South Surrey Weight Loss Programs

Our experience providing medically supervised weight loss programs for the South Surrey community, has taught us that an individualized approach is essential for success in losing weight, reaching one’s goals and maintaining one’s ideal weight. There is not one ideal diet for everyone; nor is there one reason for each and every person to struggle with losing weight. The reasons and factors that contribute and prevent one from losing weight are numerable and can be complex; but the key to unlocking one’s metabolic obstacles can be found! And once found, weight loss can occur consistently and with support – dramatically.

Factors affecting weight management (gain and loss) include: diet (calories, carbohydrate quantities), muscle mass (including sex and age), activity levels, genetics, blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, cortisol levels (stress, shift work, fatigue, poor sleep, etc), thyroid function & cellular metabolism (energy or thermogenic expenditure), other hormonal factors (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone), and finally, the master weight loss control hormone, LEPTIN (including both levels and leptin sensitivity).

The end result, is that we have individualized weight loss programs that will suit each and every individual’s unique needs; and when needs overlap, we combine programs as necessary. Some of the more common programs we supervise can be found in the adjacent tabs.

Please read more on our HCG Weight Loss Program (here).

Sometimes, one needs just a little bit of support for weight loss, and other times, one needs more. Are you familiar with the current Health Canada-approved weight loss medications that may be available to you?
These prescription weight loss medications have been proven to yield substantial and sustainable weight loss results over the long term. Some of these medications are administered in the form of pills, while others are available as injectables.
During your initial visit, everyone eligible for these weight loss medications will undergo an evaluation. We will dedicate time to explain how these medications function, their advantages, and any potential side effects. These medications are designed to address long-term weight management, and they are typically prescribed for extended periods. However, there is no obligation, and you can discontinue their use at any time without concern.
It’s important to be aware that safe and effective weight loss medications are accessible, but the decision to consider and use them ultimately rests with your informed choice.

Lipotropic nutrient: a compound that supports increased fat burning through enhanced liver metabolism, by promoting its export from the liver as a fuel burned off for additional energy, instead of being stored away.

Myoden (AMP: Adenosine Mono Phosphate) – research has provided evidence of a link between poor metabolism and low levels of ATPase. Low levels of adenosine predisposes people to be overweight by causing fewer calories to be burned (lower metabolic rate), and more to be stored as fat. The body converts AMP to ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate), the missing enzyme. AMP activates protein kinase, which stimulates the release of fatty acids from the body adipose tissues.

Lipotropic Amino Acids (MIC) – Methionine (M), Inositol (I), and Choline (C), are three lipotropic amino acids that one’s liver uses to metabolize fats.

Methionine is one of the sulfur containing amino acids and acts as a lipotropic agent to prevent excess fat buildup in the liver and the body, is helpful in relieving or preventing fatigue and may be useful in some cases of allergy because it reduces histamine release. Patients with a Sulfa allergy should not take this injection.

Inositol, a nutrient belonging to the B vitamin complex, is closely associated with choline. It aids in the metabolism of fats and helps reduce blood cholesterol. Inositol participates in action of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known to control mood and appetite.

Choline is required for the transport and metabolism of fats and cholesterol within the body.

This is the original hormone controlled diet of which our program is a modification. For those who have had good success following the original Simeon’s diet, we provide supervision, guidance and support. Beginning with a clinical assessment of one’s metabolism, and personal metabolic obstacles, we aim to address as many factors as possible that might prevent one’s success in losing and maintaining weight. This often means providing both endocrine (thyroid, blood sugar control and cortisol) and metabolic boosting support (thermogenic) as needed.

The clinic provides both hormone testing options, as well as support for women struggling to lose weight during peri and post menopause. For some women, this is a time during which weight management can become a struggle due to a number of factors, including the natural reduction in one’s metabolism that occurs as hormone production declines. Hormone balancing, or replacement may have a role in supporting women, along with exercise and changes in dietary habits.

Please read more on our Low Carb/Paleo & Ketogenic Diets (here).

For athletes who are trying to make the transition to a keto diet to support more efficient fat metabolism during long competitions, carb cycling is a method that is often used to ensure that sufficient glycogen stores are still maintained for longer training sessions, workouts and competitions. This involves modifying a meal plan to allow for varying amounts of carbohydrate intake during the week according to one’s training regimen and schedule.

Many individuals find that despite diet control (calories and carbohydrates), proper metabolic function (thyroid, insulin/blood sugar, and cortisol), and activity level, that their metabolism appears ‘slow’ or sluggish in comparison to perceived norms for their age and body type. In many cases there does appear a discrepancy from lab results, healthy ranges, caloric intake and expenditure (activity levels), and actual weight loss on a weekly basis.

Our approach for this group of individuals is to use natural thermogenic (metabolism boosting) supplements, herbs, amino acids, and nutrients that support leptin and metabolism as a whole, in combination with an appropriate dietary approach. This program is suitable for those who for whom the hormone controlled (HCG) programs are contra-indicated.

