Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine has come a long way over the years! What started out as a small weight loss practice has grown over the years to now include anti-aging medicine, hormone therapy, holistic support for gastrointestinal diseases, IV vitamin therapy and aesthetic medicine in addition to our weight loss services. With so many different types of products and services now available, our staff and providers are happy to provide our clients with this list of our favorite things in 2021! Each team member was asked to pick their #1 favorite product and service and give a brief description for why each was their favorite. See below for their answers! All products and services are available in both the St Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations for Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine. 

Jeskya V., Favorite Products: "It was difficult to pick just one product! I love Vitamin D3 because it helps improve immune function, protects against cancer and prevents breakdown of bone tissue. It is also a small capsule that I can incorporate into my daily routine easily and it is inexpensive; under $25 for a 90-day supply! My favorite skin product is Retinol Complex 1.0, by SkinMedica. I have had issues with blemishes and pigmentation my whole life and since I started using Retinol Complex, many of my issues have disappeared and my skin is glowing and smooth. This is an easy to apply cream you incorporate into your bedtime skincare routine. Don't forget to moisturize and wear sunscreen with any Retinoid product!"  
​
Jesyka V., Favorite Service: "My favorite service is the fat-burning injections and B12 shots we provide as part of our weight loss and anti-aging programs. These shots are full of B vitamins and amino acids which help burn fat, detoxify the liver, decrease inflammation and increase energy. They are given weekly and patients may notice effects right away or they may notice improvements over time. Everyone is different and has a unique response to the injections, so we normally recommend purchasing one of our affordable monthly packages to give it a try for 30-days and see how you respond!"

Kelly S. Favorite Products: "I found it hard to choose just 1 product! My favorite anti-aging and weight loss product is OptiCleanse by Xymogen. This product is a functional food protein shake which you mix with milk, water or in a smoothie to use as a meal replacement if you are trying to lose weight or as a vitamin supplement if you do not like taking a million different capsules. It is packed full of protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids to assist in liver detoxification, decrease inflammation and help your body more effectively burn fat. It also tastes great and comes in two flavors - chocolate and vanilla. Skinaide Collagen is an amazing supplement that you drink daily. It improves collagen production from the inside out, targeting the dermal layer of the skin specifically. After a 90-day course of treatment, you will notice a significant reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and even cellulite! It works best in combination with our aesthetic procedures, such as Plasma Pen Skin Tightening, Sculptra filler and MINT thread-lifts."
​
Kelly S. Favorite Service: "My favorite service we offer is peptide therapy. The field of peptide therapy is amazing and there are many different peptides to help with weight loss, aesthetics, gut health, immune function and brain health! One of my favorite peptide therapies is Sermorelin Glycinate, which is a sub-cutaneous injection that assists with weight loss, memory, muscle mass and increases human growth hormone (HGH) production. I tried it for a month and lost 8 lbs without any additional diet or exercise!" 

Taimi G. Favorite Products: "I love SkinMedica products because these products truly work for me and keep my skin looking fresh and young! You are never too young or too old to start a good skincare routine. My favorite products are the Uplifting Eye Serum and the TNS Advanced Serum, which both hydrate the skin and target fine lines and wrinkles. My goal is to age gracefully and so far, I am loving it! I also use a small amount of Botox periodically which not only helps me maintain a younger look but improves my migraines significantly!"

Taimi G. Favorite Services: "I have been a big fan of IV therapy since we introduced it a few years ago. I love the Beautify Blend which hydrates the skin, boosts immunity and improves my energy levels. My hair and nails have never looked shinier or been stronger! This is a great service to use in combination with some of our other aesthetic procedures to help improve beauty from the inside out."

Joel G. Favorite Products: " I love getting Botox occasionally as it helps assist in the aging process and helps me boost my confidence when I notice my deep lines disappear. I am happy I am starting Botox at an early age as it helps to prevent my lines from getting any worse!"

Joel G. Favorite Services: "Two of my absolute favorite products are IV therapy and Botox. Since I began with IV therapy a few years ago, I haven't found any better treatments for keeping energized, boosting my immune system, and feeling refreshed. IV vitamin therapy can also assist with weight loss, and I have noticed many of our patients achieve their weight loss goals faster when they get an Energy Boost IV once or twice a month. You can do the IVs in combination with fat burning injections and appetite suppressants for optimal results!"

