Is Lifestyle Medicine important during a Pandemic?
Updated: Oct 29, 2021
With so many misconceptions about what Lifestyle Medicine is, we would like to give some explanation about what Lifestyle Medicine actually is. And with bigger things to worry about, is Lifestyle Medicine even important during a Pandemic?
Lifestyle Medicine is not "just nutrition", nor is it woo woo medicine, wacky or alternative. It is an evidence-based science, recognised internationally.
The Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance, represents the convergence of national Lifestyle Medicine professional associations from around the world from 17 countries including the UK. They define Lifestyle Medicine as:
"The evidence-based medical specialty that uses lifestyle therapeutic approaches, such as a predominantly whole food, plant-based diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substance use, and other non-drug modalities, to prevent, treat, and, oftentimes, reverse non-communicable disease, sometimes referred to as degenerative chronic disease".
The vision of the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance is "a world without communicable disease."
Lifestyle Medicine and COVID-19
Even during a Pandemic, we need to continue to manage our chronic disease patients, as these diseases are not simply going to disappear. The worry is that these patients will access less help and present later to services for treatment. We can also advise our patients to improve their self-care. As there is currently no treatment for COVID-19 it is advisable that we help our bodies with a healthy lifestyle. This doesn’t mean we won’t become unwell with COVID-19 (and there are many dubious claims being made about immunity boosting with various supplements, teas, and foods).
So, in these times when people feel a sense of desperation what resources can we advise?
CPD Resources for medics and our patients
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine have produced some really handy resources for patients which encompass the Lifestyle Medicine principles.
We have also produced a free ebook which introduces the concepts of Lifestyle Medicine to clinicians.
If you're interested in learning more about Lifestyle Medicine you can access the full course here.
By Dr Angela Goyal, Inspired Medics Founder
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