The Surge of Lifestyle Medicine: Uncovering Its Rapid Growth and the Perks of Certification | AMA Insight Video

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Strategies for maintaining health in the new year: What is lifestyle medicine? Is lifestyle medicine effective? What advantages does lifestyle medicine offer? How does one become a lifestyle medicine physician?

Our guest, Dr. Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, chair of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees, addresses the inquiry: What is lifestyle medicine and how can it be advantageous for you? The session is hosted by AMA Chief Experience Officer Todd Unger.

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Speaker

• Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, chair, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association

Unger: Greetings and welcome to the AMA Update video and podcast. Today, we will discuss the expanding realm of lifestyle medicine and the new tools it provides to physicians for patient care. Joining us today is Dr. Michael Suk, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, based in Danville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Suk is also a board member of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and became a certified lifestyle medicine physician in 2020. 

I’m Todd Unger, AMA’s chief experience officer, in Chicago. Great to see you again, Dr. Suk. 

Dr. Suk: Thank you, Todd. It’s a true pleasure to be here again and to discuss this topic, especially at this time of year. 

Unger: I can’t open any email or visit any website without coming across something linked to lifestyle medicine. 2024 has been a significant year for this subject. Before we dive into the reasons, could you provide a brief overview of what lifestyle medicine encompasses for those unfamiliar with it? 

Dr. Suk: Thank you, Todd. Interestingly, lifestyle medicine is not only a distinct specialty in itself, but it also complements any other recognized medical specialty by the Board of Medical Specialties. As you know, I’m a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who opted to pursue a secondary certification in lifestyle medicine, primarily because I believe that the scope and depth of lifestyle medicine are relevant to nearly all the medical specialties available. 

In essence, lifestyle medicine is fundamentally—a medical specialty that emphasizes therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary strategy to assist in managing chronic conditions, which include, but are not confined to, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even obesity. Individuals certified in lifestyle medicine typically implement evidence-based, holistic, prescriptive lifestyle modifications to address these chronic issues, which can supplement their main specialty. For instance, in orthopedic surgery, focusing on one or more of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine can genuinely contribute to improving my patients’ health and, if they require orthopedic surgery, better prepare them for the procedure. 

Unger: As further evidence of this field’s growing prominence, last year, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine was welcomed into the AMA House of Delegates. The organization now boasts over 11,000 members, yourself included. What do you think is driving the increasing interest in lifestyle medicine?

Dr. Suk: As I mentioned, I believe that within the medical specialties, it is an area that interconnects various branches of medicine because chronic diseases impact every patient we manage, regardless of the specialty. Lifestyle medicine encompasses six primary pillars, each applicable to nearly everything we do. 

The first pillar centers on nutrition. There is substantial evidence indicating that a plant-based nutritional intake may be healthier than others, with nutrition awareness being crucial in our efforts. 

The second pillar is physical activity. Movement is vitality, as the saying goes. Fostering this awareness and encouraging it within your specialty is also highly beneficial. 

The third pillar pertains to stress management. We all acknowledge that it focuses on not only physical stress but also mental wellness, a significant concern of the AMA, particularly regarding self-care for physicians. 

The fourth pillar involves avoiding harmful substances or risky behaviors, such as alcohol. It’s vital to recognize the impact these factors can have on both immediate health and potential long-term chronic diseases. 

The fifth pillar, restorative sleep, is increasingly recognized as vital. We now understand that obtaining between six and eight hours of sleep is essential for our overall well-being. Incorporating sleep-related advice into your daily practice could be advantageous for patients facing various health challenges. 

The sixth and crucial pillar is a holistic strategy to ensure individuals maintain social connections, as we know that the environment we occupy and developing significant relationships pave the way for a healthy life. 

When examining the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and the evidence supporting them from peer-reviewed studies and substantive primary evidence, it becomes evident that each pillar relates not only to the individuals we treat but is also relevant across every medical subspecialty. In orthopedics, this aspect attracted me, which is why I pursued this degree. 

Unger: Those six pillars you mentioned sound a lot like my New Year’s resolutions for 2025. Do you believe there is a growing demand—potentially due to an aging population wanting to lead longer, healthier lives—that’s also influencing this trend? 

Dr. Suk: It’s intriguing, Todd. When you discuss the concept of living longer, there’s a phrase that often comes up.

It’s this idea of longevity. And it’s this viewpoint of having an extended lifespan.

I believe what lifestyle medicine offers is not merely a lifespan; it enhances health span. It raises the question of how we can live more fruitful, engaging lives—not only in terms of time and duration but also how we can sustain that quality of life over a longer period, while ensuring better health. That’s the terminology I often employ when discussing these six pillars with patients. It’s about extending one’s health span, not just lifespan.

Unger: When you refer to health span, could you elaborate on that? This term recently came up in another discussion, particularly the distinction between lifespan and health span.

