Course

Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine

Harness the therapeutic potential of modifiable lifestyle factors

On-Demand
Up to 4 CME/CE
$320.00
Membership discounts available

Course Overview

Lifestyle-based therapies offer a key point of leverage for enhancing patient health and improving clinical outcomes. However, knowing the therapeutic benefit of modifying lifestyle behaviors is not always enough to help patients make sustainable change. Are you implementing these cost-effective strategies into your practice?

Research continues to demonstrate how lifestyle-based interventions can improve outcomes for a range of chronic conditions. Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine™ online course provides clinicians with the foundational information, tools, and techniques to implement successful, sustainable, lifestyle-based therapeutics in any clinical practice. This course will equip you the knowledge and skills to provide personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations that empower your patients to take control of their health.

6
Hours of on-demand content
6
Months to complete the course
4
CME/CE credit max
Logo of the United States Distance Learning Association Awards 2023

Award-Winning Course

Recognized for excellence in online learning
IFM’s Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine course was awarded the 2023 Gold Achievement for Distance Learning Award (nonprofit category) by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

Learning Objectives

In the Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine course, you will learn: 

  • Key foundational information about the impact of lifestyle—including sleep and rest; exercise and movement; nutrition; relationships; stress management; and behavior modification—on health and well-being.
  • How to design lifestyle interventions that appropriately address the causes of chronic conditions and dysfunction.
  • Tools and techniques to personalize lifestyle interventions and meet each patient where they are.
  • How to improve patient engagement with lifestyle treatments and the important factors in making lifestyle changes sustainable, improving their resulting outcomes.

What's Included 

Your registration for Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine includes six-month access to a specialized clinical toolkit featuring clinical pearls and strategies to enhance your practice. Downloadable resources include:

  • Patient education materials and handouts
  • Customizable food plans, including a weekly planner and recipes 
  • Assessment tools and patient lifestyle journals
  • Strategies for supporting behavior change

The Six Lifestyle Factors

Explore the evidence base for lifestyle-based interventions. Through interactive and detailed modules, you will learn how social determinants of health and other factors such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and social relationships affect various organ and biological systems. The course offers the clinical insight and tactical skillset to design personalized lifestyle interventions that appropriately address the root causes of chronic disease. Guiding patients toward meaningful, sustainable changes in their health behaviors has the potential to optimize their health today and help reduce disease risk and burden in the future.
Sleep Icon

Sleep
Regular restorative sleep is crucial for optimal physiological and cognitive function, but a lack of it can be a contributing factor to several chronic diseases.
Exercise Icon

Exercise
Increasingly sedentary lifestyles may explain why rates of chronic diseases continue to rise. Daily movement and exercise have a range of demonstrated health benefits.
Nutrition Icon

Nutrition
Perhaps no single factor has more impact on health and disease than what we eat. As a frontline treatment, targeted nutrition can drastically improve health outcomes.
Stress Icon

Stress
Chronic stress impacts health in myriad ways and may exacerbate existing disease states. Stress management is a powerful way to improve physical and mental health.
Relationship Icon

Relationships
While social isolation may increase the risk of several diseases, having a robust network of healthy, dependable relationships improves health outcomes for all ages.
Behavior Change Icon

Behavior Change
Sustaining behavioral change is notoriously hard, but empowering patients and focusing on the factors that truly motivate them can improve the resulting outcomes.

Pricing

The standard pricing of the program is reflected below. When logged in to your IFM account, available discounts are automatically applied to pricing in your cart. Please note that CME is available for an additional $30. Cancellations are subject to our program cancellation fees.

Regular

$320.00

IFM Member

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$288.00

Military/VA

Apply for
Military Status
$224.00

Student/Resident

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Resident or Medical Student Tuition
$192.00
A doctor holding holding the hand of her patient and smiling.
Quote

The Lifestyle course covers relevant material that can be very impactful in making positive changes in our patients' lives. The course is thorough, and the material is easy to incorporate into daily clinical practice."

