Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine at Tanner Clinic is here to improve your health and vitality. Our team offers their expertise in lifestyle, obesity, culinary, and manual medicine.
Using therapeutic lifestyle interventions: what you eat, how you move, sleep and connect with others, to treat and even reverse chronic conditions.
Integrating the foundations of lifestyle change with advanced medical tools to help you reach a healthy weight and keep it off.
Merging ancient wisdom and cutting edge science, learn to prepare healthful meals, and come away with a tailored plan to improve your chronic conditions.
Restoring the functional balance between your muscles and bones through gentle and targeted manual manipulations and treatments to allow your entire body to work better.
CULINARY SHARED MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
In a Culinary Medicine Shared Medical Appointment you will cook alongside our culinary expert, Dr. Richmond Doxey, and engage in a discussion about the health benefits of the food you are preparing, and learn practical tips to reach the health you want in a simple and cost-effective way. Gain culinary skills, learn simple recipes, and receive tailored nutrition advice to improve your health. Let food be thy medicine. Come learn the science of sustainable change. Spots are very limited to call today to reserve your place in the session!
Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine stands apart by bridging the gap between advanced medical science and sustainable daily habits, treating the root cause of chronic disease rather than merely managing symptoms. Unlike traditional approaches that may rely solely on willpower or indefinite medication, we view obesity as a complex biological condition that requires a comprehensive strategy. By combining the six pillars of wellness-including nutrition, sleep, and stress management, with targeted medical interventions when necessary, we help you reverse conditions like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, often allowing for “de-prescribing” medication as you achieve lasting vitality.
Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Caleena Longworth
Dr. Stephen Merrell
Dr. Scott Moore (coming July 2026)
Obesity Medicine
Dr. Wyatt West
Dr. Rees Checketts (coming August 2026)
Mary Boyette
Culinary Medicine
Osteopathic Medicine and Medical Acupuncture
Dieticians
Short answer. Yes, eating a high nutrient density diet such as a Mediterranean diet can significantly improve your mood. Read More
There are many foods that help reduce anxiety and depression, especially leafy greens, legumes, and foods high in vitamin C. Read more.
Yes. What you eat does affect your blood sugar levels. It is not as simple as you may think. While limiting or avoiding refined sugars (like sugary drinks and treats) is a good start, additional changes, such as eating fresh fruits, beans, peas and other foods rich in fiber and antioxidants, can help lower your blood sugar levels, and even out spikes and drops. Likewise, limiting foods high in fat, especially processed treats, fried foods, and meat, poultry and eggs high in saturated fat, leads to better insulin sensitivity and over time, better blood sugar control.
Several studies have shown dramatic improvement, and even reversal of type 2 diabetes, when patients follow a whole-food plant-based diet; also, the Mediterranean diet – characterized by a high intake of whole plants with limited meat or fowl and fermented dairy – has also been shown to be very beneficial. Getting sufficient sleep, regular physical activity, especially after meals, and reducing stress are also important.
Also known as coronary artery disease, heart disease develops as cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels of the heart. Just like soap scum in a drain, the opening through the vessels gets narrow and blood cannot flow as easily. If the way gets too narrow, or becomes blocked, it can cause a heart attack. This is a common reason for death and disability in populations who have adopted a Westernized lifestyle characterized by highly processed food intake, sedentary habits and poor sleep. In societies who eat a whole food, plant-based diet, get restful sleep and plenty of exercise and sunshine, heart disease is uncommon.
The main drivers for high cholesterol and heart disease are foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, as well as foods or processed food products high in sodium and refined sugars. The best way to lower cholesterol is to avoid all dietary cholesterol, all added or refined sugars, and limit saturated fat to less than 5% of total calories (eg 11 grams per 2,000 kcal per day), choosing whole food sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats instead, such as avocado, nuts and seeds, and legumes or beans. In addition, it is critical to keep sodium (salt) to around 1500 to 2000 mg, or roughly ½ tsp, per day. Choose herbs, spices and culinary techniques like stir frying and sauteing to enhance flavor. Getting good sleep and regular exercise, as well as finding ways to wind down and reduce stress and anxiety, are equally important.
High blood pressure (having a resting blood pressure above 130/80) is the number one risk factor for heart disease, and a leading risk factor for stroke, heart attacks and kidney disease. If you have high blood pressure, keeping it low, by following the proper dietary patterns, and medications when needed, will add years to your life.
