The Diamond Head church recently conducted two Coronary Health Improvement Projects (CHIPs). These four-week programs teach people how to lower their cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and lose weight.

During one of the four-week programs, participants' cholesterol dropped an average of 30 points; blood sugar came down an average of 12 points; blood pressure came down five points; and body weight dipped eight pounds.

Some individual results were even more impressive. Four people's cholesterol over 50 points, one decreased blood sugar by 45 points, and two people with dangerously high blood pressure were able to normalize it at the end of the four-week period.

The CHIP program emphasizes a change in diet and a regular exercise program, drinking water, getting sufficient sleep and decreasing stress. Walking is the most common form of exercise. Participants in one program reported walking a total of 170 miles during the four weeks — enough to circle the island of Oahu.

The secret to the success is a vegetarian diet, although participants do not have to give up meat. Most of them did so voluntarily and also drastically reduced their fat, salt and sugar intake. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes were the mainstays.

The highlight of the program was a nightly video presentation by Dr. Hans Diehl, founder and director of the Lifestyle Medicine Institute in Loma Linda as well as other guest health professionals. The videos also included testimonies from former CHIP graduates who related how the program helped them to improve their health and gave them the chance for a better quality of life.

The Diamond Head volunteers presented short skits and informational lectures, cooking demonstrations, and encouragement to continue with the daily program. At the end of the four weeks, most participants indicated that they plan to continue with their diet and exercise programs.

Participants are committed to monthly follow-up meetings to encourage each other in the new lifestyle. The follow-up meetings include a light meal, continuing health and nutrition education, and the sharing the challenges and joys of their ongoing progress.

At the end of the four-week programs, participants, volunteers and sponsors enjoyed a graduation banquet. Dr. John Westerdahl, Wellness Director at Castle Medical Center, was the keynote speaker. He challenged everyone to continue on the road to health.

Castle Medical Center co-sponsored the events and provided the laboratory tests. They also provided the site for the second program. In addition, Times Supermarkets and Down to Earth Natural Foods donated the foods used throughout the program. Diamond Head church members hope to expand the CHIP programs into an ongoing project that will continually reach out to the surrounding community.