Jim Grove, a blueberry enthusiast, is committed to consuming a cup of blueberries daily for the next year. Having already consumed around 35 pounds of blueberries since the study’s inception, Grove shared his experience while preparing a smoothie at his Halifax residence. Following a series of physical tests and questions during a recent appointment, Grove was provided with a supply of frozen Nova Scotia wild blueberries for the upcoming two weeks.
Grove, aged 67, is participating in a research initiative led by Dalhousie University’s faculty of medicine. The study aims to assess the impact of daily blueberry consumption, along with protein powder intake and personalized exercise routines, on enhancing frailty and heart health in older individuals. The research team hopes that positive outcomes from the study will advocate for the prescription of blueberries by healthcare professionals.
The study reflects a broader trend in Canada known as food prescribing, where doctors identify individuals facing food insecurity and at risk of diet-related chronic conditions, and prescribe fresh, healthy foods to them. Leah Cahill, a registered dietitian and the principal investigator of the study named STRONG, emphasized the preventive aspect of prescribing lifestyle changes to keep individuals healthy.
Cahill’s team is recruiting more participants for the clinical trial, targeting a total of 240 individuals aged 65 and above. Half of the participants will consume blueberries daily, while the other half will maintain their regular diets. Regular assessments will be conducted over a year, with additional evaluations scheduled for the following year.
The study secured a $1 million grant from the River Philip Foundation in Nova Scotia to support transformative medical research initiatives. Cahill highlighted the importance of providing food and supervised exercise routines to reduce the burden on individuals in managing their health independently.
Addressing the interconnection between frailty and heart health, Cahill stressed the significance of maintaining strength to prevent cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of fatalities in Canada. As interest in food prescribing grows in response to affordability challenges in Canada, experts advocate for further research to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of such programs.
In Guelph, Ontario, clinicians at the Community Health Centre have been prescribing fresh food as part of their treatment approach since 2019. This initiative has demonstrated a significant reduction in severe food insecurity among clients, along with improvements in clinical indicators associated with diabetes and heart disease. However, sustainability remains a concern, prompting calls for government investments in provincial food prescription programs.
Looking ahead, proponents of food prescribing envision its integration into routine primary care practices to promote healthier lifestyles. The need for rigorous research and expanded studies, like the one at Dalhousie University, is emphasized to advance the understanding and implementation of food prescribing initiatives in Canada. Grove, who has experienced positive changes in his health since joining the study, highlights the potential long-term benefits of such interventions.
