Ketosis, Ketones, low carb: these terms are a staple in the weight loss industry. The concept of the Keto diet’s weight loss effect revolves around these three words in a pretty straightforward way:
Eat a low carb diet and increase fat intake to get your body into Ketosis. Measure your body’s number of Ketones to determine how far into Ketosis you are. The higher the number of Ketones means you’re further into Ketosis. The further into Ketosis, the faster the weight comes off.
But why? What do these terms mean and how do they affect weight loss?
Ketosis is defined as the metabolic state that occurs when the body burns fat to produce an alternative energy source that is useful to cells in place of ATP created from carbohydrates. This alternative energy source is called Ketones, which are capable of providing the same, if not better, fuel source to all cells in the body. Ketosis occurs when the body doesn’t have any carbohydrates to metabolize into ATP (energy molecules).
The body has had millions of years to adapt and evolve, always improving its chances of survival. One of these evolutionary adaptations is how the body digests food and converts it to energy. When there was a time when a person’s next meal was never guaranteed, the body was always planning ahead. It would convert ingested carbohydrates and proteins into energy for use as an immediately available fuel source throughout the body. Fats take more time to convert so it is seen as a less preferable option compared to the other options.
Although fats take longer to convert to energy, the amount of energy produced by 1 gram of fat is almost twice the amount produced by 1 gram of carbohydrates or proteins. These two characteristics made fats the perfect backup fuel source to supply the body with energy when meals were scarce, so the body would store the fats it took in with a meal.
This was great millions of years ago, but is often an inconvenience today. Foods are not only higher in carb and fat content, they are more consistently received, with the average person eating at least 3 meals per day. So the body is now storing even more fat, more often, resulting in excess stores of fat cells that never get burned off unless carbohydrates are intentionally avoided.
So we’ve taken this survival tactic and turned it into one of the most successful weight loss diets available, the Keto Diet.
In order to convince our bodies to begin metabolizing the stored fats through Ketosis, we have to basically trick it into believing carbohydrates are unavailable to create energy so it must dip into its emergency stores, fat cells.
The lack of carbohydrates causes insulin levels to decline, allowing fat cells to break down into smaller molecules that are transported to the liver, where they are converted into Ketones and then distributed throughout the body as the fuel needed to perform essential functions.
To get the body to enter Ketosis and start burning fat, most people will need to eat a maximum of 50g of carbohydrates per day. Of course, the fewer grams ingested means the body will have to burn more fat at a faster rate.
For example: ½ cup of cooked rice provides the body 23g of carbs that it can convert to enough energy to fuel the body for an average of 2 hours before it’ll have to turn to stored fats and Ketones. Alternatively, a ½ cup of sautéed spinach only provides 0.5g of carbs that is used up almost immediately, so the body will have to enter Ketosis and burn fat into Ketones much sooner and for more time until another meal is eaten.
So next time you’re meal prepping for the week and stop to think “how is this actually working?” Just remember Ketosis and what it’s doing for your body to help you achieve your weight loss goals! If you have any more questions about Ketosis and how it can help you make sure you fill out and submit the form to the right or schedule your free consultation here so you can talk to one of our certified weight loss coaches about Keto and other diet options available to help you lose weight!
The Fountain of Youth has been the Anti-Aging holy grail of fiction for centuries, though the elusive spring remains the stuff of legends to this day. However, there is a big new player in the medical and anti-aging worlds that has been scientifically proven to support cognitive and physical wellness while also providing regenerative effects at the cellular level to improve overall health and reduce the rate of aging.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, NAD+ for short, is a coenzyme in the body that provides such a powerful effect on the health of all cells in the body, researchers have admirably nicknamed it the modern world’s Fountain of Youth.
NAD+ is an organic molecule produced by the body called a coenzyme. It is one of the most essential substances needed by every cell in the body because it’s responsible for providing fuel, in the form of usable energy, to the main power source of all cells, the Mitochondria. Without the required amount of energy, the Mitochondria is unable to maintain the cell’s health and ability to perform its intended functions.
Without enough NAD+, the Mitochondria is also unable to repair any damaged DNA within it, which can contribute to genetic mutations, death of the cell, and the development of genetic diseases and cancers.
This coenzyme is essentially responsible for maintaining the optimal health and functioning of every single tissue structure and organ system that make up the body, at their most basic level: the trillions of cells they are composed of.
