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…
Title: Fermented Foods: New craze or true evidence?
By Dr Odette Vos Fermented foods have in recent years, taken social media and the food industry by storm. They have been linked to gut health and improving the gut microbiome, a relatively new and growing topic in the medical field itself. I have enjoyed experimenting...
Vegan Mexican Fiesta
By Dr Megan Michaux This Mexican Fiesta recipe brings all the delicious flavours of Mexican food to life while being plant-based, high in fibre, and providing a great amount of protein. Mexican favourites like guacamole, salsa, and vegan...
Plant-Based Diets Could Cut Costs in South Africa
Written by Dr Roxie Becker “Healthy” lifestyle choices are often equated with buying food from Woolworths, only eating organic food, and drinking bottled water, and essentially only for the rich and privileged. Why should we even speak about eating healthy food with...
Home-made Sauerkraut Recipe
Sauerkraut, a traditional German dish, is made from fermented cabbage and has been a staple in diets worldwide for centuries. Not only is it incredibly easy to make at home, but it also comes with an array of health benefits, particularly for gut health. Let's dive...
Mushroom Asada Gyro (with avocado, pineapple, jalapeno & coriander)
SERVES 6 Prep time: 2½ hours (including marinade and assembly time) Cook time: 12-15 minutes By Dr Nyasha Gogoma Ingredients 500g braai mushrooms mushrooms 6 wholewheat pita breads 2 avocados, mashed 1 cup pineapple, cubed 2 jalapenos, deseeded and chopped Fresh...
Exercise: The Gateway to Lifestyle Change
By Dr Megan Michaux The implementation of behaviour changes associated with the pillars of lifestyle medicine is an effective way to improve health and wellbeing. However, bridging the gap between behaviour change theory and the practical ways to make the change...