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Welcome member
It has almost been a month since we all gathered in London for our 6th annual Lifestyle Medicine conference at BSLM 2022. There were so many fabulous speakers and delegates attending (both in-person and virtually), showcasing the need for continued integration of Lifestyle Medicine into mainstream healthcare services.
We hope you have had a chance to see our video on the back of the conference, which highlights the need for Lifestyle Medicine adoption. If you haven't check it out below, and please share and give your thoughts on the future of Lifestyle Medicine.
Lifestyle Medicine; a modern medical discipline full of optimism
We also have a closing address from the BSLM Chairman, Dr Rob Lawson:
"Dear colleagues.
Just a brief note to thank you for coming together for the BSLM2022 conference in London. A stunning venue, great food – and high quality sessions from excellent speakers throughout. Not to mention a bit of fun along the way. I said in my opening address that if I were a betting man that I would bet you would have smiles on your faces. You did - often. And especially during the BUGA dance! It is the positive ‘feel’, making new friends from around the UK and the world, and also learning at your own pace which makes our conferences so special - all thanks to you.
And of course our organising team deserve huge credit along with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium staff for their hard work to make it easy for the rest of us.
Along with the word unprecedented, the word inspirational is often overused. Not in this case – you are all inspiring.
We already have an amazing line up of speakers and activities for Manchester BSLM2023 21st - 23rd September so do please save the date.
See you there. All good wishes.
Rob"
You can read the entire piece on Lifestyle Medicine through the button below. Please share across your network and spread the positivity surrounding Lifestyle Medicine!
In this month's Newsletter...
Headline News
- The Oversimplification of Tackling Loneliness in Social Prescribing
Lifestyle Medicine in Focus:
- Pumping Weights could help you Live Longer
- NIHR-funded ReDIRECT study launching
- Long-term antidepressant use 'may increase risk of heart disease'
- 5 more articles covering a variety of Lifestyle Medicine topics...
BSLM News
- The success of the Lifestyle as Medicine Changemakers campaign
- Stand for health campaign launch
- BSLM representation at Aberdeen Health and Wellbeing Festival
Upcoming Events
- Register for October's Webinar
- How can virtual/hybrid group consultations & lifestyle medicine help with pandemic recovery?
- Alzheimers is Preventable conference
- Diabetes Professional Care Conference
BSLM Learning Academy
- What is the Gut Microbiome?
- Professor Rob Thomas meeting course creators
BSLM 2023
- Manchester 2023 announced!
Opportunities & Courses
- PG Mutual 20% off for members
- Mr Motivator Club GP referral programme
- Review of The Pain Free Mind Set by Deepak Ravindran (20% Member Discount)
- Free access to Communication and Gut Health Webinar
- And more...
NHS Weekly Newsletter
- The latest from the NHS Weekly Blogs
HEADLINE NEWS
The Oversimplification of Tackling Loneliness in Social Prescribing
By Anna Jones
Loneliness is a subjective emotional state. The Cognitive Discrepancy Theory of Loneliness describes it as dissatisfaction with the discrepancy between one’s desired and actual quality and quantity of social relationships. It is therefore a perceived, rather than objective, social isolation.
Loneliness has been suggested to be associated with negative health outcomes such as reducing our immunity against infections by reducing the number of natural killer cells we have, and elevating our risk of earlier mortality by up to 26%. The lack of sense of belongingness that is often felt with loneliness is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide. Social prescribing schemes have therefore been implemented, aiming to reduce loneliness and improve psychological and physical wellbeing. These schemes involve healthcare professionals referring people to link workers for support. Link workers will then refer them to suitable non-clinical local community programmes, such as befriending schemes, volunteering, and shared activity and group learning programmes.
An intriguing and comprehensive piece by Anna, giving rise to some important questions around loneliness and how to tackle it. Take some time to read the full article through the button below...
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Pumping weights could help you live longer
By Philippa Roxby, BBC
Activities which strengthen the muscles - like weightlifting - should be part of an older person's weekly exercise routine, a study suggests.
People doing both aerobic and muscle exercises were more likely to live longer than those who did just one or the other, US researchers found.
The US study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, asked more than 150,000 people in their 60s and 70s about their exercise routine then followed them up.
The researchers found that people who took the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week lived longer than those who didn't - but those who combined regular aerobic exercise with muscle-strengthening activities once or twice a week fared even better.