Basically:
NAD+ promotes healthy cells that function their best and live much longer → these strong and healthy cells come together to form strong and healthy body tissues/organs → these tissues and organs come together to form superiorly functioning body systems → these optimized body systems work together in perfect harmony, resulting in a happy, healthy, and thriving body.
Our bodies produce NAD+ naturally by synthesizing Niacin (vitamin B3) precursors to form the crucial coenzyme. As with most substances produced by the body, NAD+ production can be negatively impacted by various internal and external factors.
These factors include:
You can make certain lifestyle adjustments that will reduce the negative effects of some of the factors we discussed earlier.
For example: change your diet and focus on eating natural whole foods that are free of preservatives and dyes will increase your Niacin intake. Increase the amount of physical activity and exercise you get each day, a simple walk multiple times a week can be enough for some people. Limit your sun exposure and maintain a consistent sleep schedule with a minimum of 7 full hours a night.
These lifestyle modifications can be helpful but can take time to improve on the body’s natural NAD+ production and often aren’t able to produce a significant improvement since the body is still being affected by other uncontrollable factors.
The best way to increase NAD+ in the body and slow down the clock on aging is by supplementing with an oral supplement, subcutaneous injection, or IV therapy. These forms are not only the fastest ways of increasing levels, but they also provide a substantially larger amount of ready-to-use NAD+ so the body can utilize it quickly. These supplementary forms provide the fastest and most impressive results.
The best way to figure out which form and how much of it is best for you is by talking to one of our experienced professionals about your current symptoms and health goals. We will help you navigate the world of NAD+ and Anti-Aging and help you decide whether or not you need NAD+, and if so, how much you need. Fill out and submit the form to the right to learn more about this effective and accessible Fountain of Youth, or schedule your free consultation here to start your Anti-Aging journey.
Author: Bailey B. ⏐ Feb. 2, 2024
Everyone always seems to get a little uneasy at the mention of using steroid injections for muscle building but I think it’s time to crush the stigma and discuss all the amazing benefits the Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Nandrolone Decanoate have to offer! Nandrolone Decanoate, commonly referred to as “Deca” or “Decca”, is an AAS derivative of the hormone Testosterone that can positively influence many different tissue structures in the body.
Deca has many different benefits on the body, making it an effective treatment option for a large variety of medical conditions and physical health goals. Benefits include:
It has many different therapeutic uses thanks to its regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects.
If increasing muscle mass and strength is the goal, this anabolic steroid is an excellent option! Muscle growth occurs when the body’s natural healing mechanism repairs the damage and tearing of myofibrils (muscle fibers) after intense muscle exertion or high intensity exercise. When muscles are pushed to their limit and forced to contract for extended periods of time or against excessive weight, the bundled strands of muscle fibers begin to tear, similar to the way the strands of a rope will begin to break and tear when they reach their resistance limit.
When these myofibrils are damaged and torn, the body repairs and replaces them with new fibers that are thicker and bundled into larger groups, which results in larger and stronger muscles. Deca binds with cytosolic receptors within the torn muscle fibers and increases the number of new tissue cells produced to repair the damaged areas, exponentially speeding up the rate of muscle growth.
It also increases the number of red blood cells in order to carry more oxygen and nitrogen to myofibrils to boost their rate of regeneration. So not only do muscle tissues heal stronger, they also heal much faster so you don’t experience that annoying soreness for as long!
It is important to note that the visible results may take longer to notice than other popular anabolic steroids but the results are much easier to maintain after stopping its use so there isn’t any major mass fluctuation that is commonly experienced with other anabolic steroids.
Deca is available to be prescribed by one of our medical providers and monitored regularly to ensure effective treatment. The dose and frequency of use will vary depending on the intended use for prescribing it. Patients looking to add Deca to their current hormone replacement therapy for a boost in building muscle mass will typically administer this steroid injection once per week for 12 weeks and then take a 4 week break to allow the body a period of rest between growth phases.
Speaking to one of our clinical staff members is a great way to get the ball rolling towards those lean muscle gains and reducing that irritating joint pain. Schedule your free consultation here or fill out and submit the form to the right to learn more and get started today!
A Trigger Point Injection is a low risk pain management treatment used to reduce pain and promote healing of muscle tension and joint conditions. These injections are a mixture of Lidocaine and a corticosteroid that is injected directly into the site of pain to provide immediate pain relief and reduce inflammation, allowing the body to return to normal function. Unlike other anti-inflammatory treatments, like NSAIDs including Advil and Aleve, these injections treat the targeted source of pain and inflammation to stop it in its tracks and allow the body a chance to repair the damaged tissues.