Lauren D. Favorite Products: "My favorite products are Botox and our Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Cream. I love helping patients age gracefully while achieving natural looking results with this powerful neurotoxin. Results last 3-6 months depending on your skin and lifestyle factors. Our Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Cream is a combination of three different peptides to help combat lines and wrinkles topically! We lovingly refer to it as "Botox in a Bottle." When used in combination with Botox or Dysport it will help extend the results of these treatments, making lines and wrinkles less visible over time."

Lauren D. Favorite Services: "I enjoy using functional medicine to treat our patients and address underlying health issues. One of my favorite tools to use is peptide therapy, which is a safe and effective way to address auto-immune issues by upregulating certain components of the immune system. My favorite peptides to use are Thymosin-Alpha 1 and BPC-157. Thymosin-Alpha upregulates T cell function, which helps improve immunity against colds and flus and BPC-157 combats gastrointestinal disorders, such as leaky gut syndrome, IBS and Chron's Disease." 

Dr. Williams Favorite Products & Services: "I love combining VI Peel and Botox. VI Peel is a non-invasive way to renew my skin. A huge perk associated with this treatment is that it offers little to no skin discomfort with the results being fresh, healthy and vibrant skin! I love that I can get my Botox treatment the same day too! Botox is perfect for minimizing the lines I have (shh...don't tell!) and preventing new lines from forming. Prevention is key and Botox is the answer!"

Dr. Pacholec Favorite Product: "I love our new skin tightening device, Plasma Pen! Some of you may remember, I had my upper lip done in a LIVE demo over Zoom by Dr. Williams. She is a true artist! The procedure was not too painful (we have a two-step numbing process) and I could see results after just 1 week of downtime. Optimal results will occur at 12 weeks post-treatment, but this photo is after just one month! You can see my upper lip lines have almost disappeared!"

Dr Pacholec Favorite Service: "One of my favorite things about being a functional medicine doctor is helping people get to the root cause of illness. For many, this means determining cellular nutritional deficiencies which can impede weight loss success, contribute to thyroid and adrenal problems, lower immunity and even contribute to cancer risk. We have an amazing test developed by ALCAT Sciences to help determine your nutritional deficiency status for over 50 different types of vitamins, amino-acids and minerals. Results take about a week to come back and come with an e-book that is accessible on the patient portal and gives tons of detailed information on how you can improve your nutritional profile. It is one of the most useful tests we do at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine!"

Some of these products you can purchase on our Online Store or in office at your next visit. If you have any questions or wish to schedule your next visit or a FREE 15-minute consultation for new patients, please give Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine a call!

 We have some great specials to celebrate love this month at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss! BOGO IV treatments for you and your best Galentine or you and your Valentine to help rejuvenate your cells from the inside out, and a special VI Peel + Botox package to treat your face to some rejuvenation too.

The VI Peel + Botox includes 20 units of Botox at a discounted rate of $9/unit and one Precision Plus VI Peel to treat for melasma, hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen production. Getting a peel in combination with Botox helps create a sterile injection site for the Botox and helps extend the benefits of the Botox itself! The BOGO IV special includes 2 IVs of your choice, with the less expensive one at half the cost. You can purchase both specials for yourself,  a friend or a loved one if you would like, but they must be purchased and used within the specified time period from Feb 8-19th. Both specials are available from February 8th through the 19th in our clinics in Lutz, FL and St Pete, FL. Appointments are limited, so call today or fill out the form below to schedule your next treatment!

Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine is very excited to offer Plasma Pen Therapy to our practice! This amazing procedure tightens and smooths skin by utilizing plasma energy to target fibroblasts underneath the skin. Fibroblasts are cellular components of connective tissue which produce collagen proteins. The plasma energy is created when the probe of the pen gets near enough to the skin to cause an ionized energetic reaction, without ever actually touching the skin. A carbon crust then develops over the area "sparked" by the plasma pen, which begins the process of rejuvenation and collagen stimulation. The carbon crust is visible as small red dots, which look similar to tiny scabs that typically fall off within 3-4 days post treatment. Other than the crust that forms, there is minimal downtime and swelling may only occur for 24 hours post-treatment. See some before and after images below! 

