DEFINITION OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

"Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based approach to preventing, treating, and even reversing diseases by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones such as eating healthfully, being physically active, managing stress, avoiding risky substance abuse, adequate sleep, and having a strong support system." American College of Lifestyle Medicine

IT'S ABOUT MOVING TOWARD OPTIMAL HEALTH

It's about incorporating healthy lifestyle choices in order to move toward optimal health. To a very large extent, each of us has the power, through our own lifestyle choices, to take control of our health destinies. In fact, heredity plays only a 20% factor in each person's health. The cause of nearly 80% of disease and some 99% of obesity is lifestyle-related.

THE SIX PILLARS OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

• A whole food plant-predominant lifestyle

• Regular physical activity

• Restorative sleep

• Stress management

• Avoidance of risky substances

• Positive social connection

"Lifestyle Medicine is the use of a whole food, plant-predominant dietary lifestyle, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection as a primary therapeutic modality for treatment and reversal of chronic disease."

American College of Lifestyle Medicine