Trigger points are focal points in muscles that are prone to irritability and chronic tension when a muscle contracts. These focal points, also called “knots”, become activated in response to:
Trigger points can occur in different muscles throughout the body, and are accompanied by their own characteristic symptoms, including:
The part of the nervous system that is responsible for involuntary bodily functions or responses is known as the Autonomic system. This system controls basic survival functions like breathing, digesting food, changing heart rate and blood pressure, and reactive responses. The “Flight or Fight” response is an autonomic reflex. For example, when a person unknowingly touches something extremely hot or cold, before the brain gets a chance to process the touch sensation as pain, an autonomic reflex response occurs and the person pulls their hand away.
When a trigger point in a muscle becomes activated, it can trigger autonomic responses that aren’t necessary, which is why they are called phenomena. Blood vessels in the area can constrict, blocking the flow of nutrient-rich blood through the area, muscle fibers at the base of hair follicles can contract, causing goosebumps of the skin to appear, and glands in the area can be overactivated and release excess amounts of inflammation-causing chemicals known as pro-inflammatory cytokines.
One of the more common spots where trigger points are prone to becoming activated and causing pain is in the neck and shoulders. Those pesky “knots” that a lot of people experience in these areas can be quite painful and irritating and when left untreated for extended periods of time, can have some serious side effects. The tension and inflammation of the knot cause pain and the autonomic phenomena of vasoconstriction can impact blood supply to and from the brain. This can cause:
Over time, the lack of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood supply to brain cells can result in cell death, which negatively affects the brain’s ability to perform normal functions. Symptoms relating to these cell deaths can include:
When the Trigger Point Injection is administered directly into the muscle knot, the lidocaine immediately numbs the area to provide instant pain relief. The action of the needle penetrating the cramped stimulates the muscle fibers to relax, relieving the tension, the lidocaine numbs the area for instant pain relief, and the Kenalong works over the next few weeks to reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines in the area. This reduction in inflammation allows the body to bring growth factors and proteins to the area to repair the damaged cells in the tissues to begin the natural healing process.
Activated muscle trigger points are something that people tend to ignore or use manual release therapies, such as massages to treat them, but often that may not be enough to achieve complete relief. If you find yourself relating to this, you should look into receiving Trigger Point Injections to experience the complete relief you seek.
These injections aren’t solely used to treat muscle pain and knots! Trigger Point Injections are corticosteroid injections, which have been used to treat joint pain for decades. The function of corticosteroids is to reduce inflammation by blocking the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, molecules that produce inflammation of tissues.
When injected into an inflamed joint, these injections provide immediate pain relief and work to reduce the inflammation in the area. When inflammation is reduced, the body’s natural healing function is able to begin repairing and replacing damaged cells, ultimately working towards healing the tissue, in this case the joint, to return to normal and healthy function. There are many different reasons for a joint to become inflamed and painful, but regardless of the cause, these injections aid in reducing pain and inflammation and give the body a chance to heal itself naturally.
Some common joint problems that can be treated with Trigger Point Injections include:
On average, these injections provide relief for 1-3 months at a time. That’s 1-3 months of living without the debilitating pain caused by muscle “knots” or joint inflammation, all while your body works to repair the damage caused by these conditions. Trigger Point Injections are helping patients return to their normal daily activities and supporting their body’s natural healing abilities.
Created by: Bailey
In the U.S., new innovations in the medical field are opening the door for new forms of treatment for patients. Doctors are opting for more holistic medicines and patients are taking charge of their health, being more involved than ever before. One of the new approaches to treating patients is Functional Medicine. It is a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of a disease or condition rather than focusing on solely treating the symptoms a patient may be experiencing.
The goal is to treat the root cause of a medical condition to have lasting health benefits beyond the scope of symptom suppression. Functional medicine practitioners focus on individualized treatment approaches that are patient-specific rather than disease-specific. Using low risk treatments rooted in nutritional science, cellular functions, and biology, functional medicine works to modify molecular and cellular body functions to reverse and prevent the development of medical conditions.
Imagine going to your doctor and presenting them with the symptoms you are experiencing. They gather the information you give them then make a treatment plan to reduce those symptoms. They may request certain blood tests to ensure all your levels fall within the “normal” range and prescribe medications accordingly. Great, you will hopefully experience reduced symptoms and be able to return to normal life. But wouldn’t it feel even better to receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan that will focus on resolving the condition, reducing the need to take multiple medications for the rest of your life, and ultimately improving your health and wellbeing.