Repeated research, well controlled trials and real-world studies have all shown the same thing: eating a diet high in fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, peas, lentils, intact whole grains, nuts and seeds, with liberal use of herbs and spices, reduces blood pressure. The effect is fast – in a matter of a few weeks sometimes – and sustained. In addition, it helps to keep sodium (salt) to around 1500 to 2,000 mg, or roughly ½ tsp, per day. Choose herbs, spices and culinary techniques like stir frying and sauteing to enhance flavor.
There are several dietary patterns which result in weight loss, from a high protein diet, high fat diet, to intermittent fasting and calorie counting. To lose weight, while addressing most heart and metabolic disease, culinary medicine and lifestyle medicine trained physicians advocate a whole food plant-based diet, or the Mediterranean diet. Following this includes eating a lot of fresh fruit, cooked and raw vegetables, beans, peas and lentils, intact whole grains, and nuts and seeds, while minimizing or eliminating meat, dairy, poultry and eggs, and all ultra-processed foods. Studies have repeatedly shown that following this pattern leads to reduced weight and reduced burden or prevention of chronic disease like heart disease and diabetes.
They certainly do! There are many factors that play into a person’s weight. With a culinary medicine approach, we will take all of this into account to create a tailored eating plan that is sustainable, enjoyable, and effective.
Absolutely. Your brain runs on what you feed it. Whole, nutrient-dense foods help reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, and support healthy brain chemistry — all key for improving mood. We help you build a simple, sustainable plan that supports emotional wellness from the inside out.
There is no silver bullet, but there is a powerful lifestyle portfolio. Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress reduction, and connection work together to improve mental health. We guide you step-by-step to create habits that truly make a difference.
Yes. Inflammation, poor sleep, stress, and deconditioning all worsen pain. By improving these root causes, many patients experience less pain and better mobility. Our approach focuses on helping you move better, feel stronger, and live more fully.
Not when it’s done correctly. We design safe, gradual movement plans that build strength and reduce stiffness, thus helping your body heal instead of hurt.
Absolutely! Many of our patients never go back on their medications and still have good control of their blood sugars with structured lifestyle changes. We target insulin resistance through nutrition, weight management, movement, and sleep optimization.
We focus on the root cause, not just the numbers. Our team partners with you to improve labs, reduce medication needs when appropriate, and restore long-term metabolic health.
Lifestyle changes can stop and even reverse heart disease. We help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your heart naturally, alongside appropriate medical therapy.
It’s never too late. Healthy habits enhance medication effectiveness and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Many patients can. Nutrition, movement, stress reduction, sleep, and weight loss can significantly lower blood pressure – sometimes within weeks.
Not necessarily. As your health improves, medications can sometimes be reduced safely under physician guidance.
No. Weight gain is driven by hormones, metabolism, sleep, stress, and environment. not personal failure. We treat obesity as the medical condition it is.
We focus on lasting results, not crash diets. Our personalized plans combine nutrition, fitness, behavioral tools, and medical therapy when needed, helping you achieve sustainable weight loss and better overall health.
Short answer. Yes, eating a high nutrient density diet such as a Mediterranean diet can significantly improve your mood. Read More
There are many foods that help reduce anxiety and depression, especially leafy greens, legumes, and foods high in vitamin C. Read more..
Probably not. For decades, we have thought that it was purely a wear and tear disease. We now understand that inflammation (from obesity and metabolic dysregulation) contributes as well. People have seen improvements in both knee and hand arthritis with weight loss.
A very frustrating and common complaint. Stretching and flexibility can be helpful. Rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle and physical therapy are often required. Supportive socks, braces, and even splints can provide relief and are commonly available online, in drug stores, or after visiting with a physical therapist.
Insulin is a growth hormone responsible for fat storage and generation. We work with you to find the proper medications, movements, and eating patterns to treat your insulin resistance and hopefully eliminate your insulin requirement.
Absolutely. The behavioral patterns that promote metabolic health and weight loss improve insulin sensitivity. Fat stored around our abdominal organs (visceral or belly fat) is particularly noxious and insulin impairing.
It depends on how you lose weight. Unfortunately, diet and exercise don’t have the same benefits on prevention of heart attacks and disease as use of medications for weight loss. For more information, see @drreeschecketts reel on this topic.
There are many weight loss medications aside from GLP1 agents. Some of these are not safe in heart disease. However, GLP1 medications show cardioprotective benefits, and early. These are being studied for use in heart failure. Some have already been approved for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
Many people will see their blood pressure requirements decrease with weight loss. This can occur quickly with even modest weight loss.
We recommend that you use a home bp cuff and check a few times a week.
Look for an eating pattern that promotes whole foods (fruits and vegetables) and eliminates refined sugars. Sugary beverages are a frequent offender.
