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 August Webinar!
AUGUST 2026 Webinar
This month we are delighted to welcome Mia Lombard, a MSc Med Neuroscience graduate from the University of Cape Town, with training in psychiatric genetics and epigenetics. Her academic work focused on how early-life environments – particularly maternal psychological distress during pregnancy – can influence child neurodevelopment and mental health through epigenetic pathways. This work shaped her passion for translating complex neuroscience into practical, evidence-based strategies. She now applies this knowledge to animal behaviour and wellbeing, combining her neuroscience background with evidence-based, positive reinforcement approaches to understand behaviour from the inside out and support the physical, emotional and behavioural wellbeing of animals and their caregivers.
In this session, you’ll:
- Describe the prevalence and clinical relevance of maternal psychological distress in South Africa and other LMIC’s (Low-and-middle-income countries).
- Explain how prenatal psychological distress may influence child neurodevelopment and mental health through epigenetics.
- Interpret key findings from a South African birth cohort study linking maternal distress to early language development outcomes.
- Recognise pregnancy as a biologically sensitive window in which maternal mental health may influence child health outcomes via epigenetic mechanisms.
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…
Fasolada
Fasolada is a Greek white bean stew that is known for rich and simple flavours. The combination of beans and vegetables mean it is rich in fibre, packs a decent plant-based protein punch, and also offers a good amount of calcium, iron, and potassium. Ingredients: 500...
Shared medical appointments: An effective and efficient approach to lifestyle medicine
By: Dr Megan Michaux As healthcare professionals, most of our training focuses on the classic one-to-one consultation. We’re taught how to listen actively, show empathy, and keep the conversation centred on the patient in front of us. But what happens when the...
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...