Functional medicine also allows for more personal patient-clinician relationships, offers patients education on their condition and how the human body functions, and empowers patients by giving them the tools to improve their health.
Optimizing the body’s normal functions can treat complex and multifaceted health issues, including:
Every individual is different genetically and biochemically. All of our bodies have different requirements and needs in order to function optimally. By focusing on each patient’s individual characteristics, practitioners are able to find ways for the body’s normal healing mechanisms to resolve the problem.
Practitioners have extensive evaluations with their patients, gathering information about:
They also review in-depth lab results to look for correlations between the physical symptoms and possible concerns on the lab results. Practitioners avoid looking at certain lab results and seeing the “normal” range because they know that every body has different requirements and being in the “normal” range doesn’t mean it’s enough to fuel their body optimally.
Practitioners encourage patients to take an active role in their health and their treatment. The body is capable of healing itself and preventing many diseases of aging when it is properly cared for and fueled to function optimally. Practitioners use a multifaceted approach to treat conditions and educate patients on their body and its different functions, explaining the importance of the different parts of their treatment, so their chances of successful treatment, as well as a healthy life, are improved.
Treatments include:
The functional medicine model is a patient-specific treatment approach that uses proven scientific methods to empower patients to take part in their health care, while working closely with their practitioner to resolve the underlying causes of their symptoms to work towards the goal of optimal health and wellness. If this sounds like something you are interested in, schedule your free consultation here or call 352-512-9996 to learn more about how we can help you look and feel your best.
Created by: Bailey
Injectable dermal fillers are a minimally invasive cosmetic enhancement used to reduce the appearance of physical signs of aging such as wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging skin, as well as enhance facial features like the lips and cheeks, create contour and shape, and can be used to restructure facial features like the nose and chin as an alternative to invasive and expensive cosmetic surgeries. Using dermal fillers are not limited to just the face though, they can be injected almost anywhere on the body including the hands, buttocks, breasts, and even the labia for female intimate rejuvenation. The possibilities are virtually limitless, making fillers an increasingly popular alternative to major cosmetic surgeries.
There are different types of dermal fillers formulated from different ingredients. The most popular formulation is Hyaluronic Acid fillers. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that plays a major role in skin hydration and volume, acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in joint capsules, and plays an important role in the wound healing process by controlling inflammation and attracting nutrient-rich blood to the damaged tissues to improve the rate of healing. HA fillers are versatile and can last anywhere from 4-12 months on average depending on the specific molecular structure of the filler.
Recharge Clinic offers many different HA fillers by top rated brands Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero.
Another popular type of filler is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) filler by the brand Sculptra. This synthetic filler is different from other types in its chemical formula and its mode of action in the body. This filler solution is injected into the skin but does not produce immediate results like HA fillers. Sculptra stimulates increased collagen production in the body so it typically takes a few months to notice results as collagen is produced in the area. Although this type of filler requires some patience, the end result is worth the wait. Since the results are caused by the increase in natural fibrous collagen, they last much longer than HA fillers, up to 2 years. Sculptra results look and feel completely natural, making it extremely popular for restoring age-related volume loss in the face and hands and increasing volume in the breasts and buttocks for noninvasive and natural augmentation.
There are so many different aesthetic options to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. With how versatile dermal fillers are, that can make it even more difficult to decide. Dermal fillers are an excellent treatment to fight signs of aging but that doesn’t mean that’s their only use. Some common concerns treated with dermal fillers include:
The best part about getting filler is the individualized experience each patient receives. Every patient has different likes and dislikes and filler gives each patient the result that they want.
Getting dermal fillers seems like it would be painful but it’s quite the opposite at Recharge Clinic. We offer topical numbing cream and lidocaine to all of our filler patients to ensure that their experience is comfortable. For patients getting lip fillers, on top of topical numbing solution we also offer dental blocks to completely numb the mouth so they don’t feel any needle punctures. We understand that there is often an extra level of nervousness when it comes to getting any kind of injections around the mouth, so offering a dental block to patients is the best way to calm their nerves. A dental block is a numbing procedure where a provider injects lidocaine into targeted nerves around the mouth to block any pain signals. The injections of lidocaine aren’t even felt! An oral numbing solution is applied to the gums in the spots that will be injected so by the time even the first needle stick happens, the patient doesn’t feel any pain. As with any kind of injection there may be some soreness and bruising for a few days after the fact, and there may also be some swelling depending on the area injected. We send all of our patients home with an ice pack and detailed post-procedure instructions so they know just what to expect and how to manage it.