Anything that you do to improve your metabolic health. This can be very overwhelming, and you have likely tried various changes already. Give us a call and we can help you navigate this!
Through medical acupuncture, I target specific points that influence the nervous system and pain pathways to decrease inflammation, calm overactive pain signals, and support whole-body balance.
Medical acupuncture offers a natural, medication-sparing approach that works with your body’s own regulatory systems to improve pain, stress, and overall well-being.
Medical acupuncture calms the nervous system and supports emotional well‑being by influencing stress hormones, sleep, and brain chemistry.
Acupuncture offers a natural, medication‑sparing option that many patients find helpful for improving stress, sleep, and emotional balance.
Medical acupuncture reduces inflammation and modulates pain signals to help retrain how the nervous system processes chronic pain.
Acupuncture can provide substantial relief over time by helping reset persistent pain pathways.
Medical acupuncture supports blood sugar regulation and nerve health while reducing stress that worsens glycemic control.
Acupuncture complements conventional care by supporting metabolic balance for common diabetes‑related symptoms.
Medical acupuncture supports circulation and nervous system regulation that are important for long‑term heart health.
Acupuncture helps reduce stress and promote relaxation, positively influencing heart health over time.
Medical acupuncture may help lower blood pressure by influencing stress hormones and autonomic nervous system balance.
Acupuncture influences neurons and heals from within the body, which complements proper medical management.
Medical acupuncture can help regulate appetite, stress, and metabolism to support healthy weight management.
Acupuncture supports the nervous and hormonal systems that affect cravings, energy, and long‑term metabolic health.
Through medical acupuncture, I target specific points that influence the nervous system and pain pathways to decrease inflammation, calm overactive pain signals, and support whole-body balance.
Medical acupuncture offers a natural, medication-sparing approach that works with your body’s own regulatory systems to improve pain, stress, and overall well-being.
As an osteopathic physician, I evaluate how joints, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues are interacting and use hands-on treatment to restore motion, reduce strain, and help the body heal itself.
Rather than masking symptoms, osteopathic treatment focuses on identifying and correcting the underlying mechanical and functional causes of pain using precise, physician-guided manual techniques.
Osteopathic care addresses physical tension, breathing mechanics, and nervous system imbalance that contribute to anxiety and depression, supporting whole‑body stress regulation.
Treating the body’s structural and functional stressors can positively influence mood, resilience, and overall mental health.
Osteopathic treatment focuses on restoring joint motion, muscle balance, and nerve function to address the root causes of chronic pain.
Even long‑standing pain can improve when movement restrictions and compensation patterns are identified and corrected.
Osteopathic care improves mobility, circulation, and stress physiology that influence insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.
Reducing physical stress and improving function enhances the effectiveness of lifestyle and medical therapies.
Osteopathic treatment addresses posture, breathing mechanics, and autonomic balance to reduce cardiovascular strain.
Chronic physical and emotional stress can impair cardiovascular function.
By reducing musculoskeletal tension and calming nervous system overactivity, osteopathic care supports healthier blood pressure regulation.
Addressing physical stressors and functional restrictions can enhance long‑term blood pressure control.
Osteopathic care improves mobility and reduces pain that often limits physical activity and sustainable weight loss.
Weight regulation is influenced by movement, stress, sleep, and physical function, all addressed in osteopathic care.
As an osteopathic physician, I evaluate how joints, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues are interacting and use hands-on treatment to restore motion, reduce strain, and help the body heal itself.
Rather than masking symptoms, osteopathic treatment focuses on identifying and correcting the underlying mechanical and functional causes of pain using precise, physician-guided manual techniques.
Standard medical advice often tells you what to do, but rarely has the time to teach you how to do it. A Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine specialist acts as a coach and a doctor in one. We go beyond generic advice to create a personalized roadmap based on your unique biology, schedule, and preferences. We don’t just manage symptoms with prescriptions; we dedicate our time to identifying and treating the root cause of the issue so you can achieve sustainable, long-term health.
Not at all. Obesity Medicine treats weight as a complex chronic disease, not a willpower failure. While FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (such as GLP-1s) can be powerful tools to help regulate appetite and metabolic set points, they are most effective when paired with lifestyle changes. We use medication judiciously, as a bridge to help you establish healthier habits, and always in conjunction with nutrition, sleep, and stress management support.
No. While weight management is a major component, our services are for anyone looking to prevent, arrest, or reverse chronic disease. Patients frequently see us for help with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, and even anxiety or depression. Whether you want to get off medications, avoid future illness, or simply have more energy for your grandkids, this approach is designed to optimize your overall well-being.
