Have you heard or read about lifestyle medicine? Do you know what it is? Lifestyle medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on using lifestyle modalities to treat some chronic diseases and conditions. Some of the common chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity can be treated using many things that don’t require a prescription. There are a number of organizations that are now focusing on the power of lifestyle to combat many of humanity’s ailments including the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). Here is a little about them:
- The ACLM was created in 2004 to change medicine’s current focus to have lifestyle as the focus.
- The organization is run primarily by medical professionals and other clinicians, but any one is invited and encouraged to join and become a member.
- The College focuses on six pillars of health: optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness and avoidance of risky substances.
- There are online presentations, webinars, and continuing education credits available to health and medical personnel.
The ACLM not only promotes lifestyle medicine, but also educates medical professionals, educators, hospital administrators and anyone who is interested in the field. I am very excited that they also appreciate the valuable input of nationally board-certified health coaches and has partnered with the NBHWC to promote health coaching in health and medical settings. To learn more about lifestyle medicine, the research and the ACLM click here.