HA fillers are not permanent as they are slowly broken down by the body over time. Depending on the molecular structure of the HA filler and the individual patient’s metabolic rate, these fillers typically last anywhere from 4-12 months. A general rule of thumb is that the softer the filler, the faster it is broken down and metabolized by the body. HA fillers can also be dissolved at any time using an enzyme known as Hyaluronidase, typically known by the brand name Hylenex. This enzyme targets hyaluronic acid and immediately starts dissolving it without damaging the surface of the skin or any component of the dermal structure. Typically it can take anywhere from 5-30 minutes for the enzyme to completely dissolve the filler. Typically filler is dissolved because a small amount has migrated to the skin’s surface or to dissolve old filler to start over but it can be used for any reason the patient may have.
Sculptra, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved. Hyaluronidase has no effect on any other molecule besides hyaluronic acid. But since the results of Sculptra appear much slower than HA fillers, the subtle change over time and its natural look are often happily accepted by the patient. Also since it is a bio-stimulatory solution that enhances the natural collagen production in the body, there typically isn’t any medical need to dissolve anything, it’s all natural and accepted completely by the body.
Created by: Bailey
Listen up ladies! We see articles on men’s health and their options to improve their health and quality of life all the time. But what about us? We want to learn about women’s health and our options to improve our overall health and wellness too! Recharge Clinic offers many different services and products to women to improve how they feel. Among these, one of our most popular services for both men and women, is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Specifically, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for men and women, both individually tailored to the gender and needs of each patient. So let’s dive into TRT for women's health and discuss some of the amazing benefits it offers.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy, known as TRT, is a form of HRT in which the hormone testosterone is supplemented or replaced using weekly intramuscular injections or bioidentical pellets placed under the skin that release the hormone as they dissolve over extended periods of time, typically 3 to 4 months in women. It’s a well known fact that TRT has incredible health benefits for men, but it also has amazing benefits for women's health! Women produce testosterone naturally in their ovaries and adrenal glands, in smaller amounts than men of course, but it is just as important!
Women’s bodies require small amounts of testosterone to work in combination with other hormones to maintain:
Unfortunately, like most things made by our bodies, the amount of testosterone naturally produced in the female body declines as we get older.
There are many factors that can reduce testosterone levels produced by the female body. Age is the most common cause, as we get older, our bodies produce less and less of all hormones. In women age 40 and older, it is quite common to have low testosterone levels, especially women who have gone through menopause.
But aside from age, there are other factors that can negatively affect testosterone levels in women of all adult ages, including:
Hormonal birth control methods and estrogen replacement therapy can alter the natural production and influence of hormones, including testosterone. The contraceptive patch and many brands of birth control pills contain estrogen to prevent pregnancy, but as a side effect, they may reduce testosterone production in the female body which results in negative symptoms.
Adrenal disorders and chronic stress have a negative effect on the production and influence of testosterone in the body due to the increased production of Cortisol. The Adrenal glands produce Cortisol in response to stress due to the evolutionary “flight or fight” response that has kept humans alive for thousands of years. As part of this evolutionary response, Cortisol blocks testosterone’s influence on the body because evolution designed the “flight or fight” response to encourage the body to focus solely on surviving whatever situation has caused it stress.
This was great when humans were living in caves and being hunted by animals, but nowadays the factors that cause a stress response in the body aren’t typically being stalked by a hunger animal, but more likely being overwhelmed with work or having a big party coming up that you keep procrastinating the planning for. But our Adrenal glands don’t know the difference, stress is stress, and they produce more Cortisol every day you feel stressed. In women, the increased levels of Cortisol blocks the small amount of production and important influences of testosterone on a woman’s normal bodily functions.
Alcohol stimulates the secretion of Cortisol, and then Cortisol facilitates the rewarding effects of alcohol on the body that results in the “good feelings”. So heavy consumption of alcohol can have a huge impact on the body’s production and influence of testosterone. This is problematic in men and women of course, but since women already produce much smaller amounts of testosterone than men, the negative influence of heavy alcohol use and stress can be detrimental to healthy levels of testosterone in their body.
Living an extremely active lifestyle or having a strenuous manual labor job can also decrease testosterone levels in a woman’s body. Being active can be very rewarding physically and mentally, but sometimes your body’s hormone production cant keep up. Testosterone plays a crucial role in a woman’s energy levels and mood, and sometimes a woman’s natural production of testosterone may not be sufficient to keep up with the amount required by her body to maintain good energy levels and mood.
