Happy New Year to all of my wonderful patients! 2019 marked 20 years since I opened my practice in Lutz, FL; it’s hard to imagine it has been so long! Back in 1999, Central Pasco Weight Loss Center began in a shared office suite with Dr. Diana Calderone in a building that was surrounded by oaks, ferns, farms and cows. State Rd 54 certainly did not look like the sprawling metropolis it is today.

Over the past 20 years, many of you have trusted me with your care and I have truly appreciated all of your warmth and love as I have supported and guided you on your weight loss, wellness and anti-aging endeavors. There have been many special moments I have enjoyed with each of you. I have been honored to watch your children grow from babies to young adults. I have also enjoyed treating your close family members, including your brothers, sisters, parents and friends. You are each so special to me and I wanted to write this letter to make my feelings known.

For most of these past 20 years, it was just me and a small staff, but as time and technology have progressed, I have tried to keep up with the modernization as well. Fortunately, I now have a wonderful Practice Manager, Lauren Partridge (who also happens to be my amazing daughter) who has helped me catch up with the digital world. Together, we have grown the practice to include two offices across Tampa Bay, added additional practitioners, transitioned to electronic records with electronic prescribing capabilities and expanded our online presence via Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

Many of you have also met our nurse practitioner, Lauren DeNeve, ARNP, who has been with us for the past year and a half. She specializes in functional medicine and has had many years of experience treating patients with all kinds of hormone issues, including perimenopause, menopause, and thyroid and adrenal issues. She has a special interest in Hashimoto’s thyroid disease and other autoimmune diseases as well. Her expertise in functional medicine has been a great asset to our health team and has helped many of you overcome stubborn weight loss to better meet your goals!

More recently, I have also hired a new physician for my practice, Dr. Kristen Williams, MD. She has a special interest in aesthetics and facial procedures and is very knowledgeable with pharmacology and nutrition. She has introduced MINT thread lift procedures to the practice, which have already been quite popular and successful for many of our patients! Her compassion and friendly attitude have allowed her to already build strong relationships with many of you even though she has only been with us since October 2019.

I am also excited about all the new changes coming our way for 2020. Our St Petersburg location has been growing since its inception in 2018 – we are excited to celebrate our 2-year anniversary in February! A few months ago, we began IV vitamin and nutrition therapy, which has proved to be both popular and successful for many of our patients. As an anniversary present, we will be adding on a few more formulas devised for athletic performance, recovery and energy – so stay tuned for more information and discounts regarding that! Ms. DeNeve and Dr. Williams continue to grow the aesthetics aspect of our practice and are excited to introduce a few new types of filler treatments in the coming year. We also joined Brilliant Distinctions a few months ago and are happy we have been able to offer our aesthetic patients discounts and loyalty rewards on Botox and facial filler procedures through this program.

Overall, I just want to thank each of you for all your years of love and support to me and my staff. Even if you are no longer a patient or come in only once or twice a year, I wanted you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you; you have all touched my life in different ways! Let’s all continue our pursuit of health, happiness and wellness for 2020!
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With love, 

Our 20-Year Anniversary Sale has now finished. Please call one of our offices for more information or to set up your next appointment.

This program is a great introduction to the ketogenic diet and offers patients the tools they need in order to achieve weight loss results in a safe and effective manner. People who have tried unsuccessfully to adhere to the keto diet or who have been overwhelmed by the amount of information available online regarding the keto diet will benefit from this structured and supervised program. People who have tried other diets, exercise routines or appetite suppressants and have also been unsuccessful in achieving their weight loss goals will also benefit from this program. People who have had initial success with other types of weight loss programs, but then hit a plateau or stop losing weight, may also benefit from the structure and supervision of this program. Don't put off your dreams of a summer body any longer. The time is now to make an appointment and start a new lifestyle! 

One of the aspects of the keto diet that people find hard to adhere to is the reliance on home-cooked meals. Lucky for you, we have an information-packed nutrition and dining guide, complete with a 3-day meal plan and meal replacements for people who are on the go and don't always have time to cook in the kitchen. Our meal plan includes ketogenic shakes, soups, MCT oil and exogenous ketone salts to help you achieve ketosis within 15 MINUTES! You can purchase the meal plan package directly from our website by clicking the link below. 

