Low Carb MD Podcast

Episoade

• Food, Faith, and Freedom: A Story of Addiction and Healing | Deborah Sager - E449 29.06.2026 1h 2min

  Deborah Sager is the author of Your Daily Dose: Food, Faith, and Freedom, a 366-day devotional that encourages readers to break free from food addiction through the power of faith, biblical truth, and a low-carb lifestyle. Drawing from her own journey, Deborah offers daily inspiration and practical encouragement to help people find lasting freedom, deepen their relationship with God, and build healthier habits that nourish both body and soul. In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Deborah talk about… (00:00) Intro (03:51) Fat shaming and bullying in school (10:50) Deborah's past struggles with addiction to drugs, alcohol, and food (12:27) Why Deborah wrote Your Daily Dose: Food, Faith, and Freedom (13:38) Deborah's battle with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (16:40) The psychology of addictive behavior and how Deborah found Jesus (25:46) Deborah's roller coaster ride of a weight loss journey and how she discovered keto (29:17) Food addiction and faith (36:36) Yoyo dieting and making your diet fun and sustainable (40:26) Emotional triggers and diet (44:06) Fasting and vows (48:04) Deborah's book and Dr. Boz (52:37) How much of an impact having a positive outlook helps with lifestyle change (57:58) Advice for those struggling with addiction  (01:00:05) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Deborah Sager: Health Coaching: https://sites.google.com/view/ketopep/home Your Daily Dose: Food, Faith, and Freedom (book): https://www.amazon.com/Your-Daily-Dose-Devotional-supporting/dp/B0FHKDSP41 Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Nineteen Meds Later: Rethinking Mental Healthcare | Laura Delano - E448 22.06.2026 1h 11min

  Laura Delano was a high-achieving student—straight-A's, national squash ranking, class president—whose private suffering led to an early bipolar diagnosis and a lifetime prognosis of medication. After initially resisting, she spent the next decade immersed in elite psychiatric care, accumulating multiple diagnoses and nineteen medications, only to worsen and be labeled "treatment resistant." Following a suicide attempt at twenty-seven, Laura began asking a forbidden question: what if the treatment itself was the problem? Choosing to leave behind drugs and diagnoses, she became an outspoken ex-patient, writer, and advocate—working with individuals, families, and clinicians to address psychiatric drug withdrawal, patient rights, and the deeper social forces shaping modern mental health.  In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Laura talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:06) Laura's bipolar diagnosis and how it impacted her life as a young person (14:20) Psychiatric drugs and the polypharmacological approach to addressing mental health issues (23:04) The metabolic, spiritual, and emotional issues underlying psychiatric disorder (31:08) How Laura finally realized that the answer to her psychiatric problems was not more meds and traditional psychiatric care (34:10) Major issues in the psychiatric health care system (36:47) Anti-psychotic drugs, food addiction, and alcoholism (40:41) Finally coming off of all the psychiatric drugs that Laura had been on for half her life (48:17) Gut health, lifestyle factors, and mental health (50:49) Why it is so hard to find your way out of the psychiatric care system (55:13) Safe de-prescription and informed consent in psychiatric care (01:03:03) Fake empathy, moral corruption, and systemic issues in medical care that are perpetuating these major problems (01:09:10) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Laura's recent appearance on RFK's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUOJ3lTfDF0 Laura Delano: Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance (book): https://www.lauradelano.com/book/unshrunk Website: https://www.lauradelano.com Inner Compass Initiative: https://www.theinnercompass.org X: https://x.com/LauraDelano IG: https://www.instagram.comlauradelano/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/laurafdelano Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Weight Loss and Lipedema Management | Amy Faith Folger - E447 15.06.2026 59min

