UCLA Lifestyle Medicine Clinic

Welcome to the UCLA Lifestyle Medicine Clinic

At the UCLA Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, we believe health is shaped by your daily habits—what you eat, how you move, how you sleep, how you manage stress, and how you connect with others.

According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), Lifestyle Medicine is “the evidence-based medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.”

We bring that science to life through compassionate, personalized clinical care.

Do any of these sound familiar?

• “I want to be healthier, but I don’t know where to start.”
• “Why is it so hard to lose weight or improve my energy?”
• “I know what to do… but I can’t make it stick.”
• “I wish my doctor could help me with habits, not just prescriptions.”

You’re not alone.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Our preventive and lifestyle medicine–trained physicians work with you to understand your goals, medical history, values, and lived experiences. Together, we develop personalized action plans grounded in science and tailored to your life. With a whole-person, holistic approach, we help you feel better now and build a foundation for long-term health.

About Us

Lifestyle Medicine is grounded in the idea that most chronic disease risk—nearly 80%, according to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) —is related to daily lifestyle behaviors rather than genetics. This approach emphasizes getting to the root of the problem andhealing through making changes in daily habits that support your health goals.

We focus on the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, defined by ACLM:

These pillars guide the way we care for patients and structure every clinical program we offer.

Who is this for?

Lifestyle Medicine may be a good fit if you:

• Are living with or at risk for diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance
• Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease
• Feel stuck with weight, energy, or metabolic health
• Struggle with sleep, stress, or burnout
• Want help making healthy changes that actually last
• Are interested in preventive, whole-person care

People who are struggling with these chronic issues will get a deeper understanding and develop an action plan to optimize their behaviors in the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.

We understand that life can be busy and complex. Your care plan is designed to fit your life. Our physicians work with you to create a concrete, sustainable, personalized plan that works for your lifestyle.

Individual Physician Visits

One-on-one medical visits with physicians trained in Lifestyle and Preventive Medicine may include:

• Nutrition counseling and plant-forward eating guidance
• Physical activity prescriptions tailored to your goals
• Sleep optimization and routine building
• Stress and resilience strategies
• Chronic disease prevention and reversal pathways
• Metabolic and weight health support
• Tobacco/alcohol/substance-use reduction or cessation

If interested, contact to schedule: 310-315-8900.

Group Visits (Shared Medical Appointments)

Sometimes making healthy changes is easier when you’re not doing it alone.

Our Lifestyle Medicine group visits bring together medical care, education, and community in a welcoming, guided setting. Research shows that shared medical appointments can be just as effective, and for some people, even more beneficial than individual visits.

We offer a 10-week Lifestyle Medicine group series designed to support practical, sustainable changes in everyday life. While the sessions are designed as a series, you are welcome to attend individual topics based on interest and your availability.

Topics covered in the series include:

• Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine and whole-person health
• Setting realistic, meaningful health goals
• Tracking health progress using labs, wearables, and digital tools
• Nutrition basics for energy and metabolic health
• Simple, practical nutrition tips you can use right away
• Physical activity and strength, with guidance to exercise safely
• Weight and metabolic health, including when medications may be helpful
• Sleep health and recovery
• Stress, joy, and emotional wellbeing
• Relationships, substances, and celebrations in lifelong health

Group visits are typically held on Wednesday evenings from 5:15–6:45 PM via Zoom.

For current session dates, registration details, or questions, please contact the clinic at: 310-315-8900

Upcoming Group Visits

Winter 2026 Series (January–March 2026)

How to Schedule

You can begin care with the UCLA Lifestyle Medicine Clinic by:

• Asking your primary care provider for a referral
• Requesting a referral through myUCLAhealth
• Contacting the clinic directly for help with scheduling. Phone: 310-315-8900

Our team is happy to answer questions and guide you through the process.

Most insurance plans cover visits with Lifestyle Medicine physicians. In many cases, patients are responsible for a copay or cost-sharing amount based on their insurance plan. Coverage for group visits may vary. If you have questions about costs or coverage, our team can help point you in the right direction.

Provider testimonials:

“It is a joy to support patients in creating individualized plans that actually work for their everyday life and fit their goals and values.  As a provider, it is fascinating to check in more frequently and see how our patients develop more confidence as they see results in applying the developed strategies. The group visits allow us to share the best tips and resources that are in our patients’ areas.  Debunking the internet and social media confusion is one of our great wins during group sessions.  I look forward to supporting you in your health vision and making it a reality that works for your lifestyle!” – Dr. Nunez, Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine Provider.