Plasma Pen Therapy not only tones, tightens and smooths the skin, but it also stimulates collagen production and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and cellulite as well. Blepharoplasty is one of the more popular treatments, but it can be used over the entire body to target specific areas of concern. Dr. Kristen Williams, MD performs this procedure in both the St Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss by appointment only. A consult prior to treatment is required to go over goals and target areas. Depending on a patient's skin type, age and lifestyle factors, 1-2 treatments may be all that is needed to correct areas of concern. Each treatment lasts between 45-60 minutes and patients can resume normal activity or work immediately after. As with most procedures, strenuous exercise is not recommended for at least 24 hours post-procedure. Results are usually visible within a few days or weeks, and will continue to improve as collagen is produced. This procedure works best in combination with some of our other holistic collagen-inducing procedures and products, such as Sculptra Aesthetic, MINT PDO thread lifts and Skinade supplement drinks. 

To introduce this new service to Pacholec Center for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging Medicine, Dr. Williams will be performing a live demonstration over Zoom on 01/22/21 at 12:30PM on our other practitioners, Dr. Pacholec and Lauren DeNeve, ARNP. She will be discussing her technique and patients will be able to see exactly what to expect during and immediately post-procedure. Exclusive discounts will be available ONLY to demo attendees and there will be a raffle available to the first 10 people to sign up and attend the demo as well! The raffle prize is a Kenesko skincare kit valued at $200, which contains collagen inducing eye, face and décolleté masks as well as a quartz roller. RSVP for the event below and call either of our St Petersburg, FL or Lutz, FL offices for any additional questions.

Our providers at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss are excited to offer our new Detox Program just in time for the New Year! 2020 left many of us feeling sluggish, depressed, unmotivated and a couple (maybe more) pounds heavier. Let's start 2021 on a more positive note with clinically proven ways to improve energy, mental clarity, weight loss success and reduce fatigue and inflammation with a research-backed detox program! Pacholec Center for Weight Loss is excited to offer our Detox Program at an introductory discount for the month of January ONLY! Read below to find out how our detox program can benefit you and help you reach your weight loss and wellness goals quickly and efficiently! 

The Detox Program offered at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss combines holistic treatments to support comprehensive phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification, support regular elimination, good digestion, and improve antioxidant protection. A 6-Day Detox Kit, manufactured by one of our favorite pharmaceutical-grade supplement manufacturers, Xymogen, is included to start off the month-long detox program. The supplements included in this kit include Opticleanse for liver detoxification and antioxidant protection, ColonX for supportive elimination of toxins and waste, ProbioMax DF for probiotic support to eliminate toxins, improve gut health and digestion and Drainage, which is a combination of homeopathic remedies to support elimination of toxins and reduce toxicity and inflammation within the body. 

The program also includes weekly lipotropic MIC injections to further assist in liver detoxification, fat burning and energy stimulation. The lipotropic MIC injections offered at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss are a combination of B vitamins and amino acids clinically proven to improve weight loss and detoxification success. Patients exhibit the most success when they receive these injections on a weekly basis in combination with exercise, diet and supplementation. 

To further enhance our patient's success on the Detox Program, our providers at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss have also included 2 Myer's Cocktail IV infusions with 1 Glutathione infusion for optimal detoxification support. The Myer's Cocktail infusions should be administered bi-weekly and the glutathione infusion is only recommended on a monthly basis. Myer's Cocktail and Glutathione work synergistically to detoxify the liver, reduce inflammation, improve fat burning and weight loss success, reduce memory loss and improve attentiveness among a suite of other benefits. 

The Detox Program offered at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss is a great way to achieve your weight loss and wellness goals effectively and quickly in 2021! While we can't promise 2021 will be "the best year yet", this program will definitely give you the tools to set good intentions, stay motivated and purge all the toxicity that 2020 threw at us over 12 long months. Open a new chapter in 2021 with energy, mental clarity and positivity by joining our month-long Detox Program at an introductory price! Call one of our clinics below for more information or to schedule your next appointment!

