Dr Karen L Hartzenberg

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Dr Karen L Hartzenberg

Medical Doctor
Lifestyle Medicine Specialist
Aesthetic Medicine Practitioner What is Lifestyle Medicine? What is Aesthetic Medicine? Can't I go to a dietitian?

Dr Karen L Hartzenberg obtained her MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town in 2008. She completed her internship and community service through the South African Military Health Service and practiced as a general practitioner and emergency medicine medical officer for a number of years. She completed her Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine in 2012. She completed her Master of Clinical Practice specializing in Lifestyle Medicine at the end of 2013. She has a passion for health promotion and prevention of ill health through lifestyle and behavioural interventions. It is a well-recognized fact that many diseases like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, stroke and depression may be prevented or treated through lifestyle change. Dr Hartzenberg combines traditional pharmacological treatment (medication) with counseling and nutrition and physical activity interventions that are client-specific to support her patients to improve their health. She also uses minimally invasive aesthetic procedures like Botox, fillers, chemical peels, derma-rolling and mesotherapy to help her patients look their best. Beauty should be a reflection of health, and Dr Hartzenberg aims to assist her patients to achieve optimal well-being inside and out. Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is a branch of medicine, in the same way that surgery or paediatrics or psychiatry are all branches of medicine. Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions to treat and prevent lifestyle-related diseases. It empowers individuals with the knowledge and life skills to make effective behaviour changes that address the underlying causes of disease. Lifestyle Medicine is concerned predominantly with management of health problems related to unhealthy lifestyle, these include:

weight problems and obesity
diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
heart disease
joint disease
stress
sleep problems

LM is also concerned with the prevention of ill health, and the promotion of optimal well-being. Lifestyle Medicine aims to address the cause of ill health, which often relates to how one lives one's life. Aesthetic Medicine is a field of medical practice that involves minimally invasive procedures to improve the appearance, especially of the face, neck, and hands. Commonly used interventions include botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, fillers, chemical peels, skin conditioning and mesotherapy. Specific concerns that may be addressed by aesthetic medicine interventions include:

Signs of ageing
Wrinkles
Pigmentation problems
Acne and other scars
Sagging or loose skin
Dry or dull-looking skin
Asymmetry
Cellulite

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lifestyle Medicine 'Real' medicine? Lifestyle Medicine can only be practised by health professionals - either doctors or registered nurses under the supervision of doctors. It is definitely real medicine because it involves taking a history, performing an examination, doing special investigations as necessary, forming a problem list and treatment goals, and implementing a management plan… The same steps followed in any medical consultation. Lifestyle Medicine practitioners prescribe medication when necessary, but have the knowledge and skills to assess and manage the source of many health problems - poor lifestyle. Is Lifestyle Medicine an alternative therapy? Lifestyle Medicine is not an alternative therapy. It is a branch of Western medicine and is practiced in first-world countries like Australia, America, the UK and Belgium. The principles underlying Lifestyle Medicine are based on rigorous scientific research and clinical trials. The recommendations proposed by Lifestyle Medicine practitioners are always backed by science. Do Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe in medication? Lifestyle Medicine practitioners use medication to treat their patients all the time. But, Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe that through changes in behaviour, it is possible to reduce the amount of medication required to keep health problems under control. It is possible for a patient who has been taking medication for years to change the way they live which brings about positive health benefits that allows him/her to stop taking medication. Can't my normal GP do what a Lifestyle Medicine practitioner does? The honest answer is 'YES", however, your normal GP is unlikely to have the level of knowledge and skill in lifestyle assessment and management because of the limited training he/she received at university in the fields of nutrition/dietetics, exercise physiology, psychology and environmental impact on health. Your normal GP is also unlikely to want to spend the time that is required to do a thorough Lifestyle Medicine assessment because he/she cannot charge you extra for his/her time. Again, the answer is 'YES', however a dietitian is trained in dietary assessment and dietary advice only. A dietitian cannot do a physical examination or interpret investigation findings or prescribe medications. What about my other health problems? Dr Hartzenberg is a qualified and experienced medical doctor. She is able to assess and treat any complaint that you would have seen your usual GP about. However, she takes a more comprehensive approach. For instance, if you come with a chest infection, she will be more thorough and go more in-depth about your lifestyle habits, such as… ask around smoking habits and exposures at work that may contribute to your current problem. She will tailor your treatment option according to the nature of any chronic conditions you have. Why combine Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine? It is true that many doctors now practice aesthetic medicine. That is the use of injections, chemical peels and other procedures to enhance a person's appearance. Many do not look at how lifestyle factors contribute to the ageing process. Diet, exercise, sleep patterns and psychological well-being all contribute to the appearance of the skin, face and body. Combining Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine, you get the best of both worlds - health and beauty from the inside out.

30/10/2025

My passion for health and living well continues to drive what I do so I have created a new product, and I’m excited to share it with you!

I am looking to gently guide you to make a sustainable change to achieve your long-term goal of improved well-being and vitality. I will break it down into digestible portions to allow you to absorb it and put it into action. And then maintain it.

