As a nurse practitioner at UT Health San Antonio’s Wellness 360 clinic, Paula Christianson-Silva has spent over 30 years observing the challenges of primary care practice. Patients with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity often end up taking multiple medications without seeing significant improvements in their health. This prompted Christianson-Silva to join forces with two colleagues and start the Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate, a six-month initiative that promotes a whole food, plant-based diet.
The program encourages individuals to reduce their consumption of animal products and replace them with plant-based protein alternatives. Participants meet weekly in a group setting to support each other throughout the process. Christianson-Silva has seen positive results across the board, including improvements in cholesterol levels, inflammatory markers, and a decrease in hemoglobin A1C for those with diabetes.
One of the most rewarding outcomes for Christianson-Silva is being able to reduce diabetic medications for her patients as a result of their improved health. On average, participants also lose about five percent of their body weight, but the primary focus of the program is on enhancing overall health and fostering long-term lifestyle changes. More information about the Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate can be found through UT Health San Antonio’s website. Science & Medicine, a collaborative effort between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center, explores how medical practices in San Antonio can influence healthcare on a global scale.
