About Lifestyle Medicine
SALMA aims to establish and expand the practice of Lifestyle Medicine in South Africa by providing resources, facilitating certification and providing support to its members.
What is lifestyle medicine?
Pillars of change
Physical Activity
Recommendations support 75 -300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week.
Healthy Eating
Lifestyle Medicine supports the use of a whole food plant-based diet as treatment for lifestyle-related chronic disease, which increases the intake of nutrient dense, antioxidant rich foods.
Stress Management
Mind-body and cognitive behavioral therapies have been associated with improvements in immune function, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.
Avoidance of Risky Substances
The presence of an addiction or risky use doubles the risk of chronic diseases.
Restorative Sleep
The recommended hours of sleep are 7-8 hours each night.
Positive Social Connections
Positive moments of social connection correlate with positive physiological responses.
We are excited to invite you to our April webinar!
APRIL 2026 Webinar
Join us for an inspiring webinar with Professor Ashraf Hassen Coovadia, one of the most esteemed authorities in paediatric medicine in Southern Africa. Prof Coovadia obtained his Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Zambia in 1990 and his Fellowship of the College of Paediatrics through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in 1998. He also holds a Diploma in Child Health, Diploma in HIV Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education from Wits University. In 2025, he was grandfathered in as a Paediatric Emergency Medicine subspecialist (PEM) by the HPCSA.
Prof Coovadia has been the Head of Department of Paediatrics at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital since January 2014, and Academic Head of Department of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Wits University since October 2016.
His current areas of interest are medical education, paediatric emergency medicine training, advocacy on the South African public healthcare system, AI use in medical education, and climate change.
In this session, you’ll:
- Define climate change and explain the greenhouse effect in simple clinical terms.
- Describe the major current and projected effects of climate change globally and in health systems.
- Explain why children are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.
- Identify key direct and indirect effects of climate change on child health, including heat, preterm birth, asthma/allergy, nutrition, and infectious diseases.
- Discuss practical actions for clinicians and health systems to mitigate and adapt to climate-related child health risks in South Africa.
Don’t miss this opportunity to understand how climate change can impact paediatric health!
MISSED OUT ON OUR WEBINAR?
WATCH it here….
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
WHAT WE OFFER
Education
We provide CPD accredited education for medical and health professionals to support the integration of Lifestyle Medicine into their practices
Certification
Membership
Join the Lifestyle Medicine movement and support us to advocate for a change in healthcare so together we can address the underlying drivers of non-communicable diseases in South Africa.
Find a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Health Professional
Lifestyle medicine certified clinicians have specialised knowledge in the practice of lifestyle medicine. They are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse chronic conditions including, but not limited to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Whats new…
Digital Overload: How screen time is disrupting sleep, stress and mental health
By Amanda Oakes-Cornellissen Living in a hyperconnected world In today’s digital age, screens have become inseparable from daily life – used for work, education, social connection, and entertainment. However, what was once a tool for convenience has increasingly...
TLC Calming Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
TLC Calming Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup (From TLC Lifestyle Medicine and Stress Management 21-day Whole Body Reset Challenge) Sweet Potato soup – a warm, comforting soup made with sweet potatoes, ginger and cumin– all known for their mood boosting properties....
Chocolate Avocado Mousse
There’s something quite luxurious about its simplicity, just a few whole-food ingredients transformed into an indulgent Chocolate Avocado Mousse for you to enjoy. Makes 2 to 4 servings Ingredients: 2 large avocado 3/4 tablespoon of almond milk (or any plant-based...
The Power of Lifestyle Medicine to Restore Health
By Dr David Glass We fall and scrape our knees, and a few weeks later, the scars are barely visible. We slip off a rock and land hard on our chest, breaking a rib. For a few weeks, we have to sleep at night lying propped up in bed because of the pain. But six...
Summer Bean Salad
As the summer temperatures go up, refreshing ingredients and bright flavours become more appealing. This bean salad combines grilled veggies with a herb-filled dressing to make a delicious plant-based bite. Beans of all varieties are a great way to get in plant...
Love Don’t Cost a Thing: Deinfluencing Valentine’s Day Through the Lens of Lifestyle Medicine
By Dr Nyasha Gogoma Picture this: rose petals strewn across the floor, a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a chilled bottle of wine, and a gourmet candlelit dinner – a Valentine’s Day scene straight out of a TikTok. The 14th of February can be a highly polarising day;...