Our practice manager reviews some of the hottest weight loss diets trending this summer. In Part 2 of this 3 part series, Lauren reviews the popular Keto, DASH and Paleo diets. Read below for more detailed information regarding each of these diets to determine which one is best for you! Remember, Dr. Pacholec offers individualized support for weight loss, including diet and nutrition recommendations as part of your weight loss consultation. 

Keto Diet

• Purpose: the Keto diet is probably the most popular diet trending online right now. Keto is short for "ketogenic" which refers to the state of ketosis that this diet will help drive your body into. Rather than relying on calorie counting or portion sizes, this diet actually changes the way your body uses energy, by transitioning from burning sugar, the building blocks of carbohydrate rich foods, to burning fat. When your body burns fat, it produces ketones as a by-product, and once your body produces a certain amount of ketones, your body officially goes into "ketosis". A healthy and steady state of ketosis may result in fairly quick weight loss.
• Foods to Avoid: This diet is a low-carb diet, in which nearly all carbohydrate rich foods are eliminated. On average, most people people consume between only 30-50 net grams of carbs per day to get into a steady state of ketosis. 
• Foods to Consume: The typical keto diet includes 70-80% fat, 10-20% protein and 5-10% carbohydrates. Healthy fats include avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds and healthy proteins include grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry and sustainable seafood. 
• Pros for Weight Loss: Research has proven that this diet is an effective way to lose weight quickly, reduce insulin levels and inflammation and improve cognitive function, including memory and eyesight. 
• Cons for Weight Loss: There are some side effects to this diet, including constipation, due to lack of fiber-rich foods and fatigue. If you are on this diet over a long period of time, it may raise your risk of osteoporosis, kidney stones and heart disease. Due to the emphasis on fat, many people end up eating a lot of highly saturated animal fats, which are high in sodium and may lead to kidney problems. Due to the emphasis on animal protein, this diet isn’t suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Animal proteins that aren’t grass-fed or organic may also be high in sodium and include other additives that can lead to additional stress on your organs. It is best to follow this diet under close supervision of a health practitioner. 

DASH Diet

• Purpose: DASH is an acronym for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" and is ideal for people who suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure. The sole purpose of this diet is to help eliminate the side effects of these cardiac disorders, but this diet can also help patients lose weight when they adhere to the lower calorie recommendations. 
• Foods to Avoid: Processed foods, refined sugars, saturated fats and sodium, but nothing is off-limits
• Foods to Consume: Whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein with healthy oils, nuts, beans and peas
• Pros for Weight Loss: The DASH diet is clinically proven to help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and your risk of diabetes. You can download DASH diet plans for free online, where you can access nutrition recommendations for 1200, 1600 and 2000 calorie diets. The DASH diet is also endorsed by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association and the USDA. 
• Cons for Weight Loss: This diet isn't a specific weight loss diet, but weight loss may be a benefit of following one of the lower calorie meal plans. 

Paleo Diet

• Purpose: The term "paleo" comes from the Paleolithic era, which dates from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. During this time, early humans ate primarily lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds so followers of this diet try to stick to the nutrition of early humans and have coined the term, "eat like a caveman". The Paleo diet limits the types of foods that became available after modern farming emerged, including dairy, legumes and grains. The reasoning behind this is that the human body is genetically mismatched to the modern diet that developed as a result of farming practices, a theory known as the discordance hypothesis. Following this type of strict elimination diet may result in quick weight loss, primarily as a result of cutting out processed foods.
• Foods to Avoid: grains, dairy, legumes, refined sugars, sodium, potatoes and processed foods in general
• Foods to Consume: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean meats, fish, olive oil
• Pros for Weight Loss: Clinical research suggests that this diet may result in successful weight loss since you may not feel as hungry in between meals due to the high protein and fat content. There may also be anti-inflammatory benefits to the emphasis on whole foods and lean proteins. 
• Cons for Weight Loss: This is a highly restrictive type of elimination diet that cuts out healthy foods, such as whole grains and relies heavily on animal protein. Proteins should be grass-fed, organic and sustainably sourced to decrease the amount of additives, sodium and other preservatives that are sometimes present in lower grade meats. This type of diet may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans. 

Our Practice Manager, Lauren Partridge, reviews some of the hottest diet trends this summer. Whole 30, Mediterranean and the Anti-Inflammatory diets are just a few of the Top 10 that are trending right now. Read below for more detailed information regarding each of these diets and how effective they are for weight loss.

