1. Diabetes Type 2: Weight Loss Program May Help
This disease results from the body developing a resistance to insulin over time. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is responsible for feeding the cells of the body with glucose, which is converted to energy that we use in daily activities and body system processes. Insulin resistance occurs when insulin isn’t being produced or used correctly, which leads to a buildup of glucose in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and more than 87% of people who are diagnosed with this disease are overweight or obese. Weight loss and being more active will help to control blood sugar levels and may even reverse the disease, when weight loss is significant and a shift in lifestyle occurs. The Diabetes Prevention Program found that losing 5-7% of your body fat and doing moderate to intense exercise (like brisk walking) for 150 minutes a week, can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes or even prevent it. Dr. Pacholec’s long term weight management programs can help to prevent this disease from occuring or even reverse symptoms of diabetes in a safe and effective manner. She oversees weight management programs out of her Lutz, FL and St. Petersburg, FL offices in the Tampa Bay area.

2. High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and Stroke: How Modifying Eating Habits and Losing Weight May Help
High blood pressure refers to the arterial pressure in your arteries, which is a good reflection of how hard your heart is working to supply blood to all your cells. When you are overweight or obese, there are more cells to pump blood too, which can increase your blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke or kidney failure. Modifying your lifestyle, eating a healthy diet, increasing exercise and quitting smoking can all help lower blood pressure. Excess fat also damages the kidneys, so losing weight is essential to lowering your BMI and bringing your blood pressure down to normal. Losing 5-10% of your body weight can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease which equates to only 10 pounds for a 200-pound person! Dr. Pacholec’s weight loss center in St Petersburg and Lutz, FL offers long term weight management programs to help prevent cardiac diseases and can even reverse symptoms of these illnesses, or cure them altogether in some cases.

3. Cancer: How Medical Weight Loss Can Prevent Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1/3 of cancer deaths are related to being overweight, obese, or suffering from poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Cancer of the breast (post-menopause), colon, rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidneys and pancreas have shown a tight link with obesity, while cancer of the blood, liver, gallbladder, cervix, ovaries and prostate have shown a probable link with obesity in several research studies. Medical weight loss, especially losing belly fat, modifying your lifestyle, eliminating processed foods, increasing your consumption of leafy greens and vegetables, along with adequate exercise can drastically reduce your risk for these types of cancers specifically. A personalized weight loss program, such as the programs offered at Dr. Pacholec’s weight loss centers in St. Petersburg and Lutz, FL, can help a patient lose weight, regain their health and help prevent diseases, like cancer from occuring.

4. Sleep Apnea: How Diet and Weight Loss Can Prevent Sleep Apnea
Obesity is the highest risk factor for sleep apnea. Individuals who are overweight or obese may have more fat stored around the neck, which puts pressure on the airway and makes it more difficult to breath, especially when lying down. Inflammation also increases in people who are overweight or obese, and inflammation can occur around the airway, putting further pressure on it and making it difficult to breath, increasing snoring or inhibiting breath from coming out altogether. Losing weight can reduce one’s neck size and decrease inflammation, making it easier to breath and reversing sleep apnea completely! Dr. Pacholec creates personalized weight management programs and customized diet plans to help her patients lose weight successfully at both of her weight loss centers in St. Petersburg and Lutz, FL.

5. Osteoarthritis: Weight Loss and Collagen Supplements May Help Improve Symptoms
One of the main risk factors for developing osteoarthritis is being overweight. Excess weight puts pressure on the joints, tendons, bones and ligaments, which can lead to osteoarthritis. Being overweight or obese also makes one more susceptible to injuries, which in turn, can lead to osteoarthritis. Losing weight helps to alleviate pressure on the joints, which can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis or even reverse signs of the disease. Dr. Pacholec uses customized weight management programs that include appetite suppressants, such as Phentermine, and vitamin support to help patients who suffer from osteoarthritis lose weight safely and effectively at both her St Petersburg and Lutz, Fl locations. One of the supplements she often recommends for patients suffering from osteoarthritis is whole body collagen, which helps to firm the skin and support the joints, tendons, bones and ligaments. Collagen is a dense, insoluble and fibrous protein that accounts for approximately one-third of all protein in the human body and decreases as we age due to sun exposure, smoking and age-related processes, such as menopause.

