Cleveland Clinic: Lifestyle Modification an Effective Treatment for Certain Chronic Diseases

Changes to lifestyle, such as healthier eating habits and regular exercising, can lead to significant, measurable health improvements for patients with chronic illness, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, according to new research from Cleveland Clinic.

For their study, researchers analyzed 429 participants in Cleveland Clinic's Lifestyle 180 program, which was designed to improve quality of life for patients with 10 common chronic conditions. They examined changes in biometric measurements, such as weight, waist circumference, resting heart rate and blood pressure, and laboratory variables, such as fasting lipid panel and blood glucose.

 



At the conclusion of the study, 244 participants had biometric measurements completed and 299 had labs drawn. Individuals in the biometric group experienced a significant decrease in weight, body mass index and waist circumference. Those who had labs drawn saw a measurable decrease in glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and other variables. In addition, this group also saw a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein, the so-called "good" cholesterol.

Researchers found that as biometric and laboratory values improved, prescription medication needs decreased in a three to one ratio.

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