  Twenty years ago Amy Faith Folger discovered the keto diet. After reading Jason Fung's book on intermittent fasting she lost 85 pounds in 3 MONTHS! Thanks to her community, her faith, and her relentless pursuit of weight-loss strategies that work, she has been able, so far, to drop 160 pounds. In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Amy talk about… (00:00) Intro (01:27) Amy's weight loss story (05:51) Lipedema and Lymphedema (11:43) Visceral fat and metabolic health (13:55) Magnesium and atrial fibrillation (20:42) Grass fed beef (23:36) Finding a lifestyle and diet that works for YOU (25:50) Detoxification and metabolic health markers (34:11) Why you don't have to be hopeless if you have Lipedema (40:11) The MVX+ test, mold detox, and Lipedema (48:47) Liposuction and other surgeries that may help if you have Lipedema (52:24) Movement with Lipedema (53:50) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Amy's previous appearance on the LCMD Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/podcast/a-weight-loss-story-amy-faith-folger-e409/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Simple Strategies for Better Health | Amanda Decker - E446 08.06.2026 1h 3min

  Amanda Decker is a family nurse practitioner, metabolic health practitioner, and founder of Clear Path Medical. After overcoming her own struggles with weight and chronic psoriasis, she shifted her focus from conventional primary care to nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Today, Amanda helps patients address the root causes of chronic disease through evidence-based approaches centered on metabolic health, low-carb nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle change. With nearly two decades of clinical experience and multiple advanced certifications in obesity medicine, ketogenic nutrition, and metabolic health, she is passionate about empowering people to take control of their health and transform their lives. In this episode, Dr. Brian and Amanda talk about… (00:00) Intro (05:54) Cholesterol and cardiovascular health (09:50) Amanda's experience switching to and working in a DPC practice (11:54) Triglycerides and coffee (13:57) Stress, community, and working in the medical field (19:11) Amanda's upcoming Low Carb for Better Health conference (link below) (22:55) Bio-individuality and the proper human diet (25:54) The speaker line-up at the upcoming Low Carb for Better Health conference (link below) (31:29) Gut health, carnivore diets, and holistic health (39:45) Gut health and fatty liver disease (40:34) Health outliers and food noise (48:18) Cortisol and Cushing's Disease (01:01:50) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Amanda Decker: Website: https://www.clearpathmedical.net/ X: https://x.com/deckerlesscarbs?lang=en IG: https://www.instagram.com/deckerlesscarbs/?hl=en FB: https://www.facebook.com/deckerlesscarbs/?ref=NONE_xav_ig_profile_page_web# Low Carb for Better Health: https://events.humanitix.com/low-carb-for-better-health Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Hormones and Metabolic Health | Maria Emmerich - E445 01.06.2026 51min

  Maria Emmerich is a bestselling author, nutritionist, and wellness expert known for her practical, science-informed approach to ketogenic and low-carb living. After struggling with her own health and weight challenges, Maria transformed her life through nutrition and has since dedicated her career to helping others improve metabolic health, heal their relationship with food, and simplify healthy living. She is the author of numerous bestselling books, including Keto, The Carnivore Cookbook, and Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking. Through her books, coaching, and speaking, Maria has become one of the most trusted voices in the low-carb and keto community. In this episode, Dr. Brian and Maria talk about… (00:00) Intro (01:53) Bioidentical hormone therapy (05:58) Progesterone (08:39) Testosterone (11:15) Tips for hormone testing (12:46) Hormone pellets (15:30) Forms of hormone therapy (17:40) Hormones and sleep quality (19:24) Liver health (22:24) Peptides (33:36) Dietary/lifestyle modifications for treating various diseases (34:32) Magnesium (35:25) B1 Thiamin (36:26) Iodine (37:51) Knowledge and action (40:13) Gut health and carbohydrates (47:20) Strength training and running (48:39) Surfing whales (49:10) Outro/plugs  For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Maria Emmerich: Website: https://mariamindbodyhealth.com/ NEW BOOK: https://keto-adapted.com/product/the-art-of-metabolic-health/ X: https://x.com/MariaEmmerich IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariaemmerich/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@MariaEmmerich Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Rethinking Type 1 Diabetes Management | Dr. Ian Lake - E444 25.05.2026 54min

