Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is simple and designed to be stress-free:

1. Schedule a Free Consultation: Contact us to book your initial consultation with our medical team.
2. Health Assessment: We'll review your medical history, current medications, lab work, and health goals.
3. Personalized Plan: Our team creates a customized metabolic health plan tailored to your needs.
4. Begin Your Journey: Start your program with full support from our medical, nutrition, and coaching team.

You can book your free consultation by calling us, using our online contact form, or clicking the "Book Consultation" button on any page.

To make your first appointment as productive as possible, please bring:

• Recent lab work (within 6 months) including fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, liver enzymes, kidney function
• List of current medications and supplements
• Your medical history including diagnoses and past treatments
• List of questions or concerns you want to address
• Insurance card (if applicable)
• Photo ID

Don't worry if you don't have recent lab work - we can order comprehensive metabolic testing for you.

A ketogenic diet is a very low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, high-fat nutritional approach that shifts your body's primary fuel source from glucose to ketones.

How it works:

• By restricting carbohydrates (typically 20-50g per day), you deplete glucose stores
• Your liver begins producing ketones from fat as an alternative fuel source
• This metabolic state (ketosis) improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar
• Fat becomes your primary energy source, leading to weight loss and metabolic improvements

Typical macronutrient ranges: 70-75% fat, 20-25% protein, 5-10% carbohydrates

Our medical team provides personalized macro targets and ongoing support to ensure you achieve and maintain nutritional ketosis safely and effectively.

Yes, when properly implemented under medical supervision, ketogenic diets are safe and well-tolerated by most people. The ketogenic diet has been used therapeutically for over 100 years (originally for epilepsy) and is now supported by extensive research for metabolic health.

Common temporary adaptation symptoms (usually 3-7 days):

• Fatigue or low energy (resolves as you become fat-adapted)
• Headache
• Irritability
• Mild nausea
• Difficulty concentrating

How we prevent/minimize side effects:

• Proper electrolyte supplementation (sodium, potassium, magnesium)
• Gradual carbohydrate reduction if needed
• Adequate hydration protocols
• Regular monitoring and medical oversight
• Medication adjustments as needed (especially diabetes/blood pressure meds)

Who should NOT do keto without special medical supervision: People with kidney disease, certain liver conditions, pancreatitis, or eating disorder history. Our medical team carefully screens all patients for safety.

✅ Foods to Enjoy:

• Proteins: Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, eggs
• Fats: Butter, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, tallow
• Low-carb vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, asparagus
• Dairy: Cheese, heavy cream, sour cream, Greek yogurt (full-fat)
• Nuts & seeds: Almonds, macadamias, pecans, walnuts (in moderation)
• Avocados, olives, and low-carb fruits (berries in small amounts)

❌ Foods to Avoid:

• Grains (bread, pasta, rice, cereal, oats)
• Sugar and sweetened foods
• Most fruits (high in natural sugars)
• Starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas)
• Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
• Processed foods and seed oils

Our nutrition team provides detailed meal plans, recipes, shopping lists, and ongoing guidance to make following the diet easy and sustainable.

We offer several programs tailored to different needs and goals:

During your free consultation, we'll assess your health status, goals, and medical history to recommend the most appropriate program. Many conditions overlap, so your program will be customized to address your specific needs.

All our programs include comprehensive support:

• Initial Medical Consultation with board-certified physician
• Comprehensive Lab Testing (metabolic panel, lipids, A1C, insulin, inflammation markers, etc.)
• Personalized Nutrition Plan from registered dietitians
• Weekly Check-ins (initially) with medical and nutrition team
• Medication Management and adjustment as you improve
• Educational Resources including meal plans, recipes, shopping guides
• Progress Tracking with regular lab work and biometric monitoring
• 24/7 Support Access via patient portal
• Group Education Sessions and community support
• Long-term Maintenance Plan to sustain your results

Program length varies by individual needs, typically ranging from 3-12 months for initial intensive phase, followed by ongoing maintenance support.

We work with most major insurance providers, though coverage varies by plan and specific services:

• Medical consultations are typically covered as standard office visits
• Lab work is usually covered with standard copays/deductibles
• Nutritional counseling coverage varies - some plans cover dietitian services for diabetes or obesity
• Comprehensive program packages may require out-of-pocket payment

We also offer:

• Flexible payment plans
• HSA/FSA payment options
• Insurance pre-verification before you start
• Assistance with insurance claims and documentation

During your initial consultation, our team will verify your insurance coverage and provide clear information about any out-of-pocket costs before you commit to a program.

Results vary by individual, but here's a typical timeline:

Remember: Individual results vary based on starting health status, adherence, genetics, and other factors. Our team monitors your progress closely and adjusts your plan as needed.

Yes, diabetes reversal is possible for many people with Type 2 diabetes. This is not a claim - it's backed by peer-reviewed research and clinical experience.

The Evidence:

• Multiple randomized controlled trials show ketogenic diets can achieve diabetes remission (HbA1c <6.5% without medications) in 30-60% of participants
• 87% of patients in one major study reduced or eliminated diabetes medications within 1 year
• Average HbA1c reduction of 0.9-2.0% in clinical trials
• The Virta Health study demonstrated sustained diabetes reversal at 2 years

What "reversal" means: Achieving non-diabetic blood sugar levels (HbA1c <6.5%, fasting glucose <100 mg/dL) without diabetes medications. The underlying insulin resistance is greatly improved, but lifelong lifestyle maintenance is needed.

Factors affecting success:

• Duration of diabetes (earlier intervention = better outcomes)
• Remaining pancreatic function
• Adherence to the nutritional protocol
• Weight loss achieved
• Individual metabolic factors

Even if complete reversal isn't achieved, most patients see dramatic improvements in blood sugar control, medication needs, and overall health. Our medical team works closely with you to safely reduce medications as your metabolic health improves.

Our programs focus on sustainable lifestyle change, not quick fixes. The key to maintaining results is understanding that metabolic health requires ongoing management.

Why our approach is sustainable:

• Addresses root cause: We fix insulin resistance, not just symptoms
• Metabolic adaptation: Your body becomes efficient at fat-burning
• Reduced hunger: Ketogenic eating naturally controls appetite
• Education focus: You learn the "why" behind the approach
• Flexible maintenance: After initial phase, you have more dietary flexibility
• Ongoing support: Long-term check-ins and community support

What happens after the program:

Most successful patients transition to a "low-carb" (50-100g/day) or "liberal keto" maintenance approach rather than strict ketogenic eating forever. Some return to higher carbs while maintaining weight and health. The key is finding your personal carbohydrate tolerance.

Research shows that patients who complete medically-supervised metabolic programs maintain significantly better results long-term compared to traditional "diet and exercise" advice. This is because we address the underlying metabolic dysfunction, not just calories.