HOLISTIC HEALTH

“I SAW PEOPLE DYING WITH 23,24 MEDICATIONS ON THEIR CHART. And I knew that I wanted to help them regain their health from the inside-out,” recalls Dr. Steve Warren, Founder of the Regenerative Wellness Center in Millcreek.

Over the course of his decades-long medical career, a persistent question had followed him: Why weren’t people getting better? Despite access to care, too many were still falling through the cracks — burdened by chronic illness, struggling with obesity, overwhelmed by prescriptions, and often, out of hope.

He was determined to change this reality — because, in many ways, he had lived it.

“I was that person,” Dr. Warren says, candidly. “In medical school, I weighed nearly 300 pounds. I was a stress eater. I understand the emotional and physical toll of being overweight. That’s why I approach every patient with empathy, and with a treatment plan that works.”

Now, through the Regenerative Wellness Center, Dr. Warren offers a personalized, holistic model of care — where every patient is truly seen, understood, and supported on their journey back to health. Deeply important to his mission, and close to his heart, is the center’s weight loss and management program.

The foundation of this program includes GLP-1s, a class of medications originally developed for type 2 diabetes, now widely used for weight management. “GLP-1s help regulate insulin and appetite,” he explains. “They’ve become central to our whole patient care, which includes nutrition, hormone balance, cellular health, metabolism and lifestyle.”

Dr. Warren begins by analyzing a patient’s bloodwork, hormone levels, thyroid function, and body composition. “We look at visceral fat, muscle mass, glucose and insulin levels,” he says. “That data gives us a full picture. Then we build a plan, and monitor everything weekly.”

His approach is layered and adaptive. “We micro-dose GLP-1s when needed and customize every element of care,” he says. “That’s why we have success — we treat each person as a unique human being.” While many patients thrive on the Mediterranean diet — rich in plants, healthy fats, and lean proteins — others with high glucose or insulin resistance may benefit from a temporary shift to a carnivore-based approach to reset metabolism and reduce inflammation.

One of Dr. Warren’s most moving success stories involved a young father who weighed more than 400 pounds. “He had just had a baby, was struggling financially, couldn’t hold a job,” Dr. Warren shares. “He put in the work. He followed the plan, and he lost nearly 250 pounds. Now he has a great job, confidence, and a future he didn’t think was possible. That’s why I do this.”

What makes the program different is not just the medical science behind it — it’s how a person feels and functions. “Whether someone wants to lose ten pounds or two hundred,” Dr. Warren says, “it all comes down to how they feel in their life. It’s not just about weight, it’s about function, energy, clarity, and emotional health.”

This is where another layer of care comes into focus — one that embraces not just weight loss, but long-term energy and cellular wellness. The cornerstone is mitochondrial health.

“Mitochondria are the little powerhouses inside nearly every cell,” Dr. Warren explains. “They convert oxygen and nutrients into energy. If your mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, nothing else in your body can work efficiently. You can’t think clearly, move easily, or lose weight. It all starts at the cellular level.”

Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to inflammation, fatigue, poor metabolism, and even neurodegenerative disease. So Dr. Warren assesses mitochondrial health using tools like bioelectrical impedance analysis to calculate a patient’s phase angle — a numerical marker of cellular integrity. “Higher numbers reflect healthier cells,” he explains. “Most people should be between 7 and 8. When we see those numbers rise during treatment, we know their cellular health is improving, and so is their energy.”

In addition to nutrition and lifestyle changes, Dr. Warren supports mitochondrial health with advanced supplementation, including Methylene Blue — a nutritional tool used to support brain function, oxygenation, memory, and mood. “We’re seeing patients with brain fog light up again,” he shares. “They’re coming off antidepressants and getting their lives back.”

One especially inspiring case involved a woman who had been in a nursing home due to cognitive decline. “With support, including Methylene Blue, her memory returned. She moved back home. She was vibrant again,” Dr. Warren says. “Those are the moments I live for.”

With physical and emotional health restored, patients begin to engage with the world. “People come in hiding under hoodies and baggy clothes. After they become healthy, they stand taller and dress with confidence. They smile more.”

This whole-person approach also includes leading-edge diagnostics like the Echolight (REMS technology) bone density assessment — a radiation-free, ultrasound-based technology that provides deeper insight into bone strength and fracture risk. “Traditional bone scans like DEXA only show what’s on the outside,” Dr. Warren explains. “Echolight looks inside the bone — it’s safer, more accurate, and lets us track progress over time without radiation.”

By combining Echolight with body composition analysis, Dr. Warren and his team create a comprehensive health snapshot — one that guides each patient toward optimal longevity, energy, and vitality.

Looking to the future, Dr. Warren is energized by what’s emerging in regenerative medicine — from liquid biopsies that detect cancer early to therapies that may one day reverse diabetes or neurological decline. But more than anything, he’s inspired by the people who walk through his doors.

“I love when patients come in with questions, and a desire to be well,” he says. “They’re not just participating in their care — they’re wanting to change their lives. And I get to be a part of that journey.”

At the Regenerative Wellness Center, that journey always begins with a steadfast belief in healing from the inside-out.