This article is fantastic to see on the back of #bslm2022, where the importance of continuously integrating Lifestyle Medicine into mainstream healthcare was highlighted. An increase in the understanding that the Physical Activity Pillar will increase quality and length of life is great for Lifestyle Medicine and another reminder of its growth.
NIHR-funded ReDIRECT study launching
Long COVID is a multi-system condition that affects approximately 10% of people following COVID-19 infection. There are several possible explanations for Long COVID, including persistent viral infection, an autoimmune response, micro-clots, and inflammation. As weight loss is known to have anti-inflammatory benefits, the ReDIRECT study aims to test whether an evidence-based weight loss programme can help alleviate symptoms of Long COVID in people who are overweight.
The study is run by the University of Glasgow, and they are looking for people interested in taking part. If you live in the UK, are over 18 years old, are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID, and are overweight (with a BMI of greater than 27kg/m²), then please get in touch with their study team for further information.
Long-term antidepressant use 'may increase risk of heart disease'
Long-term use of antidepressants could increase the risk of heart disease, according to a study, but experts have warned people not to stop taking the drugs.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found “concerning associations” between taking the pills over 10 years and increases in heart disease, death from cardiovascular disease and earlier death from any cause.
This piece features words from Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs and speaker at #bslm2022.
400 people in UK diagnosed with preventable cancer each day, data shows
More than 400 people are being diagnosed with preventable cases of cancer every day in the UK, analysis suggests, prompting health experts to urge people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
A total of 387,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2019-20, and 40% of those cases – about 155,000 – could have been avoided, according to analysis of the latest official data by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
The BSLM welcomes new ADA / EASD guidelines
The BSLM welcomes the American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes new guidelines which focus on "a holistic approach to lifestyle".
The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have launched their updated Consensus Report on the Management of Hyperglycaemia in Type 2 Diabetes, which updates the previous consensus report (2018) and its update (2019).
The latest iteration has an increased focus on managing weight loss, on person-centred care and on equity of care. In this short commentary, Pam Brown outlines the changes to the guidance.
The BSLM Regional Leads using Lifestyle Medicine to transform lives
An article highlighting the amazing work BSLM Regional Leads Dr’s Linda Mizun and Erica Lin have been doing.
Using Lifestyle Medicine to reverse and prevent diseases and transform their patients’ lives.
Treating patients with life threatening conditions such as heart attacks, arriving in A&E, Dr Linda Mizun would find herself feeling despondent and disheartened that instead of taking action to halt the extreme effects of the disease and save their life, she couldn’t prevent it from happening in the first place.
Please note this is a subscriber only article.
Massive decline in sleep quality in the past year
A majority of adults now report poorer quality sleep compared with a year ago, according to new survey results released by healthcare charity Nuffield Health that revealed soaring numbers suffering from insomnia.
The new research is the latest set of results to be released from Nuffield’s 2022 Healthier Nation Index (HNI), based on a nationally representative online survey conducted by Censuswide of 8000 adults aged 16+ across the UK questioned between February 14-28 this year.
Smartwatch technology: Is it benefiting our health or doing more harm than good?
Smartwatches are sold as both an extension of the aforementioned cellphone as well as a ‘tracker’ of health, meticulously and incessantly measuring our movements and everything from our oxygen saturations to hours of sleep.
About half a billion smartwatches have already shipped worldwide, and global sales are expected to rise to over 250 million units a year by 2025. But is the smartwatch really improving our health?
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
The success of the Lifestyle as Medicine Changemaker Campaign
As a Lifestyle Medicine Changemaker, we invited you all to capture a clip of your lifestyle change that has made a difference to your life. The film was premiered at BSLM 2022 in the stunning Tottenham Hotspur stadium, highlighting the amazing work done in the lead up to our annual conference. You might have seen yourself on one of the screens! Here’s the film from our most recent campaign: Lifestyle as Medicine Changemakers 2022
Thanks to all our Changemakers 2022 who took part and to Dr Dimple Devadas, who spearheaded this campaign and brought together all your amazing clips!
Stand for Health
‘Stand for Health’, find your ‘FIT’, take part in our campaign and be part of a community movement. As a Lifestyle as Medicine Changemaker, we invite you to take part.
Dance for Health, meditate for Health and Stand for Health, for everyone, everywhere. The clips you share will be curated into a collective film series, which will be premiered and screened at the BSLM annual conference 2023.
