"Baking King" Reverses Health Red Flags Without Giving Up Desserts, Regains Health Through Dietary Adjustments

(Central News Agency, Reporter Chen Jie-ling, Taipei, July 1) Mr. Wu, known as the "Baking King," loved to indulge in desserts he made himself, such as pineapple cakes. When his health check revealed metabolic syndrome, his health educator didn't deprive him of his passion for baking. Instead, she offered alternative options and encouraged daily light exercise. Now, he has successfully reversed his health red flags and returned to good health.

Mr. Wu, 58, is passionate about baking and most enjoys making pineapple cakes and toast, relishing the sense of accomplishment baking brings. In April 113, his insurance company offered a free health check-up. He participated with a "might as well" attitude, only to discover that his health indicators, including total cholesterol, had lit up red on his check-up report.

Mr. Wu said he wasn't too worried at first, thinking the test might be inaccurate and perhaps the testing machine wasn't "happy" that day. However, after a follow-up visit three months later, he found that the three indicators were still abnormal. It was then that he truly realized the problem wasn't with the equipment, but that his health genuinely needed to change.

Mr. Wu was not asked by his doctor or health educator to give up his favorite bread and desserts. Instead, through consultations every three months, he adjusted his diet and lifestyle habits. The team suggested replacing refined sugars with allulose, which is not easily absorbed by the body, and traditional butter with nut-based creams, preserving the joy of baking while reducing the burden on his body.

"I love sweets; I always say I'm not born under the monkey sign, but the ant sign," he said with a laugh. Now, when he goes to the supermarket, he deliberately avoids the dessert aisle and no longer finishes all his soup. He believes the biggest key to change is not to keep telling yourself you'll start tomorrow, but to start now.

In terms of exercise, the medical team recommended developing a habit of walking for 30 minutes daily, replacing his past weekend "binge exercise" pattern and lowering the barrier to entry. Mr. Wu said that during his regular follow-up visits, he most looks forward to seeing his health check reports because his numbers are improving each time, giving him a sense of accomplishment and motivating him to persevere.

In May of this year, Mr. Wu's glycated hemoglobin dropped from 5.7% to 5.6%, returning to the normal range from prediabetes. His low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also significantly improved. Of the three initially abnormal indicators, only one still requires ongoing monitoring. When his doctor told him he no longer needed to return every three months, he realized that health is not a matter of luck.

Mr. Wu hopes to share his experience with everyone who has received red flags on their health check-ups. Don't avoid it, and don't assume everything is fine. Every seemingly small change can make a big difference to your health. "Thank you to myself for taking the first step. What can change a life is often the decision to begin."

There are Mr. Wus in every corner of Taiwan. According to the National Nutrition and Health Conditions Survey of Taiwan residents by the Health Promotion Administration, about 3 out of every 10 Taiwanese adults aged 20 and over have metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to having three or more of the following five risk factors: excessive waist circumference, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Compared to the general population, individuals with metabolic syndrome have an approximately 2 to 6 times higher risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, stroke, and heart disease. Dr. Jiang Bowen, a physician at the private clinic who accompanied Mr. Wu in his turnaround, stated that people falling into the "don't know, can't, or won't" categories are human obstacles in chronic disease prevention. Through follow-up by a medical team, assisting individuals in gradually building habits, health and life can be balanced.

Lin Li-ru, Deputy Director-General of the Health Promotion Administration, said that as of June 30, 115, the "Metabolic Syndrome Prevention and Control Program" has enrolled over 600,000 people. Approximately 180,000 individuals with metabolic syndrome have completed three or more follow-ups, with nearly 20% successfully overcoming metabolic syndrome. This indicates that through continuous health management and lifestyle adjustments, health conditions can indeed gradually improve. (Editor: Li Heng-hen Shan) 1150701)

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