Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association

Lifestyle Medicine

According to American College of Lifestyle Medicine, “lifestyle medicine uses evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic approaches to prevent, treat and often times reverse lifestyle-related chronic diseases.  The lifestyle medicine approach includes a predominantly whole food, plant-based diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substance use, and use of other non-drug modalities that promote health and prevent disease”. And according to the Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Manual, “lifestyle medicine is a distinct field of medicine aimed at “treating the cause” of most of our modern diseases with the strongest evidence-based modalities available.  Since most modern diseases are caused by lifestyle, lifestyle changes must be part of the cure.  Although portions of lifestyle medicine (especially nutrition and physical activity) are included in other fields of medicine, lifestyle medicine is distinct because lifestyle change is prescribed as the first-line and most important therapy for disease treatment and reversal.  Evidence-based medications and other modalities are used, but only to supplement changes in lifestyle.  Lifestyle medicine requires patient engagement and responsibility for treatment outcomes.  Treatments are long term.  A provider acts as both a medical expert and a coach.  Lifestyle medicine is cost-saving, unlike most non-lifestyle medical services…..
…Lifestyle medicine elements and intervention modalities
1.Whole food, plant-based diet
2.Physical activity
3.Stress management and emotional wellness 4.Sleep
5.Smoking cessation and avoiding risky substance abuse
6.Positive psychology and connectedness ”