  Dr. Ian Lake has worked as a doctor in the NHS for nearly four decades, most of this time as a general practitioner. After being diagnosed with LADA Type 1 Diabetes at age 36 and managing it conventionally for 20 years, he adopted the low carb diet and has been following it for the past 10 years. He is a founding member of the Public Health Collaboration in the U.K. and has conducted several important research projects investigating the connection between low carb diets and human health. He has also worked with Dr. Tro and others to produce the Type 1 Consensus Statement. In this episode, Drs. Tro and Ian talk about… (00:00) Intro (03:30) The mental and physical health challenges faced by Type 1 Diabetics and how these challenges have traditionally been dealt with (13:44) Ketoacidosis, what insulin does, and modern methods/dietary reccomendations for controlling Type 1 Diabetes (25:45) How Dr. Lake's colleagues have responded to his ideas regarding Type 1 and ketogenic diets (38:00) Dr. Lake's new book, Shifting Gears, on the need to move from a glucose-centric view of Type 1 to a holistic, healthy human being perspective (50:23) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Dr. Ian Lake's last appearance on the LCMD Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/podcast/episode-368-dr-ian-lake/ Dr. Ian Lake: X: https://twitter.com/idlake Type1Keto: https://type1keto.com Type 1 Consensus Statement: https://journalofmetabolichealth.org/index.php/jmh/article/view/100 Case report: Ketogenic diet alleviated anxiety and depression associated with insulin-dependent diabetes management: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1404842/full Shifting Gears (New Book): https://type1keto.com/product/shifting-gears-the-1000-mile-ride-that-changed-my-mindset-on-type-1-diabetes/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Art of Metabolic Health | Craig Emmerich - E443 18.05.2026 38min

  Craig Emmerich is a bestselling author, health coach, and keto/carnivore expert who has spent more than 15 years helping people improve their metabolic health through nutrition and lifestyle change. Alongside his wife, Maria Emmerich, he co-authored several influential books, including Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on The Ketogenic Diet and The Carnivore Cookbook. With a background in electrical engineering, Craig brings a systems-based approach to health, simplifying complex nutrition science into practical strategies for lasting wellness.   In this episode, Dr. Tro and Craig talk about… (00:00) Intro (04:51) Craig's experience with Lyme disease—how it effected him and how he dealt with it (13:00) How Craig was able to stay sane and deal with constant pain while dealing with his chronic Lyme (18:39) The impetus for Craig and Maria to write their latest book, The Art of Metabolic Health (Link below) (21:32) Peptides and GLP-1s (29:11) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Craig Emmerich: The Art of Metabolic Health (book): https://keto-adapted.com/product/the-art-of-metabolic-health/ Website: https://ketomaria.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/craig_emmerich/ X: https://x.com/emmerich_craig YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyZia0TtezGqjGcXwXJhDoQ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• From Five-Hundred Pounds to CrossFit Coach | Athena Perez - E442 11.05.2026 1h 1min

  Athena Perez is a CrossFit Level 2 trainer, speaker, author, and founder of Scaled Nation Training, where she helps coaches and larger-bodied athletes navigate sustainable health and fitness transformation. After losing more than 200 pounds from a peak weight of nearly 500 pounds, Athena turned her personal journey into a mission to support others through education, functional fitness, and advocacy. She is the creator of the "Working with Larger Bodies" seminar, author of Lifting the Wait, and a featured voice on platforms including CrossFit Journal, CBS, and Good Morning America.   In this episode, Dr. Tro and Athena talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:04) How Athena began her CrossFit journey (04:57) Food addiction and adverse childhood events (11:40) Emotional eating (14:27) How a dysfunctional 11 year relationship shaped Athena (24:37) When Athena realized that she needed to make a change  (29:14) How Athena finally discovered the truth about good nutrition (32:33) Food addiction vs binging (37:16) How CrossFit changed Athena's life (40:16) How two knee replacements effected Athena's mental and physical health (42:43) How Athena's experience with a bone infection led her to discover fasting (47:39) Athena's 40 day fast experience (53:08) How faith played a role in Athena's rollercoaster health journey (55:29) Outro/plugs For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Athena Perez: Crossfit Coaching Website: https://athenamperez.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/athenamariebt/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl-EOQbaFVxs1zL4tTGShMw Books: https://athenamperez.com/the-book-lifting-the-wait Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Beyond Symptoms: A Deeper Look at Root-Cause Healing | Darren Schmidt, D.C. - E441 04.05.2026 1h 15min