This hormone plays a role in many different functions in the female body that effect women's health. It plays either a direct or indirect role in regulating mood, libido and sexual health, bone health, and many others.
Some of the major benefits of TRT for women include:
This, for good reason, tends to be one of the biggest concerns for women when considering TRT. Well the answer is NO, you will not start acting like a man or start growing any male characteristics. Our Providers here at Recharge Clinic are highly trained and experienced in HRT. The prescribed dose of testosterone for women is much lower than what is prescribed to a man. Our Providers’ approach to TRT for women's health is to start small and increase dose slowly over time, if necessary. This greatly reduces any risk of experiencing any masculine symptoms.
Our Providers also closely monitor all patients on TRT, and since women’s hormone levels tend to fluctuate more than men’s, they have all female patients come in to review their blood work every few months to ensure their dose is correct and make any necessary changes. This attentive care offered to patients by our Providers is comforting to our female patients, and is just one of the many ways that Recharge Clinic works towards our goal of helping all of our patients feel empowered, confident, and healthy!
If you have any concerns about your hormone levels or experience any of the symptoms we discussed earlier, schedule your free hormone screening today and take advantage of our women's TRT services, designed to help us ladies feel just as good as our husbands do since they started coming to Recharge Clinic for TRT!
Created by: Bailey
Semaglutide is an injectable peptide approved by the FDA in 2014 to use as treatment for type 2 Diabetes and weight management in obese patients. Over the years it has been discovered that Semaglutide has excellent weight loss benefits when combined with a diet and exercise program. This peptide has quickly become one of the most sought after options for weight loss due to the incredible results patients have seen, some even reporting that Semaglutide helped them lose up to 18% of their starting body weight!
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonist, that stimulates the production of insulin in the pancreas, which is secreted into the bloodstream to reduce blood sugar levels. Insulin activates cell membranes to absorb the sugar that is being transported throughout the body in blood vessels. The cells then metabolize the sugar into usable energy required for the body to function optimally. By reducing the amount of excess sugar in the blood, blood pressure is reduced, energy levels can increase, and metabolism speeds up to improve weight loss and reduce the number of fat cells in the body.
Semaglutide’s influence on insulin is great for overall health but its weight loss specific interactions are even more incredible! This peptide also affects a patient’s food intake and appetite levels in a way that can boost a person’s weight loss results substantially. It slows the rate of digestion of food, which increases the length of time between meals that a person feels full, which can reduce the desire to snack and eat excess amounts of food every day. It also works in the brain to help block the hormone that stimulates hunger! Its appetite suppressing effects are achieved without causing stimulant-like side effects like other appetite suppressant medications that contain stimulant ingredients. This is extremely helpful for patients who would like an aid to their weight loss program but are unable to take any stimulant medications due to pre-existing conditions. Semaglutide’s weight loss results are only effective when combined with a diet and exercise program, weight loss is relatively unaffected when diet and exercise habits are not changed.
Benefits of Semaglutide (GLP-1) for weight loss include:
There are some potential side effects and limitations about who can take this GLP-1 receptor agonist. As with most types of peptides, the influence on hormone production can cause some patients to feel flushed, clammy, hot, and/or sweaty but these symptoms typically decrease as the body adjusts to the dose.
Common side effects include:
Most, if any, of the nausea, vomiting, constipation, and/or diarrhea typically occurs when the patient initially starts taking this peptide or when their dose is adjusted, but these symptoms typically subside once the body adjusts.
If a patient does experience these, it is recommended to make the following dietary adjustments to reduce these symptoms:
The gastrointestinal symptoms may be the result of the slowed digestion rate of foods. The increase in the length of time food is digested means that food is broken down more than normal. As the gut flora (which is the healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines that breaks down food) works on breaking down the food in the digestive tract, there are small amounts of gas that gets released. So the slower the digestion rate, the longer gut flora breaks down food, thus increasing the amount of gas released into the digestive tract, resulting in bloating, burping, etc.
To reduce these symptoms, it is best to avoid foods that are often linked to intestinal gas, such as:
In some cases, these gastrointestinal symptoms can cause Gastroenteritis, which is the inflammation of the intestines, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, AKA chronic acid reflux. Both of these can be treated by drinking plenty of water daily, and medications if necessary.
