What is lifestyle medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based medical specialty that applies therapeutic lifestyle interventions to treat, reverse, and prevent chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. By empowering patients to make lifestyle behavior changes in six interconnected pillars—optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness, and risky substance avoidance—lifestyle medicine aims to eliminate the root cause of a disease. And it works: studies have shown that lifestyle medicine can impact up to 80% of chronic diseases. (Definition: American College of Lifestyle Medicine.)
Incorporating lifestyle medicine into a busy practice and brief appointments
Resources to get you started
- Lifestyle Medicine in Practice – presentation by Dr. Amanda Marrone, MLPCN Primary Care Symposium, October 2025. Handouts:
- AMA lifestyle medicine – quick, evidence-based answers to common questions
- Important concepts about maintaining bone health
- All about optimal sources of calcium
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine
- The Plantrician Project – clinician guides, pediatric quick starts
- Plant Based Data – evidence database
- Nutrition Facts – evidence-based videos
- Lifestyle Medicine Education (LMEd) – case modules and resources for teaching medical learners
- The Proof – evidence-based podcast and masterclass series
- E-Cornell Plant-Based Nutrition
- Canadian Guidelines – Food Guide, Diabetes, Hypertension, 24-Hour Movement
- Motivational Interviewing – local/online workshops (e.g., Southwest Self Management Program)