We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week! Dr. Simonds and Michelle Kennedy, NP-C are back to answer your weight loss questions.
Q: I hear that when you begin a keto diet, you need to take in extra salt? Is this true? If so, how much should I be consuming daily?
A: Yes, this is typically true. As insulin levels drop during a ketogenic diet, the kidneys will begin to excrete extra electrolytes, including sodium. Your body needs sodium to feel good, to function properly, to maintain blood pressure and to help prevent the keto flu symptoms. Pink salt, sea salt, pickles, olives, broths and salty snacks are excellent sources of sodium to consume. So, as your body begins to burn fat and produce ketones, your sodium levels will drop. Therefore, it’s important to replace the salt to prevent any keto flu symptoms. The normal recommended sodium daily allowance is 1500mg, but those following a ketogenic diet should be consuming a much larger amount.
Q: Does your practice offer psychological services in conjunction with weight loss?
A: While we don’t offer formal psychological services to patients, we do help with behavioral modification, which is a psychological tool. Some patients are more complex and may need to seek services from a trained behavioral therapist. We are highly trained in the basics and common psychological aspects of losing weight and we certainly function in many roles at the practice. As healthcare providers, we diagnose, treat and guide you on your weight loss plans. We are also cheerleaders and here to support you on your journey.
Our healthcare providers are very good at helping patients get to the next level that they need to be without having formal psychological training. We never judge our patients and have much success in our techniques and guidance. Our goal is to make patients successful and feel empowered while improving their health. It’s time to end the weight loss battle and live a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Q: What’s all the hype I’m hearing about bone broth? Is it really good for fasting?
A: We are huge fans of bone broth and highly recommend it! Bone broth is made from simmering the bones or carcasses from an animal with water and salt. Bone broth is packed full of nutrients that we just don’t get from consuming just the meat or muscle of the animal. One of the main nutrients we get from bone broth is gelatin and collagen. These compounds are responsible for the matrix of our skin, skin elasticity, the strength of our bones, hair, nails and joints. It’s incredibly nutritious and promotes great health. If you’re not ready to make your own bone broth, it’s readily available in most grocery stores.
Q: I see your special for the Lipotropic injections advertised and was wondering if you can tell me the benefits?
A: Please keep in mind that Lipotropic injections are not FDA approved for weight loss. They are a compound of B- vitamins and fat burners and we have found them to be very popular as patients report better sleep, better focus and more energy. Patients just feel better and find it easier to stay on track with their weight loss goals. The injections are meant to be an adjunct to other weight loss tools and are not meant to replace your other weight loss medications.
They have no side effects, so we recommend patients give them a try. And, you do not need to be a patient for the injections or need an appointment. Just stop by anytime during our normal business hours or call ahead if it’s later in the evening. We have weekly specials on the injections too.
Q: How soon can I restart the keto diet after my pregnancy?
A: Congratulations on your pregnancy! We receive this question frequently at the practice. There is a lot of controversy and misunderstanding when it comes to dietary recommendations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is due to the lack of studies on this topic since pregnant women cannot be ethically studied. However, there are many women that follow a keto diet before, during and after pregnancy. So, there really is not a time frame to continue the keto diet after pregnancy. It’s important to properly follow the keto diet by consuming enough electrolytes, sodium and water. Our ancestors basically ate a keto diet and were in ketosis during their pregnancy. Please call our office if you have any more questions.
Q: Do you treat many vegetarians at your practice? If so, what type of diets and supplements do you recommend?
A: Yes, we do treat vegetarians and vegans too. While vegetarians can follow a keto diet, it is a little harder since your food choices are more limited. While we have seen much success with the keto diet, it is not the only diet that we recommend. If keto’s not for you, no problem! We would never force you into anything that you’re not comfortable or happy with.
Other than keto, we highly recommend a calorie based type diet and provide any necessary weight loss medications. While recommended supplements are on an individual basis and determined based on your diet, we do find that most vegetarians benefit from adding B-12. Contact us if you have any more questions.
Q: How long do I need to be taking CBD before feeling its effects?
A: This highly depends on the person, dosage and benefits they are seeking. CBD has different benefits such as improving anxiety, depression, moods and sleep. Currently, there aren’t any dosing guidelines approved by the FDA, except for very large doses to treat seizures. Generally, patients should start feeling benefits after about 1 week. If you’re not noticing any effects after a week, we recommend doubling the dose or even tripling the dose.
If you’d like to try CBD, we are currently offering 50% off all CBD products. Give us a call or stop by during our office hours and we’ll be happy to help you choose the right product for you.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started on your weight loss journey!
