LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
Effect on many diseases
A) A narrowed coronary artery
B) The same coronary artery after 32 months of dietary treatment
Ref.: Esselstyn Jr, Caldwell B., et al. "A way to reverse CAD?" Journal of Family Practice 63.7 (2014):356-364.
Bill Clinton on lifestyle change
Lifestyle Medicine, Egger et al
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Easy-to-read introduction to lifestyle medicine for doctors and other clinicians. The book has useful summaries at the end of each chapter, as well as tables, forms and other visual aids, which are useful in everyday clinical practice.
The book was part of the syllabus in my education in lifestyle medicine
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Example of lifestyle medicine in practice - St. Luke's Lifestyle Medicine
Lifestyle medicine focuses on treating the underlying lifestyle-related causes or contributing factors of diseases.
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Lifestyle medicine is the use of evidence based lifestyle therapeutic approaches including
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a whole food plant based eating pattern
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regular physical activity
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restorative sleep
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stress management
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avoidance of risky substances
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positive social connection
as a primary therapeutic modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this speciality, to prevent, treat and often reverse chronic disease.
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Lifestyle medicine has specially good effect when treating lifestyle-related health challenges such as obesity, diabetes type 2, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Already after a couple of weeks, it is often possible to see significant improvements in, among other things, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Over time, lifestyle changes can produce dramatic health improvements, such as reversing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
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Lifestyle changes may also have positive effects on a number of conditions in many different organ systems.
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In consultation with a lifestyle doctor, you will experience that the doctor makes use of conversational techniques such as motivational interviewing, strengthens motivation and builds confidence in coping with change. The lifestyle doctor is a collaborative partner who wants to help you achieve your health goals.
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Some differences between lifestyle medicine (LM) and regular medical practice (VP):
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THE DOCTOR
VP: Treats the patient
LM: Helps the patient to help himself
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VP: Treats individual risk factors
LM: Treats lifestyle-related causes
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VP: Authority. Have the answers
LM: Partner. Finding the answers together with the patient
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VP: "Wrestling" with the patient
LM: "Dancing" with the patient
THE PATIENT
VP: Often a passive recipient, not expected to make major changes
LM: Actively involved in treatment, experiencing greater mastery and control over health
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MEDICINES
VP: Medicines often form the main treatment
LM: Medication may be necessary, but as an adjunct to lifestyle treatment
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