According to a WebMD Health News article dated June 24, 2009, vinegar can help in fat loss. Researchers in Japan report that ordinary household vinegar can help fight fat.  It has been used as a folk medicine remedy since ancient times. More recent research has suggested that acetic acid, the main chemical in vinegar, can help control blood pressure and blood sugar.  Current findings suggest that vinegar might aid in weight loss or help fight obesity.  According to the article, it is believed that acetic acid turns on genes that produce proteins that help the body break down fats, which can help prevent fat buildup.

All new and established patients in the Weight Management Program will enroll in RelayHealth, an online platform which allows unlimited access to personal weight loss tools, as well as a message center to communicate with individual providers and Weight Management support team.

Patients are required to schedule a minimum of one office visit per month with the provider to assess their progress and obtain any prescriptions.  In addition to the monthly office visit, patients are required to enroll in RelayHealth at the rate of $30 per month.

The online component of the Weight Management Program allows patients to message providers at any time with any questions or concerns they may have about their progress, including questions about medication, exercise plans, and nutrition.  Patients will also have regular e-mail communication from the LMG team, including weekly patient education material, motivational quotes, forms to track weight changes, and food and exercise diaries.

Dr. LoCicero and the providers in the Weight Management Program believe this platform will enhance individual patient commitment to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, as it allows for more regular communication between the patient and the support team.

Both glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are common causes of blindness. It is important for patients diagnosed with these conditions to participate in regular monitoring of their optic health.

Using a Fundus camera, a clinician can capture images of the back of a patient’s eye and examine the overall health of the optic nerve, macula, retina, and blood vessels. Over time, the patient and provider create a database of images to monitor the progression of the disease and to manage appropriately the plan of treatment.

Fundus photography requires the patient’s pupil to be dilated with drops. The patient must sit still for about ten minutes while the photographs are taken. The high-powered lenses of the Fundus camera focus on the back of the eye and digitally document the optic nerve, retina, and related structures to properly diagnose and monitor particular eye conditions.

Each of us has a different rate of metabolism:  Assessing your resting metabolic rate (RMR), or the number of calories your body burns while awake but at rest, using a hospital-grade RMR analyzer can help you better understand your caloric and nutritional needs.   

Your metabolism is affected by a variety of factors, including age, sex, height, weight, and fitness level.  Estimates of these needs based on height and weight alone fail to take into account these differences.  Not every 140-pounds requires the same number of calories per day.  You may overeat or under eat — based on errors in calculation of your caloric budget — and struggle to realize your healthy weight. 

After a 10-minute test that measures your breathing at rest, the RMR analyzer will report your target caloric zones.  This information can be used to develop a nutrition plan that works with your body’s metabolism, whether your goal is to lose or maintain weight.

An estimated 30% to 80% of the U.S. population is vitamin D deficient.  Such numbers may suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a pandemic in this country, and the medical community is just beginning to reconsider the adequate intake level (AI) for this essential vitamin. 

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is available in a limited selection of foods, including oily fish and fortified products such as milk and cereal.  It is essential to regulate calcium levels in the blood, promote bone formation, aid the function of the parathyroid glands, and maintain a healthy immune system. 

Vitamin D deficiency may cause significant complications related to the roles the vitamin plays in your health.  And, most recently, vitamin D deficiency has been found to increase your risk of developing some of the deadliest cancers by 30% to 50%. 

The two primary forms of vitamin D are vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D₃ (cholecaliferol).  Vitamin D₃ is produced from an animal extract, while vitamin D₂ is derived from the fungal sterol ergosterol – an alternative for those who wish to avoid animal products.  As a healthy amount of vitamin D may be difficult to obtain from food sources alone, a combination of these dietary supplements and sun exposure may help bridge the gap. 

While the AI level for vitamin D remains around 400 IU/day, much newly published literature demonstrates that as much as 1000 IU/day will not raise blood levels to dangerous numbers.  With vitamin D deficiency becoming a widespread problem, the medical community may reconsider its recommendations for the supplementation of this vitamin. 

The final days of June mark the first days of Summer and, for many of us, the search for a high-quality sunscreen begins. This season it may be worthwhile to note more than just SPF protection: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct an up-to-date review of the chemical benzophenone-3 (BP-3), a common ingredient in sunscreen.

BP-3 acts as a filter for both UVA and UVB rays. While no definite connection between adverse health effects and human exposure to BP-3 can be drawn, changes in liver, kidney, and reproductive organs have occurred in rats and mice when the chemical was administered both orally and on the skin.

In light of recent studies which indicate widespread exposure to BP-3 in the U.S. population, the EWG is calling on the FDA to carefully review the safety of the chemical and to settle the issue of sunscreen safety standards. At present, the FDA permits concentrations of BP-3 up to 6%.

Look for chemical-free and natural sunscreen alternatives that use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Each is a physical barrier-type sunscreen, generally causing less irritation. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Many of my patients who receive regular weekly MIC injections report increased energy and stamina, as well as motivation to maintain their own healthy lifestyles.  I view our MIC injections as valuable supplements to our comprehensive approach to patients’ healthcare.

Kim Ellis, a patient under my care, receives this injection weekly.  “It acts as a powerful appetite suppressant,” she reports.  Ellis notes that the formula has lasting effects through the remainder of her week.  She also counts the MIC injection as an important factor in her higher energy levels.  Ellis remarks: “I can tell the difference.”

Methionine is an amino acid which acts as a lipotropic agent to speed up removal of fat within the liver and to prevent excess fat buildup in the body.  Methionine also helps prevent or relieve fatigue and aids in prevention of skin and nail problems.  Moreover, the amino acid methionine is also a great antioxidant as the sulfur it supplies inactivates free radicals.  It may also be used to treat depression, arthritis pain as well as chronic liver disease — although these claims are still under investigation.  Some studies have also indicated that methionine might improve memory recall.

Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex.  As a mild lipotropic agent, it aids in weight loss and the redistribution of body fat by breaking down or emulsifying fats in the body.  Inositol is also vital for hair growth, and, as a component of lecithin, helps to prevent high cholesterol and the hardening of the arteries caused by cholesterol buildup.  It has also been said to have a calming effect on the nervous system, and is being studied as a possible treatment for depression, panic attacks, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholineis also part of the vitamin B family.  It aids the utilization of fats in the body and supports weight loss.  Choline assists in the emulsification of fats and cholesterol in the body by helping to form smaller fat globules in the blood and aiding the transport of fats through smaller vasculature out of the cells.  It also helps with general body detoxification by “decongesting” the liver of excess fats.  Choline is also helpful for fatigue; when choline is depleted in the body, fat metabolism and utilization may be decreased.

Weight management supplements, in addition to proper nutrition and exercise, may enhance your weight control efforts.  Each supplement is carefully manufactured to ensure easy ingestion and maximum benefit.  Consult a LoCicero Medical Group provider or staff member to learn which supplements are best for you:

Calcium Pyruvate may accelerate fat loss by increasing cellular respiration [120 Vegetarian Caps: $25].

L-Carnitine may be useful for individuals who wish to support heart muscle function and skeletal muscle performance.  It allows fat to be transported into the mitochondria for energy and may promote weight loss by improving fat metabolism [60 Capsules: $17.50].

Gly-Sea-Max™  with Slendesta™  may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to support their weight control efforts.  It supports satiety or a feeling of fullness after a meal.  Gly-Sea-Max™  also supports a decrease in the normal rise in blood glucose seen after a meal [60 Vegetarian Capsules: $72].

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) may be helpful to those who wish to support their own weight loss efforts.  It is believed to be an effective modulator of metabolism, reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass [60 Soft Gels: $29].