Whole 30

• Purpose: eliminate foods that may be causing allergies, inflammation, intolerances or other health issues. After 30 days on the diet, you can re-introduce food items one at a time to see if your body has any adverse reactions.
• Foods to Avoid: On this diet you should avoid refined sugars, grains, beans, dairy, soy and processed foods for 30 days.
• Foods to Consume: On this diet you should consume whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, seafood, meat, nuts and seeds. 
• Pros for Weight Loss: This diet may help increase energy and may help you lose weight by cutting out processed foods that are generally high in fat, refined sugar and carbohydrates. This diet may also help your skin look smoother, increase your memory and help you identify foods that contribute to a sensitivity, intolerance or medical condition.
• Cons for Weight Loss: This is a very strict diet, which may be difficult to adhere to in the long term and you may find yourself slipping into old habits. This diet also requires a lot of food prep and requires a large consumption of animal protein, so it may not be suitable for vegans or vegetarians. If you are consuming animal protein, it should also be organic and grass-fed because lower-grade animal protein may be high in sodium and other additives. You may also become deficient in calcium due to eliminating dairy, so you may need to take a calcium supplement or choose a suitable alternative to dairy.

Mediterranean

• Purpose: To reduce inflammation with a well-rounded diet that mimics the cuisine of the Mediterranean countries, like Greece and Italy where rates of obesity, heart disease and other chronic health conditions is extremely low. 
• Foods to Avoid: On this diet you should avoid processed foods, limit your intake of red meat, dairy and red wine.
• Foods to Consume: On this diet you should focus on eating whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, spices, herbs, nuts, beans, fish and poultry
• Pros for Weight Loss: Most health experts agree that this is the healthiest diet as a long-term lifestyle adjustment and may help you lose weight. Studies show that it protects against heart disease and Alzheimer’s and it allows you to drink wine! This diet may also help prevent cancer due to the emphasis on antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.  
• Cons for Weight Loss: This diet does not state exact serving amounts per day, which may get confusing for people who are looking for stricter limits. The diet describes intake as “low”, “moderate” or “high” which is subjective and does not set restrictions for caloric intake. This diet also promotes “moderate” consumption of red wine (1-2 glasses per day), but this may not be advisable for people taking certain medications, people with elevated triglycerides or people who have pancreatitis. If you are going to drink 1-2 glasses of wine per day, it also advisable to only drink high quality wines reflective of the Mediterranean geography, as lower-grade wines have more additives and will not yield the same benefit. 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Purpose: To reduce inflammation by eating specific amounts of certain foods at meal times. This diet consists of 3 meals and 2 snacks, with each plate divided into 1/3 lean protein (fish or poultry), 2/3 fruits, veggies, beans and a healthy fat (olive oil, avocados, almonds)
• Foods to Avoid: refined sugars, starchy fruits and vegetables, like white potatoes
• Foods to Consume: 40% of your meal should be carbohydrates, 30% should be lean protein (like poultry or seafood) and 30% healthy fat (like olive oil or avocados)
• Pros for Weight Loss: If you follow this diet strictly, you are likely to reduce inflammation, lose weight, increase energy and memory function.
• Cons for Weight Loss: This diet is very strict, so it may be easy to slip into old habits if you cannot follow it diligently. It also requires a lot of meal prep, so it may not be suitable for people who like to eat out often. 1/3 of your diet should also be animal protein, which doesn't make it suitable for vegans. 

(1) Water is a natural appetite suppressant.
Drinking water before a meal will help you not to eat as much because it makes the stomach feel more full. If you drink water when you feel hungry, it will also curb your appetite so you can avoid unnecessary snacking.

(2) Water helps burn calories
Water makes up nearly 60% of human body weight. Therefore, water is a necessary component for the body to digest and metabolize food. According to recent research, energy expenditure is highest approximately 90 minutes after consuming water, and study participants burned more calories than those who did not consume water prior to their workouts. Even the body’s resting energy expenditure is higher after drinking water, which means you can burn calories even when you are taking a rest! More calories are burned if the water is consumed cold, since the body needs to expend additional energy to heat the water up before it can be absorbed. Think of it like double reward points on your credit card. Winning!