Semaglutide does have a black box warning to ensure providers and patients are aware of the risk of developing cancerous thyroid tumors. In animal studies done before FDA approval in 2014, there were cases where rodents developed benign and malignant tumors on their thyroid glands that resulted in thyroid cancers, including Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC). It was not determined if this GLP-1 receptor agonist will cause these symptoms in humans but for safety precautions, patients with a personal or family history of thyroid tumors, MTC, or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome, type 2 (MEN2) should not use Semaglutide or any other type of GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Since Semaglutide for weight loss works best when added to an existing comprehensive weight loss program, Recharge Clinic is offering this peptide exclusively in addition to one of our many weight loss programs. It is safe to use in combination with all of our vitamin injections, appetite suppressants, including ones with stimulant effects like Phentermine, thyroid medications, and other weight loss supplements that we offer.
If you are interested in adding this safe, beneficial peptide to your current weight loss program or if you’re interested in starting one of our programs and receiving this injection, be sure to ask your weight loss coach about it the next time you’re here or give us a call to schedule a free consultation to get started!
Created by: Bailey
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the use of Ketamine in the medical field and it seems that over the years it has become a “taboo” subject when mentioned as a form of treatment due to illegal recreational use. It is unfortunate that it has gotten a bad rap, because it is a promising treatment option for many different mental illnesses and chronic pain disorders. Racemic Ketamine Therapy, which is given intravenously (IV), is one of the most effective treatment options for treatment-resistant depression. As the name suggests, treatment-resistant depression is a form of depression that has not shown a positive response to antidepressant medications and/or therapies.
In addition to being a promising treatment for depression, Ketamine IV Therapy is highly effective at treating anxiety disorders, PTSD, chronic physical pain, drug/alcohol addiction, post-partum depression, suicidal ideations, obsessive-compusive disorders (OCD), and bipolar disorders.
Ketamine has been an FDA-approved anesthetic since the 1970s and has been used for decades for minor procedures requiring conscious sedation because, unlike other anesthetics, it does not slow breathing or heart rate, so patients do not have to be placed on a ventilator. Over the years it has been discovered that, at a lower dose, Ketamine has had profound effects on depression and other mental illnesses.
The IV treatment causes the patient to experience a dissociative experience, commonly referred to as a “trip”, that usually lasts for about 2 hours. During this time patients experience a sort of “spiritual journey” where they can feel safe and confident in themselves, and feel like the weight of stress is lifted off of them.
During the infusion, Ketamine can produce:
Patients receiving this treatment are given a quiet and private room, offered pillows and blankets, and the option to have soothing white noise playing or a set of headphones to help make the experience as comfortable as possible. Before beginning Ketamine IV Therapy, Dr. Tieche and his team of providers work with patients to determine a treatment plan that will work best for them to maximize the beneficial results of this treatment.
The results of this therapy are not produced from the dissociative experience itself, the long-term benefits are actually a result of the brain’s reaction to the Ketamine exposure. Ketamine breaks down the current synapses, which are the contact points between brain cells that work together to transport information throughout the brain to influence mood, energy levels, and the production of inflammatory proteins that cause pain and can damage brain cells responsible for mood, memory, and cognitive function. After the current synapses are broken down, Synaptogenesis (the formation of new synapses) takes place, with influence from the Ketamine, to increase the amount of synapses between brain cells and correct which receptors are activated on the synapses.
The correction of receptor activation results in improvements of:
The influence that Ketamine has on Synaptogenesis is aimed at correcting the neurochemical imbalances in the brain that activate the NMDA and AMPA receptors on the newly formed synapses. The neurochemical Glutamate is responsible for activating these receptors and when too many of the NMDA receptors are activated, the imbalance causes Excitotoxicity, which increases the production of inflammatory proteins. In the brain, these proteins attach to brain cells and destroy them, which can result in declined cognitive function and mental illnesses.
Ketamine helps correct the imbalance of receptor activation by:
These incredible changes in mood and mental health are often noticed after 1-3 sessions. Usually a treatment plan consists of 6-8 sessions, improving the brain’s ability to lift itself out of the depression and pain more and more after every session. Many patients experience months, even years, of relief after their initial treatment series. Of course, not all patients are the same, so the actual number of treatments required may differ.
Patients have the option to be prescribed Ketamine nasal spray or troches to help maintain the results between treatments. Since the absorption rate of the nasal spray and troches is half that of the IV (which is 100% absorbed by the body since it is delivered directly into the bloodstream) it is safe for daily use to maintain the beneficial effects of the IV treatments without inducing the dissociative “trip”.