  Dr. Darren Schmidt, a chiropractor, has devoted his practice exclusively to clinical nutrition since 1998. He is the proprietor of the Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor and a sought-after speaker on health topics. During chiropractic college, Dr. Schmidt immersed himself in over 50 seminars within 24 months, exploring diverse therapeutic modalities and discovering the transformative potential of nutrition. Witnessing the efficacy of holistic approaches and functional lab testing, he recognized the pressing need for comprehensive nutritional interventions in healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Tro, Dr. Brian, and Darren talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:05) Why/how Darren became a nutrition-focused chiropractor (05:48) Symptoms that may indicate you have a gas leak or mold exposure (10:42) How Darren learned about lactic acidosis and the common denominator of all chronic illness (14:03) B1 Thiamin and cell health (16:41) Symptoms of B1 deficiency (24:56) How to determine if you are Thiamin deficient (26:14) Potential downsides to taking high-dose B1 Thiamin (28:54) The incredible MVX+ test and how it is revolutionizing healthcare (38:13) Dental health and overall health (41:07) The evolution of Darren's private practice as he's learned more and educated himself over the years (43:56) How Darren uses the MVX test in his practice (48:49) Using herbal supplements to address infection, toxicity, parasites, and disease (57:08) Data on the efficacy of herbal supplements (01:06:53) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Darren Schmidt on the Life's Best Medicine Podcast: https://lifesbestmedicine.com/podcast/episode-295-darren-schmidt-dc/ Darren Schmidt: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@realfoodcures Website: https://thenutritionalhealingcenter.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/dr.darren_schmidt Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Reanalyzing Nutritional Epidemiological Studies | Dr. Matt Calkins - #440 27.04.2026 1h 20min

  Dr. Matt Calkins is a physician focused on improving metabolic health through lifestyle-based care. Board-certified in family and obesity medicine, he is a strong advocate for low-carb and ketogenic nutrition as powerful tools to address obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease. He is passionate about helping patients reclaim their health through sustainable, evidence-based strategies. In this episode, Drs. Tro, Brian, and Matt talk about… (00:00) Intro (06:40) Nutritional epidemiological studies and how they have informed public opinion on nutrition over the years (13:15) How nutritional epidemiological studies should NOT be used (21:20) Dr. Calkin's recent criticism of a nutritional epidemiological study making big claims  from only observational data (31:52) Why nutritional epidemiological studies are flawed and how they are misused by medical professionals, agencies, and laypeople alike (42:07) Why doctors and medical professionals seem so averse to adapt and change as new scientific data comes out (54:22) Why it is better to focus on the individual patient in front of you than to make assumptions about people in general based on nutritional epidemiological studies (01:03:46) How Dr. Calkin's criticism was received by the authors of the study (01:09:56) Why so many of bad epidemiological studies are published (01:12:17) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Dr. Matt Calkins: Concordance between nutritional cohorts and randomized trials: biological confirmation or statistical consequence? A re-analysis of Stadelmaier et al.: https://sciprofiles.com/publication/view/aac50964f8442b33eb42921d37613629 X: https://x.com/MattCalkinsMD Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Cholesterol Code Movie | Dave Feldman and Jennifer Isenhart - E439 20.04.2026 1h 39min

