Lifestyle Medicine: A Powerful Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention
- Mar 16, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are among the leading causes of illness and premature death. While traditional medicine focuses on managing symptoms, lifestyle medicine takes a different approach—treating the root cause through sustainable lifestyle changes.
What Is Lifestyle Medicine?
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine 1 defines lifestyle medicine as:
“A medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions, including but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle medicine-certified clinicians are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle changes to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse such conditions.” 2
In other words, rather than just prescribing medication, lifestyle medicine focuses on evidence-based habits that support long-term health and healing.
The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
Experts in lifestyle medicine emphasize six key areas that serve as the foundation for preventing, treating, and even reversing chronic conditions:
Whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern – A nutrient-dense diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods promotes optimal health and reduces disease risk.
Physical activity – Regular movement strengthens the heart, muscles, and mind while preventing chronic illness.
Restorative sleep – Quality sleep is crucial for immune function, cognitive health, and hormone regulation.
Stress management – Reducing chronic stress supports mental and physical well-being.
Avoidance of risky substances – Limiting tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances lowers disease risk.
Positive social connections – Strong relationships improve emotional resilience and longevity.
Why Behavior Change Matters
According to The Journal of Family Practice, behavior change is the foundation of effective lifestyle medicine. Sustainable habits—not quick fixes—have the greatest impact on health, reducing mortality and improving quality of life. 3 4 5
One powerful tool for facilitating behavior change is health and wellness coaching. Research highlights that:
“Health and wellness coaching is a growth-promoting relationship designed to facilitate positive and sustainable lifestyle changes that support optimal health. Physicians trained in a ‘coach approach’ and health and wellness coaches help individuals develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take an active role in their own health.”6 7
The Bottom Line
Scientific evidence is clear: Lifestyle changes are the most effective prescription for preventing and reversing chronic diseases. While medications have their place, true health transformation happens through daily habits.
Health and wellness coaches play a vital role in guiding individuals toward lasting behavior change, empowering them to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
In our next Health & Lifestyle blog, we’ll explore how lifestyle medicine differs from other medical disciplines—and why it’s a game-changer for long-term wellness.
With Unconditional Love,
Coach Edna
Ready to start your journey to an Empowered WellBeing w/Coach Edna?
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Footnotes
1. https://lifestylemedicine.org/about-us/
2. Supplement to the Journal of Family Medicine,VOL 71, NO 1 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | MDEDGE.COM/FAMILYMEDICINE; https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/aclm_2022_final_set_0.pdf
3. Loef M, Walach H. The combined effects of healthy lifestyle behaviors on all cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Med. 2012;55(3):163-170.
4. Bodai BI, Nakata TE, Wong WT, et al. Lifestyle medicine: a brief review of its dramatic impact on health and survival. Perm J. 2018;22:17-025.
5. Ramsey F, Ussery-Hall A, Garcia D, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of selected risk behaviors and chronic diseases—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 39 steps communities, United States, 2005. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2008;57(11):1-20
6. Bennett HD, Coleman EA, Parry C, Bodenheimer T, Chen EH. Health coaching for patients with chronic illness. Fam Pract Manag. 2010;17(5):24-29.
7. Wolever RQ, Simmons LA, Sforzo GA, et al. A systematic review of the literature on health and wellness coaching: defining a key behavioral intervention in healthcare. Glob Adv Health Med. 2013;2(4):38-57.
Love the infographic! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you thank you…this was VERY informative and well laid out! It seems to me that more and more patients are becoming aware of alternative “methods” of increasing their well being such as Lifestyle Medicine. It is sad however, that our society’s health is primarily (only?) driven by insurance companies sponsoring Allopathic medicine.
It is through professions like yours and articles such as these that brings awareness: thank you for being that change and a driving force!