Metabolic syndrome is an extremely common pattern of poor weight regulation nowadays. While the main sign of the syndrome is central obesity (or weight gain primarily around one’s waist and trunk), other signs include high blood pressure, low good cholesterol (HDL), poor blood sugar control (impaired fasting glucose & insulin resistance), or pre-diabetes, and poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (in women).

Our approach for this program is to consistently monitor lab work while supporting the endocrine system (thyroid, blood sugar control, and adrenals (cortisol)) using both lifestyle (dietary/activity) changes and naturopathic supplementation / treatment as deemed necessary.

Inflammation is a primary obstacle to weight loss and metabolism. When it coincides with symptoms of allergies or sensitivities, the naturopathic approach involves assessing possible dietary allergens and appropriate dietary changes to minimize both the allergic symptoms / sensitivities as well as minimizing the inflammation. Allergy and sensitivity testing are available as well as allergy desensitization.

Detox is a commonly touted term that on its own is vague and ill defined. Depending on one’s clinical health history, we derive individualized detox programs or cleanses. Typically these approaches both reduce both inflammation, and dietary allergens, along with supporting the endocrine system and restoring the metabolism as a whole.

The Perfect Gene Diet, also known as The APO-E Gene Diet is a genetically tailored integrative nutritional plan that focuses on eating the optimal percentages of the big three (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) food groups for your specific Apo E genotype. This gene plays a key role in our body’s internal environment and influences the development of chronic disease, especially heart and Alzheimer’s disease. It is extremely important eating the right balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins for your specific Apo E genotype influences the possibility of developing certain diseases, as well as their severity.

Created by Pamela McDonald PNP, FA, WHCNP, a nurse practitioner who currently resides in outside San Francisco, California. The Apo E Gene Diet brings leading-edge genetic science, genomics, DNA testing, and nutritional science together with the optimal Mind-Body-Spirit plan. It focuses on an individual’s genetic recipe and provides a customized dietary and exercise plan based on his or her Apo E gene type. No other program does this.

In addition, the Apo E Gene Diet takes into account the whole person (physical, emotional, and spiritual), helping to create a gene-supportive environment that promotes a healthy life full of well-being.

Apo E Gene Occurrences

The Apo E gene occurs as three variations in humans: Apo E2, Apo E3, and Apo E4.

Since genes come in matching pairs, we each have two of every gene, one from each parent. If you received an Apo E 2 from one parent and an Apo E 3 from the other parent, your genotype would be E 2/3.

Apo E 3/3, is found in approximately 64 percent of the population. It is considered the “neutral” Apo E genotype. Combinations that include either the Apo E 2 or Apo E 4 are considered “alternative” expressions of the more common Apo E 3 pairing. About 25% of the population have one or more of the E 4 genes and 12% have one or more of the E 2 genes. People with an Apo E 2 or 4 process foods differently from the Apo E 3s.

The specific pair of Apo E genes you inherited from your parents greatly influences your predisposition to certain illnesses, including heart disease, vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. For example, persons with the Apo E 4/4 genotype could have up to a 90% chance of developing a chronic illness such as Alzheimer’s disease. Maintaining an optimal diet and lifestyle for your particular Apo E genotype is known as a “gene-supportive environment” (GSE). Doing so can dramatically reduce your risk of developing these chronic illnesses. That’s why the Apo E Gene Diet was created. The goal of the Apo E Gene Diet is disease prevention and a healthier life.

The six possible combinations of Apo E gene pairs are as follows (along with their percentage of occurrence in the General Population):

E 2/2 = 21%

E 2/3 = 10%

E 3/3 = 64%

E 4/2 = 02%

E 4/3 = 18%

E 4/4 = 05%

As each Apo E genotype processes foods differently, one diet does not fit all.

There is a unique optimal combination of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the ideal diet for each of the six Apo E genotypes. Creating this optimal balance in your diet provides the foundation for your good health.

Most of the existing dietary recommendations are based on the assumption that one diet is appropriate for everyone. These diets fail to accomplish long-term weight loss or optimal disease prevention because we are not all the same. In reality, diet and exercise recommendations must be individualized, beginning with a person’s genetic foundation.

The Apo E Gene Diet focuses on an individual’s genetic recipe, creating dietary and exercise recommendations for each of the six possible Apo E genotypes.

In addition, the Apo E Gene Diet takes into account the whole person (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) in creating a gene-supportive environment that promotes a healthy life, free of chronic illness.

A personalized plan for your Apo E genotype will guide you in choosing the optimal format:

• Fat content – types
• Carbohydrates – types
• Protein – types
• Caloric content
• Amount & kind of exercise
• Balance of stress & relaxation
• Mental & emotional
• Spiritual component

For those pursuing therapeutic fasting or master cleanses, we provide medical supervision, guidance and support.