Written by Victoria Mallett, MSc 26’ (Candidate)
On September 19th, 2024, the Department of Medicine had the pleasure of hearing a presentation from Dr. Brendan Byrne at Medical Grand Rounds. Dr. Byrne is a family physician based in British Columbia and the Chief Medical Officer of Lifestyle Rx. This company focuses on a lifestyle approach to improving health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.1,2 It can occur when there is insufficient insulin production by the pancreatic beta cells and/or the body becomes resistant to the insulin being produced.1 According to Dr. Byrne, type 2 diabetes is largely a lifestyle-related disease linked to poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity.1,2,3 These lifestyle factors can cause fat accumulation in the insulin-sensitive organs, making the body less sensitive to it. As a result of insulin resistance, the pancreas has to compensate and produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Dr. Byrne described the cycle of fat accumulation and insulin resistance as a “slippery slope” towards developing type 2 diabetes.4
Dr. Byrne introduced everyone to Lifestyle Rx, a physician-led company that provides sustainable lifestyle interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes. They offer a virtual and easily accessible 12-week program for patients ready to make meaningful changes and take control of their health. The program focuses on lifestyle modifications, including improving nutrition, increasing exercise, enhancing fat-burning, and promoting liver health - all of which can significantly improve type 2 diabetes.5 Lifestyle Rx tailors their care plans to each individual, recognizing that healthcare goals vary based on diabetes subtypes.3 As Dr. Byrne explained, while remission isn’t always possible, lifestyle changes benefit all patients.
Though type 2 diabetes is a challenging disease, Dr. Byrne presented an inspiring case study of a patient who expressed gratitude for her diagnosis. She explained that the disease motivated her to make lifestyle changes that transformed her into a healthier, better version of herself. This powerful video highlighted the empowerment of taking control of one’s health through intentional lifestyle choices and changes.
While implementing lifestyle medicine in the clinic is challenging due to its resource intensiveness, Dr. Byrne suggests that even asking a few key lifestyle questions can significantly impact patients with type 2 diabetes. Educating patients on their options, whether pharmaceutical and/or lifestyle, allows them to be actively involved in their healthcare journey. Dr. Byrne emphasized that although not everyone is ready to make significant changes in their life, the goal is to offer and support them once they are ready.
A recurring theme from Dr. Byrne’s presentation was that lifestyle changes are a successful and feasible way to treat and manage type 2 diabetes. By utilizing companies such as Lifestyle Rx, we can increase the capacity to implement lifestyle interventions in healthcare settings.
On behalf of the Department of Medicine and the TMED 801 class, I would like to thank Dr. Byrne for taking the time to introduce Lifestyle Rx and teach everyone about the importance of lifestyle medicine.
References:
1. LeBlanc AG, Jun Gao Y, McRae L, Pelletier C. At-a-glance - Twenty years of diabetes
surveillance using the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System. Aperçu - Vingt ans de surveillance du diabète grâce au Système canadien de surveillance des maladies chroniques. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2019;39(11):306-309. doi:10.24095/hpcdp.39.11.03
2. Hosseini Z, Whiting SJ, Vatanparast H. Type 2 diabetes prevalence among Canadian adults –
dietary habits and sociodemographic risk factors. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2019;44(10):1099-1104. doi:10.1139/apnm-2018-0567
3. Bayoumi R, Farooqi M, Alawadi F, et al. Etiologies underlying subtypes of long-standing type
2 diabetes. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0304036. Published 2024 May 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0304036
4. Hardy OT, Czech MP, Corvera S. What causes the insulin resistance underlying
obesity?. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2012;19(2):81-87. doi:10.1097/MED.0b013e3283514e13
5. Uusitupa M, Khan TA, Viguiliouk E, et al. Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes by Lifestyle
Changes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2019;11(11):2611. Published 2019 Nov 1. doi:10.3390/nu11112611