“As a preventive medicine physician, it has been wonderful to get to develop very close relationships with our patients and help them achieve their health goals. I can definitely say that my patients inspire me to live a healthier life on a daily basis. Contrary to what you may think, each one has it in them to make healthier choices, even if it may seem out of reach – YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! – Dr. Feranndes, Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine Provider.

Here are some experiences our patients have shared:

Why Patients Choose Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine helps people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or confused by conflicting health advice. We acknowledge real-life barriers such as:

• Time constraints
• High stress
• Budget limitations
• Food insecurity
• Cultural considerations
• Limited access to safe exercise spaces
• Caregiving responsibilities

We help you build changes that are doable, sustainable, and aligned with what matters most to you.

What You Can Expect

Lifestyle medicine is transformative. Patients often see improvements in:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar & A1c
• Cholesterol
• Sleep quality
• Mood & stress
• Energy & vitality
• Pain & inflammation
• Mobility and overall function

Some changes begin within weeks.

The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

Evidence-informed ways daily life supports health and prevents chronic disease

Lifestyle Medicine uses six key areas of daily living that research shows have powerful effects on health outcomes. These are the pillars recognized by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. American College of Lifestyle Medicine+1

1. Whole-Food, Plant-Forward Nutrition

Eating mostly whole, minimally processed foods—especially plants like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds—has been linked with lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. Studies show that diets rich in fiber and plant nutrients help support healthy blood sugar and heart health. American College of Lifestyle Medicine

🌱 Key metric: A plant-predominant eating pattern increases intake of fiber and antioxidants, which are associated with reduced chronic disease risk compared with diets high in processed foods. American College of Lifestyle Medicine

🔗 Learn more about Lifestyle Medicine nutrition at the ACLM website. American College of Lifestyle Medicine

2. Physical Activity

Moving regularly—whether brisk walking, biking, strength training, or other activity—supports heart health, mood, metabolism, and longevity. Regular movement counters the risks of sedentary behavior, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports weight and mental wellbeing. PMC+1

📊 Guideline: Most adults are encouraged to aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate activity (or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity) per week, plus strength training at least two days weekly, which is linked to numerous health benefits. connect.lifestylemedicine.org

3. Restorative Sleep

Quality sleep—ideally 7–9 hours per night for most adults—supports a strong immune system, healthy mood, metabolic balance, memory, and long-term wellbeing. Poor or inadequate sleep is associated with increased hunger, insulin resistance, and higher risk of chronic illness. connect.lifestylemedicine.org

💤 Evidence: Both too little (<6 hours) and too much (>9 hours) sleep have been linked with higher mortality risk, emphasizing the importance of consistency and quality. connect.lifestylemedicine.org

4. Stress Management

Stress in small doses can be motivating, but chronic stress (ongoing worry or strain) can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, poor sleep, and metabolic effects. Mindfulness, breathing practices, psychotherapy, movement, and social support are all evidence-based ways to manage stress. connect.lifestylemedicine.org+1

📈 Research: Mindfulness-based practices have been shown to reduce anxiety and depressionsymptoms in adults, indicating stress management can support emotional wellbeing. Wikipedia

5. Social Connection

Positive relationships and community ties are some of the strongest predictors of both mental and physical health. Studies show that people with strong social networks tend to live longer, have lower blood pressure, and cope better with stress. connect.lifestylemedicine.org+1

👫 Example: Longitudinal health research (like the Alameda County Study) found that people with healthy behaviors—including social engagement and avoidance of risky habits—tended to live longer, healthier lives. Wikipedia

6. Avoidance of Risky Substances

Avoiding or reducing tobacco, excessive alcohol, and harmful substances lowers the risk of many chronic diseases and mortality. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death, and excessive alcohol use contributes to liver disease, cancer risk, and injuries. connect.lifestylemedicine.org

🚭 Impact: Avoiding cigarettes, heavy drinking, and other harmful exposures is one of the most powerful ways to improve long-term health outcomes and support overall wellbeing. connect.lifestylemedicine.org

Putting It Together

Adopting even a few of these lifestyle habits can significantly reduce chronic disease risk and improve daily energy, mood, and quality of life. These behaviors influence each other (for example, stress affects sleep, and activity improves mood), making them even more powerful when combined. American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Sources & Further Reading

• American College of Lifestyle Medicine overview of lifestyle pillars and evidence. American College of Lifestyle Medicine
• Expert consensus on lifestyle interventions and their effects on health outcomes. AMA Ed Hub
• Ambassador toolkit explaining pillar basics and behaviors. connect.lifestylemedicine.org
• Research supporting lifestyle habits and chronic disease outcomes. Wikipedia