Dr. Suur Biliciler from UTHealth Houston emphasizes the significance of lifestyle medicine in treating neuromuscular diseases. In a clinic visit, she advised a family on incorporating protein into meals for their loved one's treatment. The family initially struggled with this due to limited meat consumption but was relieved when informed that beans and lentils are viable protein sources.
Biliciler, a professor in the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School, is an advocate for evidence-based lifestyle medicine for conditions like muscular dystrophy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. She states that lifestyle medicine involves six components: nutrition, exercise, sleep, social connections, stress management, and avoidance of risky behaviors.
“We advise patients about nutrition, the supplements they can or should not take,” said Biliciler. “I believe this holistic approach will help us understand how we can make a meaningful difference.”
The lifestyle medicine track for neurology residents began last fall with activities including movie nights and cooking sessions at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Fourth-year resident Seon Kyung “Kate” Nam collaborates with Biliciler on the Exercise in Myositis project to develop an exercise app in partnership with Rice University.
“There is a perception that when we recommend patients to exercise,” noted Biliciler. “Exercise is medicine. The patients who exercise – it’s like night and day.”
Biliciler aims to establish an exercise clinic modeled after one observed at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and plans monthly group visits focused on lifestyle medicine's six pillars.
“We don’t prioritize prevention... Europe is far ahead of us," she stated. "I envision a patient-centered clinic... I want to make a difference in people’s lives through achievable, realistic, and cost-effective interventions."
