Health Observed August 2025

AUGUST 2025

Smarter Weight Loss with Lasting Results

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HEALTH OBSERVED | AUGUST 2025

KNOW THE SIGNS OF CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY (CVI) CVI affects millions but often goes undiagnosed. Watch for these common symptoms: ■ Leg heaviness or fatigue

■ Leg cramping or restlessness

■ Swelling in lower legs or ankles

■ Skin discoloration or ulcers

■ Visible varicose veins

■ Pain or discomfort when standing or walking

Early detection matters! Florida Lakes Vein Center offers free vein screenings throughout September to help identify venous reflux, the root cause of CVI.

Spotlight on Chronic Venous Insufficiency and What You Can Do About It.

S FLORIDA LAKES VEIN CENTER Thomas C. Lackey II D.O. ADDRESS: 9114 Town Center Pkwy, Suite 101, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 PHONE: 941-866-8989 WEBSITE: FloridaLakesVeinCenter.com

eptember marks National Vascular Disease Awareness Month, a time to focus on conditions that often go undiagnosed, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Affecting the veins in the lower legs, CVI is four times more common than arterial disease and can have a significant impact on a person’s comfort and mobility.

CVI occurs when the valves in leg veins stop working properly, causing blood to pool instead of circulating back to the heart. Over time, this can lead to symptoms

like leg heaviness, swelling, visible varicose veins, cramping, restlessness, and even skin changes or ulcers. While these issues are sometimes dismissed as cosmetic or age-related, they are signs of a progressive medical condition.

The good news is that CVI is treatable, and early detection is key. Thanks to advances in vein care, treatments today are minimally invasive and typically require little to no downtime.

Florida Lakes Vein Center (FLVC) in Lakewood Ranch is

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We want people to understand that they don’t have to live with the pain or discomfort caused by venous disease.”

— Sara Roberts, Regional Director at FLVC

As part of this month’s efforts, FLVC is offering free vein screenings and encourages the community to take advantage of educational resources, blogs, and a quick online screening tool at floridalakesveincenter.com or itsanoveiner.com.

As one grateful patient said, “Thank you for not just the aesthetic improvement but for reestablishing my quality of life.”

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Get a Leg Up on Your Vein Health

taking an active role in educating the community and offering screenings and treatment options throughout Vascular Disease Awareness Month. As part of its free vein screening, the team uses ultrasound technology to quickly check for venous reflux, which is the underlying cause of CVI. This initial screening takes just 10 to 15 minutes. If reflux is detected, patients then undergo a comprehensive, one-hour bilateral ultrasound to map all the veins in both legs before any treatment is recommended.

“We want people to understand that they don’t have to live with the pain or discomfort caused by venous disease,” says Sara Roberts, Regional Director at FLVC. “We’ve seen patients regain their quality of life, from better sleep to more energy just walking around.”

One patient, unaware that his varicose veins were linked to fatigue and leg heaviness, described his post-treatment experience as life-changing.

Another shared how the treatment eased his restless legs so much that he could finally sleep peacefully, and so could his wife.

Welcome

Joan Koewler, DPM is pleased to welcome

Dr. Joseph Barak to her podiatry practice.

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AUGUST 2025 | HEALTH OBSERVED

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From Frustrated to Fit How one holistic program is helping clients shed pounds and feel stronger than ever.

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f you’ve ever lost weight, only to see it slowly return, you’re not alone. Many diets focus on the number on the scale, not on how the body works during weight loss or how to maintain results long term.

That’s where Danee Barnett takes a different approach. A local acupuncture physician with more than 15 years of experience in healthy weight management, Barnett has helped her clients lose a combined 80,000 pounds. But her real mission goes beyond weight loss. It’s about protecting muscle, shifting habits, and building long-term wellness.

WHY MOST DIETS MISS THE MARK

Traditional diets often lead to fast results, but a lot of that initial weight loss comes from water or even muscle. And since muscle plays a major role in metabolism, losing it can make your body burn fewer calories over time.

“Muscle is metabolically active tissue,” Barnett explains. “You might look smaller for a while, but if you lose muscle, your body becomes less efficient. That’s why preserving lean mass is so important.”

A SMARTER, MORE PERSONALIZED PLAN

Barnett’s four-phase program uses advanced metabolic testing to personalize each plan.

At the core is bioimpedance analysis (BIA), a tool that measures body composition including lean mass, fat mass, water levels, and metabolic rate.

“Two people might have the same weight and height but very different body makeups,” she says. “BIA helps us see what’s really changing so we can adjust the plan in real time.”