Temptations abound during the holiday season! Chocolates, popcorn, candy and desserts seem to be staring you in the face everywhere you turn and can derail you from your weight loss goals. Dr. Pacholec has compiled a list of some of the best ways to ward off temptation and stick to your goals during the holiday season. Read below for more tips on how to lose weight successfully before the new year! 

1. Limit Portion Sizes: If you are going to indulge in some merry cocktails and treats over the holidays, know your limits! Grab a small appetizer size plate and don't overfill it. Keep a food diary or use our mobile app, Pacholec MD to track your portion sizes, food choices and count calories. Set a daily limit for yourself - either by total calories to consume or set a daily limit on sweets so you have a goal. Once you hit the limit, remember to hit the brakes and save any other indulgences for the following day. 
2. Try Intermittent Fasting: Intermittent fasting is a great way to successfully lose weight and keep it off. There are many different intervals you can try and our blog post on Keto Diet and Hormones goes into great detail describing all the different methods. Setting a timeframe for eating for yourself will help to discourage any negative eating habits (like late night snacking) and help you control your food intake and help you make better food choices. Intermittent fasting is also clinically proven to assist with weight loss, improve inflammation and improve mental clarity. 
3. Drink lots of Water: Did you know that water can actually fill you up? Or at least, it can trick your brain into thinking you are full! Always carry around a reusable water bottle with you and when you see something tempting, or get the urge to snack, take a sip from your bottle instead. Watch our Weight Loss Tip videos for more advice on how drinking water can actually help you lose weight! 
4. Substitute a Protein Shake for a Meal: Using protein shakes and functional foods in place of traditional meals like breakfast or lunch can provide you with extra nutrients, protein and cut calories at the same time! We offer a range of functional food items including protein shakes at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss that are clinically proven to help you lose weight, stay fuller longer and provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients. The meal replacement supplements we offer at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss also assist with decreasing inflammation and detoxification, which means when you do indulge in some of those holiday treats, your liver will be better equipped to process them faster and not store all those extra calories as fat! Our supplements are all pharmaceutical-grade and have undergone rigorous third-party testing to ensure their quality and efficacy for burning fat and weight loss. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, you can purchase our meal replacement supplements either in one of our clinics in Lutz, FL or St Petersburg, FL or through our online store. 
5. Get Weekly Fat Burning Lipotropic B12 Shots: B vitamins and amino acids work synergistically to help you burn fat, detoxify your liver and help you lose weight! In conjuction with meal replacements and appetite suppressants, these shots work quickly to help you lose weight without even trying! They assist the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal system to process and excrete food quickly so that it does not get stored as excess fat or give you a sluggish feeling after you eat. If you are not ready to cut out all the holiday treats, this is a great way to still indulge slightly without feeling guilty and continuing to lose weight. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we offer a range of different strengths for these shots and they can be administered on a weekly basis. They don't hurt and will help increase energy levels, detoxify the body and assist with weight loss - no exercise required! If you are active and exercising, these injections will also help you recover faster, improve muscle tone and increase your performance. A win, win no matter what your lifestyle is like! Read more about lipotropic injections to find out if these are right for you! 

At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, our Number One priority is to help YOU lose weight and keep it off, no matter the time of year! Call one of our offices for more information or to set up your next consultation. Dr. Pacholec and our other providers provide FREE 15-min consultations as well! Read our reviews for other patient success stories!

Our 2nd annual weight loss challenge is officially underway! We have about 30 people who have registered to be a part of it this year, so to keep you all on track we are offering some great deals exclusive to our challenge participants. Our patients have had great success losing weight by doing the Energy Boost IV frequently (at least twice a month) or by doing a combination of the MIC lipotropic shots with our new GOAL amino blend injection on a weekly basis. In combination with appetite suppressants and meal replacement shakes, such as OptiCleanse, these services will significantly improve your weight loss success over the next six weeks!
One male and one female winner will be selected and winners will get FREE services on IVs, aesthetic products and weight loss supplements. Watch the video below to learn more. 2020 has been a tough year, but there is still time to end it on a good note! Good luck to all of our challenge participants! Follow us on social media (Instagram and Facebook) for more motivation as the challenge progresses.