  The Cholesterol Code is a gripping new documentary from Jennifer Isenhart that challenges one of medicine's most entrenched beliefs. Following Dave Feldman's unexpected health journey, the film dives into the controversy around cholesterol, uncovering new research and raising a powerful question: what if we've misunderstood it all along? In this episode, Dr. Tro, Jennifer, and Dave talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:39) How the upcoming documentary film, The Cholesterol Code, came to be and how Jen crafted the film to be accessible to a wide audience (08:06) How Jen turns scientific data into an engaging film (15:33) The effort and passion Dave Feldman has poured into his research (17:49) Why YOU should watch this film (Jen's answer) (22:37) How Dave went from a curious software engineer to being one of the main forces driving research on cholesterol and metabolic disease (26:24) Coining the term 'lean mass hyper-responder' and founding the Citizen Science Foundation (31:19) Dave Feldman's critics and how to push back against dogmatic medical authoritarianism (44:29) The good and the bad of cholesterol (01:00:36) LDL, ApoB, and plaque progression (01:06:36) Why YOU should watch The Cholesterol Code (Dave's answer) (01:08:06) CAC, CCTA, ApoB, and LDL levels (01:14:08) Medications that reduce arterial plaque (01:16:19) Arterial plaque and the keto diet (01:26:23) The biggest myths that were dispelled in The Cholesterol Code film (01:29:27) Medical professionals who have come around to Dave and Jen's perspective on cholesterol (01:33:32) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: THE CHOLESTEROL CODE (documentary film): https://cholesterolcodemovie.com/the-film/ Jennifer Isenhart: The Cholesterol Code (film): https://cholesterolcodemovie.com/the-film/ Fat Fiction (film): https://fatfiction.movie/our-story Dave Feldman: The Cholesterol Code (film): https://cholesterolcodemovie.com/the-film/ Cholesterol Code (website): https://cholesterolcode.com/ X: https://x.com/realDaveFeldman Citizen Science Foundation: https://citizensciencefoundation.org/ Own Your Labs: https://ownyourlabs.com/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• How Virta Health is Reversing Chronic Disease | Sami Inkinen - E438 13.04.2026 43min

  Sami Inkinen is the co-founder and CEO of Virta Health, a leader in reversing metabolic disease through nutrition, technology, and expert support. Inspired by his own experience with prediabetes, he has helped scale Virta to serve over 100,000 members nationwide. A former Trulia executive and endurance athlete, Sami once rowed 2,750 miles from California to Hawaii to raise awareness about sugar and metabolic health. In this episode, Dr. Tro and Sami talk about… (00:00) Intro (03:13) Sami's personal health journey and career journey that led him to the founding of Virta Health (08:32) How Sami went from being a successful entrepreneur to focusing his efforts on metabolic health (18:29) Virta's approach to reaching people and the world with metabolic freedom (30:07) How Virta uses AI to help people reverse disease (36:52) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Sami Inkinen: Virta Health: https://www.virtahealth.com/ X: https://x.com/samiinkinen Website: https://www.samiinkinen.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiinkinen/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Intersection of Metabolic Health and Spiritual Health | Pastor Gary Evensen - E437 06.04.2026 1h 2min

  Pastor Gary Evensen is the longtime leader of North Jersey United Pentecostal Church and an ordained minister with the United Pentecostal Church International. Since his conversion in 1980, he has spent more than four decades in ministry, serving in roles from deacon to pastor and helping lead churches across the country. Alongside his wife Milly—a gifted gospel singer and pianist—he has been deeply involved in missions and church planting, including pioneering their current congregation in Secaucus. Pastor Evensen brings a lifetime of experience in faith, leadership, and personal transformation to every conversation. In this episode, Dr. Tro, Dr. Brian, and Pastor Gary talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:41) Gary's spiritual and metabolic health journey (12:45) Fasting and the Christian life (16:01) Fasting and physical health/wellbeing (23:08) Dealing with guilt and shame without turning to unhealthy coping habits (31:58) Cortisol, B1 deficiency, and obesity (47:57) The health issues faced by pastors and people in ministry (57:19) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Pastor Gary Evensen: North Jersey United Pentecostal Church: https://njupc.org Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Hunger Code (Part 2) | Dr. Jason Fung -E436 30.03.2026 1h 6min

