Low Carb MD Podcast

Valerie Anne Smiths journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of dietary change in overcoming severe health challenges. Diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at 14, Valerie endured a harrowing 40-year battle with multiple mental health diagnoses, including schizoaffective disorder, clinical depression, anxiety, OCD, and body dysmorphia, compounded by extreme physical health issues. Despite numerous interventions, including inpatient treatment, psychiatric medications, and dietetic guidance that focused on high-carb, low-fat diets, her mental and physical health continued to deteriorate, reaching a critical point with a BMI of 11 and a weight under 80 lbs for most of her adult life.

In 2018, at the brink of despair and after decades of suffering, Valeries relentless pursuit of knowledge led her to explore the healing potential of a carnivore diet, focusing on nutrient-dense foods like beef, salt, and water. This radical dietary shift, initially met with personal resistance due to years of conditioned fear and restrictive eating habits, gradually quieted the debilitating mental turmoil and reversed her numerous physical ailments. Six years into her carnivore journey, Valerie has not only achieved complete remission from her mental and physical disorders but has also embraced a fulfilling life as a wife, mother, and health advocate.

In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro and Valerie talk about

• (00:00) Intro
• (03:14) Valeries history of struggling with mental illness, anorexia, and metabolic dysfunction
• (08:26) The horrible nutrition standards in eating disorder clinics and the nutrition lies plaguing our society in general
• (10:19) Valeries upbringing and medical history
• (11:52) Valeries frustrating experience with doctors trying to treat her many issues with meds
• (16:01) Body dysmorphia and the differences between fasting and starving
• (20:06) The horrible nutrition prescribed by hospitals and served to their patients
• (23:36) The incredible and heartbreaking story of how Valerie finally discovered the link between diet and mental health
• (37:36) The evolution of Valeries diet as she began transitioning to carnivore and how her doctors reacted
• (45:45) Valeries blood markers when she ate no meat and how she started to rebuild her body
• (51:03) How Valeries family reacted to her new diet and lifestyle
• (53:08) The many health benefits that Valerie has experienced since becoming carnivore
• (57:05) Advice for those struggling with anorexia and mental disorders
• (01:01:31) Factors other than diet that have been HUGE for Valerie

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 Anorexia Case Study that Valerie Participated In: https://journalofmetabolichealth.org/index.php/jmh/article/view/84/254#:~:text=Contribution%3A%20This%20case%20series%20is,nature%20of%20the%20disease%20itself

Valerie Smith:

• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/valerieanne1970/
• X:https://x.com/valerieanne1970
• Links: https://linktr.ee/valerieanne1970
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559029245657

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://www.doctortro.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro
• Instagram: 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://doctortro.com/community/

Thank you for joining us for another episode of the Low Carb MD Podcast. John Roop is the CEO of Capitol City Fence Co. After a lifelong struggle with food addiction, obesity, and poor metabolic health, John was introduced to the keto diet at the Low Carb Boca 2022 conference. Since beginning his low carb journey, John has lost 72 pounds and has improved his health in countless ways. Now 2 years into his wellness journey, he is a wealth of invaluable knowledge and tips for those trying to take control of their health.

In this episode, Dr. Tro and John talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (01:34) John’s personal health journey

• (11:46) The SMHP’s Low Carb Boca conference

• (20:31) The lifestyle changes John implemented following Low Carb Boca

• (27:00) The gradual process employed by John to become sustainably healthier and healthier over time

• (31:06) Increased energy levels on the keto diet

• (33:14) How John’s lifestyle changes have impacted those around him

• (38:12) The devastating health effects of processed foods and the Standard American Diet

• (43:57) How John weened himself off of certain unhealthy foods and deals with cravings when they come up

• (52:56) Dieting versus Lifestyle Change

• (58:58) Tips for eating out without cheating

• (01:01:01) How EASY the keto diet is

• (01:02:24) The ill health effects of seed oils

• (01:04:20) The 3 kinds of people vis á vis health

• (01:08:56) Dr. Tro’s Employee Wellness Program and the measure of true success in life as well as in business

• (01:21:56) Why making your employees happy and healthy is also good for YOU, the employer

For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!

Links:

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Low Carb Boca Conference: https://www.lowcarbusa.org/boca-2025/

• Low Carb Cruise: https://lowcarbcruise.com

• Dr. Tro’s Employee Wellness Program: https://toward.health/employee-health-program/

John Roop:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roop-43a60610

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://www.doctortro.com/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/

• SMHP Position Statement: https://journalofmetabolichealth.org/index.php/jmh/article/view/100#:~:text=The%20SMHP%20recommends%20open%20access,research%20on%20TCR%20for%20T1DM

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://doctortro.com/community/

Anu Simh is a Board Certified Functional Health Coach and the founder of 9 Arms of Wellness. She is also the author of Feed Your Microbiome to Flourish, and a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. 

