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| CLINICAL NUTRITION ______________ ______________ |
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| (303) 750-9454 (303) 750-1996 (fax) PROUDLY SERVING DENVER AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 35 YEARS |
| CENTER |
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| MAKE A SECURE PAYMENT WITH PAYPAL |
| ETHAN LAZARUS, MD |
| HEATHER THOMAS, PA -C MICKEY BERRY, MA, LPC 7555 E. Hampden Ave, Suite 301 Denver, CO 80231 303-750-9454 |
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| Frequently Asked Questions Q: I've heard that fasting is dangerous. Is this true? A: Yes - complete fasting is hazardous and not a medically-acceptable method for weight loss. Our fasting programs are based on the concept of a Protein Sparing Modified Fast, in which we meet the body's protein, vitamin, mineral, and fluid needs. When utilized appropriately with medical supervision, these programs are both effective for weight loss and quite safe. We monitor blood pressure, blood work, rate of weight loss, and other variables, and adjust as needed to ensure safe success. The supplements used for the Nutrifast program were developed specifically for use in this type of meal plan, and should only be used with appropriate supervision. Q: Are these diets expensive? A: No, they are not. Our programs emphasize teaching and high quality foods, not expensive "neutraceutical" supplements. By emphasizing healthy food choices, high quality protein supplements when desired (not expensive), and stocking our own high quality multivitamin, mineral supplement, and medications, we are able to keep our costs as low as possible. Many patients have told us that even with medical supervision, registered dietitians, appropriate use of medications, and blood work monitoring, our programs cost less than many of the commercialized weight loss programs (that often emphasize purchasing products and meeting with "counselors" who are in fact highly trained sales people). Q: Will my insurance pay for my diet? A: Because we are medically supervised, some insurance carriers do offer partial reimbursement, especially if there are other weight-related medical conditions. Also, some patients are able to apply their fees towards the deductible for their Health Savings Accounts, or receive payment from their Flex Spending Accounts. We encourage you to discuss coverage with your carrier to see what your coverage is, and are happy to provide you with receipts that you can then submit to your insurance carrier. Q: Why should I choose Clinical Nutrition Center? A: CNC takes a comprehensive approach to weight loss and weight maintenance. We treat weight problems with the same respect as any medical condition, like Diabetes or Heart Disease. We have found that by treating weight problems with the respect they deserve, our patients can often come off of medications for the related conditions (like insulin, blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medications, etc) and manage the conditions with weight management instead. In approaching weight problems with the same respect as other medical conditions, we emphasize the following: 1) Medical supervision by a physician well-trained not only in the science of weight loss, but in all of the medical conditions associated with excess weight. Dr. Lazarus's Board Certification in Family Medicine means he can optimize treatment for: Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Insomnia, Depression, Thyroid Problems, etc. Often medications that help control the weight can be substituted for medications that cause weight gain. Also, it is critical to identify and treat related problems to ensure safe weight loss and maintenance. Why work so hard to lose weight if your undiagnosed thyroid condition will make weight maintenance so difficult? By identifying all other potential problems, you will maximize your chances at success! Only by treating obesity as a medical condition can these goals be met. 2) Nutritional Supervision by a highly experienced Registered Dietitian. CNC is proud to offer the most highly trained and experienced Registered Dietitians in the Denver area. They will teach you the latest in nutritional science. No more fad diets. No more excuses. By utilizing the latest in nutritional thinking and behavior modification, you will find that our dietitians give you somebody to be accountable to, and can actually make your weight loss/maintenance experience enjoyable. 3) A support system. While Dr. Lazarus can help treat depression and other psychological issues medically, and the Dietitians can help manage eating behavior, some patients need a more intensive behavioral approach. We are pleased to offer psychotherapy services for those patients needing more help. 4) Use of prescription medications. Prescription medications can be very helpful for weight loss and weight maintenance. Dr. Lazarus will evaluate to see if you can safely use prescription medication, and make this available only if appropriate. When used appropriately in the right individuals, these medications are safe, effective, and not expensive. When appropriate, Dr. Lazarus will provide you with information on the benefits and risks of such prescription medications. |
| Our psychotherapist, Mickey, has been with us since the beginning. Our office manager, Lisa, has been with us for over 17 years. And several of our registered dietitians have been with us for 15 to 20 years or more. Our more recent additions were all hand-picked from a large pool of potential applicants, and all have over 10 years of clinical experience. 6) Stop wasting your money! Many people spend so much of their money on useless over the counter products for weight loss, nutritional supplements, unnecessary vitamin supplements, fruit and vegetable extracts, etc. It is likely that many of these products, despite being expensive, can cause more harm than good. CNC encourages discontinuation of all these products unless they are recommended by your physician to treat a specific condition. We will not promote these types of products, or try to sell you useless fads. At CNC, you will not find useless weight loss shots (none of them are effective), "cellulite reduction" wraps or shots (again, not money well spent), useless supplements or useless expensive products. Our goal is to teach YOU to do it! Q: What if I don't want to take medication in my diet? A: The use of appetite suppressant medication is completely optional. Many of our patients successfully follow all of our programs and never use medication. We will customize your program to meet your unique preferences. However, even in the absence of appetite control medications, we do require close monitoring and supervision of patients on fasting programs to ensure that they are done safely. Q: What will I do to maintain weight loss? A: CNC offers a comprehensive maintenance program. The reality is, most diets "fail" because the diet comes to an end. People do a short-term fad diet, then go back to the old habits. It's no surprise, then, that they go back to their old weight. Only by addressing the habits that are getting you into trouble can we prevent weight regain. Your dietitian will work with you to develop realistic, achievable goals, and to implement a plan with you to reach and stay at those goals. We have been working successfully with patients in the Denver area for over 35 years, and are a thriving practice. We will be around to help you manage your weight for the long-term. Optimization and periodic re-assessment of any other health conditions is another key to successful weight maintenance, as discussed above. Q: What if I have other medical problems? A: Dr. Lazarus will review with you how all of your medical problems will be impacted by our meal plans and/or medications. For many conditions, he will help manage them while you are a patient with us (especially diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol), while for other conditions, he may work in conjunction with your primary care provider and other specialists. Q: What is a Registered Dietitian? A: "Registered dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts. They are NOT just the “lady in the cafeteria." The following are the criteria required to earn the RD credential:
The registered dietitian is the health care provider with the most intensive experience necessary to provide nutrition services to individuals interested in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) or preventive nutrition counseling. MNT is defined as a plan or set of steps, developed through a consultative process by a Registered Dietitian, which incorporates current professional knowledge and research, and clearly defines the level, content, and frequency of nutrition care that is appropriate for a disease or condition. Medical nutrition therapy begins with the nutritional assessment of a client, followed by a medically prescribed nutrition therapy based on standard protocols. Some Registered Dietitians hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required. In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD. Dietitians study a variety of subjects, ranging from food and nutrition sciences, food service systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy, and chemistry. What Distinguishes a Registered Dietitian from a Nutritionist? ALL of the above distinguishes a Registered Dietitian from a nutritionist. You may hear of people who call themselves “nutritionists.” Basically, ANYONE can call themselves a Nutritionist. However, they DO NOT have the qualifications of a REGISTERED DIETITIAN. |
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