{"id":43022,"date":"2015-08-05T11:10:50","date_gmt":"2015-08-05T16:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/?p=43022"},"modified":"2017-04-27T09:03:47","modified_gmt":"2017-04-27T14:03:47","slug":"incorporating-tlc-into-your-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/health\/incorporating-tlc-into-your-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Incorporating TLC Into Your Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been a very interesting few weeks in my office.<\/p>\n

My office staff and I get great satisfaction when we see our clients succeed in changing their health, and life around for the better.<\/p>\n

Last month, after doing a public lecture on lowering blood pressure, several individuals who attended chose to try our path to helping to lower their blood pressure and lowering their risk of potentially debilitating diseases.\u00a0 Within three weeks of changing some unhealthy behaviors, two of those individuals have already lowered their blood pressure to below average. Several individuals who started our 10 week weight loss program over the last two months are seeing great results which are helping multiple health issues they have in addition to just helping them feel better.<\/p>\n

What is the common denominator between all of these success stories? They are all accomplishing their goals with hard work and without medications.<\/p>\n

They are using TLC.<\/p>\n

When I was growing up, TLC stood for \u201ctender loving care.\u201d In today\u2019s world, the initials TLC also stand for \u201ctherapeutic lifestyle changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

This TLC is the latest term to describe medically based, structured, supportive programs to help people lower their risk and to reverse life-threatening conditions such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and heart disease.<\/p>\n

The purpose of this program is to help people improve eating habits, exercise, manage stress, quit smoking, and learn how to lead an active life style.\u00a0 Unfortunately, due to being inundated with patients and lack of time, the medical profession often ignores TLC.\u00a0 That is something that is very costly to both the patient and to the economy as a whole.\u00a0 It is much cheaper to improve your health without drugs or surgery.<\/p>\n

Dr. Neil Gordon, M.D., PhD, who is a preventive cardiologist, headed a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Cardiology<\/em>, reported the effectiveness of a 12-week community-based lifestyle management program. This particular program was geared toward people with hypertension, abnormal cholesterol, and diabetes.\u00a0 Dr. Gordon and his team found that many of the patients achieved their goals–without medication<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Specifically:<\/p>\n