The launch is only 2 days away, watch out on Saturday, 1 November for more information on how to get so much more PLUS take advantage of the special launch price!

18/10/2025

Counting down... Don't miss the dance party of the year!

Join us on Tuesday 28th October 2025 for 90 minutes of great music, fun moves and positive vibes.

In celebration of life. And, in support of .

Starts at 18h00. Rs 200 per person. All proceeds go to Link to Life.

See you there :)

16/10/2025

Intermittent fasting is a powerful way to improve your health and vitality, but you really must do it right to get the benefits.

The first step is to understand how fasting works at a metabolic level! In my Udemy course, you will receive digestible information which you can apply to your life. It includes videos and downloadable resources as well as delicious and easy recipes to try at home.

As you apply the principles of intermittent fasting you can:
· Reduce inflammation
· Gain control of your appetite and your weight
· Manage health conditions like diabetes and IBS
· Improve your energy levels
· Optimize gut health
· Enjoy mental clarity and banish brain fog
· Activate anti-cancer and anti-ageing pathways

Transformation doesn't happen overnight but if you can be a little better today than you were yesterday, and if you can be a little better every day while you are on this journey, you are going to be a whole lot better than when you started!

I'm so delighted to have this opportunity to share my passion for health and living well with you. Lifestyle medicine is a specialized field of medicine, we look at all of these lifestyle related factors that can impact your health and aim to optimize those so that you live a healthier and happier life without the horrible complications of poor lifestyle choices.

The Udemy course is available as a once-off, lifetime access $99 purchase here:
https://www.udemy.com/course/fasting-for-vitality/?referralCode=86027812FF4F9458EEFA

10/10/2025

Movement is medicine. Exercise has powerful benefits for mental health: Endorphins. Boosting circulation to your brain. And, when you share a workout with happy people... the positive energy is contagious!

09/10/2025

Have you been told your high blood pressure can only be managed through medication? There are actually many things you can do from a lifestyle perspective!

As a lifestyle medicine doctor, I look at all the lifestyle related factors that can impact your health and aim to optimize those so that you live a healthier and happier life without the horrible complications of poor lifestyle choices. This includes how to manage your blood pressure through lifestyle! Watch the video to learn more about how.

I have written the book “Understand and Master High Blood Pressure” to share with you how small changes in your diet can have a big impact on your blood pressure readings, that certain types of exercise are better than others for hypertension, and some natural supplements have research-backed benefits for blood pressure, so you can enjoy healthier living now.

Transformation doesn't happen overnight but if you can be a little better today than you were yesterday, and if you can be a little better every day while you are on this journey, you are going to be a whole lot better than when you started!

Interested in buying the book? Buy it on Amazon for $7.99 here or enjoy it free through Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/High-Blood-Pressure-manage-naturally-ebook/dp/B0CWFCFVCL/

08/10/2025

How Johan Beat Anxiety Without Medication

Johan, a sports coach, business owner & ex-military, came to me exhausted, anxious, and battling PTSD symptoms.

He couldn’t sleep, struggled to focus, and avoided social contact. He had been seeing a therapist without the results he was hoping for. He wanted help... but no medication, due to a past history of addiction.

We tried a few months of lifestyle medicine instead. Here’s what worked:
✅ Gratitude journal – Note 1 meaningful thing you are grateful for + 3 good moments that happened every day.
✅ Good mood foods – Eat more: Dark chocolate 🍫, bananas 🍌, berries, fatty fish 🐟, avocados 🥑, nuts, seeds, beans, fermented foods.
✅ Sleep hygiene – Have a steady routine. Same bedtime & wake-up time, no screens before bed, 1 coffee max per day (morning only).
✅ Breathwork – 2 min “box breathing” morning & night to switch on calm mode.
✅ Exercise – 15 min HIIT twice a week for endorphins & stress release.

Result after 4 months:
💡 Calmer mind and improved ability to make decisions
💡 Better sleep – no more disturbing nightmares
💡 More energy, focus & optimism
💡 Anxiety under control — without meds
💬 “I feel happy, clear-headed, and in control again.”

Anxiety isn’t always solved by a pill. Sometimes it’s the small, consistent habits that make the biggest difference. Lifestyle change has no negative side-effects!

To read Johan’s whole story, visit: https://lifestyledoc.co.za/how-lifestyle-changes-helped-johan-overcome-anxiety-without-medication/

Anxiety can be debilitating and exhausting. It steals your energy, clouds your thinking, and can make even small decisions feel overwhelming. For some people, medication is the right path. For others, practical lifestyle changes can be life-changing. This is the story of Johan, and how a series of s...

02/10/2025

Are you living with type 2 diabetes or perhaps you are pre-diabetic or have been diagnosed with insulin resistance? All of these have a root cause, a disrupted metabolism.

As a lifestyle medicine doctor, I look at all the lifestyle related factors that can impact your health and aim to optimize those so that you live a healthier and happier life without the horrible complications of poor lifestyle choices. This includes how to reverse the change in your metabolism through lifestyle! Watch the video to learn more about how.

