Abstract
Lifestyle medicine is science-based, not science-fiction. This theme of lifestyle medicine as an evidence-based practice reverberated through ‘Lifestyle Medicine 2014: Treat the Cause’ – presented by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) for clinicians and an array of allied health professionals. The 2014 conference was dedicated to presenting the science-based evidence of the power of lifestyle to prevent, treat, and reverse our most stubborn chronic diseases and conditions. The evidence was clear and strong, and prominent experts from around the world garnered this evidence to provide practical guidelines for practitioners to utilize lifestyle as medicine within their own practice.
To highlight:
In line with tradition, the ACLM expert panel, moderated by AJLM’s Editor James Rippe, MD, kicked off the conference by sharing their accomplished insight on lifestyle medicine as an evidence-based practice.
David L. Katz, MD, MPH launched day two with a rousing presentation on the “covariance of proposition and preposition”, highlighting the need to translate our knowledge, that would be re-emphasized throughout the conference, into cultural change.
Dean Ornish, MD reminded us that the greatest advances in medicine are not new drugs, surgical procedures, or high-tech gadgets. Rather, Dr. Ornish reviewed more than 30-years of research of proven strategies to reverberate the power of lifestyle changes, social networks, and love.
Caldwell B. Esselstyn, MD elegantly reminded us of the role of lifestyle medicine in not only treating coronary heart disease, but also reversing it.
James Rippe, MD shared an evaluation of evidence, strength, and guidelines for lifestyle-based strategies in cardiovascular risk reduction, emphasizing to all of us that the evidence is ample.
Kinga Szucs, MD provided a much need examination of the evidence-based practices to ensure the many benefits of breastfeeding are received for the mother, the child, and society.
Michael Greger, MD, the driving force behind NutritionFacts.org, scoured the world’s scholarly literature on clinical nutrition, and exuberantly presented the role of diet in lifestyle medicine.
Similarly, T. Colin Campbell, PhD elegantly provided substantial evidence that supports the reality that nutrition is truly a medical science.
During the evening dinner presentation, Joel Fuhrman, MD impressed with a wide-range of research and opportune clinical experiences on high nutrient density dietary protocols to maximize disease reversal.
Showing us how we can fulfill the vision of healthier society, Edward Phillips, MD from Harvard’s Institute of Lifestyle Medicine concluded the conference by sharing the current expansion and integration of evidence-based lifestyle medicine into medical schools, residencies, fellowship, CME programs, and beyond.
Also, I would be remiss if I did not highlight a key announcement from LM 2014. ACLM President, David L. Katz, MD, MPH launched a passionate vision for the GLiMMER Initiative (glimmerinitiative.org), a global, non-profit initiative to establish an unprecedented global alliance of expertise who are not only propagating the consensus that lifestyle truly is medicine, but expressing a global consensus about what elements of lifestyle, including dietary pattern, make up that medicine. At the time I write this editorial, the GLiMMER council has already expanded to an impressive list of over 170 experts from at least 20 countries, and council is growing almost daily.
I wish I could provide a recap of every speaker providing his or her expertise on lifestyle medicine as an evidence-based practice, alongside the wonderful array of events and interactions at the conference – including the invaluable networking opportunities, the 5k run hosted by ACLM’s professionals in training, morning Yoga sessions, plant-based meals, and a group of excellent sponsors who openly shared their support for lifestyle medicine. Also, true to the evidence-based practice theme, Lifestyle Medicine 2014 launched the first research abstract submission opportunity, exhibiting the most recent in lifestyle medicine research, which will be expanded with future conferences.
The conference recap brings us to the current AJLM issue, which includes a few of these great presentations and discussions. Michael Greger, MD and Joel Fuhrman, MD, who were previously highlighted, have been kind enough to share their contribution with us. Amanda McKinley, MD, shares the evidence and lifestyle perspectives on infertility and pregnancy outcomes. Rani Polak, MD and Rachele M. Pojednic, PhD teamed up with colleague Eddie Phillips, MD to provide us with a timely update on the current status of lifestyle medicine education. Amy Mechley, MD and Wayne Dysinger, MD, MPH share their practical, expert insight on how to integrate lifestyle medicine into your healthcare system, highlighting the effectiveness of intensive therapeutic lifestyle change. In addition, Tom Blue provides a thought-provoking commentary on how lifestyle medicine can be the catalyst for creating the medical practice for the future.
Although the present issue is just a glimpse into the Lifestyle Medicine 2014 conference, I believe you will come to the same conclusion as the over 500 attendees that lifestyle medicine is science-based, not science fiction. Now that we are equipped with the evidence, I hope that this issue also inspires us to translate what we know, into what we do.