G.O.A.L (Glutamine, Ornithine, Arginine and Lysine)

• GOAL is an amino acid blend which is commonly utilized for weight loss, recovery, and performance. It is beneficial for people who exercise frequently, are body-builders, weight-lifters or athletes in general. 
  
• Glutamine improves immunity, aids in cellular repair, healing, and intestinal health. It assists with weight loss by improving gut health and cellular digestion. 
  
• Ornithine helps to manage fatigue by stabilizing energy levels and promoting better sleep. It’s utilized to reduce fatigue and improve measures of athletic performance such as speed, strength, and power in some people. Also, taking ornithine in combination with arginine seems to improve strength and power in male weightlifters.
  
• Arginine is known to support blood vessel tone and boost nitric oxide levels. In combination with lysine, its fatty acids helps to burn calories, thus giving the body a necessary source of energy.
  
• Lysine as an amino acid may boost the energy levels, promote weight loss process and support the digestive system. This combination is often the power punch patients are looking for to improve overall health while improving body composition encouraged by improved metabolic function resulting in weight loss.

This injection is now available at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss in our Lutz, FL and St Petersburg, FL locations. It can be administered weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on patient preference. For our 2020 Weight Loss Challenge Participants, this injection may be beneficial in combination with our MIC lipotropic injections on a weekly basis to assist in quick weight loss! Call one of our clinics today to schedule your injection!

​What is the Keto Diet?

A ketogenic diet refers to a low-carbohydrate way of eating that encourages high-quality proteins and healthy fats. The reduction in carbohydrate intake allows the body to shift toward a metabolic state that promotes the breakdown of fats rather than sugars. The breakdown of fats results in the production of ketones and your body enters a metabolic state known as “ketosis”. In a standard American diet, 15% of caloric intake comes from proteins, 35% comes from fats and 50% comes from carbohydrates. In a ketogenic diet, 20% of caloric intake comes from proteins, 70% from fats and only 10% from carbohydrates. Research suggests that people who follow a ketogenic diet have improved mental acuity, less risk of insulin resistance, improved weight loss outcomes, increased energy and improved cardiovascular health.

What is an Alkaline Diet?

If you have been homeschooling your kids during the pandemic, the term “alkaline” may be pretty familiar! Alkalinity is a measure of the pH scale, which refers to the total hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. The more hydrogen ions available, the more acidic a solution becomes and the less hydrogen ions available, the more alkaline a solution becomes. The pH scale ranges from 1-14. A neutral pH is 7, and human blood is about 7.4, which makes it slightly alkaline. The ocean has a pH of 8.1 and the optimal pH for a pool is also 7.4, which is equivalent to human eyes and mucous membranes. Optimal soil pH for best bioavailability of nutrients is 6-7 for fruit and vegetable farming. Acidic soils with pH less than 6 have reduced calcium and magnesium and alkaline soils with pH greater than 7 may result in unavailable minerals such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc. As a result of the agricultural revolution in the last 10,000 years, our soils have become much more acidic and conventional farming techniques lead to a diet that is poor in magnesium, potassium and fiber, but rich in saturated fats, simple sugars, sodium and chloride (salt!).

While your actual blood pH shouldn’t veer off from 7.4, the types of food you eat can modify your pH in your saliva and urine. Measuring these values is a good indication of cellular health! In general, vegetables and fruits lead to a more alkaline urine pH and grains, meats, dairy, sugar, caffeine and processed foods and sodas lead to a more acidic urine pH. In fact, soda has a pH of 2.5! When you consume a majority of acidic foods, you can induce a state of “chronic low-grade acidosis” which leads to inflammation, insulin resistance, a decrease in bone density and the inability for your body to metabolize important minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Conversely, if you consume mainly alkaline-rich foods, you can benefit your overall health in a variety of ways. Research suggests that an alkaline diet favors bone growth, prevents bone loss and reduces osteoporotic fracture risk. This is of huge importance to women especially, who are at greater risk for osteoporosis as they age and as they go through menopause. Alkaline foods also increase lean muscle mass, optimizes availability of minerals such as magnesium, and reduces chronic inflammation. Magnesium is a crucial mineral that has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, reduce headaches and improve digestion. Nutrient soil depletion along with an acidic diet means that up to 80% of Americans are low in this important mineral! You can supplement with magnesium, but if your urine pH is not more alkaline, it will not become bioavailable.

