The Ornish Program

Dean Ornish is well known for research into the effects of lifestyle on heart disease and prostate cancer as I have discussed in previous blogs. His approach is different than others in that it emphasizes total lifestyle, not just diet or exercise. The Ornish program includes a whole food plant based diet, appropriate moderate exercise, meditation and/or yoga, and participation in a support group.

After his research documented the effectiveness of this approach to prevent and treat chronic disease medicare began funding it several years ago. 80-90% of patients who have completed the Ornish program are still following it a year later; rates are almost as high at five years with remarkable results. In contrast, only 50% of those prescribed statins are still taking them after six months. Ornish feels this high adherence is because patients are empowered to be in charge of themselves and they feel much better. His patients have a 50% decrease in healthcare costs in the first year and up to a 400% decrease in subsequent years. Insurance companies and local communities have begun to offer and support this program.

Ornish's observations:

         Personal community, not social media, creates health and quality of life.

         No difference was found in results of coronary angioplasty versus a sham procedure (except for an acute heart attack.)

         Lifestyle modification of the gut microbiome is shown to effect the development of Alzheimer's disease.

         Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels supporting cancer progression, is effected as much by lifestyle change as by expensive drugs which have severe side effects.