Improvements set in soon after lifestyle changes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Basic changes in diet and exercise regime lead to a dramatic increase in the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer in just six weeks.
The benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise are well known. But maybe you assume that it will take a long time for the benefits to manifest themselves. If so, take heart from a new study from Brigham Young University.

They had 337 volunteers aged 43 to 81 years take part in a diet program involving 'food as grown' with plenty of grains, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables. They also did a 30 minute a day cardiovascular program. Within six weeks, improvements in body fat, cholesterol and blood pressure were seen. The findings should help motivate anyone thinking of making changes in their diet and lifestyle - you may see results sooner than you think.

Source
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 28th February 2005