Lifestyle Medicine
Lifestyle medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the role of lifestyle factors in the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic diseases. It emphasizes the importance of healthy habits such as regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, stress management, good sleep hygiene, and avoidance of harmful substances.
It can potentially address up to 80% of chronic disease.
The lifestyle medicine approach acknowledges that many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancers, are preventable and can be improved through lifestyle changes. It also recognizes that lifestyle factors can play a significant role in managing these conditions, in combination with conventional medical treatments. It can potentially address up to 80% of chronic disease.​
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Lifestyle medicine practitioners use a holistic approach to assess and treat patients, taking into account their unique lifestyle factors and medical history. They work closely with patients to develop personalized lifestyle plans that address areas for improvement and help patients achieve optimal health and wellness.
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Overall, lifestyle medicine is a proactive approach to health that emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices in achieving and maintaining health and well-being. It promotes healthy habits and behaviors that can prevent chronic diseases and improve overall quality of life.
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6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
LM aims at 'treating the cause' of modern diseases. Since most of our modern diseases are due to lifestyle, lifestyle must be part of the cure.
"Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger." Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn
Nutrition
Studies support the use of a whole food, plant-predominant diet for the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic illness.
Restorative Sleep
Adequate and quality sleep can improve attention span, mood, insulin resistance and can reduce hunger, sluggishness and more.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is an important part of overall health.
Social Connection
Positive social connections have beneficial affects on physical, mental and emotional health.
Stress Management
Learning how to deal with stress can reduce anxiety, depression and immune dysfunction and leads to improved well-being.
Avoidance of Risky Substances
Use of tobacco, alcohol consumption, abuse of legal and illegal drugs have been shown to increase risk of chronic diseases and death.
Reference: 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://lifestylemedicine.org/