Ketamine IV Therapy has changed so many lives and given people the ability to enjoy daily activities and be present in their loved ones’ lives again. Don’t let depression, anxiety, other types of mental illness, or chronic pain control your life. Take back your freedom and love for life with the help of Ketamine IV Therapy.
Created by: Bailey
So if you’ve heard about Microneedling, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of all the success stories that credit this facial treatment for the incredible results seen. But has anyone explained the actual science behind these results? The benefits of a Microneedling Facial is the result of stimulating your body’s natural healing response. Microneedling works by creating micropuntures in the skin, creating a small, controlled injury that sends signals through the body that there has been an injury to that area. In response to this signal, the body sends more platelets and proteins to that area to repair the damage. These proteins and platelets form into collagen and elastin fibers, as well as other skin cells, which replace the damaged cells. The new cells are healthier and stronger, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin with fewer dark spots and discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, and rough or uneven textures. The punctures in the skin are mostly unnoticable, though some redness or irritation may be seen for a few hours after the facial treatment. Topical numbing cream is available to provide our patients with the most comfort possible.
The micropunctures in the skin are made at different depths depending on the thickness of the skin and the type of blemish being treated. A depth from 0.25mm to 1mm is used to treat the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.The cells in this layer include keratinocytes and melanocytes, which are responsible for the texture and appearance of the skin. Microneedling at this depth is used to treat fine lines, shallow scars, dark spots, rosacea, pore size, and other superficial blemishes. Creating a deeper injury, usually between 1mm to 2.5mm deep, can treat blemishes in the Dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin tissue. This layer is made up of collagen and elastin fibers, hair follicles, glands, and also contains the blood and nerve supply to the skin. The deeper punctures stimulate healing and rejuvenation to this layer to repair deeper blemishes like larger wrinkles, sagging skin, and deeper scars or pigment issues.
The visible results from Microneedling usually become apparent after 2-4 treatments, usually 4-6 weeks apart depending on the patient’s needs. For faster, more dramatic changes, adding Fractional Radio Frequency (RF), Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), or both is recommended. An RF Microneedling treatment penetrates deeper through the layers of the skin and stimulates a stronger healing response by the body compared to regular microneedling. It is also extremely beneficial for treating acne because the energy waves emitted by the radio frequency create heat that kills the bacteria in the pores that causes active acne vulgaris and shrinks sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce an oil called sebum, which is necessary for skin health and protection, but when the glands become overactive, they produce an excessive amount of sebum which results in oily skin and clogs pores. Shrinking the glands decreases the amount of oil they produce and reduces the potential of getting clogged pores and cystic acne. PRP is added as a serum after the micropunctures are made, offering the skin a surplus of platelets and proteins to amplify the rejuvenating response by the body. This facial treatment is popularly known as the “Vampire Facial” because plasma is the viscous portion of blood that contains platelets and proteins required for healing. Adding both, RF and PRP, to a Microneedling facial treatment is the superior solution to experiencing the fastest and most dramatic results possible.
Microneedling with PRP can also be used to treat Alopecia and other types of hair loss. The same way that Microneedling stimulates the repair and rejuvenation of skin cells, it stimulates the cells and hair follicles on the scalp. By increasing the health of the scalp and hair follicles, Microneedling helps regulate the hair growth cycle to prevent premature hair loss and it also stimulates a longer growth phase of each hair follicle. The PRP supplies the follicles with vital proteins and nutrients needed to produce a hair strand faster and improves the structure of the hair strand as it grows out of the follicle. The results of this treatment include a decrease of hair loss or thinning, new hair growth (even in areas of complete baldness), faster hair growth, and healthier, stronger individual hair strands. Results from this effective treatment typically become visibly apparent after 3 treatments, each about 4 weeks apart, and then maintenance sessions are recommended every 4-6 months to maintain the results.
The increase in cell turnover and the production of new collagen and elastin fibers makes Microneedling a viable treatment option for a vast array of skin problems, from acne and sun damage to wrinkles and aging skin and everything in between! Be sure to schedule your free skin assessment with one of Recharge Clinic’s qualified estheticians and find out if Microneedling is the answer to your skin concerns!
Monday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday - Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 7:45 am - 1:00 pm
After-hours appointments can be made.
Walk-ins are welcome at this location.
Monday - Thursday : 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Walk-ins are welcome at this location.
Monday - Friday: 8:30am-5:30pm
Walk-ins are welcome at this location.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8am-6pm
Thursday 8am-7pm
Saturday 8am-2pm
