In many ways we Americans have all developed a one solution approach to most problems. We tend to attack our problems from the back end. You know, once the problem has started to show it’s ugly face and negatively impact our lives.<\/p>\n

I really don\u2019t blame anyone for this approach. In fact, in many ways it seems quite reasonable.<\/p>\n

We are monkeys after all!<\/p>\n

If you have read the 4-Hour body you may remember in the final chapter the story of low carb Canto and well fed Owen:<\/p>\n

Canto and Owen housed at the University of Wisconsin are two rhesus monkeys as close as identical as possible, with on exception. Canto is on a diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, his calories are restricted to 30% less than normal. He is part of a semi-fasting group of monkeys that had been on the equivalent of Weight-Watchers for two decades. Owen, in the feasting group, is a stark contrast. He eats whatever the hell he wants.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The results:<\/p>\n

To date, in his 20 + years of experiments, 37 percent of the \u201ceat, drink, and be merry\u201d group have died due to causes related to old age. The calorie-counting group has a much lower death rate, almost two-thirds lower.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sounds great except there was one caveat:<\/p>\n

Canto looks drawn, weary, ashen and miserable in his thinness, mouth slightly agape, features pinched, eyes blank, his expression screaming, \u201cPlease, no, not another plateful of seeds!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Well-fed Owen, by contrast, is a happy camper with a wry smile, every inch the laid back simian, plump eyes twinkling, full mouth, relaxed, skin glowing, exuding wisdom as if he\u2019s just read Kierkegaard and concluded that \u201clife must be lived forward, but can only be understood backward\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Two years ago my dad had his second heart attack. When I arrived at the hospital he was lying on his back unconscious with a tube in his neck. As a medical student I had rotated in the ICU, and spent many, many long nights in the halls of stark, and sterile hospitals. But, this was different.<\/p>\n

The silence and concrete nature of this building\u00a0 seemed more ominous. At 1:30 am the sounds seemed to resonate with greater purpose. I stood there at the bedside and began to weep.\u00a0 Eventually my eyes went dry, I had accepted the gravity of this moment.<\/p>\n

Like Owen, my dad on any given day could be caught reading Kierkegaard. And at most moments, he sits relaxed mouth full, plump, eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s just it, his eyes were always twinkling. His stomach was always full, and his heart, although enlarged from years of hypertension is kind and loving. But at the relatively young age of 62 this all seemed premature.<\/p>\n

_____________________<\/p>\n

I just returned from a 4 day medical conference in Anaheim CA. The topic:\u00a0 better health for our patients. The Solution: Drugs!<\/p>\n

What are the most commonly prescribed drugs by U.S doctors? Here are the top 10:<\/p>\n

\n
1. Hydrocodone\/Acetaminophen<\/strong> (Painkiller)<\/li>\n
2. Simvastatin (high cholesterol)<\/li>\n
3. Lisinopril (high blood pressure)<\/li>\n
4. Levothyroxine sodium (thyroid disorders)<\/li>\n
5. Azithromycin (antibiotic)<\/li>\n
6. Metformin (diabetes)<\/li>\n
7. Lipitor (high cholesterol)<\/li>\n
8. Amlodipine (high blood pressure)<\/li>\n
9. Amoxicillin (antibiotic)<\/li>\n
10. Hydrochlorothiazide (high blood pressure)<\/li>\n
11. Omeprazole (antacid)<\/li>\n
12. Alprazolam <\/strong>(anxiety)<\/li>\n
13. Furosemide (high blood pressure)<\/li>\n
14. Metoprolol tartrate (angina, high blood pressure)<\/li>\n
15. Atenolol (angina, high blood pressure)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n
    • What is not mentioned here is that as a class anti-depressants are the most commonly prescribed drug. <\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Americans use 2\/3 of all the Opioids (like Vicodin) in the world!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      If you look at this list one thing is very clear: \u00a0Americans live in chronic pain, Americans live with chronic stress, and Americans suffer from Obesity (the root cause of many of our top 10 illnesses). This of course is the real reason we need drugs like Lipitor, Lisinopril and Metformin.<\/p>\n