(3) Water helps you feel less bloated
Water keeps the body hydrated, which allows the kidneys and digestive system to properly filter and dispose of waste. Water helps to keep waste moving by softening or loosening hardened stool and can also help the body to recover for diarrhea, indigestion or other stomach problems. When waste is not moving through the body, it can cause constipation, bloating, swelling and fatigue. Retaining waste not only adds pounds to the scale, but inches to the waistline as well.

(4) Water is Calorie Free!
The Standard American Diet (SAD diet for short) is dominated by sugar, and many people will meet the daily recommendation for sugar intake just by consuming sugary beverages (soda, sweet tea, alcohol, juice, sweetened coffee, sports drinks). The World Health Organization recommends that adults consume less than 25g of sugar in a day. 1 can of sweet tea (16 oz) contains a whopping 24g of sugar and 90 calories! These types of calories are what we refer to as “empty” calories because they do not provide viable nutrients to the body. In a 2015 study, women who drank 250 ml of water after lunch each day involved in a 24-week Weight Loss program, lost 13.6% more weight than women in the same program who drank the same volume of diet beverages after lunch. 1 sweetened beverage per day also increases your risk of developing diabetes over the next ten years by 18%!

(5) Water Burns Fat
Water is an essential component of lipolysis, which is the process responsible for metabolizing fat. The first step in this process is hydrolysis, in which water molecules interact with fat molecules to burn fat off from food, drinks and stored fat, such as carbohydrates.

Dr. Pacholec can help you track your water intake and set weight loss goals at either of our Lutz, FL or St. Petersburg, FL weight loss clinics. You can also download and use our new mobile application, Pacholec MD, to monitor your weight loss goals, including your water intake and water retention. Contact either of our Lutz, FL or St. Petersburg, FL locations for more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pacholec today!

​Check out our new mobile application, Pacholec MD for patients at both our Lutz, FL and St Petersburg, FL offices. This app enables patients to keep track of their calories, meal planning, nutrition, exercise, supplement intake and water intake. For enhanced features, users can purchase a bio-impedance scale and wristband tracker to track weight, BMI, lean body mass, visceral fat, water retention, steps, sleep and activity level among others. Dr. Pacholec and our Nurse Practitioner, Lauren DeNeve will be able to access your information and view your progress. The dashboard is 100% HIPAA compliant, so all of your information will be safely stored and secure. The messaging feature on the app allows patients to communicate directly with Dr. Pacholec and Ms. DeNeve in regards to their progress, calorie intake or any other questions that may arise. This allows for better patient engagement in between visits and helps keep patients and practitioners accountable for progress towards a weight loss goal. It's so easy to use! Even people who struggle with technology will find this app to be a breeze. We are offering a huge discount on pre-sale orders of scales and wristband trackers at a bundled rate of $125 (retail $170!) to patients who order before the end of January 2019. You can purchase at our website, drpacholec.com or by contacting either our Lutz, FL office, 813-909-4430 or our St Petersburg, FL office at 727-502-2000. Happy Holidays!

 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. 

In America, obesity has risen almost 20% since the 1980s. We are consuming 20% more calories, 40% more meat and 45% more fat than our counterparts did in the mid-1900s.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Americans are also not burning enough calories and 80% of us don’t get enough daily exercise. When a decline in activity is combined with an increase in caloric intake, the final product equals more fat storage in the body. As the fat stores grow, they can contribute to inflammation and many different diseases, including cancer, insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease. Fat builds layer upon layer, from subcutaneous fat around our arms, thighs and face to deeper intra-abdominal fat which surrounds the organs and expands a person’s mid-section. This is what we call visceral fat but is more commonly referred to as belly fat. This is the most dangerous type of fat there is and forms a gel-like layer beneath the subcutaneous fat that is extremely difficult to lose if proper weight loss techniques are not employed. Losing this type of weight is difficult but can be done with proper nutrition, exercise and guidance. However, if belly fat is left untreated, it begins to act as an organ, triggering an inflammation response by the body and upsetting normal hormone functions as well. It can create its own hormones, which affect appetite, weight, mood and brain function through the brain/gut connection. Hormones and chemical signals are sent from the gut to the brain in response to our appetite and to alert us when we feel full. If there is a breakdown in this chemical feedback system, we are in danger of over-eating, which leads to excess fat storage. Excess fat storage also occurs when we eat refined processed sugars and carbohydrates, which triggers a large release of insulin from the pancreas and ultimately leads to weight gain.

