Low Carb MD Podcast

After coming face to face with the reality of her family's poor health, Sara decided it was time to break the cycle of obesity and disease that was plaguing them. She spearheaded the movement and rallied her children and husband to join her and now, five years later, they have collectively lost 335 pounds! Not only that, but they are feeling physically and emotionally better than ever.

In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Sara talk about…

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:59) How Sara broke the cycle of poor health for herself and her family
• (13:28) Sara's diet history
• (16:33) Depression, stress eating, and mindset
• (32:10) Exercise and metabolic health
• (36:32) How Sara was able to rally her whole family to join her on a health journey
• (45:01) Advice for those struggling with depression and obesity
• (50:19) Habitual eating and fasting
• (52:55) 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. 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/

Melania Behrens is a registered dietitian passionate about helping people improve their metabolic health through evidence-based nutrition and sustainable lifestyle change. She specializes in low-carbohydrate nutrition and works with individuals to address the root causes of chronic disease, optimize metabolic function, and build healthier relationships with food. Melania is dedicated to translating the latest nutrition science into practical strategies that empower people to achieve lasting health and well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Melania talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (02:33) How Melania got started in dietetics and a little bit about her incredibly comprehensive professional background in the metabolic health space

• (07:14) How the dietetics field has changed since Melania first entered it

• (10:32) Sarah Hallberg's incredible Ted Talk on Type 2 Diabetes and how it impacted Melania

• (14:12) Hospital food service and the keto diet revolution that has been sweeping the nation

• (15:23) Beurocratic issues facing the success of the dietetics field going forward

• (22:14) Melania's ideal patient

• (26:56) How Melania approaches a new patient who wants to lose weight

• (30:00) How Melania motivates and empowers people to succeed in achieving their health goals

• (32:49) Diet and exercise

• (37:29) 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/

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Sarah Hallberg's Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1vvigy5tQ

Melania Behrens:

• Keto RD: https://www.ketord.com/

• X: https://x.com/MelaniaRDLD

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/