  Dr. Jason Fung is a Canadian nephrologist and leading voice in metabolic health, best known for making the science of fasting and insulin resistance simple, practical, and empowering. Through his books, lectures, and clinical work, he's helped thousands rethink weight loss, type 2 diabetes, and long-term health by focusing on hormones, not just calories. Dr. Fung is the co-founder of The Fasting Method and a sought-after educator on metabolic health. In this episode, Drs. Tro and Jason talk about… (00:00) Intro (03:12) GLP-1s, hunger, and sustainable weight loss (07:35) The three types of hunger (12:14) The energy balance model for weight loss (19:35) Dealing with homeostatic hunger (30:21) How poor sleep impacts your weight (33:32) The three 'why's you have to ask to find the real solution to a problem (37:27) Reactive hypolgycemia (40:17) What Dr. Fung eats (44:44) The 'second stomach' phenomenon  (46:24) The sugar diet (49:24) How to prevent weight regain after losing weight on a GLP-1 (53:08) A study showing how the body becomes  (55:13) Audience Q&A (01:03:17) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Dr. Jason Fung: The Fasting Method: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/ Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01BT8K6FK Website/Books: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/ iG: https://www.instagram.com/drjasonfung/ X: https://x.com/drjasonfung YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w The Hunger Code Pre-Order/Masterclass: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Exercise as Medicine: Rethinking Fitness for Metabolic Health | Peter Cummings MHP, NNP - E435 23.03.2026 1h 15min

  Peter Cummings is a preventive health practitioner and endurance sports coach with more than 30 years of experience helping people improve metabolic health through exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle change. A Metabolic Health Practitioner (MHP) and Nutrition Network Practitioner (NNP), he specializes in therapeutic carbohydrate reduction, cardiorespiratory fitness, and personalized exercise prescription. Cummings has authored peer-reviewed research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine – FOCUS and has helped train health professionals to integrate fitness and lifestyle interventions into clinical care. In addition to his work in preventive medicine, he has coached athletes to multiple national and state championship titles, bringing a data-driven approach to both human performance and chronic disease prevention.    In this episode, Dr. Tro, Dr. Brian and Peter talk about… (00:00) Intro (01:56) VOT Max (04:19) Health Ballistics (Peter's new book!) (10:00) Bridging the gap between medicine and exercise (16:59) Berberine and Metformin (19:45) Helping people turn their health around and reverse diabetes (29:12) Cardiac rehab (34:43) Interval training (39:21) Carbs and exercise (42:56) Conflicts of interest in exercise science (45:45) The biggest barriers to systemic change in the fields of exercise science and nutrition (48:07) Tim Noakes' Central Governor Theory (55:09) Exercise physiology and fat burning (01:04:51) Peter's new book, Health Ballistics (01:09:35) Outro   For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!   Links:   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Peter Cummings: Plan 2 Peak: https://www.plan2peak.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachcumm/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/plan2peak?   Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author   Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/   Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.    Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Health | Dr. Alan Schaffer - E434 16.03.2026 1h 11min

  Dr. Alan Schaffer is a board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. With decades of clinical experience, he focuses on the intersection of respiratory health, sleep disorders, and metabolic health, including the role of nutrition and carbohydrate restriction in improving chronic disease. Dr. Schaffer practices with St. Peter's Health Partners in New York and is a frequent educator and media guest discussing conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and the broader drivers of cardiometabolic health.   In this episode, Drs. Tro and Alan talk about… (00:00) Intro (09:59) Sleep Medicine and metabolic health (13:37) Pulmonary Medicine and environmental factors (18:57) How Dr. Alan helps his patients improve their sleep quality and metabolic health (26:43) Helping late bloomer patients (32:30) How to help patients trust you as a doctor (37:07) Sleep apnea and CPAP (42:52) Sleep apnea tools and tips (46:08) Sleep tape (52:05) Didjeridoo (55:16) Weight loss and sleep apnea (01:01:52) The Cholesterol Code documentary (See links below) For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Cholesterol Code Screening (Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT): https://gathr.com/events/0ed2437d/the-cholesterol-code-at-amc-crystal-run-16 Cholesterol Code Movie: https://cholesterolcodemovie.com Dr. Alan Schaffer: https://www.sphp.com/provider/alan-edward-schaffer-md-sleep-medicine-0 Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Quality, Accessible, Sustainable Medical Care | Dr. Marion Mass - E433 09.03.2026 1h 6min

