"I Don’t Want to Take Pills: Let’s Talk About Lifestyle"
As a family doctor, I hear this a lot from patients: “I don’t want to take pills.” The good news? For many chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
Yet, many patients, especially those who belong to minority groups lean on a vague understanding of what lifestyle medicine really is. Many minority communities rely on herbal treatments passed down through generations to treat diseases such as garlic, ginger, and other herbs to manage diabetes and hypertension. As a physician who was raised in the Caribbean, I am familiar with the preference for bush teas and exotic fruits to manage illnesses rather than taking pills.
Yet, for many, especially in minority communities, there's a vague understanding of lifestyle medicine. For example:
How much protein should one be eating in a day?
What is fiber and how much should I be eating in a day?
What is whole foods vs. enriched foods?
How much exercise should I be getting and what type of exercises are good for certain conditions?
What are some basic lifestyle rhythms that one should have in place on a day to day to manage your weight?
What is the difference between tolerable vs. toxic stress?
These questions and more will be further discussed and highlighted on this platform as I seek to empower minority health and well-being.
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Let’s stay connected and I look forward to embarking on this journey with you!
Come get healthy with me!
