Lifestyle Medicine - Health Care over Sick Care (This is what I do)
Lifestyle Medicine is a relatively new field, having developed within the past 20 years out of necessity. As the world has changed, so have our health challenges. In the past, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death, but today chronic diseases dominate. As Eggers (2019) explains, “The modern post-industrial era has resulted in a shift from predominantly infectious to predominantly chronic diseases.”
This shift required a new approach to care. Instead of simply managing symptoms, Lifestyle Medicine was designed to address the root causes of illness. The field is built on six core pillars: regular physical activity, whole-food nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, restorative sleep, stress management, and positive social connection. Decades of research show that when practiced together, these habits can not only prevent but also treat—and in some cases reverse—chronic disease (Rippe, 2024; Lippman et al., 2024).
Importantly, Lifestyle Medicine places the patient—not medications or procedures—at the center of healing (Lippman et al., 2024). This patient-centered approach empowers people to reclaim their health by making sustainable changes to their daily lives.
To advance this mission, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) was founded, and in 2007, the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine was launched. Since then, thousands of physicians, healthcare professionals, and non-physician practitioners have become certified, spreading the reach of this transformative approach (Herzog et al., 2023).
The results speak for themselves. Lifestyle Medicine has been shown to delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes for up to 15–20 years (Rippe, 2024). It has helped patients reduce their need for medications, avoid the side effects of long-term drug use, and improve overall quality of life. With over 2.1 billion people worldwide struggling with obesity—a major risk factor for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis—the need for effective lifestyle-based interventions is greater than ever.
Beyond diabetes and obesity, Lifestyle Medicine has also shown promise in addressing metabolic syndrome, brain health, atherosclerosis, microbiota health, anxiety, depression, dementia, and even cancer prevention. By combining evidence-based science with patient empowerment, Lifestyle Medicine offers not just a treatment plan, but a path toward lasting health.
Foods that are Especially Good for the Brain🍇🥑🐟
Your brain is basically the diva of your body—it uses about 20% of your daily energy but refuses to lift a finger (or neuron) to cook dinner. Luckily, you can keep it happy by feeding it the right foods. Think of these as VIP passes to your brain’s backstage.
Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) = omega-3 powerhouses. They’re like premium Wi-Fi for your neurons. Without them, your brain’s group chat gets glitchy.
Berries = antioxidant superheroes. Blueberries especially fight off brain fog and may help delay memory decline. Plus, they’re basically nature’s candy, minus the regret.
Leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli) = brain kale-istenics. They pack vitamin K, lutein, and folate, all linked to sharper memory. Translation: salad today, fewer “Wait… what was I saying?” moments tomorrow.
Nuts and seeds = crunchy little geniuses. Walnuts are shaped like brains for a reason—magnesium, vitamin E, and omega-3s all help boost cognitive function. Basically, they’re nature’s trail mix for your thoughts.
Dark chocolate = the treat your brain actually approves of. Flavanols increase blood flow to the brain
Upcoming Events
I'm excited to announce that I am working on my PhD and over the next year or so will be working on gathering people with Epilepsy to work on the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine to do my dissertation on the effects of Lifestyle Medicine on decreasing seizures. More information to come. If you know someone who struggles with seizures and would be willing to try natural techniques, and would like to be on my list please let me know.
Connect with Me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleykatz12/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyful_healthy_connections/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykatz/
Website: https://joyfulhealthyconnections.com
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