Lifestyle medicine is a term most people have never heard of or, perhaps, might assume should be incorporated into routine practice. However, over the last decade research into nutrition, our microbiomes, immune systems and the role of chronic inflammation has exploded. Put simply: medicine is transforming rapidly and is answering a lot of previous unknowns. So… when might you benefit from a lifestyle medicine appointment?
You have signs of insulin resistance
If you live with overweight/obesity, have pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes, PCOS or have fatty changes in your liver this suggests an excess of insulin in your body. The problem is this can predispose you to future chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and dementia. By taking a truly compassionate and holistic approach, Dr. Stokholm can support you in reversing some of the underlying mechanisms driving your insulin resistance (and thus help you to avoid future disease).
You struggle with digestive issues (IBS, indigestion, chronic constipation)
Many digestive symptoms can now be tied to dysbiosis - an ‘unhelpful’ gut microbiome. With cutting edge microbiome testing and personalised nutrition advice, you will gain a unique insight into your symptoms which may well be reversible.
You want to understand your risk of cardiovascular disease & do everything you can to reduce it
With access to in depth cardiometabolic blood tests, you will have a much better understanding of your personal risk of future disease. Alongside any medication you may already be prescribed, Dr. Stokholm can empower you to use nutrition & lifestyle techniques to optimise your cholesterol/lipid panels & reduce any underlying drivers of heart disease.
You want to optimise your mental health
The landscape of psychiatry is one of the specialities changing most of all with new research. However, current practice does not reflect this. Nutrition & lifestyle not only help to explain some fascinating mechanisms driving poor mental health - they also help to treat it!
You want a second opinion or help with clarifying a diagnosis
There are countless non-specific symptoms that Dr. Stokholm could not diagnose as an NHS GP because: she didn’t have access to the right blood tests; the ‘normal’ test values were inaccurate for the individual or she simply didn’t have enough time with her patient. Whether you struggle with dizziness, brain fog, non-specific headaches or fatigue which don’t make sense, lifestyle medicine may well help!
Why Consider Lifestyle Medicine?
FAQs
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You will be offered hour long virtual appointments to fully explore your health. Unlike a GP appointment the style of practice combines elements of coaching & cognitive behavioural therapy making the session heavily ‘patient centred’. Sessions will be structured to explore each pillar of lifestyle medicine (nutrition, sleep, movement, mental wellbeing, community and avoidance of harmful substances/behaviours) with time set aside to discuss investigation results. Follow up will be offered on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
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Any investigations you are entitled to have on the NHS can be arranged through your GP providing you have an appropriate indication. Advanced gastrointestinal testing can be arranged through a postal stool sample called ‘MetaXplore’ followed by tailored treatment to optimise your microbiome. Any further testing agreed (e.g. in depth cholesterol analysis) can be arranged through national lab services.
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For insurance purposes you must be resident in the UK and registered with a GP. You will be asked to provide contact details for your GP and other relevant medical specialists with consent for Dr. Stokholm to contact them in writing. If Dr. Stokholm highlights any red flag symptoms meeting ‘two week wait’ criteria (i.e. potential cancer symptoms) you will be asked to investigate these promptly with your own GP before any further lifestyle medicine input can be commenced.
Dr. Stokholm can investigate patients with known inflammatory bowel disease only after written consent from their treating gastroenterologists. Unfortunately, Dr. Stokholm is not qualified to treat anyone actively receiving cancer therapy. Finally, appointments are conducted in English and sadly translation services are not available.
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£185 for 1 hr virtual appointment
£399 (Optional) MetaXplore Plus microbiome test
Further private bloods can be arranged via Randox Health or Regenerous Labs but Dr. Stokholm will primarily focus on tests available through the NHS.