— Lifestyle Course Attendee, 2022

Close up of a blueberry smoothie next to a bowl of blueberries indicating that nutrition can be a lifestyle intervention for metabolic syndrome.

Lifestyle Considerations for Metabolic Syndrome

Dietary and exercise interventions may help to prevent or control metabolic syndrome.
Read Article
African american man relaxing doing meditation in his living room, using lifestyle interventions for better sleep and health.

Sleep Dysfunction, Relaxation, and Health

In addition to sleep hygiene, mindfulness practices may help facilitate a deeper state of rest.
Read Article
Elderly couple dancing together as an exercise routine to improve their cardiovascular system and whole body health.

Movement, Exercise, and Long-Term Health

Taking small steps to incorporate movement into their daily lives can help patients reduce sedentary time.
Read Article

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Who is this course for?

This course is specifically designed to provide the knowledge and skills to utilize lifestyle modifications as part of a patient’s overall treatment plan to support their health. Primary care providers, collaborative care team members, and other clinic support staff can benefit from the learnings from this course. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Health coaches
  • Pharmacists
  • Other point of care providers

For those clinicians who have taken AFMCP or APMs, this course offers a great refresher on the impact of modifiable lifestyle factors and presents in-depth research on how each one is measurably demonstrated to improve outcomes in various conditions. It provides the tactical skills to effectively apply them in your practice, including how each factor affects various organ systems, and how you can move patients toward sustainable behavior change.

Learn about root-cause approaches to health

The Lifestyle course is a great introduction to the concepts and practice of functional medicine. Want to take your training further? Learn how to identify underlying core clinical imbalances that precede disease and create comprehensive treatment plans at Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP).
5

of the leading causes of death in the US may be preventable with lifestyle change.[1]

42
%

of the US population has two or more chronic conditions.[1]

90
%

of health care costs are spent on managing chronic diseases.[1]

A doctor and patient talking about how to increase health through lifestyle changes.
See course details
References 
  1. Benavidez GA, Zahnd WE, Hung P, Eberth JM. Chronic disease prevalence in the US: sociodemographic and geographic variations by zip code tabulation area. Prev Chronic Dis. 2024;21:E14. doi:10.5888/pcd21.230267  

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Connections Between Sleep, Health, and Disease

Sleep plays a critical role in health and well-being by helping maintain optimal physiological and cognitive function and influencing host metabolism and immunity. The relationship between sleep and health is complex, but many adults who average less than seven hours per night are more likely to develop a chronic condition. Poor sleep quality is also associated with a higher rate of depressive symptoms. In some cases, achieving restorative sleep can seem difficult; the statistics below highlight the impact of sleep-related dysfunction and offer key techniques for improving sleep practices.
50
%

of all Americans say they feel sleepy during the day.[1]

73
%

of high school students get less than their recommended amount of sleep.[2]

40
%

of people with insomnia are believed to also be affected by a mental health disorder.[3]

Go to references
Close up of a couples feet hanging off the bed while they sleep.

 

Watch IFM educators discuss sleep

Sleep Assessment in Primary Care

Kristi Hughes, ND
Lack of sufficient quality sleep may contribute to symptoms like brain fog, lack of motivation, and fatigue. There are many ways to assess and monitor patients’ sleep patterns as an indication of their overall health.

Sleep & Relaxation

Shilpa P. Saxena, MD
Quality sleep is a pillar of good health that may help attenuate chronic stress. Dr. Saxena explains how she discusses the importance of sleep with her patients.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors:

Exercise
Nutrition
Stress
Relationships
Behavior Change
Back to Overview
References 
  1. 2020 Sleep in America® poll shows alarming level of sleepiness and low levels of action. National Sleep Foundation. Published March 9, 2020. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.thensf.org/2020-sleep-in-america-poll-shows-alarming-level-of-sleepiness 
  2. Wheaton AG, Jones SE, Cooper AC, Croft JB. Short sleep duration among middle school and high school students — United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(3):85-90. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6703a1   
  3. Schwab RJ. Insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). MSD Manual: Consumer Version. Revised June 2024. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/sleep-disorders/insomnia-and-excessive-daytime-sleepiness-eds   

Don't miss the latest functional medicine news and research. Sign up for IFM's Clinical Digest.

