A prescription for optimal aging


"For some patients it’s a power walk; for some it’s strength training; for everyone it’s diet.”   
Dr. Aric Sudicky

This week, the news headline that captured our interest was about a London, Ontario doctor who is changing the focus of medical prescription forms to support healthy aging with a prevention-centred approach. Traditionally, a medical prescription refers to a healthcare providers' written authorization for a patient to purchase a prescription drug from a pharmacist. However, Dr. Aric Sudicky is encouraging physicians to prescribe things like weight training and a visit to the dietitian. This approach to patient health is gaining momentum and reflects a shift away from the exclusively medical model. With mounting evidence indicating the signifiant benefits of both exercise and nutrition for the treatment and prevention of many health conditions, these considerations are becoming doctors' orders.

Read our evidence-based Blog Posts about nutrition and exercise for optimal aging below.

 

Featured Resources

NUTRITION

  1. Blog Post: Five diet changes supported by research evidence
  2. Blog Post: Supporting seniors at higher risk of poor nutrition
  3. Blog Post: Does salt really affect blood pressure?
  4. Blog Post: Diet or exercise: Which works best for weight loss?

EXERCISE

  1. Blog Post: Sitting too much? Take steps to promote healthy aging
  2. Blog Post: Back pain? Try exercise!
  3. Blog Post: Exercise plays an active role in treating depression
  4. Blog Post: Physical exercise can help combat signs of frailty in older adults
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DISCLAIMER: Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of these blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations such as social distancing and frequent hand washing. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with current social distancing recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website. 

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