Dr. Sears’ ZoneRx Shakes – Chocolate (10 servings)

The purple color, most notable in the vanilla shakes comes from the presence of the highly purified polyphenol extract derived from the maqui berry. Maqui berry contains the highest levels of a special class of polyphenols known as delphinidins.  These are the same polyphenols that give red wine its color.

We suggest using 10oz of 2% lactose-free milk in place of water or milk alternatives even if you don’t have issues with lactose.  Many individuals may have a low-level sensitivity to lactose even if they aren’t lactose intolerant, so the complete removal of lactose can only help to improve gut health (1).

Lactose-free milk is rich in complex sugars similar to those found in human breast milk.  These complex sugars are not found in plant sources and thus provide the ideal nutrition to generate more beneficial species of bacteria in our gut.

1. Grand RJ, Montgomery RK, Chitkara DK, and Hirschhorn JN. Changing genes; losing lactase gut 52: 617–619 (2003)

Yes, the ZoneRx Shake mix is lactose-free.  The lactose found in standard whey and milk protein sources has been totally removed by ultrafiltration.  These are known as isolates because of the removal of lactose.  This is a complex process, but essential for optimal gut health.

Dr. Sears believes that individuals should consume at least 1,000 mg of polyphenols per day for wellness and athletic performance and about 1,500 mg per day for anti-aging to help with stimulation of AMP kinase*.  To get those levels, one would need to eat about 10 servings of non-starchy vegetables and fruits. Reaching those levels with food alone is difficult.  Furthermore, many of the sources rich in polyphenols either have pesticide contamination or heavy metal contamination.  For example, strawberries and spinach are good sources of polyphenols, but each is often rich in pesticides.  Cocoa powder which is the basic component of chocolate products is often rich in the heavy metal cadmium.  The polyphenols we use in the ZoneRx shakes are highly purified polyphenol extracts that have GRAS status meaning they have passed strict testing to be able to be used in food products.  Virtually no other polyphenol extract available has this designation.  Although we are the only company to list the levels of polyphenols in all of our polyphenol-enriched products, it is the type of polyphenols in those products that makes a difference.  The polyphenol extracts used in the ZoneRx Shakes is a combination of a chromatographically purified Maqui berry extract, rich in delphinidins to help support improved blood sugar control, and cadmium-free cocoa extracts that help support improved blood flow and reduction of insulin resistance.  Both of these polyphenol extracts have been supported by clinical studies (1).

1. Sears B. “Polyphenols: Novel applications in human health.”  CellR4 5:e2437 (2017)

Yes, the ZoneRx shakes are gluten-free.  Unless someone has true celiac disease, gluten should not be a concern as Dr. Sears and vast majority of the gut research community believes that individuals who are “gluten sensitive” may actually have sensitivity to FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Monosaccharides And Polyols (1).

1. Muir JG and Gibson PR. The Low FODMAP Diet for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterol Hepatol 9: 450–452 (2013)

Yes, the ZoneRx shakes are non-GMO.

The ZoneRx shakes do contain milk and soy. These come from the milk fractions that supply the protein and the soy lecithin used as an emulsifier in ZoneRx Shake.  The whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate used the ZoneRx Shake are both lactose-free.  They are more expensive, but provide a far better quality of both proteins with significantly less potential effects on gut health since lactose-free products also low in FODMAPs.

Prebiotics are the fermentable fibers essential for gut health.  The sources of prebiotics in ZoneRx come from a variety of natural fermentable fibers including guar gum, inulin, oat fiber, fructo-oligo saccharides, and a synthetic resistant starch (Fiber-Sol).  These fermentable fibers are required to supply the necessary energy and metabolites (such as short chain fatty acids) for maintenance of gut barrier integrity to help prevent a leaky gut*.  However, without adequate levels of polyphenols present at the same time, optimal gut health will not be achieved.

The cocoa extract used in ZoneRx Shakes is a highly purified to reduce heavy metals, such as cadmium, while simultaneously increasing its polyphenol content.   There is some caffeine in the cocoa polyphenol extract, but in very low concentrations, and when this is diluted in the final shake it represents far less caffeine than found in a cup of decaffeinated coffee.

ZoneRx Shakes are ideal for children as they are balanced in protein and carbohydrate, plus they contain both polyphenols and fermentable fiber (i.e. prebiotics) that promote a healthy gut. We might suggest using ½ a scoop and 5oz of lactose-free milk for small children because of their smaller size.

No. Artificial sweeteners can cause adverse changes in the microbial composition of the gut. The only sweeteners used in ZoneRx Shake are natural sweeteners such as allulose, monk fruit and stevia.

Allulose is a natural low-calorie sweetener that has a similar sweet taste to real sugar. Allulose has the same chemical formula as fructose, but it is arranged differently. Why we prefer it to fructose is that this difference in structure prevents your body from metabolizing allulose the same way as fructose, making it a low-calorie sweetener that provides more health benefits. This further improves the hormonal and appetite control of the ZoneRx Shakes to make them an even more ideal meal replacement.

Zone shakes contain soy lecithin which is exceptionally low in isoflavones and used as an emulsifier to help with texture and creaminess.