Discovery has hosted another inspiring Vitality Summit
The success of the 2014 Discovery Vitality Summit was reflected in the phenomenal attendance at the event. We’d like to give you and your employees a peak into what happened at the event.
Discovery Health CEO, Dr Jonathan Broomberg, opened the Summit by emphasising the importance of making health measurable. He shared the latest shocking statistics on the rise of chronic diseases (also known as lifestyle diseases), which kill 640 million people globally. He also demonstrated how Vitality incentives such as parkrun, the HealthyFood benefit and other rewards are making members rethink their lifestyle, health and food choices, with positive results.
The Big Fat Debate
In a lively debate, Prof Noakes stated that atherogenic dyslipidaemia, which leads to cardiovascular disease, is caused by a high-carb diet and not a high-fat diet. He made it clear that his diet is intended for people who are insulin-resistant, pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes. Very importantly, he emphasised that the diet should be followed strictly, keeping carbs below 50g a day, since saturated fats are processed differently in the body in the absence of carbs.
Prof Volmink from Stellenbosch University contested Prof Noakes’ data on the grounds that bias can occur in studies because of flawed methodology.
Dr Celeste Naudé (also from Stellenbosch University) asserted that existing dietary guidelines still make the most sense. Micro- and macro-nutrients are obtained from the full spectrum of the food chart and are essential in reducing lifestyle diseases and ensuring energy balance. To lose weight and maintain optimal health, she recommends avoiding overeating and eating a balanced diet following existing dietary guidelines.
Cardiologist Dr Dalby disagreed that there is no evidence linking cholesterol and heart disease, saying that in developed countries where statins (a class of medicine that reduces cholesterol) are widely prescribed, cardiovascular disease rates are declining.
Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, CEO of South Africa’s Heart and Stroke Foundation, focused on the common goals of losing weight and breaking bad habits. She identified common themes, namely the need to eat less and avoid sugar, cakes, sugary drinks and processed and refined foods, and to eat more whole foods. She expressed concern, however, about the long-term effect very restrictive diets could have on health, and advises always keeping this in mind when making decisions on adopting a healthy eating plan.
An audience member asked Dr Craig Nossel if Discovery will be revising the Vitality HealthyFood list. He responded by saying that the principles of eating a healthy, balanced diet are reflected in Vitality’s HealthyFood list. He added that the amount of awareness that has resulted from Prof Noakes’ work means more research is needed into what healthy living means.
Making communities healthier
An inspiring guest – 24-year old Lufefe Nomjana – shared his journey of educating himself about healthier eating and what he’s doing to promote healthier living through the nutritious food he makes available to his community in Khayelitsha. Having started his own vegetarian bakery, Espinaca Bakery, he is affectionately known as Dr Spinach. Look him up on Facebook at facebook.com/EspinacaInnovations or follow him on twitter @EspinacaInno.
He joined the panel discussion about the business of wellness with wellness entrepreneur Lisa Raleigh, Dr Craig Nossel, head of Vitality Wellness and Ross Faragher-Thomas, CEO of Virgin Active.
Is there a link between the future of technology and health?
Stafford Masie, technology entrepreneur and former country manager of Google SA, took a critical look at technology and where things are going. He said technology has not reached abundance yet. We think it has, because we see it everywhere. But when we don’t see it anymore, when it dissipates and transcends computer-human boundaries and becomes part of humanity, that is when it will have reached abundance. He envisions a future where individuals are in full control of their medical records, choosing who to share them with.
Being mindful to improve health
Social psychologist Dr Ellen Langer of Harvard University demonstrated the difference between mindlessness and mindfulness. She said the best way to become mindful is to notice as much as possible. Mindful people question what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. A person with a chronic health condition can pay attention to the periods when there are no symptoms. They can use the differences they notice to make permanent positive changes.
The winning formula
Interviewed by Radio 702 host John Robbie, former England fly half Jonny Wilkinson spoke about the effect suffering a major loss in a game had on him at a time he thought he was invincible. He shared his visualisation techniques when kicking a penalty and described the exhilaration he felt after one of his many comebacks just before scoring the winning points in England’s World Cup victory over Australia in 2003.
We hope this article will help you to motivate your employees to renew their commitment to living a healthy, mindful life and to inspire them to make positive changes where necessary. And like Lufefe Nomjana, to make these changes not only in their own lives and at work, but also in the communities they live in to start a positive wave that will ripple throughout our beautiful country.