Frequently Asked Questions

Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical approach that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic diseases. These interventions include:

• A whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern
• Regular physical activity
• Restorative sleep
• Stress management
• Avoidance of risky substances
• Positive social connections

Lifestyle Medicine is grounded in the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal when supported by informed, consistent behavior change—delivered in partnership with a trained clinician or coach.

Adapted from educational resources and published materials by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM).

Lifestyle Medicine stands apart from other health approaches through its root-cause philosophy and lifestyle-first strategies:

• Preventive Medicine aims to identify disease early and intervene before it worsens.
• Allopathic (conventional) Medicine typically treats symptoms using medications, diagnostics, and procedures.
• Functional Medicine focuses on root causes too, but often uses advanced testing and supplements.
• Lifestyle Medicine addresses the true drivers of disease through science-backed daily habits—empowering individuals to become active participants in their healing.

Adapted from educational resources and published materials by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM).

The importance of lifestyle in clinical care is recognized by leading global and national institutions, including:

• American College of Cardiology (ACC) / American Heart Association (AHA)
• American Diabetes Association (ADA)
• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) — which lists Lifestyle Medicine among the Top 5 Emerging Medical Specialties

Adapted from educational resources and published materials by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM).

Functional Nutrition is a personalized, systems-based approach to nutrition that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health concerns, rather than just managing symptoms. It considers each individual’s unique physiology, lifestyle, genetics, environment, and emotional well-being when creating dietary strategies.

Unlike conventional nutrition, which may follow general dietary guidelines or focus on calorie counting and food groups, Functional Nutrition integrates the principles of Functional Medicine—viewing food as a powerful tool to support the body’s healing and optimal function. It emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods and supports the body's natural processes of detoxification, digestion, and repair.

In short, Functional Nutrition goes beyond "what to eat" and explores the "why" behind imbalances—offering tailored guidance rooted in science, not fads.