Exercise Influences Physiological Function and Disease Risk

Sedentary behavior has emerged as a potential risk factor for cardiometabolic health, chronic disease, and mortality. While exercise has a range of benefits, from bone and muscle health to improved mood, cognition, and weight management, it may not be enough to combat the effects of a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, optimizing a patient's lifestyle factors becomes a "big picture" approach. Short bursts of low-impact, low-interval exercise is a great starting point for engaging patients in daily movement. Combined with better nutrition and improved sleep quality, consistent exercise, no matter the duration, can positively influence a patient's health outcomes.
50
%

of US adults meet the recommended guidelines for aerobic physical activity.[1]

10

minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity could prevent an estimated 110,000 deaths per year.[2]

150

minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity may decrease all-cause mortality by up to 30%.[3]

Go to references
A man playing basketball and utilizing exercise as a lifestyle therapy towards his health.

Watch functional medicine experts discuss exercise

How to Write an Exercise Prescription

Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD
Prescribing an exercise routine is one way to increase patient engagement in making lifestyle change. Dr. Boham explains how to create an effective plan.

Exercise as Medicine: Prevention & Treatment

Dan Tripps, PhD
Reframing fitness as exercising for health can help patients realized the physiological impact of movement and may help motivate them to stick to a routine long-term.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors:

Nutrition
Stress
Relationships
Behavior Change
Sleep
Back to Overview
References
  1. National Center for Health Statistics. FastStats: exercise or physical activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed September 24, 2024. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/exercise.htm  
  2. Saint-Maurice PF, Graubard BI, Troiano RP, et al. Estimated number of deaths prevented through increased physical activity among US adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(3):349-352. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.7755  
  3. Zhao M, Veeranki SP, Magnussen CG, Xi B. Recommended physical activity and all cause and cause specific mortality in US adults: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2020;370:m2031. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2031  

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Nutrition Enhances Health Outcomes

Nutritional imbalances may contribute to disease pathology and progression, as research links micronutrient deficiencies to several chronic conditions. Improving a patient's dietary patterns and practices has the power to boost immunity, strengthen resilience, and enhance overall wellness—which is why nutrition-based interventions are fundamental components of many therapeutic strategies used to combat chronic illness and restore optimal health. Applying nutrition as a frontline treatment may help patients see dramatic improvement in their symptoms and experience a renewed vitality.
30
%

of women worldwide suffer from anemia.[1]

38

million people live in food-insecure households in the US.[2]

31
%

of the US population is at risk of developing one or more micronutrient deficiencies.[3,4]

Go to references
Array of vegetables on a blue cloth, nutrition can be a healthy lifestyle change.

 

Watch functional medicine experts discuss nutrition

Why Functional Nutrition Addresses Clinical Imbalances

P. Michael Stone, MD, MS
Selecting therapeutic foods can impact a range of chronic conditions. Dr. Stone explains how food is “information” and how clinically, nutrition-based approaches are effective front-line treatments.

Using the Elimination Diet in Clinical Care

Liz Lipski, PhD, CNS, FACN, BCHN, LDN
An elimination diet is an effective tool for identifying potential food allergies and sensitivities and removing dietary items that may be causing inflammation.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors:

Stress
Relationships
Behavior Change
Sleep
Exercise
Back to Overview
References
  1. Stevens GA, Paciorek CJ, Flores-Urrutia MC, et al. National, regional, and global estimates of anaemia by severity in women and children for 2000-19: a pooled analysis of population-representative data. Lancet Glob Health. 2022;10(5):e627-e639. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00084-5  
  2. Economic Research Service. Food Insecurity in the U.S.: key statistics & graphics. US Department of Agriculture. Updated September 4, 2024. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/#  
  3. Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI. Risk of deficiency in multiple concurrent micronutrients in children and adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017;9(7):655. doi:10.3390/nu9070655
  4. Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of immune health nutrients: intakes in US adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. doi:10.3390/nu12061735

