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 July Webinar!
JULY 2026 Webinar
Join us for an informative webinar with Carla Louw!
We are delighted to welcome Carla Louw, a qualified Biokineticist with a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Biokinetics from North-West University and over five years of experience in orthopedic and clinical rehabilitation.
Carla is passionate about helping people improve their physical health, independence, and overall quality of life. Her experience includes working with individuals with disabilities, leading wellness and exercise programs for disbility centers, and assisting in sports rehabilitation. She has completed more than 1,000 hours of clinical rotations, gaining valuable hands-on experience in orthopedic wellness and rehabilitation.
In addition to her clinical work, Carla serves on the Biokinetics Association of South Africa (BASA) North West Committee as part of the marketing portfolio and has a strong interest in mental health and the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being.
Known for her adaptable nature, strong work ethic, and commitment to lifelong learning, Carla is dedicated to empowering people through movement, education, and evidence-based rehabilitation.
In this session, you’ll:
- Gain a better understanding of what Biokinetics is and is not.
- Recognise how to implement the Biokinetic skillset in corporate wellness and mental health settings.
- Learn practical strategies to implement Biokinetics in your practice.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to incorporate Biokinetics into your lifestyle!
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…
A Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Addiction
There is a huge societal stigma associated with addiction. Many people view addiction as a sign of weakness or lack of willpower. But we now have a whole new understanding of addiction and its management. The following points will be covered briefly in this blog:...
Black bean and sweet potato skillet
This one-skillet wonder is full of nutritional value and is fun to eat! Sweet potatoes bring vitamins A and C, as well as a fibre kick, and black beans ramp up that fibre dose, provide micronutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and add plant-based protein...
Tofu Salad Sandwich
Look no further for your new go-to lunch meal! This tofu salad sandwich requires a bit of prep, but all your hard work will be rewarded by the explosion of fresh and savoury flavours as soon as you bite into it. Ingredients lettuce, leaves red onion, sliced cucumber,...
Crispy Shredded Tofu
This flavourful recipe will have you reaching for tofu time and again in your cooking. Use the tofu in sandwiches, sprinkled on nourish bowls, in pasta, or even eaten by the handful as a savoury snack! Ingredients 1 block extra-firm or super-firm tofu garlic powder...
Kale Pesto
This tasty and nutrient-packed pesto can be used on sandwiches, in nourish bowls, and as a pasta sauce. Ingredients 2 packed cups of curly kale, washed 2 cups fresh basil, washed 1-2 garlic cloves 1 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 1/2 tbsp cashew butter or other nut...
Rethinking Our Approach to Lifestyle Change in Chronic Disease: A Call for Action
By Dr Odette Vos As lifestyle medicine practitioners, we often find ourselves caught in a familiar cycle: patients presenting with chronic disease symptoms, motivated at least verbally for change, and yet, weeks or months later, we find ourselves treating the same...