October 2024

Welcome member to

Your home of lifestyle medicine news

As the nights are drawing in quicker, the colder weather and crisp leaves on the ground, we hope you're still managing to get out in nature despite the shorter days!

As always we want to take this opportunity to thank our growing Membership and this diverse, passionate community that has grown around us. We are grateful that month on month you follow our updates, contribute and build this fantastic and inclusive network across the UK and beyond!

Below is your guide to all things Lifestyle Medicine this month, insight into October at BSLM and also what's in store come November.

In this month's Newsletter...

HEADLINE NEWS

European Lifestyle Medicine Symposium: A success!

Thank you if you joined us at our very first unified Lifestyle Medicine Conference in Europe earlier this month, on the 7-9th of October in Alicante, Spain.

Whether you joined us in-person or followed us along on our journey via social media, we're delighted there was so much interest. The engagement and feedback was positive for our joint event. Being the first of it's kind, we were really pleased to see the numbers in attendance and the interest in future similar events with this European focus.

We’re over the moon to hear that so many of you felt inspired and enthused to put the learnings from conference into practice. Do keep us informed if these grow and develop – we’re always keen to showcase lifestyle medicine initiatives.

Our picture summary is below, it's almost as if you can feel the sunshine of the 3 days!

BSLM2024: We know it's over, but we have our highlights reel ready!

We're sure that you're still thinking of BSLM24.. how much of a wonderful time it always is to be all together!

You may have already seen but here is our highlights of our 8th fantastic Annual Lifestyle Medicine conference, held at The Glasshouse in Newcastle Gateshead. We're so excited to share with you the true essence of in-person BSLM2024 if you weren't able to make it!

Also, you've been asking...

Save the Date! We're please to announce BSLM2025 will be taking place in Brighton at the Double-Tree by Hilton, also known as The Metropole! We'll once again be bringing in speakers from across the globe to provide expert insight into all aspects of lifestyle medicine.

Make sure you bookmark this page for any updates coming up!

Our BSLM25 Conference Page

Have you given us your suggestions for what would YOU like to see as our next theme? Who and what topics would YOU like to see at BSLM25?

Pop us an email on office@bslm.org.uk or hit the button below to tell us your suggestions and thoughts!

Email us here!

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS

Some noteworthy Lifestyle Medicine features within the recent news in Britain.

NIHR Evidence: How to stop smoking: what does the research say?

Stoptober is an annual NHS campaign that encourages people to stop smoking. But what can research teach us about how to quit?

The NIHR writes a fantastic article on "Stop smoking intervention in emergency departments helps people quit" - exploring the research on the BMJ's Emergency Medicine Journal about "Cessation of Smoking Trial in the Emergency Department (COSTED): a multicentre randomised controlled trial" - give the NIHR and BMJ article a read via the button.

The NHS Blog here

The report here

Newest Release: Defining the Traditional Mediterranean Lifestyle: Joint International Consensus Statement

After the success at ELMS, with some Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute members were in attendance, we're delighted to announce the release of Defining the Traditional Mediterranean Lifestyle: Joint International Consensus Statement on the 16th of August, and now readable online here!

The Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute 3rd International Symposium is on the 11-14th of June 2025. The event is invite only.

A report, Tackling health inequalities across England through devolution via CLES and The Kings Fund, explores the case for regional devolution as an effective approach towards narrowing health inequalities, and sets out key considerations for the government to push forward on this agenda.

Read it here

Event here

Challenge to Change: Dr. Sunil Kumar’s Lifestyle Guide to a Healthier You

Dr Kumar says; "Tune in on this festive day to ignite your health journey and embrace a lifestyle of vitality and resilience!
May this Diwali light up new paths to health and happiness."

Dr Sunil Kumar, whom you may recognise from our conference as he had a book signing table, has collaborated for an episode of Impact Show, which has aired today, on Diwali.

Watch here

Other Lifestyle Medicine News and Events

In aid of October being Menopause Month..

Linwoods: Flaxseeds: A natural solution for menopausal symptoms

Are flaxseeds a natural solution for menopausal symptoms? In this article, Jane McClenaghan, a highly respected nutritionist with over 20 years of experience, shares her expert insights on how flaxseeds can support women’s health, particularly during menopause.

