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…
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...
Marinated and Roasted Baby Marrow
By Dr Lydia Altini This time of year brings an abundance of baby marrow—sometimes more than we know what to do with! If you’re looking for new ways to enjoy it, try this light but satisfying Marinated and Roasted Baby Marrow from the “Vegan Roasting Pan” by Kate...
“This Night Extracts a Heavy Toll”: The Hidden Dangers of Shift Work
By Dr Nyasha Grace Gogoma | 2 March 2025 As humans harnessed electricity and artificial lighting, many industries saw it fit to remain operational 24/7, thus coming to rely heavily on shift workers to maintain round-the-clock service.1,2 It is estimated that...