THE FOUR PHASES OF THE DANEE BARNETT APPROACH Phases 1 & 2: Burn fat, improve body composition Phase 3: Learn to maintain, not rebound Phase 4: Build real habits for life

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Why It Works Forget crash diets. This program is built around how your body actually works - focusing on muscle preservation, metabolic health, and sustainable change.

DANEE BARNETT WEIGHT LOSS & WELLNESS ADDRESS: 330 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236 PHONE: 941-365-0812 VISIT: DaneeBarnett.com

You might look smaller for a while, but if you lose muscle, your body becomes less efficient.

That’s why preserving lean mass is so important.”

— Danee Barnett Rather than strict dieting, clients follow a Mediterranean-style eating plan tailored to their unique needs. It strikes a healthy balance of protein, good fats, and carbs, with room for treats as well. For those on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, Barnett offers added support to protect muscle and meet nutritional needs.

MORE THAN JUST A MEAL PLAN

The program also addresses the emotional side of weight loss. Stress management, lifestyle coaching, and optional addiction acupuncture help clients stay on track and build sustainable routines.

THE TAKEAWAY

Lasting weight loss is not just about eating less. It is about understanding your body, supporting it in the right way, and creating habits you can actually maintain.

Source: METAGENICS

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HEALTH OBSERVED | AUGUST 2025

A TEAM THAT LOOKS DEEPER

Discover how Reveal Vitality helps patients find answers, restore energy and feel truly supported.

NOT FEELING LIKE YOURSELF? You don’t have to settle for “fine.” If you’ve been told everything looks “normal” but you still feel: ■ Constantly drained or foggy ■ Stuck with unexplained weight gain ■ Off balance hormonally ■ Misunderstood or dismissed by doctors ■ Like you’re managing symptoms, not healing them You’re not alone. Reveal Vitality helps patients get to the why behind their symptoms-with personalized care that sees the whole person, not just the chart.

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n today’s fast-paced healthcare system, many patients are left with more questions than answers. Appointments are often limited to just a few minutes, test results are labeled “normal” without explanation, and vague symptoms like fatigue or brain fog are brushed aside or treated with a quick prescription. Instead of digging deeper to find the root cause, many providers focus on managing symptoms in isolation, which leaves patients feeling unheard, unsupported and still unwell.

“We want patients to understand what’s going on in their bodies,” says Dr. Christopher Davis, founder of Reveal Vitality, “so they can take control of their health and live with more energy and purpose.”

That belief is what drives the work at Reveal Vitality & Longevity Institute, a functional and regenerative medicine practice located in Down-

town Sarasota. Here, the focus is on uncovering the underlying causes of fatigue, brain fog, weight gain and other chronic health challenges and treating them at the root.

At Reveal, care is highly personalized. The team considers each patient’s full medical history, lifestyle and environment, then uses advanced diagnostics to build a complete picture of their health.

This helps identify root causes rather than just treating symptoms. From there, they create a plan designed to restore balance, improve long-term outcomes and help each person feel their best.

Patients often describe the Reveal experience as one they haven’t found anywhere else. Thoughtful, collaborative and rooted in compassion. With comprehensive evaluations and a deep commitment to treating the whole person, the team empowers people to feel better and live healthier lives.

Dr. Christopher Davis, a triple board-certified cardiologist and functional medicine specialist, founded Reveal Vitality to uncover and treat the root causes of chronic medical conditions while prioritizing prevention.

His evidence-based, cutting-edge approach has attracted patients from around the world seeking his expertise in integrative and personalized care. Driven by a commitment to optimal health outcomes, Dr. Davis consistently delivers exceptional results through individualized treatment strategies.

Dr. Angela Jordan, a boardcertified, doctorate-level Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in functional and integrative medicine. She treats patients of all ages and specializes in identifying and addressing chronic illness-including Lyme disease-supporting patients with integrative cancer therapies using RGCC testing and therapies, and optimizing hormone and thyroid health. Dr. Jordan takes a root-cause, systems-based approach, blending advanced diagnostics, personalized nutrition, targeted supplementation, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Her mission is to empower patients with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve lasting health, vitality, and longevity.

REVEAL VITALITY MAIN MEDICAL FACILITY: 1990 Main Street, Suite 800 FITNESS AND LONGEVITY CENTER: 1990 Main Street Suite 202 PHONE: 941-217-2777 WEBSITE: RevealVitality.com 445937-1

When Healthcare Starts Listening, Healing Begins

Dr. Victoria Andarcia, board-certified in internal medicine and trained in functional medicine, works with individuals who feel off despite “normal” labs. She helps identify the patterns behind stubborn symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low libido and disrupted sleep. “Our goal is vibrancy, not just the absence of disease,” she says.

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Rachel Smith, DNP 941-343-7700 rsmithdpn@aspect-wellness.com