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Lifestyle Medicine is a modern approach to health based on six pillars: balanced nutrition, physical activity, quality sleep, stress management, elimination of harmful substances and nurturing social relationships. By addressing these areas, we support both the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. How can we effectively integrate elements of Lifestyle Medicine into our daily routines?
New Medical Discipline
“Lifestyle medicine” is not a new concept, although it has gained significant popularity in recent years. It is a medical discipline that utilises everyday habits to prevent and treat lifestyle-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disorders.
The term was first used as the title of a symposium in 1989, and the following year, the first article containing it in the title was published. The first textbook on Lifestyle Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine by James M.Rippe, was published in 1999. The first Polish textbook appeared only in 2018 (Medycyna stylu życia, edited by Daniel Śliz and Artur Mamcarz). Over the subsequent years, numerous scientific societies and university programs focusing on Lifestyle Medicine were established in the United States and Europe.
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
At the end of the 20th century, American physician and cardiologist James M. Rippe defined Lifestyle Medicine as a combination of modern medicine with healthy lifestyle practices. According to this definition, a holistic approach to health is an effective way to prevent lifestyle-related diseases at early stages of development, and inthe case of existing conditions, Lifestyle Medicine serves as a valuable complement to conventional pharmacological therapy.
In 2007, Garry Egger, Andrew Binns, and Stephan Rossner defined the field as “the application of environmental, behavioural, medical, andmotivational principles to the management of lifestyle-related health problemsin a clinical setting”. In the 2011 edition of their book, the authors expanded this definition to include self-management, which is essential for the effective treatment of chronic diseases.
A study on the lifestyle of Polish prosumers, described in the work “Medycyna stylu życia jako prozdrowotny trend współczesnego prosumenta” revealed that only 20% of respondents were familiar with the term “Lifestyle Medicine”. The vast majority associated it with a healthy lifestyle. Respondents also referred to alternative terms such as “holistic approach to health,” “an alternative to conventional medicine” or “prevention of lifestyle-related diseases”.
What are the Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine?
“Of the 56.9 million deaths worldwide in 2016, 40.5 million, or 71%,were caused by non-communicable diseases,” as reported in “The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health”. The authors emphasize that a significant portion of these deaths are due to heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Itis estimated that up to half of premature deaths in the United States result from modifiable behaviours, such as tobacco use, poor diet or physical inactivity.
Lifestyle Medicine addresses these challenges through its core pillars: healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, sufficient quality sleep, stress management, elimination of harmful substances and building and maintaining social relationships.
1. Healthy Eating
Healthy eatingshould be based on a balanced diet tailored to individual needs. Regular meal patterns and the inclusion of wholesome, nutrient-rich foods in the diet are of great importance.
2. Physical Activity
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing numerous diseases, lowers the likelihood of obesity and improves overall well-being.
3. Good Quality Sleep
Sleep is one of the key factors affecting health. Sleep deficiency can lead to decreased immunity, fatigue, weight gain and hypertension.
4. Stress Management
Stress is an inherent part of life, but excessive stress can contribute to numerous health problems. Proper use of relaxation techniques is extremely helpful.
5. Minimising Harmful Substances
Smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use lead to long-term addiction. Overdose of harmful substances can not only cause poisoning but may also befatal.
6. Nurturing Social Relationships
Maintaining social relationships supports both physical and mental health. Social interactions build a sense of belonging, protect against loneliness and reduce stress.
Lifestyle Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine – What Sets Them Apart?
Lifestyle Medicine differs from traditional medicine primarily in its approach to the patient and focus on prevention. Conventional medicine concentrates on diagnosing and treating diseases using medications and medical procedures.
Lifestyle Medicine, on the other hand, prioritises holistic support forhealth through daily habits. Patients actively participate in managing their own health by focusing on a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate and quality sleep, stress management techniques, avoiding harmful substances and nurturing social relationships, with the physician acting as a guide and advisor.
Definitions of Lifestyle Medicine continue to evolve but consistently emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing non-communicable diseases and supporting their treatment. The focus is on the individual making conscious choices that counteract the development of diseases caused by unhealthy habits. Lifestyle Medicine forms the foundation for prevention, therapy and the support of pharmacological treatment. That is why a holistic approach, focusing on patient education and motivation to implement healthy habits, is so crucial in this context.
How to Implement Lifestyle Medicine in Daily Life?
The fact that healthy choices reduce the risk of disease should come as no surprise. Nevertheless, not everyone integrates health-promoting behaviours into daily life. One main reason is that knowledge alone is often insufficient motivation for change.
Implementing Lifestyle Medicine principles is best achieved through small, conscious steps that gradually develop into lasting habits:
· Regular physical activity – even short walks or home workouts canpositively impact physical fitness, heart function and stress reduction.
· Balance ddiet – rich in vegetables, fruit and whole-grain products provides the body with essential vitamins and minerals.
· Building stress resilience – conscious stress management through relaxation techniques, meditation or contact with nature positively impacts mental health.
· Maintaining social relationships – fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning, which significantly improves overall psychophysical well-being.
· Adequate self-control – plays a crucial role in the process of forming new habits. If self-control is weakened, for example due to sleep deprivation, it is more difficult to maintain health-promoting behaviours.
Desired changes should be implemented systematically by identifying triggers and repeating specific actions, so that they are reinforced by positive outcomes. Gradually developing healthy habits, step by step, helps preventnon-communicable diseases and enhances daily well-being, increasing the sense of balance, energy and life satisfaction.
Lifestyle Medicine represents a true revolution in health prevention. Let’s keep in mindthe benefits it provides on a daily basis!
Literature:
1. Phillips E. M., Frates E. P., Park D. J., Lifestyle Medicine,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32981575/
2. https://lifestylemedicineglobal.org/about/
3. https://lifestylemedicine.hmscme.com/
4. Polish Society of Lifestyle Medicine,https://ptmsz.pl/czym-jest-medycyna-stylu-zycia/
5. Czerska I., Trojanowska A., Korpak T., Medycynastylu życia jako prozdrowotny trend współczesnego prosumenta, University ofWrocław Press, 2020.
6. Podgórska J., Tak działa mózg. Jakmądrze dbać o jego funkcjonowanie, Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal, Warsaw, 2023.
