The Lifestyle Shift That Saved Me From a Lifetime Prescription
When I opened my cholesterol test results, I knew what was coming.
I was one number away from a lifetime prescription.
As a physician, I’ve seen this scenario play out hundreds of times. High cholesterol is incredibly common—about 94 million American adults have it. Yet many don’t even realize it. And even fewer know what to do beyond medication.
This was personal.
My LDL was creeping up. My doctor was ready to pull out the prescription pad. Statins are effective, but I wanted to see if I could turn things around first, using the same advice I give my patients.
So I made changes.
No extreme diets. No supplements. Just small, sustainable steps:
- I started walking daily.
- I swapped breakfast pastries for oatmeal and berries.
- I added leafy greens, salmon, and olive oil to my weekly routine.
- I cut back on ultra-processed snacks.
- I began tracking my meals—not obsessively, just mindfully.
The Lifestyle Shift That Saved Me From a Lifetime Prescription
And it was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed.
Within a few months, the numbers told the story. My cholesterol dropped. My blood pressure improved. I slept better. And I avoided the prescription.
Why does this matter?
Because so many people think lifestyle change has to be extreme, or that it’s too late to make a difference. However, the science is clear: walking, increasing fiber intake, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress can have a meaningful impact on metabolic health.
This isn’t a story about avoiding medication at all costs. It’s about taking ownership where we can—and proving that even small changes add up.
🩺 I’m a cancer doctor. But this time, I had to become the patient. And I’m sharing what worked.
Read the full story here: https://medium.com/beingwell/i-was-one-test-away-from-a-prescription-ca4165621fc5?sk=4fd986f60b171bcce940153fdfd9a462
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