“For the last 40 years I’ve directed a series of studies showing how powerful changes in diet and lifestyle can not only prevent disease, but help reverse it,” says Dr. Dean Ornish, creator of the UCLA Health Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program. Pictured is the care provider team. “When a patient is put on drugs to lower their cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar, they ask, ‘Doctor, how long do I have to take these?’ The doctor usually says, ‘Forever.’ Why don’t we turn off the faucet instead of mopping up around the overflowing sink? We find that when people eat well, move more, stress less and love more, they can often reduce or get off these medications. Lifestyle changes have given millions of people new choices and new hope that they didn’t have before, so I’m really grateful to be here.”

Tags: blood pressure, blood sugar, Cardiology, cholesterol, diet, Integrated Medicine, lifestyle, UCLA Health Ornish Lifestyle Medicine