If you are worried that you may be low in some of the minerals discussed here, we have a few different types of pharmaceutical-grade nutrients you can supplement with. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we carry bio-available Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium Glycinate as well as a Mineral Blend (MinRex) to help you replenish your cells and achieve a more alkaline state. You can pick these supplements up in either our online store or in either of our Lutz, FL or St Petersburg, FL locations.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting refers to meal timing restrictions and while there are many types of fasting intervals that are observed, the most common and successful is the 16/8 ratio of fasting/feeding. The process of fasting activates autophagy, which allows the body to digest its own cells and tissues and removes harmful toxins, damaged proteins, and increases the production of ketone levels. When intermittent fasting is combined with the keto diet, it allows the benefits of autophagy to be achieved more efficiently.
Autophagy is achieved when the body is starved of protein and when carbohydrates are restricted, so combining keto with intermittent fasting increases efficiency and leads to faster ketosis, faster weight loss, decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation, enhanced mental acuity and more stable blood sugar levels.

For women particularly, intermittent fasting works best with a 15/9 or 16/8 window. This means that you should fast for 15 or 16 hours between dinner and breakfast (7pm-10am) and then eat two healthy keto-alkaline meals with a protein shake or light meal in the 8 or 9 hour feeding window. We have a variety of pharmaceutical-grade protein meal replacement shakes that are keto-friendly, so ask your practitioner for more information at your next visit or browse our online store!

If you have never tried intermittent fasting before, start slow! You can start with a  12/12 window and work your way up to 15/9 or 16/8. The most difficult issue with intermittent fasting is going to be changing your existing habits, such as eating comfort foods, late night binging, snacking between meals or eating a carb-heavy breakfast early in the morning. Give yourself time to adjust and set goals to achieve. If you feel like you are craving a late-night snack, try some hot water with lemon or herbal tea. Hot drinks also give us a sense of comfort and can trick your brain into feeling like you have been satiated.

There is an overwhelming amount of research on how intermittent fasting is beneficial, especially for women! Health benefits include reduced breast cancer risk, reduced risk for menstrual problems, assistance managing PCOS symptoms, reduction in body weight, improved reproductive health in early adulthood, improved mental health during menopausal transition, decreased risk of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, as well as reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress levels.

How does the Keto-Alklaine Diet combined with Intermittent Fasting Work?

If you are struggling with weight loss, menopause, insulin resistance, brain fog or other hormonal imbalances, this may be the diet for you! Our practitioners will work with you to make sure you are adhering to the keto-alkaline diet and intermittent fasting properly and eating appropriate foods. You will begin a ketogenic plan to consume at least 70% of your caloric intake from healthy, alkaline fats found in dark, leafy greens, vegetables, nuts and seeds. 20% of your caloric intake should come from high-quality, non-processed organic or free-range beef, poultry or fish. Eating pounds of bacon will not provide you the results you are looking for here! Our physician supervised ketogenic program provides a comprehensive nutritional guide with individualized recommendations from our providers to help you stay on track.
 
 
Why is it best suited for menopausal women?

Unfortunately, one of the side effects of menopause and hormonal shifts is weight gain, specifically abdominal visceral fat (i.e. that stubborn belly fat which never seems to go away no matter how much you diet and exercise), which is also the most difficult to get rid of! Too much weight gain can also exacerbate menopausal symptoms, like mood swings, sleep problems, decrease in lean muscle mass, and increase in hot flashes. It may also lead to insulin resistance, which increases your risk for heart disease, dementia and diabetes. Getting older is so much fun! While it may feel like all of this is out of your control and many traditional doctors will just tell you it’s the consequence of aging, don’t get disheartened! Our practitioners at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss are specifically trained to help women overcome hormonal imbalances, lose weight and achieve a life full of energy and good health! Our practitioners will first work with women to achieve optimal hormonal balance through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Once your hormones are on the right track, the weight may start falling off on its own, or you may need an extra dietary push in the right direction. Our practitioners will work with you to help you overcome stubborn weight loss by incorporating the keto-alkaline diet and intermittent fasting. As discussed above, there is a plethora of research on how well this approach works, especially for women! Call either of our Lutz, FL or St Petersburg, FL locations for more information and to start your journey towards better health today!