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Identifying and Managing Chronic Stressors

A certain level of stress is inevitable in today’s society, and the experiences that shape the stress response may also influence sleep patterns, food intake, blood sugar imbalances, and cardiovascular disease, and vice versa, leading to chronic illness. Many diseases stemming from chronic stress and inflammation have early warning signs, meaning some cases can be prevented or improved with lifestyle changes that help manage stress. The functional medicine model focuses in on identifying stress as a cause of dysfunction and utilizing specific interventions like exercise, meditation, and yoga that work for the individual patient. 
65
%

of health-related concerns are associated with chronic stress.[1]

55
%

of Americans report feeling stressed during the day.[2]

41
%

of Americans experience fatigue or low energy related to stress.[3]

Go to references
A man with his hands in prayer meditating as a lifestyle change and functional medicine therapy.

 

Watch functional medicine experts discuss stress

The Effect of Stress on Hormone Balance

Joel M. Evans, MD
The stress hormone cortisol can influence every system in the body. Dr. Evans explains the connections between hormone dysregulation and stress.

Stress and Inflammation in Cardiometabolic Health

Patrick Hanaway, MD
Stress may increase risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and has been associated with key processes of metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance and hypertension.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors:

Relationships
Behavior Change
Sleep
Exercise
Nutrition
Back to Overview
References 
  1. Stress in America™: interactive graphics. American Psychological Association. Published November 2020. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/interactive-graphics  
  2. What is stress? The American Institute of Stress. Published March 30, 2022. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.stress.org/daily-life  
  3.  Clay RA. Stressed in America. Monitor Psychol. 2011;42(1):60. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stressed-america   

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Social Relationships Contribute to Long, Healthy Lives

Connection to a sense of purpose, community, and belonging has profound impact on a patient's health and mental well-being. Building and maintaining meaningful social relationships can reduce stress and has been shown to accompany the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors. While this area of health may often be overlooked, relationships are just as critical as exercise, nutrition, or sleep. Some research even touts the effect of strong relationships on improving longevity and life expectancy. Maintaining social relationships and support may help patients start and sustain positive improvements in their health and is an important consideration for lifestyle change.
59
%

is the increased risk of cognitive decline associated with lower levels social engagement in aging adults.[1]

27
%

 is the increased risk of cardiovascular disease noted in post-menopausal women experiencing social isolation and loneliness.[2]

32
%

is the increased risk of stroke associated with individuals who lack strong social connections.[1]

Go to references
Group of four men sitting on the basketball court together smiling.

 

Watch IFM educators discuss relationships

Social Support, Stress, Cardiac Health

Robert Luby, MD
Research finds strong connections between social stress and cardiovascular disease. Stressful social relationships can begin to impact how cardiac cells function.

Mediators for Patients with Depression

Kristi Hughes, ND
Dr. Hughes discusses the difference between ‘mental’ depression and ‘emotional’ depression and how to evaluate a patient’s social support network.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors:

Behavior Change
Sleep
Exercise
Nutrition
Stress
Back to Overview
References
  1. Holt-Lunstad J. Social connection as a public health issue: the evidence and a systemic framework for prioritizing the "social" in social determinants of health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2022;43:193-213. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052020-110732
  2. Golaszewski NM, LaCroix AZ, Godino JG, et al. Evaluation of social isolation, loneliness, and cardiovascular disease among older women in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e2146461. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.46461 

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Empowering Patients Toward Behavior Change 

