Founder and Medical Director of Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, Tracie Leonhardt, D.O. has walked thousands of miles in the shoes of individuals who suffer from Type II diabetes and its multiple side effects. Officially diagnosed with the disease in 2003, Leonhardt’s medical steps to reverse it proved futile despite the high-dose insulin and other six medications she took. Unhappy with the traditional “standard of care”, the Largo resident’s quest for a solution motivated her to research more innovative methods of treatment. Along the way she studied Bariatric medicine (weight loss). Via invaluable information she learned about how good nutrition, diet control, exercise and supplements influence the body, she not only lost nearly 100 pounds, but also was able to stop taking medications for diabetes. 
    Leonhardt’s success fueled her passion for continued studies of the metabolic and hormone systems. Fortunately, this led her to a discovery that proved beneficial to her as well as her patients—Type II Diabetes is reversible in certain patients.  
    “I changed my lifestyle and reversed it eight years ago. This journey completely renewed my love of medicine because it took me back to physiology, delving into what the body needs to function optimally, and the fact that a patient’s health puzzle is complicated so there is no “one size fits all” quick fix. I like putting puzzle pieces together and it’s why I decided to expand my practice and include what I learned. Today, due to my ongoing research, in addition to counseling patients regarding diet and lifestyle solutions, I can offer them a very effective natural product that helps to restore and preserve beta cell function of the pancreas, lowers blood sugar and increases the energy level. It’s only been available for the last several years”, says Leonhardt, who has studied, practiced and taught medicine in the area for many years. 
    Actively involved in her community, the 1992 graduate of Southeastern University (Nova University) serves on the board of Pinellas County Osteopathic Medical Society. She completed her internship at Suncoast Hospital in Largo, and her Residency in Emergency Medicine at Midwestern University in Chicago, Illinois in 1996. Her 14-year tenure in emergency medicine at Northside Hospital began in 1996. While working in the Emergency Department in various positions such as Associate Medical Director, Medical Director and Chairperson, Leonhardt also worked closely with first responders in the field as a medical control physician for over 10 years. 
    “At the center, we practice medicine from a functional integrative perspective, which means we specialize in looking at all the possible pathways and deficiencies that lead to individual’s health challenges. We dig deep and don’t rely on the “same old” answers because that isn’t what patients want anymore,” advises Leonhardt. 

Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 S. Belcher Rd., Ste. 2, Largo. 727-826-0838, PeaksOfHealth.com. 
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