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Medical Weight Loss

At the Frank Institute for Health and Wellness, we strive to promote the connection between proper diet and nutrition, exercise, weight management, and living a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Frank will take the time to understand your specific diet and weight loss needs, and design a personalized program just for you. Call the Frank Institute today to schedule your appointment, and speak with Dr. Frank about how he can help you lose weight and keep it off!


Body Mass Index (BMI)

Medical Weight Loss Wilmington NCThe normal Body Mass Index (BMI) range of an individual is 18.5 – 24.9. This score takes into consideration the weight of an individual relative to their height. You may calculate your BMI here and know if you are within the normal range, underweight, overweight, or obese.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics in their 2013-2014 data which was updated in 2016, the percent of adults aged 20 years and over with obesity, or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above is 37.9%. When you add this population to those whom are overweight, or having a BMI of 25 – 29.9, it’s an alarming total of 70.7%.


Risks Associated With Being Overweight

Compared to overweight and obese individuals, people with ideal weight and healthier lifestyles usually are more productive and self-assured. However, it isn’t all appearance and physique – an unhealthy weight and lifestyle is a problem that goes beyond skin deep. Being overweight isn’t just a big blow to your self-confidence; it increases your risk for disease and illness, too.


The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stresses that obesity and overweight increases the possibility of an individual to suffer from different types of health conditions like heart diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The aforementioned illnesses are the leading causes of preventable death worldwide for years now. Heart-diseases and other metabolic disorders can easily be prevented with proper weight management which is crucial for a healthier, disease-free you!


Our Weight Maintenance Programs

weight loss program wilmington nc

There’s no one solution to everyone for weight loss. As every person is unique because of genetic makeup, family background, lifestyle, medical history, and experiences; not one diet or exercise program can cater to all individuals. Here at Frank Institute, we assure effective weight loss and weight maintenance programs by taking into consideration all these different facets of an individual and coupling it with our scientific knowledge, experience, latest interactive technology, and effective prescription medications like Phentermine, Metformin, and HCG.

If you have long struggled with weight loss or weight management, the Frank Institute for Health and Wellness is the right place to go to get to the root of the problem and find the correct solution to reach your goal of having a healthier lifestyle and ideal body weight and mass.

B12 Injections And Its Benefits

B12 is an unusual vitamin in many respects. B12 isn’t made by either animals or plants, but by bacteria living in the soil. Historically, people got all the vitamin B12 they needed by eating dirt on fresh produce, the flesh of animals (which contains a small amount of B12 derived from their food) and feces.

But today, thanks to improved hygiene and more palatable food options in superstores, there is a risk that people aren’t getting enough B12 in their diets.

 A mild B12 deficiency can lead to confusion, psychological disturbances and a lack of energy, while a severe lack can cause the crumbling of the spine, permanent brain damage and, eventually, death.

 Taking B12 orally is sufficient for most people, but those with a severe lack of B12 in their systems may benefit from injections. The alimentary canal can only absorb a limited quantity of B12 at any one time, so injections bypass this limit, providing physiologically sufficient amount to return blood levels to their optimal level quickly.

Take a look at these benefits of B12 shots.


Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease

Why do many major studies of vegans and vegetarians show that they are at no lower risk of heart disease, despite the well-established science that eating an animal-based diet is atherogenic? It could be because plant-eaters aren’t supplementing B12.

A lack of B12 in the body leads to an increase in a chemical called homocysteine. Homocysteine is not your friend. It attacks the lining of the artery walls, promoting the formation of plaques. B12 shots can reduce the homocysteine level to its physiological norm, reversing the effects of deficiency.


Prevents Anemia

The body needs B12 to make new red blood cells. If it doesn’t get enough, it’ll reduce its production of red blood cells, making a person feel less energetic and eventually leading to anemia.

Red blood cells are usually round. But in cases of B12 deficiency, they can become oval. When this happens, they lose their ability to collect oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to tissues around the body.


Prevents Birth Defects

Research shows that growing human fetuses require B12 to turn into healthy babies. But studies show that when maternal levels of B12 fall below 250 mg/dL, the chance of a baby with congenital disabilities goes up three-fold. Women with blood levels lower than 150 mg/dL have a five-fold increased risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital disability.


Improves Mood And Symptoms Of Depression

Research shows that the body requires B12 to make serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating our moods. When serotonin is low, it may lead to feelings of depression. Injecting with B12 can help to raise levels of the vitamin in the blood, increasing the amount available to the brain for the production of key neurotransmitters.

Studies have found that people who receive antidepressants alongside vitamin B12 are much more likely to see an improvement in their symptoms compared to those who only take the drug.