Both patients and clinicians alike recognize the overall benefit of improving nutritional patterns, getting enough sleep, exercising daily, and minimizing stress. But getting started on improving these modifiable lifestyle factors is often easier said than done. When beginning behavioral change, it's important to recognize potential barriers to success and other challenges. A patient's lifestyle factors are uniquely intertwined with their daily schedules, and many may not feel they have the time to maintain healthful changes long-term. Working with patients on making small but meaningful—and more importantly achievable—changes in their health behaviors can help set their healing journey into motion. 
75
%

 of healthcare providers think that their patients lack the skills to effectively self-manage their chronic conditions.[1]

91
%

of patients say they need more help with chronic disease management.[1]

66

days is the average time it takes an individual to adopt a new habit or behavior.[2]

Go to references
Doctor talking to a patient about functional medicine therapies to improve her health.

Watch IFM educators discuss behavior change

The Power of the Doctor-Patient Relationship

David Rakel, MD
The power of human connection is an important component of healing; Dr. Rakel discusses how the therapeutic partnership plays an important role in patient health.

Successful Lifestyle Interventions

Patrick Hanaway, MD
Behavior change is a guiding force in a patient’s health journey. Helping patients make sustainable changes to their lifestyle can improve their long-term outcomes.

Learn more about other lifestyle factors

Sleep
Exercise
Nutrition
Stress
Relationships
Back to Overview
References 
  1. West Health. Strengthening chronic care: patient engagement strategies for better management of chronic conditions. Jones PR Group. Published 2017. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.jonespr.net/strengthening-chronic-care-download   
  2. Lally P, van Jaarsveld CHM, Potts HWW, Wardle J. How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur J Soc Psychol. 2010;40(6):998-1009. doi:10.1002/ejsp.674    

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ACCME Accredited with Commendation Logo

Participate in Accredited Functional Medicine Training

Direct accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) ensures IFM’s training meets rigorous standards for educational excellence and is relevant to clinicians’ needs, evidence-based, evaluated for its effectiveness, and independent of commercial influence.
Learn about the value of accredited trainings

CME/CE Credit Information

The CME/CE option is intended for clinicians who need to fulfill continuing education requirements. If you do not need CME/CE credits, you may purchase the non-CME option.
  • MD/DO: The Institute for Functional Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • ND: Generally, state naturopathic boards accept courses accredited through the ACCME.
  • Nursing Professional: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accept contact hours approved through ACCME.
  • PA: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts contact hours approved through ACCME.
  • RD: The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) accepts contact hours approved through ACCME.
  • Other: For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board or other credentialing organization regarding the acceptance of contact hours through ACCME-accredited organizations.

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Lifestyle Course Policies

Registration Policy / Course Delivery

Your course will be delivered electronically to your online account directly upon purchase. For the best user experience, IFM recommends using the Google Chrome web browser to access the course. You will have access to the course for six months from the date of purchase.

CME Policy

For courses that qualify for Continuing Medical Education (“CME”) credits, to receive CME credits, you must complete any required course evaluation(s) and a timecard by the stated deadline. Where applicable, course evaluation and timecard instructions will be emailed to you.

Refund Policy

Given the nature of digital items, refunds or credits on this purchase are not possible. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable laws, purchases of online digital content are not refundable if you have accessed the purchased IFM Materials in any form, including without limitation by streaming, viewing, or downloading the same. If IFM can confirm that you have not accessed the IFM Materials, you can request a refund no later than 15 days from the date of purchase.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

More Information About Lifestyle

Learners are provided access to downloadable content from IFM’s Toolkit, including patient handouts, customizable food plans, and other tools to assist in guiding patients through making sustainable lifestyle changes.  

The course is approximately six hours of on-demand highly interactive content divided into topical segments.  

The course is available for six months from date of purchase.  

This course is specifically designed to provide the knowledge and skills to use lifestyle treatments in any clinical practice. If you have already completed AFMCP or any APMs, this is a great refresher on the impact of modifiable lifestyle factors. If you are new to lifestyle change or functional medicine, this course is for you.  

Have additional questions? 

Visit IFM Help Center

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