Lifestyle Medicine - is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
GOALS OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
-
Allows the body to protect and heal itself by promoting healthful lifestyle choices.
-
Educates, guides and supports positive behavior changes.
-
Places a focus on evidence-based optimal nutrition, stress management, sleep and physical activity.
-
Encourages active patient participation.
-
Treats the underlying, lifestyle-related causes of disease.
-
Uses medications as a supplement to therapeutic lifestyle changes.
-
Considers the patient’s home and community environment.​
6 LIFESTYLE PILARS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Getting proper sleep
-
During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Getting inadequate sleep over time can raise your risk for chronic (long-term) health problems.
Eating Well-Balanced Meals
-
When you eat a well balanced meal that includes plenty of fresh vegetables, lean protein, un-processed carbohydrates, and healthy fats, your body gets fueled with the building blocks necessary to give you abundant energy throughout the day.
Making Time for
Physical Activity
-
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
Keeping a Healthy
Body Weight
-
Keeping your weight in the normal range is an important part of healthy aging. As in other stages of life, elevated body mass index (BMI) in older adults can increase the likelihood of developing health problems. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.
Stress Management
Stress is a contributor of chronic disease and obesity. It can cause disruption with executive, physological,and hormonal functions. To have over health stress must be controlled. There are several lifestyle changes that can be made to improve stress including diet, exercise, practicing mindfullness, and supplements.
Q Smoking
This will improve you overall health status and enhances quality of life. Quiting also reduces the risk of premature death and can add as much as 10 years to life expectancy. Quiting also reduces the risk for many adverse health effects, including poor reproductive health outcomes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer.
Limit Alcohol Use
Making the decision to stop drinking reduces your risk of developing many serious alcohol-related diseases. Alcohol is linked to seven different types of cancer including bowel cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and mouth cancer. Start by cutting back 1-2 drinks daily.
_edited.jpg)