Recent published research in a leading scientific journal demonstrate how HMR’s intensive diet and lifestyle education program can result in dramatic reductions in the number and doses of medications, as well as the cost of medications, for patients who lost 100 pounds or more. The study found that the discontinued medications translated into a cost savings of $100 a month.
The research appears in the August 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study identified 118 patients over a 9-year period who lost 100 pounds or more. (Most of the patients were medically supervised.) The average person lost 100 pounds in 27 weeks.
Of the 87 patients who were on medications:
- Medication doses were reduced in all patients
- Diabetes: 73% of patients discontinued medication for their diabetes
- Hypertension: 67% of patients discontinued medication for their hypertension
- Dyslipidemia: 100% of patients discontinued their medication for dyslipidemia
Severe obesity is often accompanied by many cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose, degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea. Impressive improvements in all risk factors were seen in this group of patients.
According to the study’s lead author James Anderson, MD, renowned researcher and Medical Director of the HMR Program for Weight Management™ at the University of Kentucky, patients experienced dramatic reductions in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
The study concluded that HMR’s intensive behavioral intervention can be very effective with minimal risk for certain severely obese people.
Tags: Research
