Turn to a healthier lifestyle instead of pills

I received this email from a friend and thought it was so interesting that I had to share it with you.  Basically, studies have shown that lifestyle changes that incorporate proper nutrition habits and exercise are just as effective, if not more effective, as taking medications to decrease the risks of type 2 diabetes.  Also, the number of adverse effects associated with lifestyle changes compared to medications was less.  It just goes to show that old-fashioned exercise and proper nutrition are the real "mircale pill".  Here's the email:

Lifestyle changes as effective as drugs in cutting diabetes risk

At a Glance Lifestyle changes appear to be at least as effective as medications in delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes among at-risk adults, and are associated with significantly fewer side effects according to a report published in the British Medical Journal. Read more about this study below.

A university-based controlled clinical trial recently compared the effectiveness of a portion-controlled meal replacement diet (PCD) to a standard diet (SD) based on recommendations by the American Diabetes Association. The focus of the study was to compare each diet in achieving and maintaining weight loss among obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

A recent meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal consolidated the evidence from 17 clinical trials that studied the effects of lifestyle, drugs and other methods on men and women with impaired glucose tolerance. Results showed that intervention can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals, and lifestyle changes seem to be at least as effective as drug therapy. Compared to individuals who received standard advice only, the effect of lifestyle changes resulted in a 49 percent reduction in the risk of developing diabetes. Exercise alone or exercise combined with a healthier diet was more effective than diet alone. Oral diabetic medications were also effective in delaying or preventing diabetes, but were not as effective as lifestyle changes. Orlistat, an anti-obesity drug, was also effective in reducing risk when compared to control groups.

Although both medications and lifestyle changes were effective in reducing the risk of diabetes, diet and exercise were associated with considerably fewer adverse effects than those caused by pharmaceuticals, which were typically gastrointestinal effects and reduced liver function. Since it is fundamentally a lifestyle issue, the authors had concerns about the practice of treatment with a lifelong course of medication, especially since even minor adverse effects become more significant if a medication is to be taken for life. But they also noted that compliance is generally the key when it comes to lifestyle interventions, so strategies to improve compliance need to be enhanced and put into action.

Source: BMJ 2007; 334:299 (10 February)

Thanks Lisa!

Comments

[Medical Billing Software]

This is a very nice article here.We must think out of the closet and of course lifestyle is the main key to the problem.

[Health Coaching]

It is always good to have a good and healthy lifestyle that can aid to good health.