People like myself get excited and have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when witnessing the remarkable recovery of clients who have overcome the odds and either halt the progress of disease or put it into remission.
There are some really good books documenting people who recovered from the “incurables.” Whether you are reading Disease Reversal Hope, Goodbye Autoimmune Disease, or Radical Remission, these true stories are always inspirational and lend hope to many who don’t think they have a chance at ever leading a normal life.
Although the authors of these books are all vigilant in citing sources in the scientific literature, case studies do not make science. There are two instances, however, where case studies can really matter.
First, an observation of one or more people overcoming the medical odds can invite further study. Perhaps based on the person’s recovery, we can set up a randomized control trial comparing certain behaviors of the successful person to a control group that does not use the same intervention (dietary change, exercise, abstaining from a bad behavior, etc.).
The second instance where a case study is valuable is when it affirms already existing research and data. I have seen many people who fit into this second category, and one recent case is worth sharing – not just because it is inspirational, but because it proves that the data are indeed correct.
A cholesterol case study
Let’s meet Abe. He came to see me at age 36. He was severely overweight, and his biggest problem was that his cholesterol – particularly his LDL (“bad”) cholesterol – was extremely high, especially for such a young person. At a recent visit to his family doctor, he was told that he had two to three months to fix his issues with lifestyle or he would have to take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. He made an appointment to come to me for an intake session. That was two years ago. Before we hear about his remarkable turnaround, a little bit about cholesterol.
Cholesterol is something essential that we must have. It aids in the production of hormones that perform vital duties to help the body function properly. Without it, there would be problems with weight, intimacy, digestion, bone health, and mental status. In addition, cholesterol is used to help the liver create bile, which aids us in digesting the food we eat.
Cholesterol is also a component of cells; it provides a protective barrier. When the amount of cholesterol increases or decreases, the cells are affected. This change can affect our ability to metabolize and produce energy, and can have a negative effect on digestion. Cholesterol is also involved in the production of vitamin D. Most importantly, excess cholesterol, when oxidized, is dangerous and can contribute to heart attacks and strokes.
The problems arise when we produce too much cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol. High LDL is considered a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Since 1987, the common treatment for high cholesterol has been a statin drug, which definitely lowers cholesterol. More than 100 million Americans are currently taking statins, which are the most prescribed drugs in the world.
So, should we all just start taking them at age 45 or so? No. Like all medications, they come with baggage. Statins raise HbA1c (sugar) in nearly 10% of the population. They can give you type 2 diabetes. They can also cause muscle pain, fatigue, and headaches. But when they are needed, they need to be taken.
We no longer have a specific target for LDL – the lower the better is the thinking today in medicine, particularly after a cardiovascular event. But is a statin the only way to lower cholesterol? For many people, a change in lifestyle can do the trick.
A journey to better health
Back to Abe.
Abe came to me weighing more than 111 kilograms (244 lbs.). His overall cholesterol was 266, his LDL was a dangerous 176, and his triglycerides were 226. So, we got to work. He learned what healthy eating really is, he started to work on his sleeping habits, and he began to exercise. Besides daily biking or walking, he enrolled in my personal training program, and his exercise became more intense and well-rounded.
Last month marked two years since Abe began his journey to better health. I suggested he get an updated blood test, and the results are astounding.
Abe has lost 35 kilos, which is about 77 pounds. He did it without being hungry; he simply switched the foods he ate. His overall cholesterol dropped 124 points and, more importantly, his LDL dropped by 90 points and his triglycerides dropped 160 points. He looks amazing and feels amazing.
Yes, this is an inspiring story of someone who took control of his health and his life. But just as important, it is further validation of the countless studies we have showing the power that lifestyle changes have on our well-being. As useful as medication is, no pill is going to have the same effect as an overhaul of our health behaviors.
When eating to lower his cholesterol, Abe also increased the odds of not getting other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, most cancers, and even many autoimmune diseases. Whether you look at epidemiology such as in The China Study, or randomized control trials like the Ornish Heart Study, along with thousands of other studies, the evidence on lifestyle to both prevent and reverse disease is incredibly compelling. For those who do indeed need medications, they all work much better when coupled with good health habits.
So, just like Abe, eating a plant-prominent whole-food diet, getting good sleep, exercising regularly, refraining from substances such as cigarettes and alcohol, maintaining good social connections, and keeping stress in check will “add hours to your days, days to your years, and years to your lives.”
The writer is a wellness coach and personal trainer with more than 25 years of professional experience. He is a graduate of the eCornell University certificate course on plant-based nutrition, a member of the International Council of the True Health Initiative and the board of Kosher Plant Based, and is director of The Wellness Clinic.