      But, what is upsetting is that unlike well fed Owen Americans may be plump, but most are not happy. In fact according to research we are a distant 23 in world rankings of happiness<\/strong>. Yes, we are not the most unhappy that is for sure, but shouldn\u2019t we at least be getting something out of the deal? Shouldn\u2019t we at least be granted the time to contemplate and conclude that \u201clife must be lived forward, but can only be understood backward\u201d?<\/p>\n

      ____________________<\/p>\n

      After 4 days and 40 hours of lecture something occurred to me. This entire problem of poor health in America could probably be solved in just 4 hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Sounds like a clich\u00e9? Probably, but the truth is this:<\/p>\n

      We, the healthcare community have fallen victim to the misconception that problems are best solved at the back end. We have sold ourselves on the idea that patients and community members are not capable of making lifestyle changes that can enhance our lives. We have accepted the idea that constant stress is not only necessary but a sign of somebody reaching his\/her full potential.<\/p>\n

      In 4 days we had one lecture on obesity and not a single lecture on nutrition. We had 4 lectures on diabetes, several on hypertension and a multitude on the effects of endothelial damage caused by elevated cholesterol. Several on chronic pain and the management of depression using new combination drug regimens.<\/p>\n

      And our exhibit hall<\/strong>: it was the size of a basketball arena,\u00a0 and who was there: The Pharmaceutical reps.<\/p>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      What wasn\u2019t there: A single copy of the 4 Hour Body<\/a> or the 4 Hour Workweek<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      The result: A list of commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of all of Americas health care woes.<\/p>\n

      ____________________<\/p>\n

      Which brings me back to Owen and Canto.<\/p>\n

      Both of these monkeys live on the end of the spectrum. Owen through his plump and happy posture reminds us that a life lived well can be gratifying and meaningful. And although shortened by about 37% doesn\u2019t look so bad when compared to a baseline of miserable.<\/p>\n

      Canto\u2019s existence although noticeably \u201clonger\u201d as measured by time is not one we look at with admiration. As we can all probably attest to:\u00a0 Life’s greatest pleasures are often short: Sometimes just 15 minutes<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

      What isn\u2019t in this study is” \u201cModerate Monkey<\/strong> Martha\u201d<\/strong>. The monkey who resides somewhere in between. The monkey who takes the best part of both of these lifestyles and finds balance. Not just in diet but in life. She reads Kierkegaard but also Immanuel Kant<\/a>. She slow carbs, but also understands the importance of wonderful food, friends and a healthy glass of red wine!<\/p>\n

      We need a paradigm shift in medicine (and in life).\u00a0 As Americans we have the potential for more opportunity and choice than most other cultures. So why are we so unhappy? Why do we need so much Vicodin and Viagra?<\/p>\n

      Maybe the answer is here: This is a mind map I started working on while at the conference. How can books like the 4 Hour Body, and the 4 Hour Workweek truly affect our lives?<\/p>\n

      A prescription for balance, a prescription for a better more meaningful and healthy life!<\/p>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      Download, view or print:<\/p>\n

      <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

      You can sign up to receive updates via RSS<\/a> or EMAIL<\/a> or flow with me on Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

      Suggested Reading and extra info<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

      \n
      • A downloadable list of wonderful lecture handouts<\/a> provided by Harvard Medical School and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.<\/li>\n
      • The National Weight Control Registry<\/a>: Recruitment for the Registry is ongoing. If you are at least 18 years of age and have maintained at least a 30 pound weight loss for one year or longer you may be eligible to join their research study.<\/li>\n
      • This is a great song:\u00a0Job Boss by David Dondero, from the album # Zero With a Bullet\u00a0consider buying his Album<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[audio:https:\/\/www.4hourlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Job-Boss.mp3|titles=Job Boss]\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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