The Washington Post: Dr. Ornish on Yoga, Cheeseburgers and Heart Disease
Photo Credit: Hajime Nakano, via Flickr Creative Commons
In this June 16th, 2014 feature in the Washington Post, Dr. Dean Ornish talks yoga, cheeseburgers and their effect on heart disease with reporter Suzanne Allard Levingston.
Most doctors believe that heart disease can be reversed by changing lifestyle. The skepticism is, will people do it?
Here are a few of the highlights:
Dean Ornish led the 1990 study that found that a plant-based diet, mild exercise, stress reduction and social support could reduce coronary artery blockages. The study pointed toward a rethinking of the treatment of heart disease through what was called a “diet breakthrough.” Over the years, the evidence has mounted linking these lifestyle factors to improved heart health.
Levingston goes on to ask Dr. Ornish how the medical knowledge around heart disease has evolved since the publication of the 1990 study:
I think this idea, which was once considered radical, is now mainstream. Most doctors believe that heart disease can be reversed by changing lifestyle. The skepticism is, will people do it? And we’ve shown that most people who think they can do it, if given the proper support, can do it. . . . You’re not simply trying to prevent something bad from happening, you’re trying to enhance the quality of your life right now. And if it makes you feel good, it’s sustainable.
For the full interview, click here.