  Dr. Marion Mass is a pediatrician, educator, and fierce advocate for restoring integrity to American medicine. A co-founder of the nonprofit Practicing Physicians of America, she has been a leading voice calling out the corporate forces reshaping health care and their impact on doctors and patients alike. In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Dr. Marion talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:29) Systemic problems in medicine over the last few decades and how we can solve them (05:27) Perverse incentives in health insurance and how health care can be made cheaper (14:40) Conflicts of interest in health insurance (19:52) What brought Dr. Marion to medicine and inspired her to work to reform the healthcare system (25:37) Conflicts of interest in the AMA and other medical organizations (35:23) The path forward to a more transparent medical care system (41:19) Remdesivir and Covid (46:53) Perverse incentives in gender change procedures and drugs (51:48) Governmental and political interference in the practice of medicine (01:02:35) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Dr. Marion Mass: Free 2 Care: https://t.co/cdcldrTMEM X: https://x.com/mass_marion?lang=en Practicing Physicians of America: https://practicingphysician.org Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Menopause Gut | Cynthia Thurlow - E432 02.03.2026 1h 8min

  Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and leading voice in women's metabolic health. With over two decades of clinical experience, she's known for translating complex science into practical strategies—helping women navigate perimenopause, optimize fasting, and reclaim energy, resilience, and long-term wellness. In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Cynthia talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:28) Hormonal shifts, the microbiome, and metabolic health (07:50) How modern developments in food production and the advent of mass-produced plastics have impacted our health (17:40) Fiber (25:43) Intermittent fasting and menopause (28:07) Inulin (31:27) Antibiotics and food sensitivities (33:45) The complexity of the gut microbiome (44:55) The insufficiency of modern testing (50:00) Gut health and mental health (53:42) Fermented foods (01:00:47) Good, better, best (01:03:16) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ Cynthia Thurlow: Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ X: https://x.com/_CynthiaThurlow IG: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/ Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2345217/cynthia-thurlow-np/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• The Metabolic Healthcare Revolution | Dr. Frank Dumont - E431 23.02.2026 1h 4min

  Dr. Frank Dumont is Executive Medical Director at Virta Health, where he leads medical strategy to advance safe, scalable metabolic care. A longtime internal medicine physician at Estes Park Medical Center, he previously directed its Wellness Service Line. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Dumont has also served in leadership roles with the Colorado Medical Society and the American Medical Association. In this episode, Drs. Brian and Frank talk about… (00:00) Intro (04:03) How Dr. Frank's personal health issues and professional experiences as a doctor led him to adopt a metabolic health approach to healing himself and his patients (10:41) Exercise, nutrition, and de-prescribing  (14:22) Fat adaptation and fasting (24:09) Virta's peer-reviewed publications and long-term data (30:09) The positive cascading effect on holistic health of metabolic lifestyle interventions (36:25) Social support and mental health (44:41) Dr. Frank's experience leaving a standard medical practice and becoming a metabolic health practitioner (52:22) Moral injury and physician burnout in the standard medical care system (54:05) Employe wellness and metabolic health care (01:01:01) Outro/plugs For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Dr. Frank Dumont: Virta Health: https://www.virtahealth.com/ X: https://x.com/FrankDumont Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-d-dumont-46aa00b7/ Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/
• Eating in the Age of Addiction | Michael Prager - E430 16.02.2026 1h 9min

  Michael Prager is a journalist and writer focused on food addiction and the science of ultra-processed foods. Drawing on personal experience and deep reporting, he explores how modern food environments hijack appetite—and what it takes to reclaim health, agency, and freedom around food. He is also the chairman of the Food Addiction Institute and the author of two books: Fat Boy Thin Man and Sustainable You. In this episode, Dr. Tro, Dr. Brian, and Michael talk about… (00:00) Intro (03:15) Michael's personal health journey dealing with food addiction and how he first became interested in researching food addiction (13:38) How spiritual and emotional health relate to physical health (28:12) Food addiction research and new developments in the mission to get food addiction officially recognized (39:10) Practical tips for dealing with food addiction (44:41) How Michael went from being a food addict to being the chairman of the Food Addiction Institute and writing books on food addiction (53:08) Michael's spiritual journey from being a hardcore agnostic to believing in and praying to God (01:00:52) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   Michael Prager: Books: https://michaelprager.com/books Website: https://michaelprager.com/ X: https://x.com/fatboythinman Food Addiction Institute: https://foodaddictioninstitute.org Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Dr. Tro Kalayjian:  Website: https://toward.health Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ Toward Health App Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.  Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888  Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn more: https://toward.health/community/