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What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Chronic diseases are closely related with lifestyle behaviors.

"Lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle changes as the first line of defense against chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease."

Based on the six pillars defined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), this evidence-based discipline focuses on:

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Nutrition

Addition of plant-predominant (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes) whole-foods to your diet for better health outcomes

Physical acitvity

Physical Activity

Regular movement to support both physical and mental well-being

Restorative quality Sleep

Restorative Sleep

Prioritizing quality sleep for optimal functioning and disease prevention

Stress Management

Stress Management

Practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques

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Social Connections

Building healthy relationships to help with mental and emotional well-being

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Avoiding Risky Substances

Avoidance or limitation of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances

Lifestyle Medicine is a simple but powerful whole-person approach and has been shown to:

Improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and BMI
Reduce risk of cognitive decline, musculoskeletal conditions, and certain cancers
Reverse coronary artery disease (CAD)
Lead to medication reduction and disease remission for type 2 diabetes

Why Choose Carolina Lifestyle Medicine?

  • We address the underlying root causes of chronic diseases and work in collaboration with your healthcare providers to help prevent and treat chronic disease
  • Our protocols are based on evidence-based national and international guidelines created by organizations including the American Heart Association, American College of Endocrinology, American Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society
  • Our approach is patient focused with the patient taking an active role in their health journey:
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We communicate closely with each patient to create a personalized health plan.

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We provide education, tools and resources to promote insight into our patient’s health and collaborate to motivate, support and guide them every step of the way.

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We emphasize creating sustainable lifestyle changes, leading to long-term health and wellness.

Take the First Step Toward Better Health

You are responsible for your own health, and we are here to help you live a healthier life. We are prepared to work with you to achieve long-lasting outcomes, whether your goal is to avoid disease, manage an existing condition, or optimize your overall health.

Contact Carolina Lifestyle Medicine by scheduling your Complimentary Discovery Call and take the first step in achieving your health goals, through sustainable, lifestyle changes, leading to a vibrant and fulfilling life.

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Dr. Behnaz Atree
About Us

Behnaz Atree, MD

Dr. Behnaz Atree has been a practicing Primary Care physician in Raleigh, NC, for over 20 years. In practicing Internal Medicine, Dr. Atree has found the most satisfaction from spending time with her patients, understanding their needs, and empowering them to take charge of their health. She has always been fascinated by the connections between lifestyle, wellness and the root causes of chronic diseases, which led her to explore the lifestyle medicine field further. Dr. Atree has become certified in Lifestyle Medicine in 2022 as well as Health and Wellness Coaching in 2023. She is excited to integrate her experience in Internal Medicine with her training in Lifestyle Medicine and Health Coaching to provide evidence-based, therapeutic lifestyle interventions through Carolina Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr Atree’s passion for studying the underlying causes of disease started as a student at University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. She went on to complete medical school at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and her Internal Medicine internship and residency at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. She then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she started North Wake Internal Medicine with her husband and served as Vice President for over seven years.

Dr. Atree is an active member of the American College of Physicians (ACP), North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), and the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Atree enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children. In her spare time, she loves trying new recipes, playing tennis, and tending to her garden.

Carolina Lifestyle Medicine

Carolina Lifestyle Medicine was formed with the vision of helping people achieve their health goals with support and guidance every step of the way. The mission is to uncover the root causes of chronic disease, formulate personalized, evidence-based lifestyle interventions, and make sustainable, lifelong behavior changes. By working collaboratively with our patients, we hope to motivate and guide them toward achieving a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life.

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What We Do For Your Health

Our programs are designed to assist you in achieving
your health goals through lifestyle interventions.

FAQs

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Due to licensing regulations, our telemedicine services are only available to individuals who are physically located in the State of North Carolina at the time of the visit.

Yes, it is imperative that all patients of Carolina Lifestyle Medicine also have a Primary Care Provider who they have ideally seen within the preceding 3 months.

Yes, Carolina Lifestyle Medicine offers only virtual appointments for patients, which provide a convenient and accessible way to receive personalized care and support from the comfort of your home.

Lifestyle medicine emphasizes the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic diseases. Traditional medicine typically focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases with medications and surgical procedures. Lifestyle medicine promotes long-term health changes to address the root causes of disease.

Anyone looking to improve their overall health and well-being can benefit from working with Carolina Lifestyle Medicine. This includes individuals with chronic health conditions, those at risk of developing chronic diseases, and people who want to adopt healthier lifestyle habits.

Yes, lifestyle medicine can be used alongside traditional medical treatments. Many patients find that incorporating lifestyle interventions into their existing treatment plans enhances their overall health and well-being. It is important to work closely with your healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated approach to your care.

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Quick Connect

Disclaimer: All personal information entered on this website is encrypted and transmitted in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

NOTE – Our services are only available to individuals located within the State of North Carolina.

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