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…
A Walk to Remember: Reflections from SALMA’s First Guided Forest Bathing Experience
By Dr Nyasha Gogoma | 31 May 2025 Nestled between the established Johannesburg suburbs of Houghton and Killarney lies a perhaps lesser-known ecological sanctuary: The Wilds Nature Reserve. Spanning 16 hectares, this urban green space features bushy highveld...
SPILL THE BEANS…
Winter days are perfect for whipping up a quick, cosy, and hot meal, and Three Bean Chilli delivers on all fronts. It's bold, spicy, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out. But here’s the real kicker: this dish isn’t just about comfort, it’s also a powerhouse...
Simple Kim Chi for Beginners by “loveurbelly”
Kimchi, a traditional fermented food from Korea made from cabbage, garlic, chilli and other vegetables, is a nourishing food, full of probiotic goodness. It is rich in vitamins, and as the vegetables are fermented and pre-digested by the lacto-bacilli naturally...
May – Lifestyle Medicine Promotion Month
For the last three years, I have had the rewarding privilege of learning about one of the world’s most diverse yet smallest floral kingdoms. The Fynbos of the Western Cape boasts nearly 9000 species of plants. Several times a week, I hike the many paths of Helderberg...
Herbed Tofu Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry
By Dr Nyasha Grace Gogoma Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15 - 20 minutes Serves 6 - 8 Ingredients: 350g extra-firm herbed tofu, cubed 1 large red bell pepper, sliced 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced 400g green baby marrow, sliced 400g portabellini...
Goal-Setting Theory in Action
By Dr Megan Michaux Goal-setting theory has been studied for decades, and the psychology behind setting appropriate goals is particularly (although not exclusively) applied in promoting physical activity. However, despite the efforts of public health agencies, most...