Frequently Asked Questions

Lifestyle medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the use of lifestyle changes, such as diet, physical activity, and stress management, to prevent, treat, and potentually reverse chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. It recognizes that many chronic diseases are caused by lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and stress, and that these diseases can be prevented, treated, and often reversed through lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It offers increased energy and quality of life. Decreased dependence on medication & improved overall health and reduce the risk of other chronic conditions.

• Approximately 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years if they do not make lifestyle changes to improve their health. However, the exact percentage varies and depends on several factors, such as age, weight, and family history.
• Making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and increasing physical activity, can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.

• Decreased metabolism
• Decreased physical activity
• Hormonal changes
• Poor diet
• Medications
• Decreased muscle mass

Type 1.5 diabetes, also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA), is a form of diabetes that resembles both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by the presence of autoimmune markers, similar to type 1 diabetes, but also involves insulin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes. People with LADA often initially misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, but later progress to needing insulin therapy, like type 1. It is a less common form of diabetes and requires a different treatment approach than either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

MODY stands for Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young. It is a rare form of diabetes that usually presents in adolescence or young adulthood and is caused by specific genetic mutations. MODY is characterized by insulin secretion defects, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Unlike type 1 and type 2 diabetes, MODY is not treated with insulin therapy and has a milder course. It is important for individuals with MODY to receive an accurate diagnosis, as treatment and management can differ from other forms of diabetes.

We provide comprehensive support to help you achieve your weight loss and health goals.

1. ​Personalized support: We provide personalized support and create an individualized plan based on your specific needs and health conditions.
2. Expert guidance: We have the expertise and training to provide evidence-based guidance on nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that can help with weight loss and overall health.
3. Safety: We monitor your progress and make adjustments to your plan as needed to ensure your health and safety while you work towards your goals.
4. Accountability: We provide accountability and help keep you motivated and on track.
5. Addressing underlying health issues: We also help identify and address any underlying health issues that may be contributing to weight gain and provide guidance on how to manage them.

In summary, we provide you with the personalized support, expert guidance, and accountability you need to successfully lose weight and improve your health in a safe and sustainable way.

• All 45 years of age or older
• All overweight or obese (BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m² or greater than or equal to 23 kg/m² in Asian Americans) adults of any age with one or more of the following risk factors:
  • If you have 1st degree relative with diabetes
  • High risk race/ethnicity (eg, African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
  • Personal history of Heart Disease
  • Personal history of Hypertension or on therapy for hypertension
  • If HDL-C value < 35 mg/dL and/or triglyceride value > 250 mg/dL
  • History of Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Physical inactivity
  • Conditions associated with insulin resistance (eg, severe obesity, acanthosis nigrans)

Several hormones play a role in weight management and appetite regulation. Some of the key hormones involved include:

1. Leptin: A hormone produced by fat cells that signals the brain to reduce hunger and increase energy expenditure.
2. Ghrelin: A hormone produced primarily by the stomach that stimulates hunger and increases food intake.
3. Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood by promoting the uptake of glucose by cells.
4. Cortisol: A hormone produced by the adrenal gland that is involved in the body’s response to stress and can impact weight and appetite regulation.
5. Peptide YY (PYY): A hormone produced by the gut in response to food intake that suppresses appetite.
6. Cholecystokinin (CCK): A hormone produced by the gut in response to food intake that suppresses appetite and stimulates digestion.

These hormones work together in complex ways to regulate energy balance and body weight, and imbalances or disruptions in their levels or actions can contribute to the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Understanding the interplay between these hormones and their mechanisms of action is an active area of research in the field of endocrinology and metabolism.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an endocrine gland located in the abdomen. Its main function is to regulate glucose (sugar) levels in the blood by helping cells take up glucose for energy. Insulin signals the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream, where it is either used for energy or stored for later use. Insulin also helps to reduce the production of glucose in the liver. Deficiency or resistance to insulin can lead to high blood sugar levels, which is a characteristic of diabetes. Insulin replacement therapy is a common treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes and some patients with type 2 diabetes.

Diets often don’t work because they are not sustainable in the long-term. Most diets require people to restrict their caloric intake and eliminate certain foods, which can be difficult to maintain over time. Additionally, many diets do not address the underlying habits and behaviors that contribute to weight gain. As a result, people may lose weight initially, but then regain it once they return to their old eating patterns. Furthermore, diets can also be restrictive and can lead to feelings of deprivation and negatively impact mental health. To be successful in the long-term, it’s important to adopt healthy eating habits that are sustainable and address both physical and mental well-being.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose (sugar) levels in the blood. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin to try to lower elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, if insulin resistance persists, the pancreas may become unable to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance can be caused by a variety of factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, genetic factors, and hormonal imbalances. It is also commonly associated with other conditions such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Treatments for insulin resistance aim to improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin, reduce blood sugar levels, and lower the risk of developing diabetes and other related health problems.

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that plays a role in regulating energy balance and body weight. It acts on the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, to reduce hunger and increase energy expenditure. Leptin signals the brain that the body has enough stored energy, reducing food intake and increasing metabolism. Obesity is associated with increased levels of leptin, but in some cases, the brain may become resistant to the effects of leptin, leading to continued feelings of hunger and difficulty losing weight. Leptin resistance can be caused by various factors, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes in the signaling pathways that respond to leptin.

Leptin plays a complex role in energy balance and body weight regulation, and research is ongoing to better understand its mechanisms of action and potential as a therapeutic target for obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Ghrelin is a hormone produced primarily by the stomach that stimulates hunger and increases food intake. It acts on the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, to increase feelings of hunger and promote food consumption. Ghrelin levels are highest before a meal and lowest after a meal, helping to regulate appetite and energy balance.

​Ghrelin has a number of effects on the body beyond regulating hunger, including stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland, increasing gastric acid secretion, and promoting fat storage. Ghrelin levels are lower in people who are obese compared to those with a healthy weight, and some research suggests that alterations in ghrelin levels may contribute to the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that is involved in the body’s response to stress. It is commonly referred to as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol helps to regulate the body’s metabolism and the immune system, and plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and the balance of salt and water in the body. In response to stress, cortisol levels increase, promoting the release of glucose from the liver to provide energy to the body and suppressing non-essential functions such as digestion and the immune system. This response is part of the “fight or flight” response that prepares the body to respond to stress or danger. Chronic stress or excessive cortisol production can have negative effects on the body, including weight gain, insulin resistance, and a weakened immune system. Cortisol levels can also be disrupted in various medical conditions, including adrenal gland disorders, and can be measured to help diagnose and monitor these conditions.

Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that works in opposition to insulin to regulate glucose (sugar) levels in the blood. Unlike insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose by cells, glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. This helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels, especially between meals or during periods of low insulin levels, such as during physical activity. Deficiencies or imbalances in the levels of glucagon and insulin can lead to abnormal blood sugar regulation and contribute to the development of conditions such as diabetes. In some cases, glucagon may be used as a treatment for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which is a common complication of insulin therapy in people with diabetes.