The BSLM representation at Aberdeen Health and Wellbeing festival
The BSLM Aberdeen Health and Well-being festival in early October was a fantastic event with a footfall of hundreds of members of the public and health care professionals all with a keen interest in improving their lives and health. Our stand was represented by BSLM regional lifestyle lead, Dr Julie Gray, and 5th year medical student Inas Alsuhaibani who tirelessly promoted BSLM, and lifestyle medicine, with such inspiring enthusiasm.
Julie, being one of 6 speakers at the event, was honoured to give the opening lecture for the festival. The topic of lifestyle medicine in context of chronic disease and inclusive of the 6 pillars and the #1change campaign was well received by a large audience.
UPCOMING BSLM EVENTS
October BSLM Webinar
Tues 18th October | 7pm - 8pm
We are back this month with an exceptional October Webinar! This month we have two great speakers looking at a Mindful Body Approach to Pain, from a GP & Patient Perspective.
The webinar will be held by Fiona Symington and Dr Sarah Hadfield. Register below!
Why not catch up with some of the previous webinars we have had over previous months (BSLM members only). We have a great selection of future webinars lined up ... a reminder to please get in touch if there are any specific topics you would like us to cover, or if you're keen on contributing.
How can virtual/hybrid group consultations & lifestyle medicine help with pandemic recovery?
Wednesday 19th October | 5pm - 6pm | Online & Lecture Theatre 002, City Campus East
In a timely inaugural lecture Professor Fraser Birrell will explore the long and rich history of group consultations. Appreciating the evidence supporting group consultations, his lecture will examine how these findings can be extrapolated for virtual and hybrid models today.
Alzheimers is Preventable Conference
Tuesday 1st November | 5pm - 9pm
Food for the Brain Foundation kick off the "Alzheimer's is Preventable" campaign on November 1st with an an online 4 hour masterclass hosted by an unprecedented group of world experts on Alzheimer’s.
Why does brain function decline in so many and how can you make sure you’re not one of them? We are supporting the Alzheimer’s is Preventable campaign with our partners Food for the Brain Foundation who kick off the campaign on November 1st with an unprecedented group of world experts on Alzheimer’s giving an on-line 4 hour masterclass to show that 99 per cent of Alzheimer’s is not caused by genes but is the direct result of diet and lifestyle factors – and is predictable from as early as age 35.
Diabetes Professional Care
16 - 17 November 2022 | Olympia London
Bringing together 5000+ healthcare professionals, Diabetes Professional Care is the UK's leading event for those involved in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes and its related conditions.
This must-attend event meets a real and increasing need for accessible education, arming you with the skills and knowledge to provide better care for people living with diabetes.
BSLM will be attending this event, so come on down and meet us there!
BSLM LEARNING ACADEMY
What is the Gut Microbiome?
Microbiome science is an extraordinary and exhilarating field of study, but it is also very dynamic and rapidly changing. In truth, it can get mind-bogglingly complex at times. 95% of your body's microorganisms reside in the gut. That's 100 trillion microbes! There are more microbes in the human body than there are number of stars in the Milky Way.
Driven by technological advances, microbiome research has exploded in the last decade and using the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, it can be modified.
BSLM Members can also access a presentation from Professor Tim Spector last year at BSLM 2022, talking about 'Personalised Nutrition & Microbes (Through the Pandemic & Beyond)'.
View the presentation here
Rob Thomas meeting BSLM course content creators
A great photo from #bslm2022 of Professor Rob Thomas with two of the BSLM Learning Academy course writers, Dr's Siobhan McCormack and Sheena Fraser. The two have developed a new comprehensive course educating on the gut microbiome, a fascinating and crucial part of our bodies.
This course is called 'The Gut Microbiome for Clinicians' and is an essential educational component for anyone looking to increase their understanding of the gut microbiome. It was also a privilege to have Professor Rob Thomas chairing at our conference, with him saying how "the importance of the microbiome is being increasingly understood".
BSLM 2023
BSLM 2023 | Manchester Central | 21 - 23 September, 2023
You may have noticed we have already confirmed our next venue for our annual conference with BSLM2023.
It will be hard to top what was an amazing conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, yet that is exactly what we'll do next year. We'll all be heading to Manchester for the 7th annual conference, and we can't wait to see you all there!
Ticket information will be released at a later date, so keep an eye out!
