Photo courtesy of Betacells

In modern society we have a tendency to look for quick fixes for most of our health problems. And we almost always try to fix them by taking pills.

Many medical conditions do require the use of medication. But prescriptions may have negative side effects and cost a lot of money.

There are some conditions for which medicine can be delayed or even withdrawn if lifestyle changes are undertaken. As recently demonstrated from an Iowa Avenue member and fellow blogger, Andrew is getting fit, who has significantly lowered his cholesterol levels with a robust exercise program and change in his diet.

Below is a list of seven common conditions that can be greatly improved or totally managed without the used of medications:

Arthritis : There’s a good chance that losing weight will make arthritis less painful. Combine weight loss with exercise and you may have less pain and more mobility. Even for those who don’t need to lose weight, exercise that doesn’t put “load” on the joints reduces pain.

Cholesterol : Your LDL level may drop by 5% or so if you keep foods high in saturated fat off the menu. Additional soluble fiber may reduce LDL levels as well. So can margarines fortified with sterols.

Cognitive decline : Memory training and other “brain exercises” seem to help healthy older people stay sharp. But physical exercise may benefit the brain more than mental gymnastics.

Depression : Studies have shown that regular physical activity can have a potent antidepressant effect.

Diabetes : Regular physical activity is a powerful brake on blood sugar levels as well, because exercised muscle becomes more receptive to the insulin that helps it pull sugar in from the bloodstream. Eating fewer sweets and easy-to-digest carbohydrates also helps control blood sugar levels.

High blood pressure : Losing weight, getting more exercise, and eating less sodium all lower blood pressure.

Osteoporosis : Weight-bearing exercise puts stress on bones, and bone tissue reacts by getting stronger and denser, fending off osteoporotic processes. Extra vitamin D and calcium top the list of dietary recommendations.

Source: April 2008 issue of the Harvard Health Letter

Do you think you can manage these conditions with just lifestyle changes? Are you up to the challenge?

For many of us, who do not have any of these conditions, making the necessary lifestyle changes helps us to prevent contracting them in the first place.

To coin an old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

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