Statistics tell us 75 per cent of our Western diseases are lifestyle related.
For some unexplainable reason, we don't always eat what we should eat, we do not always not eat what we should not eat, nor do we exercise daily.
Alterations in our routine lives (including changes in our food consumption) could, and do, add the quality years about which we dream.
With February as Heart Month, this would be a good time to consider the possibilities of enjoying a healthier, longer, more satisfying life.
Some do choose to make the changes needed to have a longer, livelier life - take Josephine Kovatch, for instance.
She and her husband, Joseph, read an advertisement in the newspaper last March promoting the "Complete Health Improvement Program" (CHIP). Because four free information sessions were offered, they decided to attend one because "what could we lose?"
"We thought we could learn something to improve our lifestyle," she explained, "we needed a change."
Josephine was afflicted with diabetes, they were pretty sedentary, and their eating habits were quite typical.
"We learned a lot," she said, "just from the information session."
Then, when the 16 CHIP sessions began, she and her husband registered and attended regularly along with 30 others.
The people who hosted the program were "friendly and accepting," according to Josephine, "and the food that was demonstrated was excellent."
After the four-week program, her diabetes levels went from 10-12 down to 5-7 and her cholesterol lowered from 7.8 to 4.02 - a 49 per cent change - from dangerous to ideal.
Besides a change in their diet, she and her husband now make sure they walk for an hour every day, and sometimes they add a swimming session. As a result, they have a lot more energy.
"They really gave us the boost that we required in order to exercise daily - when you get older, you need that," Josephine said. "We finally realized that we do need these kinds of changes to keep our bodies and minds healthy at our age."
In just 30 days, Josephine reduced her risk of heart attack by 98 per cent. For every percentage drop in cholesterol, there is a two times drop in the risk of a heart attack. So, with her 49 per cent drop times two, her heart attack risk dropped significantly. Her LDL went from 5.50 to 2.10 - a 61.8 per cent change deemed as from dangerous to ideal.
This program will be available in March for anyone who wishes to substantially lower high levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, heartburn, angina and to lessen depression. The sessions also teach how to facilitate the reversal of narrowed arteries, manage diabetes and learn to live a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Hans Diehl, the speaker in this series, has pioneered work in lifestyle medicine including research and education programs. This CHIP series creates a clear and compelling solution to the alarming personal and national health-care crisis.
Free information sessions and registration are scheduled for Feb. 15, 21, 28 and March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Kelowna Lifestyle Centre, 1130 Springfield Rd. The program begins on March 11.
For more information and reservations, call 250-764-8638 or 250-448-9526. Myself and Dwight Rose facilitate these CHIP sessions.
Dr. Larry Shipowick,
Kelowna