Guidance on lifestyle packs a powerful punch

When it comes to good health, there’s a tendency to overemphasize genetics. Given the lure – and marketing power – of businesses like 23 and Me and Ancestry DNA, that’s understandable. DNA, however, is not destiny. When looking for the true driver of wellness, lifestyle wins hands down. In fact, studies estimate that 80% of all chronic diseases are preventable by choosing healthy lifestyle habits.

Conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and multiple types of cancer are among the most common and costly of all health conditions, but they are also preventable – with lifestyle changes. Lifestyle medicine addresses root causes of focusing on the lifestyle choices that give rise to these diseases in the first place. When implemented, lifestyle medicine can prevent, treat and even reverse these conditions.

“Lifestyle medicine is based on the six pillars of health –nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships and the avoidance of risky substances,” said Walter Wanas, LDN, RD, the director of lifestyle modification and preventive medicine at The Wright Center for Community Health.

Do you eat when you are bored, stressed, depressed or lonely? Does it comfort you when you are coping or feeling guilty about something? It is important to know a person’s relationship with food, according to Wanas, a registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist, because it is crucial in developing a patient-centered wellness plan.

“That’s why I like to add another pillar to lifestyle medicine – behavioral,” Wanas said. “I usually include this as part of a patient’s nutritional plan of care, but this really belongs in its own domain. The behavioral component is crucial in understanding one’s relationship with food.

“There are many underlying reasons people turn to food for comfort. It may be the result of a traumatic event, anxiety, depression or social isolation,” he added. “Our goal is to help a person identify the factors so they can work on establishing a healthy relationship.”

Wanas and the lifestyle medicine treatment team offer non-surgical approaches to weight management. The interprofessional team includes board-certified obesity medicine physicians, behavioral health specialists, pharmacists, community health workers and registered-licensed dietitians and nutritionists, which allows The Wright Center to develop a comprehensive integrated model for obesity and chronic disease management.

Wanas said another big part of a patient’s wellness plan is the incorporation of foods with medicinal properties. He recommends, for example, patients eat berries for polyphenols; walnuts and flax seeds for essential omega 3 fatty acid content and cruciferous vegetables that are high in phytonutrients. Wanas believes that one the biggest mistakes is limiting consumption of nutrient-dense foods in order to reduce overall caloric intake, which can lead to inadequate intake of essential nutrients.

In addition, The Wright Center for Community Health’s Geriatric Services program works “to keep seniors living their best life,” said Nicole Lipinski, RN, director of the program. The program works with collaborators in the community to connect older adults to resources and activities that help them remain safely in their own homes.

“We’ll work with their doctor, or they can choose a Wright Center doctor,” Lipinski said.

“Either way, they can meet with our social workers and community health workers to make a plan that suits their needs. Whether it’s home health, cleaning services, respite care for their family, transportation, or chronic care management, we find resources pertinent to the person.”

The Geriatric Services program offers comprehensive geriatric assessments, which address the unique health and quality-of-life needs of older adults. The assessments can be completed during a consultation with The Wright Center’s geriatric services team, while allowing patients to maintain their own primary care provider or make an appointment with a Wright Center physician.

The Wright Center also offers an Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Care program based on the UCLA model of care. The program offers a range of supportive services to improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The program offers resources while helping families and caregivers with the difficult issues that arise throughout the progression of the disease.

As the new year begins, it is important to focus on lifestyle changes that can make things better for individuals, families and caregivers. The Wright Center for Community Health’s team is ready to help people of all ages take the small steps that will yield big results in terms of health, well-being and a new you.

For more information visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. H