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…
Is it Time for South African Hospital Menus to Adopt Evidence-Based Nutrition?
By Dr David Glass, MBChB, FCOG(SA), DipIBLM. Those of us who have been around for a while remember the bad old days when cigarette vending machines were found in hospital corridors, and the windows and walls of nurses and doctors tearooms were covered in a thin layer...
The Proof is in the Pudding
By Dr Odette Vos So many of my friends and family have a sweet tooth. So the dilemma is presenting a healthy dessert, more often expected, after a social gathering. The last thing I want is to give my family and...
Homemade Ciabatta Bread
By Dr Roxie Becker If you missed the homemade bread trend during the covid-19 pandemic, this is your sign to get involved! This ciabatta recipe requires no previous bread making experience and will definitely impress your...
Is Exercise Effective at Improving Blood Glucose Control in Diabetes?
Is Exercise Effective at Improving Blood Glucose in Diabetes? By Dr Roxie Becker In the case of type 2 diabetes, there is usually a large emphasis placed on dietary changes, which can be very effective. However, it is also important...
Vegan Cottage Pie
Cottage pie, also called shepard's pie, is a family favourite in many households. But the red meat isn't doing your body any favours, so we have reimagined the recipe with lentils. It's just as tasty and much better for your health. Ingredients for the potato topping:...
Rest, Rest and a Different Type of Rest
By Dr Yakira Mishan As we approach the holiday period many may feel tired, burnt out and genuinely just exhausted. It is tempting to focus on only one type of rest- doing as little as possible and sleeping as much as possible; however, modern psychology tells us that...