Do you take medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes?

I was at the pharmacist today looking at the conga line of seemingly unhealthy people who approach the counter, prescription in hand, waiting for their medication. I wonder if they know that they don’t need to take this medication for the rest of their lives.

If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, has your GP or pharmacists ever told you that within 6-12 months you might be able to stop taking that medication, forever? If not, it would be a good idea to ask your GP what you would have to do to stop taking that medication.

They might suggest some of these strategies

Weight management: Losing even a moderate amount of weight can significantly lower blood pressure, reduce insulin resistance, and improve cholesterol levels.

Dietary Adjustments: Adopting a diet low in salt, trans fats, added sugars and processed foods is critical for blood pressure and cholesterol control.

Limit Alcohol and Tobacco: Reducing alcohol intake and stopping smoking

Regular Exercise: 9 out of 10 Australians don’t meet the Australian government guidelines that recommend adults do at least 2 sessions of strength training per week. Regular strength training provides vital benefits including

  • Disease Prevention: It lowers the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and helps manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

  • Bone and Muscle Health: It maintains muscle mass and bone density, which naturally begin to decline as you age.

  • Mental Health: Clinical reviews show it significantly reduces depressive symptoms and boosts overall mood and sleep quality.

  • Mobility and Independence: It improves balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls later in life

With six months of exercise and healthy eating, you could be rid of those pills for good. And if you were to change to a plant-based diet (i.e. no meat or dairy), you might find that your blood pressure and cholesterol would drop enough to get rid of the pills even sooner. Simple changes to what you put into your body and how you move it, can make the world of difference to your waistline, and your medicine cabinet.

Dave Hickey