Dr. Mila McManus offers advice during July 1 MCABW Business Builder Coffee

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Those struggling to shed extra pounds might want to mark their calendars for the next monthly meeting of the Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW).

Dr. Mila Q. McManus, founder of The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, will serve as the guest speaker at the organization’s monthly coffee meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at Eye Health Consultants, 1111 Medical Plaza Dr, Ste. 110 in The Woodlands, 77380.

Her presentation “Why You Can’t Lose Weight” will serve as a unique guide for area guests who are battling against the scale.

A strong advocate of preventive medicine, Dr. McManus left her private practice to investigate options for the treatment of hormonal imbalance and soon started exploring treatments for other common ailments.

In January 2005, she opened The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, where she continues to incorporate simple, practical and effective wellness practices into the treating a host of common complaints -- from depression and fatigue to high cholesterol and sleep disorders.

McManus’ interest in alternative and complementary therapies grew when she struggled with her own health. She suffered with fatigue, weight gain, headaches, , depression, anxiety, stomach problems, severe allergies and decreased mental sharpness. She noticed a disturbing trend in the number of patients presenting to clinic with similar complaints.

Dr. McManus went in search of answers and discovered natural ways to treat the root causes of health problems rather than band-aiding symptoms with prescription drugs. She became certified by the American Academy of Biologically Identical Hormone Therapy in 2004.

Dr. McManus is the former Medical Director for Avante Laser and Medspa. She is also a member of the Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, Pan American Allergy Society, and has board certification through The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

“Since she’s experienced the benefits of wellness firsthand, her mission is to increase public awareness of natural alternatives to treating health problems,” MCABW executive director Carol Gooch said. “We can’t wait to hear her advice at our next meeting.”

The MCABW provides a forum for local businesswomen to support each other – both in their professional and personal lives. The group holds a mixer the second Thursday of each month as well as a monthly luncheon the fourth Tuesday of each month at Incredible Pizza in Conroe. Visitors are invited to attend two MCABW events before joining the organization.

For more information about MCABW, call founder and executive director Carol Gooch at 713-256-8002, or view their website www.mcabw.org.