I have written the book “Understand and Master Type 2 Diabetes” to share with you how to make small and sustainable changes to your current routine and take control of your blood sugar, so you can enjoy healthier living now.

Interested in buying the book? Buy it on Amazon for $6.99 here or enjoy it free through Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Understand-Master-Type-Diabetes-Improving-ebook/dp/B0DSMMPDY9

Address

Domaine De Labourdonnais
Mapou
31803

Website

http://www.lifestyledoc.co.za/

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Our Story

Dr Karen L Hartzenberg obtained her MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town in 2008. She completed her internship and community service through the South African Military Health Service and practiced as a general practitioner and emergency medicine medical officer for a number of years. She completed her Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine in 2012. She completed her Master of Clinical Practice specializing in Lifestyle Medicine at the end of 2013. She has a passion for health promotion and prevention of ill health through lifestyle and behavioural interventions. It is a well-recognized fact that many diseases like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, stroke and depression may be prevented or treated through lifestyle change. Dr Hartzenberg combines traditional pharmacological treatment (medication) with counseling and nutrition and physical activity interventions that are client-specific to support her patients to improve their health. She also uses minimally invasive aesthetic procedures like Botox, fillers, chemical peels, derma-rolling and mesotherapy to help her patients look their best. Beauty should be a reflection of health, and Dr Hartzenberg aims to assist her patients to achieve optimal well-being inside and out. What is Lifestyle Medicine? Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is a branch of medicine, in the same way that surgery or paediatrics or psychiatry are all branches of medicine. Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions to treat and prevent lifestyle-related diseases. It empowers individuals with the knowledge and life skills to make effective behaviour changes that address the underlying causes of disease. Lifestyle Medicine is concerned predominantly with management of health problems related to unhealthy lifestyle, these include: weight problems and obesity diabetes high cholesterol high blood pressure heart disease joint disease stress sleep problems LM is also concerned with the prevention of ill health, and the promotion of optimal well-being. Lifestyle Medicine aims to address the cause of ill health, which often relates to how one lives one's life. What is Aesthetic Medicine? Aesthetic Medicine is a field of medical practice that involves minimally invasive procedures to improve the appearance, especially of the face, neck, and hands. Commonly used interventions include botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, fillers, chemical peels, skin conditioning and mesotherapy. Specific concerns that may be addressed by aesthetic medicine interventions include: Signs of ageing Wrinkles Pigmentation problems Acne and other scars Sagging or loose skin Dry or dull-looking skin Asymmetry Cellulite Frequently Asked Questions Is Lifestyle Medicine 'Real' medicine? Lifestyle Medicine can only be practised by health professionals - either doctors or registered nurses under the supervision of doctors. It is definitely real medicine because it involves taking a history, performing an examination, doing special investigations as necessary, forming a problem list and treatment goals, and implementing a management plan… The same steps followed in any medical consultation. Lifestyle Medicine practitioners prescribe medication when necessary, but have the knowledge and skills to assess and manage the source of many health problems - poor lifestyle. Is Lifestyle Medicine an alternative therapy? Lifestyle Medicine is not an alternative therapy. It is a branch of Western medicine and is practiced in first-world countries like Australia, America, the UK and Belgium. The principles underlying Lifestyle Medicine are based on rigorous scientific research and clinical trials. The recommendations proposed by Lifestyle Medicine practitioners are always backed by science. Do Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe in medication? Lifestyle Medicine practitioners use medication to treat their patients all the time. But, Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe that through changes in behaviour, it is possible to reduce the amount of medication required to keep health problems under control. It is possible for a patient who has been taking medication for years to change the way they live which brings about positive health benefits that allows him/her to stop taking medication. Can't my normal GP do what a Lifestyle Medicine practitioner does? The honest answer is 'YES", however, your normal GP is unlikely to have the level of knowledge and skill in lifestyle assessment and management because of the limited training he/she received at university in the fields of nutrition/dietetics, exercise physiology, psychology and environmental impact on health. Your normal GP is also unlikely to want to spend the time that is required to do a thorough Lifestyle Medicine assessment because he/she cannot charge you extra for his/her time. Can't I go to a dietitian? Again, the answer is 'YES', however a dietitian is trained in dietary assessment and dietary advice only. A dietitian cannot do a physical examination or interpret investigation findings or prescribe medications. What about my other health problems? Dr Hartzenberg is a qualified and experienced medical doctor. She is able to assess and treat any complaint that you would have seen your usual GP about. However, she takes a more comprehensive approach. For instance, if you come with a chest infection, she will be more thorough and go more in-depth about your lifestyle habits, such as… ask around smoking habits and exposures at work that may contribute to your current problem. She will tailor your treatment option according to the nature of any chronic conditions you have. Why combine Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine? It is true that many doctors now practice aesthetic medicine. That is the use of injections, chemical peels and other procedures to enhance a person's appearance. Many do not look at how lifestyle factors contribute to the ageing process. Diet, exercise, sleep patterns and psychological well-being all contribute to the appearance of the skin, face and body. Combining Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine, you get the best of both worlds - health and beauty from the inside out.