Through the Nine Arms of Wellness program, she teaches the value of using food as medicine, practical lifestyle management techniques, and an interactive, integrative approach drawn from over 100 dietary theories, including Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, gluten-free, Paleo, raw, vegan, and macrobiotics.

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

• (00:00) Intro

• (04:37) What low carb is and how it effects the microbiome

• (05:47) Whether fiber, honey, and fruit are important for a healthy diet

• (39:00) Whether microbial diversity in the gut is necessarily beneficial

• (42:06) People who say, “you should not eat plants ever,” and whether they exist

• (53:58) What Anu and Brian’s ideal patient looks like and how they would treat them

• (01:00:25) The many factors that impact gut health

• (01:03:20) 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:

• Anu Simh on the Life’s Best Medicine Podcast: https://lifesbestmedicine.com/podcast/episode-249-anu-simh/

• Super Gut (book): https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/product/super-gut

Anu Simh:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9armsofwellness

• FB: https://www.facebook.com/9armsofwellness

• Links: https://linktr.ee/anusimh

• 9 Arms of Wellness: https://www.9armsofwellness.com/about

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://www.doctortro.com/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro

• Instagram: 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://doctortro.com/community/ 

After putting her Type 2 Diabetes into remission within 3 months and getting off medications after 6 months following the Keto diet, Josephine Barbarino became an activist for Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies.

She is the founder and CEO of the Keto Live Project—an organization on a mission to inform and educate about the power of food and the connection between our diet, insulin resistance, our metabolic health, and our immune system. She is also a highly successful architect.

In this episode, Dr. Brian and Josephine talk about…

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:21) Josephine’s career as an architect and how her architectural experience has assisted her in her new venture as a Keto-Activist
• (08:32) Josephine’s health journey and why she pivoted in her career to became a Keto-Activist
• (24:06) Mood and cognitive improvement on the keto diet
• (29:05) Why metabolic health is worsening in Europe
• (33:27) Tailoring your low carb diet to your individual physiology
• (37:12) Why everyone should AT LEAST be eating real, Whole Foods
• (40:09) Tips for using CGMs effectively while on the keto diet
• (43:28) Informed consent and why medical professionals are massively deficient in nutritional knowledge
• (46:21) The upcoming Keto Live Conference (6/9 - 6/13)
• (59:30) The speaker line-up at the Keto Live Conference

For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!

Links:

Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/

Josephine Barbarino:

• European Keto Live Centre: https://www.european-keto-live-centre.com/
• Keto Live Project IG: https://www.instagram.com/keto_live_project/
• Keto Live Conference IG: https://www.instagram.com/ketoliveconference/

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://www.doctortro.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro
• Instagram: 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://doctortro.com/community/ 

Alison Smart is the Founder and Director of the Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to continuing access to Levemir (detemir) insulin or a biosimilar. 

She is actively involved in raising public awareness, engaging in media outreach, and communicating with insulin manufacturers and lawmakers to highlight the critical need for this unique insulin.

In this episode, Dr. Tro and Alison talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (02:44) The multitude of difficulties faced by Type 1 diabetics every day

• (10:53) Treatment protocols for Type 1 patients—pumps and lifestyle changes—and why the low carb/keto diet is such an important therapy

• (20:44) The Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice and why Levemir is so important

• (27:50) Why pharmaceutical companies are not interested in producing and providing Levemir in the United States

• (37:00) How YOU can help support Alison and the mission of The Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice

• (40:48) 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 on the LCMD Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/podcast/episode-368-dr-ian-lake/

• Beth McNally on the LCMD Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/podcast/episode-370-beth-mcnally/

• Dr. Andrew Koutnik on the LCMD Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/podcast/episode-371-dr-andrew-koutnik/

• TYPEONEGRIT (FB Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/typeonegrit

• Dr. Bernstein’s Resources: https://www.diabetes-book.com

• SMHP Guidlines: https://thesmhp.org/clinical-guidelines/

Alison Smart:

• Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice: https://alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice.org

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice/

• X: https://x.com/InsulinChoice

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice

• Petition: https://alliancetoprotectinsulinchoice.org/sign-our-petition

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://www.doctortro.com/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro

• Instagram: 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://doctortro.com/community/