigerator. #zoneliving

Meat is a key part of many low-carb diets and as a way to prevent metabolic diseases. How can you balance the benefits with the negatives? One way is to only consume low-fat red meat. #zoneliving

What about processed meats? Processed meats contain preservatives such as nitrates and nitrites to improve their shelf life. These can have inflammatory consequences so they should be avoided. #zoneliving

Why did the public turn against GMOs? It is not the genetic engineering per se, the potential consequences of using genetic engineering to create more pesticide residues on the food and the unintended consequences of those increased pesticide residues on gut health. #zoneliving

With "GMO-free" appearing as the latest marketing buzzword, please clear up the myths and explain the science. What do we know about GE food and health? We have been doing genetic engineering on foods for the past 10,000 years by cross-breeding. The result has been positive.

How does alcohol disturbs one's exercise or training routines? Alcohol is a toxin that must be metabolized to prevent significant tissue damage. Alcohol can also induce a leaky gut that increases the inflammatory load on the body. #zoneliving

How do people get addicted to food? Food can hijack the dopamine reward system. As with an addictive behavior, you have to adjust your lifestyle to avoid those dopamine triggers. #zoneliving

Can people really get addicted to food? Yes. Food can affect the hedonic pathways in the brain to set up addiction behavior. #zoneliving

What are the FOMAP takeaways? It is not clear if one is throwing out the baby with bath water as those following a low FODMAP diet have a lower diversity of microbes in the gut as a consequence of the diet and that will lead to future gut problems as a leaky gut. #zoneliving

What are the FOMAP supposed benefits and why/how those benefits happen? Gut health should improve because the reduction of excess fermentation of the FODMAPs. #zoneliving

How does FODMAP work? You consume a diet low in FODMAPS. It is a very restrictive diet. #zoneliving

What foods are allowed and not allowed? Foods high in FODMAPs include FOOD sources rich in polymers of fructose and galactose. Unfortunately this group includes some of the best carbohydrate sources in terms of general health. #zoneliving

Explain what FODMAPs are (Fermentable, Olgio-, Di-, Monosacharides and Poly alchols)?. Lactose is a FODMAP and 65% of the world's population is lactose-intolerate. Removing FODMAPs from the diet significantly decreases gastric problem. #zoneliving

The problems with soy protein are excess isoflavones that can inhibit thyroid action and phytates that can inhibit the mineral absorption. The isoflavones can be reduced by alcohol washing of the soy protein isolate, but there isn't much you can do about the phytates. #zoneliving

The biggest myth is that cancer is a genetic disease. It's better understood as a metabolic disease. It is true that there are mutations in cancer cells, but the primary cause of those mutations is the increased free radical production by damaged mitochondria in the cancer cell.

Do gluten-free products have an adverse effect? Using gluten-free products will have an adverse effect because they have a higher glycemic load and even lower fermentable fiber necessary to rebuild a healthy gut barrier. #zoneliving

What is the relationship between gluten and pain? There is no direct relationship of gluten to any type of pain. All food allergies are a consequence of a leaky gut. #zoneliving

The primary cause of mood and anxiety disorders appears to be related to three dietary items - what is the third one? Inability to maintain stable blood sugar levels to prevent the increased secretion of cortisol that can cause depression. #zoneliving

What is the second cause of mood and anxiety disorders? Lack of adequate fermentable fiber in the diet that alters the gut-brain communication. #zoneliving