Supporting Sustainable Weight Loss Through Functional Medicine
At Schoenwalder Health and Wellness, we understand that weight gain and difficulty losing weight are often symptoms of deeper imbalances—not just problems to be managed with willpower or restrictive diets. That’s why weight management is woven into the comprehensive care we provide, rooted in a functional medicine approach that looks at the whole person.
Weight is influenced by a complex interplay of hormones, metabolism, inflammation, nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle habits. Our role is to identify where these systems may be out of balance and support your body’s natural ability to restore equilibrium and shed excess weight.
Therapeutic Tools We Use
As part of your personalized care plan, we may incorporate a number of safe, evidence-based therapies to support weight loss, depending on your unique needs:
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
These GLP-1 receptor agonists can help regulate appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, and support healthier blood sugar levels. Patients often experience reduced cravings, more stable energy, and gradual, sustainable weight loss. These medications can be administered in-office or at home, depending on preference and clinical indication.
Shape Program and Drops
At Schoenwalder Health and Wellness, we are proud to offer the Shape ReClaimed® program, a safe, practitioner-guided health restoration plan that goes beyond weight loss to address overall wellness. This program utilizes our in-office Shape Drops, a homeopathic formula designed to support detoxification, reduce inflammation, and help the body return to a healthier balance. It’s not just about numbers on the scale—it’s about transforming your health from the inside out.
L-Carnitine and L-Proline
We frequently include amino acid support as part of a metabolic restoration plan. L-Carnitine helps to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned for energy, while L-Proline can help support lean body mass and connective tissue health. Together, they can work to enhance the body’s natural fat-burning processes.
Hormone Evaluation and Optimization
Thyroid dysfunction, cortisol imbalances, insulin resistance, and sex hormone deficiencies can all contribute to weight gain or resistance to weight loss. Bioidentical hormone replacement, adrenal support, and targeted supplementation may be used to restore balance and improve body composition.
Digestive and Inflammatory Health
Inflammation and gut dysfunction are often overlooked drivers of weight-related issues. We use advanced testing to evaluate for dysbiosis, leaky gut, food sensitivities, and low-grade systemic inflammation—and address these with nutrition, botanical medicine, and lifestyle therapies.
By integrating medical weight loss into your broader wellness plan, we aim not just for short-term results, but for long-term vitality, disease prevention, and enhanced quality of life. If you’re struggling with your weight and want a deeper, more personalized approach, we invite you to explore what functional medicine has to offer.
Sources:
- Kushner RF, et al. “Weight management strategies for treatment of obesity in the primary care setting.” Med Clin North Am. 2011.
- Wilding JPH, et al. “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.” N Engl J Med. 2021.
- Pagotto U, et al. “Role of GLP-1 in the regulation of food intake, body weight and glucose metabolism.” Treat Endocrinol. 2005.
- Institute for Functional Medicine. “Obesity: Functional Medicine Approaches.”
- Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. “L-Carnitine and Acylcarnitines: Mitochondrial Metabolic Regulators and Pharmacological Agents.” Adv Neurobiol. 2017.