LIFESTYLE COUNSELING
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine defines Lifestyle medicine as a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle medicine-certified clinicians are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse such conditions. Applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections—also provides effective prevention for these conditions.
Dr. Makhija is a board-certified endocrinologist as well as a lifestyle medicine specialist. With her expertise, you get the best of both worlds, advanced medical management integrated with evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Dr. Makhija and her team offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of symptoms and diseases. We serve patients throughout Central California and offer telemedicine consultations to all residents in the state of California. Call the Unified Endocrine office at 559-272-9192. or SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
Q: How does lifestyle counseling work?
Develop a long-term health management plan with short-term achievable goals.
We show you how to modify your eating strategies and craft a diet that fits your medical condition, lifestyle, and food preferences. You will also be asked to maintain a food diary and use a continuous glucose monitor if indicated medically.
As you eat better, you will be encouraged to exercise more, which can help with weight loss, increase muscle tone and improve your health parameters like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, insulin levels and inflammatory markers. We will help you to find an effective combination of cardiovascular activities and weight resistance exercises.
Most importantly, we will work closely with you as you make these crucial lifestyle changes.
You will meet with Dr. Makhija periodically to review your progress and address ongoing challenges.
We will continue to monitor your progress and be available to help you reach your goals.
Dr. Makhija provides her expertise and guides her patients to improve health outcomes. It is individualized and includes:
Comprehensive medical evaluation
Body composition analysis
Nutrition counseling, recipe sharing, and weekly plans
Physical activity as appropriate
Weekly-Monthly follow-ups and visits
Mindfulness and more
Q: How is lifestyle counseling integrated at Unified Endocrine?
A: Our medical care is comprehensive, patient-centered, evidence based and incorporates a whole person approach. At your initial consultation with Dr. Makhija, a detailed history of your symptoms and condition is reviewed along with physical examination. As clinically indicated, a comprehensive blood work evaluation is discussed as well as a baseline body composition analysis is offered at the office visit.
After reviewing your health parameters, body composition analysis and risk factors, a detailed discussion based on patient-physician shared decision making is created.
Dr. Makhija has certifications in internal medicine, diabetes, endocrine & metabolism as well as lifestyle medicine. If you are interested in prevention of conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disease, weight gain and improve your longevity, then integrating lifestyle interventions has been well studied and proven to address them. Other than your endocrine health (eg: thyroid hormone status, perimenopause or menopausal symptoms,osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus), our goal is to help optimize your overall well-being and health outcomes.
Dr. Makhija has additional certification in plant-based nutrition from eCornell University. Based on individual health goals, these are tailored to improve health outcomes for each patient.
Your follow-up appointments can be in-person, or via telemedicine for patients residing in California to help you stay on track and adjust your thyroid health plan as needed.
A concierge or direct specialty care doesn’t bill your health insurance for the consultation which allows Dr. Makhija to spend ample amount with you as a patient, listening and understanding the symptoms and addressing the root cause of every disease. This establishes a foundation to discuss lifestyle, medications as well as educate and empower you with the right tools to get the best care.
Are you ready to optimize your well-being and longevity? Contact Unified Endocrine at 559-272-9192 or email us for an appointment today.
