Hooked on Primary Care with Colin Zhu, DO

Health and wellness have always shaped my world. Initially, I aspired to be a chiropractor. I was influenced by a charismatic family chiropractor from my youth. His compassionate care, including singing to patients, fueled my desire to serve in health care.

My mother, a Chinese medical doctor with almost 4 and a half decades of experience, specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbs. Growing up under her guidance, I imbibed values of authenticity, integrity and compassion. These early lessons fostered a holistic perspective on patient care.

During college, around my junior year, my path led me to discover osteopathic medicine. The tenets, philosophies and principles of this profession deeply resonated with me. Personally, I’ve been involved with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine since 2013, seeing it as my professional calling and tribe. Lifestyle medicine equips me with the tools to better serve my patients.

Lifestyle medicine employs evidence-based approaches to prevent, treat and sometimes even reverse chronic lifestyle-related conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and metabolic syndrome. Approximately 60% of Americans are diagnosed with at least one chronic disease, with 40% having multiple diagnoses. Many of the leading causes of death in the U.S. are linked to diet and lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity. To enhance patient care, physicians can integrate lifestyle medicine into health care using interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. This approach should also be incorporated into medical education and residency programs, many of which currently lack sufficient training in nutrition, lifestyle and behavior changes. Lifestyle medicine is relevant across various medical specialties. I urge physicians and the general audience to invest in their health. Just as we save for retirement, we must prioritize and invest in our well-being. Waiting for a health crisis like a hospital visit can lead to financial ruin because of our health care system’s challenges.

Reference:

• Chronic diseases in America. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

Colin Zhu, DO
Osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine
Member, American Osteopathic Association
Founder, TheChefDoc