6. Fatty Liver Disease: Weight Loss Can Prevent and Reverse Symptoms 
Fatty liver disease is also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and while the cause is unknown, it occurs when fatty deposits build up on the liver. This puts stress on the liver and diminishes its performance, leading to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or even liver damage. It is most common in people who are overweight, obese or diabetic. Losing weight, particularly belly fat, can help to reverse this disease once a person’s BMI is back in normal range. Dr. Pacholec works with her patients to tailor a weight loss program unique to their needs at both her St. Petersburg and Lutz, FL locations. This may include lifestyle adjustments, exercise recommendations, diet plans, meal plans, nutrition advice and appetite suppressants, such as Phentermine. Losing weight is the best way to prevent diseases like fatty liver disease from occurring and may also help reverse signs of this disease in the long term.

7. Kidney Disease: Medical Weight Loss Can Prevent Kidney Degradation 
The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and eliminating waste products from the body. Being overweight or obese can lead to a buildup of waste in the blood, especially if one is pre-diabetic or diabetic, which puts stress on the kidneys and inhibits them from functioning properly. Kidney disease is often linked with diabetes and high blood pressure, so weight loss can help combat all three of these disorders at the same time! Dr. Pacholec’s prescription weight loss and weight management programs at both her St. Petersburg and Lutz, FL locations are perfect for people battling these disorders or in danger of developing them. Losing just 10% of your body weight is enough to prevent diseases such as kidney disease from occurring and is also enough to reverse signs of these diseases in most people.

Dr. Pacholec is a board-certified Fellow by the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine and has over 20 years of experience helping people lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Her anti-aging and prescription weight loss programs at both her Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations help patients learn how to take back control of their health, lives and longevity. Dr. Pacholec recommends clean eating with a diet full of organic whole foods, daily exercise, calorie counting and vitamin supplementation to help patients reach their weight loss goals. Dr. Pacholec also dispenses prescription appetite suppressants, like Phentermine, from her offices in Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL to further assist patients in their weight loss transformations. Dr. Pacholec's motto is, "Together we will succeed!" because weight loss is not only about counting calories and exercising; it takes motivation and support from family, friends and your doctor! You can read our reviews from both our Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations to see how Dr. Pacholec encourages and supports her patients every step of the way.

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States over the last few decades. This is due to diet, a sedentary lifestyle, genetics, the early cessation of breastfeeding and lack of physical activity. People are consuming more processed foods than ever before and organic whole foods are often pricey. Walking, biking or running has become more of a leisure type of activity, rather than a necessity to get from one place to the next. Our reliance on technology for work and leisure leads to more time sitting in front of a computer, tablet or phone. Research shows that exclusively breastfeeding an infant leads to a decreased risk of obesity from childhood through adulthood, yet only 13% of infants are fed breastmilk with no supplementation after 6 months of age. While this portrait of our society may seem grim, these are all factors that can be changed with education and an adjustment to lifestyle and diet. Being overweight or obese can be rectified with motivation to lose weight and a shift to a healthier lifestyle and diet.

Dr. Pacholec has motivated and medically assisted patients to lose weight for over 20 years in her Lutz, FL and Saint Petersburg, FL offices. These 7 deadly diseases, including diabetes Type 2, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and fatty liver disease, are all diseases directly correlated with obesity. Weight loss can help prevent you from developing these disorders in the future and can even help reverse certain diseases once a patient loses weight. The best way to lose weight and keep it off in a safe and effective manner is with medical help, so call Dr. Pacholec today at either her Lutz, FL or Saint Petersburg, FL location to get started on your weight loss transformation!

Am I overweight or obese?
Measuring your Body Mass Index (BMI) is one quick and easy way to determine if you classify as “overweight” or “obese”. Even people who look outwardly skinny, may still have a high BMI depending on how much body fat they are storing. Dr. Pacholec measures BMI using a sophisticated bio-impedance test in both her Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL offices, that sends a painless electrical current through the body in a matter of seconds to detect body fat and mass. The computer then calculates a person’s BMI, along with a suite of other data, including lean body mass, body fat percentage, and muscle mass. A healthy BMI is considered 20-25, an overweight BMI is considered 25-30, a severely overweight BMI is considered 30-40 and anything over 40 is considered obese. Instead of focusing on losing pounds, it is better to focus on lowering your BMI. An increased BMI is what makes you more susceptible to these diseases. At both Dr. Pacholec’s Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations, Dr. Pacholec focuses on decreasing a patient’s BMI and increasing lean body mass, which equates to the percentage of a person’s weight attributed to bones and muscles. Dr. Pacholec recommends a diet rich in organic produce, meat and diary (when appropriate), lowering one’s caloric intake, decreasing belly fat, and regular exercise to help lower BMI and increase lean body mass. Dr. Pacholec may also prescribe appetite suppressants to assist in weight loss, which she dispenses from both her Saint Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations.