The Power of Positive Living

The United States possesses some of the most advanced medical technology in the world, and health care spending in our country far outpaces that of other wealthy nations. Why, then, do we not fare better in the rankings for life expectancy, infant mortality, and other key measures of a population’s health? Why does the prevalence of obesity/overweight approach 75 percent, when we have access to a wide variety of food options?

Proponents of lifestyle medicine would suggest that we have lost sight of some basic, common-sense principles for overall health and become excessively reliant on medications and more accustomed to living with chronic conditions.

“We have one of the largest and best health care systems in the world; yet as time has progressed, there is a disconnect,” observes Latia Ilyadis, DO, an internal medicine physician and pediatrician, who founded Island Health Concierge Medicine in Vero Beach out of a desire to offer a more personalized and holistic approach to primary care.

“Things are not working for the general population,” she says. “We’re seeing more patients who are sicker. We have many drugs that can help, but if you’re taking one medication to combat the symptoms of another, is it really helping?”

In addition to overmedicating and sometimes misdiagnosing patients, our current health care model often requires patients to wait longer to be seen, says Ilyadis. “When you have a primary care doctor who says you have to wait three months to be seen, that’s a problem.” When you finally get an appointment, she adds, there’s a waiting room full of people and your visit is limited in time. “It’s not that they’re bad doctors; it’s just that they are trapped in a system with an overwhelming workload that’s not sustainable.”

When physicians spend time building relationships with patients, Ilyadis points out, very often they can get to the root of their health problems. “Are they not eating well? Do they have a sedentary lifestyle? Do they work 80 hours a week and come home and take care of kids? Do they manage stress with alcohol or other substances? Are they out of touch with family members or friends because they’ve moved away? These are the things we should have conversations about. I try to help them become aware of the little things they can do for themselves to live longer with more vitality.”

Health care should focus on the prevention, management, and reversal of chronic disease, say Ilyadis and other proponents of lifestyle medicine, a rapidly growing specialty that prioritizes sustained, evidence-based changes in daily living to achieve better overall health. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine, founded in 2004, has nearly 14,000 members and more than 8,000 lifestyle medicine–certified clinicians worldwide, many of whom serve in leadership positions at national and global health organizations.

Lifestyle medicine empowers individuals to optimize their health and longevity by paying attention to six interconnected pillars that play a role in our physical and mental health: nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and social connections.

Food is medicine, contend lifestyle medicine advocates. “Overly processed foods are killing us,” Ilyadis says. “The optimal diet is one that is a well-balanced mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.” Studies show that fiber-filled, nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and support cardiovascular and metabolic function.

Ilyadis begins conversations about healthy eating with her pediatric patients, asking toddlers to pick out healthful fruits and vegetables from a basket of toy food items or to color a fruit of the day. She speaks with parents about why it’s important for children to eat well and be physically active, even in the summer.

Physical activity guidelines, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. They should also engage in muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity two or more days a week. The guidelines indicate that even more health benefits can be gained by being active at least five hours per week.

A good night’s sleep is essential for recharging the mind and body. Aim for at least seven to nine hours per night to strengthen the pathways of brain cells, repair cells and tissue, create cytokines that help the immune system fight infection, and produce hormones that regulate appetite, energy, and weight control.

Minimizing stress is also a key element of overall health, since chronic stress increases inflammation and reduces the body’s immunity to illness. But a certain amount of stress is inevitable in life, so it is important to choose positive, healthy means of mitigating it.

It’s well documented that maintaining relationships with others who bring meaning to our lives contributes to better physical and emotional health. As families become more spread apart and more people work from home and shop online, it’s important to bring that sense of community back, Ilyadis points out. If you live alone, maintain relationships with distant family members, cultivate friendships with others, and get out and talk to shop owners, she says.

Can your lifestyle put you on a path to better health? A wide body of research and several of Ilyadis’ patients suggest it can. In a study of 23,000 participants, those who adhered to four simple recommendations—no tobacco use, 30 minutes of exercise five times per week, maintaining a BMI of less than 30 kg/m2, and eating a healthful diet—saw a 78 percent decrease in their risk of developing a chronic condition during an eight-year time frame. They also reduced their risk of diabetes by 93 percent, heart attack by 81 percent, and cancer by 36 percent.

A study of more than 60,000 North Americans revealed that those eating no animal products at all (vegans) had the lowest diabetes prevalence overall, at 2.9 percent. In another study of 232 diabetic patients who were placed on a plant-based diet during a residential dietary intervention program, over 90 percent were able to decrease or discontinue their diabetes medications in seven days, while improving or maintaining their A1C levels.

Jacqueline, a part-time Vero Beach resident, began seeing Dr. Ilyadis after watching her husband reduce his dangerously high cholesterol levels through lifestyle modification rather than medication. “My blood pressure was so high my doctor in Pennsylvania said, ‘You need to go on blood pressure medication or start writing your will!’”

“I was skeptical at first, but Dr. Ilyadis explained that it’s not a diet or a major lifestyle change. It’s a lifestyle approach. She talked to me about paying more attention to my body, my activity level, and my stress level. She said, ‘I’m not trying to make you into a vegan. See what your body wants and doesn’t want.’ When I went back to Pennsylvania, my doctor was shocked. He said, ‘what are you doing?’ I not only lowered my blood pressure, I lowered my A1C level and cholesterol. I have less frequent headaches, less gastrointestinal distress, and I sleep better.”

Chad, a 47-year-old production manager from Vero Beach, was taking the drug metformin for 10 years to control his type 2 diabetes. “Dr. Ilyadis helped me with a plan. I cut out sweets, reduced carbs, and started working out. Every morning, I go to Planet Fitness and do 30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical. It gives me energy throughout the day and has helped me lose weight and sleep better. In just three months, I was off the meds just through diet and exercise.”

For 66-year-old Lisa, who lives with her 89- and 98-year-old parents, the relationship with Ilyadis is a family affair. “Having Dr. Ilyadis oversee all aspects of our health ensures that our goal for quality of life is always the priority. She finds specialists when needed and works with these physicians to plan appropriate care. She’s like an old-time doctor who’s always available.”

Hal and Mimi consider themselves relatively healthy at ages 60 and 59, respectively. Although their interaction with medical professionals is limited, they see great value in the model Ilyadis follows. “An average visit with her is at least 40 minutes,” says Hal. “We have real conversations. She truly embraces a more holistic approach to health.

“If we need to see a specialist or get blood work, the staff can make that appointment and follow up. The practice also hosts luncheons and events with wellness experts, which we enjoy attending. In our opinion, this is how our health care system should operate.”