Known for their rich lignan content, flaxseeds have been shown to help regulate hormones, support heart health, improve skin condition, and even reduce common menopause symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats.

Jane explores the science behind flaxseeds’ many benefits and provides practical tips for incorporating them into your daily routine for optimal health - read her reasons why flaxseeds support women at menopause below!

As October draws to a close we're sure you have either had or will have some spooky plans in place - If you're planning to do so tonight we hope you have a fantastic time!

Even after Halloween itself, the supermarket shelves are stuffed full of Halloween-themed junk food and drinks everywhere at the moment. Although this study isn't based in the UK, it's an interesting read to see how over-indulging on these holidays could pose a risk. Read the "Halloween and myocardial infarction: A case-crossover study" article below!

Read the study here

A great way to make sure you're staying healthy (and the shelves are still lined with them) is to utilise the carved pumpkins (or the uncarved ones)! 🎃

Pumpkin seeds usually go in the bin after pumpkin carving, but they have so many benefits!
We have 10 healthy recipies for pumpkins also while pumpkins are still in season!

Pumpkin seed benefits

Recipies here

LATEST NEWS AT BSLM

BSLM News

We've included some updates below to give you an idea of what we've been up to. Mostly we've been getting back to our daily routines post conference, but a few exciting highlights for you!

Learning Academy Update

BSLM Joint Event upcoming: Reducing Inequalities through our Healthcare Practice

We are also in the process of collaborating with the Institute of Health Promotion and Education to bring you a free webinar on health inequality, with a specific focus on practical strategies for use when working with deprived populations.

In the webinar, panellists will share experience of some challenging contexts for health and explain HOW they have taken effective approaches which can help to address inequalities.

The webinar will be on Thursday 28th November @ 7PM – 8PM. If this sounds of interest to you make sure to log it in your diary, read some more & register below!

read and register here

Invest in our Children’s Healthy Future - New Blog Piece!

You may have seen that we'd uploaded our piece , which was very topical after our BSLM24 theme and conference.

A quote to give you a taste:

“The impact on children’s health and ability to learn is severe, low iron levels in a child’s diet reduces concentration and impacts on a child’s sleep, this is just one example of the impact of a poor nutritional intake. The stress from food insecurity often leads to anxiety and emotional difficulties."

If you haven't seen us mention this blog release already, we'd love if you gave it a read below.

Voices of Lived Experience: Introducing the team

A long time ago the call for Voices of Lived Experience was a regular request in our newsletters.

You may have seen last month, we're now proud to present our very own dedicated Voices of Lived Experience Group and the community it's creating within BSLM!

The group is comprised of passionate individuals who have all used lifestyle medicine to manage, and even reverse, a chronic illness or condition. The group are dedicating their time to help us bring the patient voice to the forefront of everything we do at BSLM and ensure that everyone can have their voices and experiences heard. From creating resources, to helping eliminate barriers for others accessing lifestyle medicine education, and by sharing their own personal journeys, they offer not only a powerful perspective but also hope to others who may be navigating similar paths.

Upcoming to you direct is an introduction to Dan Hindsley - if you want to meet him before November do have a look on the dedicated webpage!

We'll be releasing more on this group on our socials very soon too, but want to make sure you as members get the inside-scoop

Meet Dan and more of the team here

Our monthly Live Well Update

With the Live Well East Lothian Team

A further Thank-You!

A big thank you to the National Lottery Awards for All programme supporting Live Well East Lothian with a generous grant of £10,000.

This support means a great deal to our participants, their family and carers, our instructors and the wider Live Well and BSLM team. It is with these generous contributions and a belief in our mission that we are able to keep providing such a critical service in our community helping people access the resources they need to live well!

Live Well Website here

Our Podcasts

Microbiome Medics Newest Release:

Ep.21 - The Power of Community: Lessons from the BSLM Conference

Listen Here

The Movement Prescription Podcast below, as on a hiatus!

Listen Here

Every time one of the podcasts above are released we'll be updating the newsletter so keep an eye out for updates here too for your monthly listening fix!