Nutritional Counseling & Weight Management

Obesity is a leading cause of illness and premature death. Dr. Edwards counsels patients on nutrition, nutritional supplements, and exercise. Realistic goals for gradual weight loss are set and achieved through lifestyle modification. Educational resources are provided to assist patients in meal planning and maintenance of a healthy body weight.

Dr. Edwards works with individual patient needs to customize an appropriate diet and exercise regimen. Each person's hormones imbalances and internal physiology differs. As such, many standard weight loss programs often fail to provide long term reductions in weight. Dietary intake has a profound impact on health, and Dr. Edwards reviews each patient's history and test results individually before recommending any dietary changes.

Dieting is not recommended. Rather, realistic gradual dietary changes are recommended. If changes are more gradual, patients are more likely to maintain the weight loss they achieve. Assessment of underlying gastrointestinal health, hormone status, and food allergies, as well as other factors, will all play a role in determining the appropriate dietary requirements for each individual. "One size does not fit all" when it comes to making dietary recommendations.

Dr. Edwards can also make recommendations for nutritional supplements to assist in this process. Although Dr. Edwards prescribes medications useful in the treatment of weight loss, she chooses a more integrative approach which also includes balancing hormones, assessing underlying metabolic abnormalities which may be precluding weight loss, and reviewing dietary intake and exercise regimens. An integrative approach is important since prescription medications may have numerous side effects and rarely result in permanent weight loss. Many studies have shown that no more than approximately 10% body weight loss occurs with use of these medications. In many instances, patients regain the weight they lost once these medications are discontinued. Dr. Edwards employs a functional approach to weight loss by attempting to diagnose the cause of the patient's weight disturbance, directing appropriate treatment to that cause in an effort to help patients succeed in meeting their weight loss goals.

When medically indicated for the patient, Dr. Edwards will prescribe high protein, low carbohydrate protein shakes and bars to assist the patient in achieving their weight loss goals. She offers several weight management programs, the including Cornerstone Weight Loss Program, when clinically indicated. Again, these are prescribed on an individualized basis and under direct physician supervision.