Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic interventions—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.

It is the foundation of conventional medicine and bridges the gap between health promotion and clinical practice. The majority of clinical practice guidelines for non-communicable diseases support Lifestyle Medicine as the first line of treatment. Despite this, very little about the practical implementation of Lifestyle Medicine is taught at medical schools.

The South African Lifestyle Medicine Association seeks to:
 Nationally promote Lifestyle Medicine as the first and optimal treatment option for chronic diseases of lifestyle
 Collaborate with international evidence-based and physician-led lifestyle medicine organisations to represent South Africa in advancing lifestyle medicine globally
 Support our members in their individual practices to promote the principles of Lifestyle Medicine, thus working towards eradicating the root causes of non-communicable diseases.