OPPORTUNITIES & COURSES
20% off your first 2 years of Income Protection Plus
You may not have considered it, but if you were incapacitated for an extended period, you might be unlikely to keep up with your bills, maintain your lifestyle, and look after your family.
That’s where PG Mutual comes in, offering 20% off for BSLM Members
Their Income Protection Plus policy lets you enjoy life, happy in the knowledge that if you can’t work through long-term illness or injury, you could still receive a regular income to cover your bills and living expenses. Leaving you to focus on recovery.
Mr Motivator Club GP Referral Programme
The Mr Motivator Club offers live Zoom classes with standing and sitting options three times a week, as well as access to a library of pre-recorded classes. Healthcare professionals can refer patients with a chronic condition who are not meeting the World Health Organisation (WHO) physical activity recommendations. Patients will pay a discounted fee of £1.99 per month (usually £6.99 per month) and have full access to the site including nutrition advice.
University College London (UCL) is performing a study about the experience. See Downloads for the full programme flyer and Vimeo for a video explaining how and why healthcare professionals should refer patients to the club.
Review of The Pain Free Mind Set by Deepak Ravindran (20% Member Discount)
With his Amazon best seller, NHS pain consultant and BSLM Diplomate 2020, Dr Ravindran brings his 20 years of experience to offer an effective set of techniques that will transform your understanding of pain.
There is a way out from chronic pain and it starts with your mindset. BSLM members can avail of a 20% discount.
Regional Lead Roles available within BSLM
If you’re interested in joining the BSLM regional team, please get in touch with office@bslm.org.uk … more information on the role below, further details available on request.
BSLM Regional Leads - Vacancies exist for:
- East Midlands
- East of England
- North East England & Yorkshire
- Wales
The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) has set up Regional Leads (RL’s) who have agreed to take on responsibility for leading and coordinating the organisation’s activities in their region of the UK. They are expected to agree with the vision and mission of BSLM and work to further the organisation’s aims and objectives.
1: Responsibilities
Key responsibilities for the role include that RL’s should:
- act as the local advocate for BSLM, to promote lifestyle medicine, the Charity, and engagement locally
- lead and connect with BSLM members in their geographic area
- build and maintain sound working relationships with local members
- lead regional meetings and serve as an active participant in national meetings
- mentor and provide signposting to training and initiatives for local members
- to actively promote the BSLM Learning Academy, including the Diploma and any future courses
- act as the regional liaison member for the BSLM office staff
Regional Leads should ideally be IBLM/BSLM Certified (or working towards) and be able to hold at least one in-person and one online meeting/event per year in their region.
30% BSLM Member Offer
HealthyLongevity.guide is building a platform for progressive healthcare professionals eager to learn more about the booming world of longevity, healthy ageing and healthy lifespan extension, and gerontology sciences. Become a longevity expert and advance your career with a 30% discount for BSLM members.
Communication and gut health webinar
Are you familiar with the Love Your Gut resources for HCPs and patients?
The CPD webinar, Communication and Gut Health: Tools and resources for HCPs to communicate about gut health is now available to watch on our website. Watch now
One year's UKHCA affiliate membership FREE
The UK Health Coaches Association are offering FIVE IPM Conference participants an opportunity to win ONE YEAR’S FREE Affiliate Membership – worth £120!
The UKHCA are also offering FIVE eligible Conference participants an opportunity to submit an application for our NEW Portfolio Route to UKHCA Full Membership – TOTALLY COST FREE!
On successful completion of the application process, you will enjoy a 50% DISCOUNT on fees for the first year of membership.
You can find out more information and enter on their website through the button below.
50% discount for International Academy of Nutrition
The International Academy of Nutrition Educators is a membership scheme for professionals interested in developing and delivering high quality nutrition education and evaluating its impact, particularly on healthcare practice.
As a member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, you are entitled to 50% discount on your membership fee. Please add the code B2Y0C5Z2 during your application to avail.
NHS NETWORKS
New insights gathered using UCLPartners Proactive Care Frameworks suggest the majority of people living with cardiovascular disease are not on the recommended levels of treatment to lower their cholesterol. Tackling this issue could prevent hundreds of heart attacks and strokes in London.
Can primary care rescue our failing NHS?
A big ask and funds are certainly needed up front as following the last few years of neglect, there is a serious service wide workforce crisis. Workforce shortages apply equally to primary care despite the previous secretary of state frequently berating GPs.
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
