Most modern healthcare focuses on reactive treatment to disease by prescribing medicines that may have harmful side effects. At Foundations, we aim to prevent disease and treat present health issues with a whole body approach, which may sometimes include medicine.
By taking control of your lifestyle, you can prevent chronic disease (like diabetes or heart disease) and increase your quality of life. We focus on making recommendations that are specific to your unique lifestyle, genetics, and medical history. However, some lifestyle changes are generally recommended to most people for preventing chronic disease.
Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development of many chronic diseases. Research has found that sleep duration and quality are predictors of hemoglobin A1c levels, an important indicator of blood sugar control. Similarly, research suggests that getting enough good quality sleep might help people with type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control.
Ideally, adults should aim for about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Having a good sleep routine that promotes deep, restful sleep is key to consistently getting the rest you need. Tip: keep your bedroom cool and dark, and turn off your tech at least an hour before bed.
Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to prevent chronic disease. Being physically active has been shown to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, which can include activities like brisk walking, dancing, or biking.
A balanced diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, healthy fats, and fermented foods helps provide the nutrients your body needs to fight off disease. Include sources of omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon), and reduce the amount of saturated fats in your diet.
One of the easiest ways to prevent chronic diseases or catch them early is by regularly visiting and communicating with your doctor. At Foundations, we take your whole life into account when assessing your risk for chronic disease – from genetics and blood testing to family history and your current lifestyle habits (including topics you probably wouldn’t cover in a traditional doctor’s office). Then we can make recommendations that are tailored to your specific needs.
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