Pharmaceutical-Grade Keto Diet Supplements Recommended by Dr. Pacholec, Ms. DeNeve and Dr. Williams:

Metagenics Ketogenic Shake (Chocolate or Vanilla): 20g of fat, 5g of MCT per serving + 25 essential vitamins and minerals. You can add additional fats to your shake by blending avocado, almond butter, peanut butter, chia seeds or shredded coconut for extra flavor and fat. 

Designs for Health KTO-360 Powder (Vanilla): 16g of total fat, 16 g of protein from collagen peptides and only 3 g net carbs. This meal replacement shake features collagen peptides and fats from avocado oil powder, grass fed butter powder and the medium chain triglyceride caprylic acid (C8).

Designs for Health KTO-ElectroPure: this unflavored liquid can be added to your drink of choice to help combat “keto fatigue” by replenishing your body with important electrolytes including 75 mg magnesium and 300 mg chloride sourced from ionic trace minerals, 150 mg sodium (from seawater), and 150 mg potassium (as potassium chloride). Workout enthusiasts will also benefit from using this liquid after a workout to replenish their cells!

Designs for Health KTO-C8 100: 100% pure caprylic acid sourced exclusively from coconut oil. Each 1-Tbsp serving provide 14 grams of caprylic acid convenient for adding to coffee or tea, using in shakes and smoothies, or incorporating into recipes as needed. There are four main types of MCTs (C6, C8, C10 and C12) and C8 is the most efficient at increasing ketone levels and is easily digested and absorbed by the body.

Designs for Health KTO-Bar: This coconut hemp chocolate functional food bar contains 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and only 2 net carbs, making it an ideal and convenient snack or meal replacement for anyone following a low-carb or keto diet. It’s generous fiber supply also makes it a good candidate for people following the keto-alkaline diet as well!

Metagenics Keto Soup (Savory Chicken Flavor): 14 grams of fat, 20 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbs and 3 grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) per serving. The soups come in individual packets and you just add water and serve!  A quick, convenient, and easy way to stay on top of your keto diet. Try adding a tbsp of ghee or a serving of MCT Oil for extra fat intake.

Metagenics Exogenous Ketones (Berry Blast Flavor): 1 scoop of the beta-hydroxybutyrate salts mixed with water induces acute ketosis within 15-minutes!

Metagenics Phyto Moringa Powder (Berry Blast Flavor): This meal replacement shake will help you stay on top of your keto-alkaline goals! Formulated with the 70:20:10 ratio of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, it also contains grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen peptides types I and III to support skin, nails, bones, and joint health. MCTs are sourced from coconuts, organic moringa leaf extract, and an organic phytonutrient blend of 12 superfruits, greens and herbs to help you stay on track with your keto-alkaline diet.

Most of these products can be purchased on our online store and all of these products are in stock at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss locations in Lutz, FL and St. Petersburg, FL. Call one of our offices for more information or to make your next appointment!

​
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5064803/#CR3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5388543/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960941/#ref9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516560/

Coronavirus is a hot topic among patients, clinicians and travelers alike. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we want to provide our patients with the tools and resources to protect themselves safely and effectively. Despite the rapid expansion of the virus and daily terrifying reports by the media and our cohorts on social media, your individual risk of contamination remains very low. In fact, your risk of getting the flu is much higher, with 2020 primed to be the worst year for contraction of the flu on record. Boosting your immune system with vitamins, herbs and good hygiene practices will help you fight off any impeding viruses, bacteria or fungi that hope to pick up residence and wage war in your body.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Contracting a Viral Infection
Viral infections are opportunistic predators, which prey on the young, the elderly and those with compromised or weakened immune systems. So, how do you make sure your immune system is in healthy optimal condition? Follow the recommendations from our practitioners at Pacholec Center for Weight Loss below!

