Lifestyle Medicine is an established, evidence-based medical discipline. In clinical practice, it is all about supporting people to make healthy lifestyle changes. The main focus is on the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine — healthy eating, stress management, physical activity, avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol, and social connections. All these factors are known to prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic disease.

It should work in partnership with and support conventional medicine. Lifestyle Medicine is definitely not alternative medicine, nor is it integrative medicine; it is scientific, evidence-based medicine.

Lifestyle Medicine looks to support people both in terms of understanding the upstream determinants of health and diseases, and the social situation but also in creating the environment and the relationship between the doctor and the practitioner that can help you understand how to improve your situation as you want to.

Watch our VIDEO which explains further.

While the concept of Lifestyle Medicine has been around for many years, it has gained increased recognition and prominence in recent years. The term “lifestyle medicine” was first coined in the late 1990s by Dr James Rippe, a cardiologist and researcher. Since then the field has been growing and evolving as more research highlights the significant impact that lifestyle factors have on health outcomes.

Lifestyle Medicine is often considered a relatively new and emerging field within the broader realm of medicine. It draws from various disciplines, including preventative medicine, public health, nutrition exercise science, psychology, and behaviour change.

The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, which are largely influenced by lifestyle factors has fueled the interest and need for Lifestyle Medicine. The field’s focus on promoting health through lifestyle interventions aligns with the shifting paradigm in healthcare, emphasising prevention, patient empowerment, and addressing root causes rather than just treating symptoms.

As research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in preventing and managing chronic diseases, Lifestyle Medicine is gaining more attention and becoming integrated into healthcare systems. it is being recognised as an essential component of comprehensive healthcare that complements traditional medical approaches and improves patient outcomes.

As a holistic medical practice, Lifestyle Medicine is a straightforward development for us. For example, if you see an Osler Health doctor with a physical complaint that may have underlying mental health origins, we will always support and value your mental health alongside treating your physical ailments.

To understand further please watch our VIDEO.

Lifestyle medicine, preventative medicine, and functional medicine are all approaches to healthcare that aim to promote health and prevent disease, but they differ in their focus and methods.

Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical discipline that focuses on the use of lifestyle interventions such as healthy eating physical activity, stress management, sleep, and social support to prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases. The focus is on empowering patients to make positive lifestyle changes that promote optimal health and well-being. Lifestyle medicine is often integrated into primary care settings to provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare.

Preventive Medicine, on the other hand, is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention of diseases and injuries. Preventive medicine emphasizes the importance of screening, immunizations, and lifestyle modifications to prevent the development of chronic diseases. The focus is on identifying risk factors and implementing interventions to prevent disease from occurring.

Functional Medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the underlying causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners take a holistic approach to patient care, considering the patient’s unique biochemistry, genetics, and environment. Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of individualised care and personalized treatment plans.

At Osler Health, our approach very much aligns with all of the above. Taking a holistic view of our patient’s health is central to our approach. We see our role as collaborating with the patient, possibly alongside other specialist practitioners, and guiding them on a path to better health.

They are similar, however, a Comprehensive Lifestyle Assessment is more holistic. This involves evaluating your health risks and overall well-being in relation to the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, with the aim of working closely with you to implement long-lasting lifestyle changes for optimal health outcomes.

You can certainly still book in for a Health Screening which may target specific needs, such as a mammogram or a skin check.

A Comprehensive Lifestyle Assessment could be ideal for you if have been diagnosed with a chronic condition (such as high blood pressure or type II diabetes) and you want to improve your overall health, reduce your need for prescriptions and reduce your future risk.

Or, if you just need some advice and guidance around your general health. While we always try to address lifestyle and wellness in every GP consultation, the reality is that some people may not feel unwell enough to feel the need to book a GP appointment but may just want some tailored advice about things they could be doing better. A Comprehensive Lifestyle Assessment could be ideal for you if you:

• review the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle medicine and recognise that you have concerns about one or multiple pillars
• have a strong family history of chronic disease and want some advice and guidance to help reduce your own risk
• want to get generally healthier but need some clear guidance on how to do so
• have tried to make lifestyle changes but keep falling off the wagon
• feel you are lacking motivation in taking the steps to optimise your overall well-being

Overall, Lifestyle Medicine is considered a “better” approach because it prioritises prevention, takes a holistic view of health, empowers individuals, addresses root causes, integrates with traditional medicine, and is supported by scientific evidence. By adopting a Lifestyle Medicine approach, individuals have the opportunity to improve their health, prevent chronic diseases, and enhance their overall well-being.

For this approach to be effective, a doctor needs to move away from their traditional role as an expert who simply imparts information. Years of experience have shown us that simple advice such as “exercise more” or “eat less” may not be effective. A lifestyle medicine doctor plays the role of a coach, working in collaboration with their patient to determine their values, goals, motivations and harnessing these to enable lasting behavioural changes.

The Lifestyle Medicine approach also involves a multi-disciplinary team of allied health professionals. At Osler Health, we work with a trusted network of nutritionists, trainers, psychologists, and coaches to get the best results for our patients. For some examples, do take a look at our Osler Programmes

In a Comprehensive Lifestyle Assessment an Osler Health doctor will assess your overall health. We will assess your health against the 6 pillars (nutritional health, mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, physical activity, minimising harmful substances and restorative sleep) and provide recommendations that are pertinent to you.

We have various specific Osler Programmes to help support your health needs. These include:

• Gut Health Programme
• Weight Management & Exercise Programme
• Health Coaching Programme
• Smoking Cessation Programme

Further to the above Programmes, we also have doctors who may support your mental health.

Book a Comprehensive Lifestyle Assessment and one of our Medical Reception team will be in touch to arrange your appointment.