About Me

Meet Dr. Rose Petrilla

I was only four when my father died of heart disease at 52. For most of my life growing up, I sensed this would be my future too. My mother’s side had longevity; however, it was clear my genetics leaned towards my father’s side. I knew I wanted to study medicine in some capacity and decided to become a physical therapist. I spent many years treating patients with chronic diseases. I witnessed the disability associated with these conditions. It provided me with a glimpse of what my future held for me.

I was only four when my father died of heart disease at 52. For most of my life growing up, I sensed this would be my future too. My mother’s side had longevity; however, it was clear my genetics leaned towards my father’s side. I knew I wanted to study medicine in some capacity and decided to become a physical therapist. I spent many years treating patients with chronic diseases. I witnessed the disability associated with these conditions. It provided me with a glimpse of what my future held for me.

Early in my career, I started teaching at Pennsylvania State University. I have 32 years in higher education, and I teach Pathophysiology. Much of my continuing education and research has been in studying chronic disease. Until recently, Diabetes Mellitus, or Type II diabetes, was considered a chronic disease. Today, I can tell my students that both remission and reversal Diabetes Mellitus is possible. Better yet, it can be prevented.

I spent many years morbidly obese and lost a child due to my metabolic disease. I want to share my story, even if it helps just one family avoid the loss of one child. It has been 30 years since we lost Matthew, and not a day goes by that I do not think of him. It is what motivated me to become a health coach with the goal of improving public understanding of metabolic disease and its potential consequences.

In 2010, I decided to have bariatric surgery to delay the onset of diabetes as long as possible. My brother, three years older than me, was diagnosed with diabetes three years prior. Other temporary attempts at losing weight included Opti fast, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Qsymia, and Phen Phen medications. I was frustrated because, as a physical therapist, I thought I knew what to do. No one had better willpower than me.

I will never forget when I expressed this frustration to the bariatric surgeon, who said it was not my fault. I had insulin resistance. I fully did not understand insulin resistance and precisely what that meant at that time. However, I had to do something to hold diabetes. I chose the Lap-Band surgery, which brought me 60 lbs. closer to my goal weight. However, it did not fully address insulin resistance. I went up and down 10 lbs. for nine years but could never achieve my goal. I was chronically exercising and perpetually dieting, causing an increase in my cortisol levels. Shaun T was my best exercise buddy in those days.

2019 after the Christmas holiday, I was disgusted with how I felt and looked. I started heavily researching insulin resistance. That is when I started the ketogenic lifestyle and never looked back. It made sense to me. Why would I continue eating carbohydrates when they were causing my metabolic disease?

Starting a ketogenic “diet” was controversial. My doctors advised against it, saying that you will regain weight, which is unhealthy. I have embraced a low-carb lifestyle and lost an additional 30 lbs. I never felt better. As I approach my 58th birthday, I am healthier than ever. The only medication I take is 1.25 mg of Lisinopril for blood pressure. As a postmenopausal woman, I have a “0” coronary calcium score, excellent HDL (High-Density Lipoproteins) cholesterol levels, and low triglycerides, and I reversed my insulin resistance. Twenty-five years ago, we built our house, and I made sure my stairway to the second floor was straight in case I needed to put in a chairlift. I believed that I would have diabetes and heart disease.

Today, I am no longer worried about diabetes. I reversed my osteopenia in my hip. I have already increased my lifespan, surpassing my father and his siblings, who died in their early 50s. A low-carb diet is the key to improving my and my husband’s lifespan and health span, so we will be able to retire with our health. I want to see my future grandchildren get married. I need to keep my metabolic health, cognition, and mobility. Evidence shows that a low-carb lifestyle can prevent chronic disease. I did it...and so can YOU!

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