Lifestyle Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
In a landmark move poised to reshape the treatment landscape for diabetes, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has released the first-ever clinical practice guideline that places lifestyle interventions at the forefront of care for adults with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The guideline, titled “Lifestyle Interventions for Treatment and Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes in Adults,” was published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
The guideline arrives amid an escalating public health crisis, with over half of U.S. adults affected by either diabetes or prediabetes. The condition contributes to over $450 billion in annual healthcare costs in the U.S. alone. ACLM’s new evidence-based roadmap offers a comprehensive strategy for clinicians to adopt therapeutic lifestyle changes as core components of diabetes management—complementing rather than replacing existing medical guidelines.
A major innovation of the guideline is its focus on practical, actionable tools for implementation. These include over 25 original patient handouts and clinical resources, strategies for assessing lifestyle habits and readiness to change, and a framework for medication de-prescribing following successful lifestyle interventions.
“This is the first guideline that offers clinicians explicit, practical tools to implement lifestyle change for achieving remission in type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Mahima Gulati, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, endocrinologist and contributing author. “It elevates lifestyle interventions from a supportive recommendation to a primary treatment strategy.”
The guideline introduces six core pillars of lifestyle medicine: plant-predominant nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and social connectedness. These pillars are scientifically validated to contribute significantly to glycemic control and overall metabolic health.
Widespread Support from Leading Health Organizations
The new guideline has garnered endorsements and support from major medical bodies including:
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American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
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Obesity Medicine Association
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American Academy of Physician Associates
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American Association of Nurse Practitioners
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine
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Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
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National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches
It has also received an “Affirmation of Value” from the American Academy of Family Physicians and support from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, MBA, ACLM Director of Guidelines and Quality and lead author of the document, emphasized the guideline’s intent: “We’re not replacing pharmacological treatments but integrating an evidence-based lifestyle framework that makes the management and even remission of type 2 diabetes more accessible and sustainable.”
The stakes are high. Currently, over 38 million Americans live with diabetes, and nearly 98 million more have prediabetes. Globally, projections indicate over 1.3 billion people will be living with diabetes by 2050, costing an estimated $1.5 trillion annually.
The ACLM’s initiative builds upon its earlier 2022 consensus statement that highlighted the effectiveness of dietary interventions in achieving diabetes remission, and it reinforces patient rights through the “Type 2 Diabetes Bill of Rights,” which advocates for informing patients of all treatment options, including lifestyle change.
The ACLM also provides a “Type 2 Diabetes Remission Certificate” course aimed at equipping healthcare providers with practical knowledge to implement intensive lifestyle therapy and reverse insulin resistance.
Dr. Meagan Grega, MD, FACLM, DipABLM, family physician and ACLM Board Member, noted, “This guideline marks a paradigm shift. It places sustainable lifestyle behavior change at the heart of diabetes care—a game-changer in addressing one of the most pressing chronic health challenges of our time.”
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