In a study, ‘Better Preventative Health Strategies for the people of Kerala’, prepared for the State government’s public health policy, lifestyle medicine practitioner Jacqueline Michael says that mere lifestyle change will not yield the desired results for curing lifestyle diseases.
Instead, there is need of a coherent, evidence-based, multi-pronged minimum protocol that is acceptable to the medical profession and lay people alike, says Jacqueline Michael, member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Her prescription has been named Rainbow Project because it contains seven principles packaged exclusively for Malayalis and has “proven to yield results in terms of disease prevention, which can be understood and practised by making small changes”.
Seven principles
The seven principles have been arranged in the VIBGYOR colour format of the rainbow in the reverse. It begins with red, calling for avoiding all toxins, particularly tobacco, recreational drugs and excess alcohol. Orange suggests an increase physical activity in daily life by incorporating physical activities such as gardening, cleaning, walking to shops within one km and using public transport.
Yellow suggests at least one hour of sun exposure daily for vitamin D and non-vitamin D benefits because vitamin D deficiency is now quite rampant in Kerala, leading to widespread pain and undiagnosed disability. Moreover, deficiency of the vitamin is linked to many chronic diseases and cancers.
Green prescribes a largely plant-based well-balanced diet incorporating good plant protein sources prepared mostly at home but with no processed food and little animal meat.
The prescription under blue is water; plenty of water stored in reusable containers made of steel or glass and do avoid drinks with added sugar.
Indigo calls for good quality and quantity of sleep, at least seven to eight hours a day, and violet prescribes activities and relationships to reduce stress and importance of purposeful living. Stress has been shown to increase inflammation and incidence of autoimmune diseases and cancers, Dr. Jacqueline says.