The Role of Insulin: Belly Fat, Weight Gain and Fat Storage
Insulin is the main hormone involved in blood sugar control, affecting appetite, mood and weight gain. When we eat a meal high in carbohydrates or sugar, the food products breakdown in the stomach to usable sugars, like glucose and fructose. These sugars need to be transported to the cells to provide us with energy, and the hormone that is responsible for this transport is insulin. When there is too much glucose in the blood, also known as “high blood sugar”, the pancreas is prompted to release more and more insulin. When insulin levels creep too high in the blood, this can lead to problems like insulin resistance, where the cells don’t respond to the signals produced by insulin and therefore, do not accept the glucose molecules, which get stored as fat instead. This happens a lot more quickly when we consume refined processed carbohydrates, like white bread or white rice. Research has shown that insulin resistance promotes weight gain, and has been associated with abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and low HDL (the “good cholesterol”). Insulin resistance syndrome, or metabolic syndrome, occurs when most of these symptoms are observed in an individual and can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

How to Lose Belly Fat in 6 Steps
Luckily, when we lose belly fat, our risk of diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and inflammation decreases as well. So losing belly fat is not only going to make your waist line shrink, it is also going to increase your longevity and vitality as well! Losing this type of fat is not easy, however, and requires dedication, support and motivation. Dr. Pacholec has outlined below the most effective ways to lose belly fat and keep it off. Call Dr. Pacholec at either our Lutz, FL or St. Petersburg,  FL locations to set up a weight loss consultation and get started on your journey towards better health and happiness!

1. Decrease consumption of refined sugars and processed carbohydrates​​
   1. Refined sugars come in many forms and labels can often be misleading. These sugars may be labelled as corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, juice concentrate, maltodextrin, raw sugar and brown sugar. Avoid juice, even those labelled as “natural”, “organic” or “100% juice”. Always avoid soda and other sugary beverages, as these are just empty calories that increase your risk for insulin resistance. This is especially important for children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no juice at all for infants under 6 months of age, a daily amount of 4-6 ounces of juice for children 1-6, and a daily amount of 8-12 oz for children 7 and older. If you still need a little sweetness in your diet (who doesn’t?!) opt for a natural sweetener like green stevia or raw honey, but it is still recommended to only use these in moderation.
   2. Cut out processed carbohydrates, like white bread and white rice. The rule of thumb is to buy 80% of your groceries around the periphery of the grocery store (think veggies, fruits, dairy, meats) and 20% in the isles (cereals, shelf stable goods, potato chips, etc.)
2. Increase consumption of complex carbohydrates from non-starchy, green vegetables, fats and proteins
   1. The best foods to promote weight loss and lose belly fat are green, leafy vegetables, coconut, sprouted seeds and free-range meats, including grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild-caught fish, lamb, venison and bone broth. Nutrient dense vegetables include kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus and carrots. Sprouted seeds include things like chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds, which are nutrient packed and can be easily added to smoothies, yogurt or baked goods.
3. Exercise regularly
   1. Interval training, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or Tabata training can help you lose 3-9 times more body fat than traditional cardio and causes an afterburn effect, which helps you continue burning fat for up to 36 hours post workout! Because it’s high intensity, you only need to do between 20-40 minutes, at least 3 times a week. You could even do it on your lunch break!
4. Reduce stress and anxiety
   1. This one is easier said than done, right? Try yoga, deep breathing exercises and meditation for even 15 minutes every day to help relieve stress.
5. Don’t underestimate the power of good sleep!
   1. Sleep, sleep and more sleep! Try taking melatonin if you can’t seem to shut off your brain. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for sleep and can be bought as a supplement. Dr. Pacholec sells a high-quality melatonin supplement that can be purchased through our Lutz, FL or St. Petersburg, FL office.
6. Use appetite suppressants and supplements under the supervision of a medical professional
   1. Call Dr. Pacholec to schedule your weight loss consultation and receive a personalized program to help you lose belly fat fast and effectively. Some of the supplements we offer to assist in weight loss include super-greens powder, Collagen powder, Opti-Cleanse for extra protein and liver detox, fish oil, probiotics and vitamin D. We sell these supplements at both our Lutz, FL and St. Petersburg, FL locations and on our online store, so call to set up your next appointment with Dr. Pacholec today!