Jim Grove, aged 67, has a strong affinity for blueberries. In fact, he is mandated to consume a cup of blueberries daily for the upcoming year. “I estimate I’ve consumed about 35 pounds of blueberries since I began,” he shared while preparing a smoothie at his residence in Halifax.
Grove recently underwent a series of physical evaluations and inquiries, such as his ability to manage personal finances, count backward in multiples of six, and list animals within a minute. Following the assessments, a research coordinator presented him with a sizeable box of frozen Nova Scotia wild blueberries, saying, “Here are your blueberries for the next two weeks.”
He is participating in a new research initiative led by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, aiming to investigate the impact of daily blueberry consumption, along with 30 grams of protein powder and personalized exercise routines thrice weekly, on enhancing frailty and heart health in older individuals. The study, named STRONG, seeks to advocate for blueberry prescriptions if successful.
The larger trend of food prescribing is gaining momentum in Canada, with healthcare providers identifying patients facing food insecurity and chronic disease risks and issuing prescriptions for fresh food to access subsidized or free healthy food options.
Leah Cahill, a registered dietitian and the principal investigator of the STRONG study, emphasized the preventive aspect of prescribing lifestyle changes to maintain health. The study is recruiting more participants for its clinical trial, aiming for a total of 240 individuals aged 65 and above.
The research team secured a $1 million grant from the River Philip Foundation, dedicated to supporting transformative medical research in Canadian universities and medical schools. Cahill stresses the importance of integrating fruit consumption and exercise to combat frailty and heart-related issues, as cardiovascular disease poses a significant health threat in Canada.
The concept of food prescribing is rapidly expanding in response to the affordability crisis in Canada, with a growing interest in utilizing prescriptions to address food insecurity and chronic diseases simultaneously. While food prescribing has shown promise in enhancing fruit and vegetable intake and managing chronic conditions, further research is needed to evaluate its effectiveness and cost-efficiency compared to other healthcare and social welfare programs.
Matthew Little, an associate professor at the University of Victoria, highlights the potential of food prescribing to connect individuals with existing community services. However, he raises concerns about potential health inequities and the need for more extensive research in the Canadian context.
In pockets of Canada, particularly in Alberta and Ontario, food prescribing initiatives are emerging, drawing inspiration from successful programs in the United States supported by dedicated funding. Clinicians at the Community Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario, have been prescribing fresh food as part of their health regimen since 2019, leading to positive outcomes in managing diabetes and heart disease markers among clients.
The goal is to integrate fresh food prescribing into standard primary care practices, pending sustainable funding models to support the initiative. Continued research, such as the STRONG study at Dalhousie University, is crucial to understanding the long-term impacts and scalability of food prescribing programs in Canada.
Jim Grove, managing Type 2 diabetes and arthritis, initially found it challenging to adapt to the new dietary and exercise regimen but now embraces the routine of exercising thrice weekly and consuming blueberries daily. After three months, he already notices positive changes in his well-being, emphasizing the potential long-term benefits of his improved lifestyle.