Dr. Suk: The emphasis on encouraging people to live longer might be one objective. However, that is purely chronological. You might reach 100 years, but spend the last century bedridden—and that wouldn’t constitute a very fulfilling and productive life. Conversely, one might reach 90, which indicates a shorter duration, but if that time is spent in a healthy and productive manner, it can certainly be more valuable in the context of how we assess the entirety of our lives.

Unger: I predict that health span will become one of the prominent terms of the year for the coming 12 months. It’s a fascinating concept. Additionally, the intersection you noticed as an orthopedic surgeon is intriguing—perhaps not everyone would immediately recognize this. In examining the six pillars, which elements do you believe would assist you the most in your practice?

Dr. Suk: Clearly, in the realm of musculoskeletal medicine, the emphasis is heavily on movement. It’s centered on the restoration of physical functionality. Therefore, the focus on physical activity and encouraging patients to engage in and contemplate more movement has become a cornerstone of what I do in orthopedics.

When I refer to physical activity, it’s crucial to understand that I’m not solely advocating for exercise. I’m not suggesting that individuals need to enroll in a gym. Rather, I begin with the straightforward notion that getting off the couch is preferable to remaining on it. If we can promote activities such as using step counters and similar tools, we know that such measures will play a beneficial role not just in averting chronic illnesses like osteoarthritis or muscle pain, or chronic back discomfort but also in preparing candidates for potential surgical procedures through prehabilitation, ultimately enhancing their recovery. Hence, that one pillar is intrinsically linked to nearly every aspect of my work.

Moreover, when we turn our attention to nutrition, it has increasingly become a focal point within orthopedic surgery, particularly over the last decade. Our dietary choices greatly influence our healing processes. For instance, here at Geisinger, we’ve conducted significant studies promoting specific nutritional supplements prior to total joint replacements. The results showed an increase in muscle mass during recovery, which translates to enhanced physical activity, leading to better prevention of chronic illnesses.

Additionally, when you consider other factors—such as prioritizing nutrition, managing stress, ensuring restorative sleep, and fostering social connections—you begin to see the holistic perspective on enhancing patient recovery, both in an immediate context and in preventing the need for my services altogether.

Unger: Those are excellent illustrations of how you’re integrating the principles of lifestyle medicine into your practice. As you noted earlier, you’re not isolated in this pursuit. We’ve heard from Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, our AMA president-elect, and feedback from OB/GYN professionals also indicates an interest in lifestyle medicine as it relates to their specialties. Do you observe any other specific specialties that could gain from adopting these principles?

Dr. Suk: Perhaps a more appropriate question is, are there any specialties that wouldn’t benefit? Honestly, I can’t identify any that wouldn’t. It’s amusing to reference Bobby and others.

During discussions, many were surprised to learn of my certification in lifestyle medicine. Yet, it’s entirely logical. Individuals like Bobby and others are already embodying the lifestyle pillars. By gathering more data and understanding the peer-reviewed literature in this particular field, we see it has advantages for everyone. I strongly urge them to pursue their certification.

As you mentioned earlier, the rationale that it makes common sense is part of why there’s been such an increase in interest. Importantly, this isn’t only a trend within the U.S.; it’s an international movement. Their membership has expanded significantly.

We are genuinely pleased that they have applied for and attained full delegate recognition within our House of Delegates, as it provides an exceptional platform for their involvement in the medical field and in the broader policy-making process, which, as you know, holds considerable influence.

Unger: I’m eager to see further developments in this space. Earlier in our discussion, I mentioned my own personal New Year’s resolutions. I’m not alone in this endeavor. There are prevalent discussions and numerous influencers in this field. At present, it’s nearly impossible to engage with topics concerning longevity. Considering all you’ve learned and the patients you’re currently treating, do you have any guidance for those interested in lifestyle and lifestyle medicine?

Dr. Suk: Interestingly, recent research indicates that for the first time in over a decade or potentially even two decades, we’re witnessing a decline in the obesity rate in this country. This news surfaced recently. Many attribute this decline to the emergence of new GLP medications. While that might be true, I view this as merely a first step toward a more comprehensive approach to combating, or at least alleviating, the surge in obesity.

No matter how one arrives there, my suggestion is that taking that initial step is crucial, whether it’s adding an hour to your sleep in pursuit of an eight-hour goal, moderating alcohol consumption during festive periods, or simply opting to spend less time sitting on the couch. These are small yet impactful changes. With the right provider, advice, and mindset, I believe individuals can achieve significant advances toward increasing their health span, leading to a more productive life with reduced chronic illness.

Unger: And as you rightly highlighted, the deeper every physician understands lifestyle medicine, the better outcomes we can anticipate. Dr. Suk, I thank you immensely for participating and sharing your insights on lifestyle medicine. Should you have found this conversation enlightening, you can support additional programming like this by joining the AMA at ama-assn.org/join.

This concludes today’s episode. Stay tuned for another AMA Update soon. Remember to subscribe for new episodes and access all our videos and podcasts at ama-assn.org/podcasts. Thank you for joining us today, and please take care.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this video reflect those of the participants and do not necessarily align with the views and policies of the AMA.