1.Get a Weekly or Bi-Weekly IV Vitamin Infusion Treatment

1. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we have two IV vitamin infusion formulas to support a healthy immune system, the Immunity Blend and Myer’s Cocktail. Both have a high concentration of amino acids, B vitamins, and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Vitamin C particularly aids in the production of white blood cells, which are the cells in our body that help fight off infection. These infusions are good for prevention ad for patients who have been or are about to travel or patients who are recovering from a cold, infection or injury to speed up the recovery time. You can get these infusions in either our Lutz or St Petersburg office, during normal business hours. Our Nurse Practitioner, Ms. DeNeve recommends doing weekly treatments, alternating between the Immunity and Myer’s IV along with a weekly Vitamin D3 injection to give your immune system the ultimate protection. You can purchase a 4-treatment package at a discounted rate and get 2 treatments of Immunity Blend and 2 treatments of Myer’s Cocktail to cover all the bases! You can schedule your next IV treatment here. 

2.Take a Vitamin D3 Supplement

1. Vitamin D3 is a nutrient, hormone and immunomodulator that plays multiple roles within the body, including enhancing the immune system and protecting the body from viral infections. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we offer a few different supplements and injections for Vitamin D3. People who are deficient or have weak immune systems should either take a weekly oral vitamin D3 supplement or get a weekly injection. Both pathways provide 50,000 units of vitamin D3. Patients who have normal levels of vitamin D3 should take a 2,000 or 5,000 unit daily oral supplement to keep their levels up for optimal protection. Dr. Pacholec recommends everyone to be on at least 2,000 units daily to support optimal immune function, protect from viral infections and support hormone synthesis.

4.Consider Peptide Therapy

1. Peptides are short chain amino acids which signal and direct molecules within the body. They are like managers, instructing where other cells should go and what duties they should perform. There are over 7000 known peptides in the body with a wide range of functions, including immune health, weight loss and cognition. There is a natural decline in peptide formation as we age, but thanks to modern anti-aging medicine, we can now replenish these peptides to feel more youthful, energized and have stronger immune systems.
2. At Pacholec Center for Weight Loss, we have a couple different options for peptide therapy, including peptides for weight loss and immune function. Ms. DeNeve recommends the peptide, Thymosin Alpha-1 for patients interested in enhancing their immune function. It is also an FDA-approved medication under the trade name zadaxin for it’s immunomodulating properties. It received orphan drug approval status and has been widely researched for its effects on multiple types of cancer and viral illnesses. Some physicians are also using this peptide treatment for chronic fatigue and Lyme disease, as well as other auto-immune disorders. Clinical research has shown that this peptide improves host defense to infection, improves stress tolerance, inhibits viral replication, improves cancer defense, increases antioxidant and glutathione production and reduces inflammation.

5.Eat an Alkaline Diet Rich in Antioxidants

1. An alkaline diet rich in antioxidants will not only improve immune function; it will also improve weight loss success, increase energy, reduce inflammation and reduce your risk of osteoporosis. The purpose of an alkaline diet is to eat foods with a pH between 7-14. These foods include vegetables, herbs, fruits, herbal teas and raw, unprocessed seeds and nuts such as almonds. Meats, dairy, grains, beans, fish, coffee and processed foods are generally more acidic. If you are looking for recipe ideas, Dr. Pacholec recommends Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee De La Foret for herbal based alkaline recipes on how to support your immune system and reduce inflammation.

6.Use of Elderberry Extract Can Shorten Longevity of Flu

1. Elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra) has been proven to reduce the longevity and symptoms of influenza A and B in multiple placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. These studies have found it to be as effective as Tamiflu in treating the flu if it is administered at the onset of symptoms. These studies have found that it inhibits the replication of both strains of influenza, reduces fever and can lead to a complete cure within 2-3 days after the onset of symptoms. Our practitioners recommend everyone to be on Viracid during cold and flu season. This supplement contains a high concentration of elderberry extract, echinacea, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc and a few other herbal compounds to support your immune system during this vulnerable time. You can take this supplement daily or use it hourly when symptoms start to arise. We carry this supplement in both our Lutz and St Petersburg, FL locations as well as in our online store.