Stefan Hartmann, MPAS, PA-C is the Founder and CEO of Iron Direct Primary Care. Stefan is German/American national raised by holistic parents where things such as Chinese Medicine, Tai-Chi and holistic approaches to healing were the mainstay. His various medical specialty experiences, background in sports & exercise science and relentless desire to understand how to achieve maximum vitality through nutrition, anti-aging medicine, biohacking and more has given him a unique perspective into the human condition.

In this episode, Dr. Tro and Stefan team talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (00:44) Some big news in the field of food addiction research

• (01:32) Stefan’s background and bio

• (13:30) The unique resources and approach used by Stefan and his team at Iron DPC to help patients

• (17:20) Why having lean muscle and building muscle is critical to longevity and metabolic health

• (22:22) How to get started with strength training

• (24:55) Assimilating holistic medicine and pharmaceutical knowledge

• (30:37) Veganism and human nutritional needs

• (40:43) ADHD and how we should ACTUALLY be treating it

• (48:26) Why building muscle is essential for seniors

• (57:52) Outro

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

Links:

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

Stefan Hartmann:

• Iron DPC: https://www.irondpc.com/why-iron-dpc'

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

• X: https://x.com/ironDPC

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnykOzujrhtfeP9Hi3uL1w/videos

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

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/

The Food Relationship Fix is a transformative one-day virtual webinar designed to help outsmart your drive to eat and break free from food addiction patterns and take back control of your eating habits. Join leading experts in medicine, nutrition, psychology, and behavior change for a day of learning, self-discovery, and actionable strategies.

Among the line-up of lecturers for this course are Dr. Jen Unwin, Dr. Rob Cywes, Dr. Tro Kalayjian and many other highly experienced coaches and medical practitioners. For details about the course and how to register, see the links below.

In this episode, Dr. Tro and the Toward Health team talk about…

• (00:00) Intro
• (00:01) The upcoming Food Relationship Fix webinar
• (01:47) New developments and breaking news in the food addiction research world
• (02:59) Kevin Hall’s research and why his recent findings on food addiction are not accurate
• (08:15) Lack of good, up to date nutrition information in medical education and how this issues perpetuates food addiction in the general population
• (13:10) The brain and food addiction
• (15:09) Recovery strategies for those struggling with food addiction
• (16:32) How to balance harm reduction strategies and abstinence during the recovery process
• (23:18) Shame, negative self-talk, and addiction
• (30:04) The confluence of circumstances and influences that make people primed and ready for addiction
• (35:21) The absolute NECESSITY of having a supportive community if you are in addiction recovery
• (42:47) How addiction keeps you trapped and how to counter its tricks
• (52:39) WHY community is essential for beating addiction
• (59:07) How to join Toward Health’s Food Relationship Fix webinar (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 Food Relationship Fix (Food Addiction Course): https://toward.health/food-addiction-webinar/

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/

Dr. Robert Kiltz is the Founder and Director of CNY Fertility, one of the largest and most innovative fertility practices in the country. Over more than two decades of helping families grow, Dr. Kiltz has developed cutting-edge approaches to fertility grounded in Western medicine and supported by practices of holistic medicine. To treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kiltz revolutionized the Fertility industry by providing full-service healing arts centers where patients receive massage, acupuncture, and yoga instruction. This patient-centered approach extends to Dr. Kiltz’s commitment to democratizing access to fertility treatments by pricing most fertility treatments at only 1/3 the cost of the national average.

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

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:25) Reaching corporate America with good nutrition information
• (08:18) What people struggling with fertility have to face in the current medical insurance model
• (13:35) How the dynamics of power and money are working against us to keep us domesticated and unhealthy
• (22:20) Why fasting is such an important tool for achieving metabolic health
• (25:53) Food addiction and fertility issues
• (34:59) Why you need to work on your mindset
• (40:09) Final thoughts on food addiction
• (46:20) Mold exposure, heavy metals, and fertility
• (48:06) Final words of wisdom on fertility

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

Links:

• The Food Relationship Fix (Food Addiction Course): https://toward.health/food-addiction-webinar/

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

Dr. Robert Kiltz:

• Website: https://www.doctorkiltz.com
• Blog: https://www.doctorkiltz.com/blog/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrRobLive
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorkiltz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorkiltz/
• TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorkiltz
• Books: https://www.doctorkiltz.com/books-by-dr-kiltz/

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/

Mike Sweeney (@thelowcarb_rd) is passionate about helping people with chronic disease avoid the chronic struggles that he himself faced. He reversed his own pre diabetes and keeps his IBS under control by living a low carb lifestyle. In 2024 he helped over 40 patients achieve diabetes remission and 15 patients become symptom free from IBS. Mike’s passion isn't just about food, it's about empowering people to take control of their health.

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

• (00:00) Intro

• (02:39) Mike’s educational background and nutritional journey

• (07:35) Mike’s first experience with the keto diet

• (16:30) The connection between carnivore/keto, mental health, and other positive health outcomes

• (19:42) The good health outcomes associated with higher protein intake

• (25:40) Why people generally do not like dietitians and nutritionists

• (30:29) Why it is so important in medicine and nutrition to keep an open mind and review the actual evidence for any position or recommendation before making a judgment

• (35:05) Why zebras don’t get ulcers

• (37:23) How industry and research is captured and made to serve corporate interests rather than public health

• (42:24) Educating versus legislating to achieve public health

• (01:04:45) Outro and 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:

• Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (book): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Zebras-Dont-Ulcers-Third/dp/0805073698

Mike Sweeney:

• X: https://x.com/thelowcarb_rd

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

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/

Dr. Ryan L. Cooley is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with over 20 years of experience treating heart rhythm disorders. After adopting a low-carb lifestyle himself, he reversed his pre-diabetes—an experience that reshaped his approach to patient care. Now, he’s a dedicated advocate for low-carb and ketogenic diets, often pairing them with intermittent fasting to help patients take control of their cardiometabolic health. Driven by both science and personal success, Dr. Cooley empowers others to make lasting, life-changing dietary choices.

In this episode, Drs. Tro, Brian, and Ryan talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (02:39) Dr. Ryan’s recent experience of being diagnosed with and fighting prostate cancer with natural metabolic therapies

• (11:34) Dr. Ryan’s heart attack experience and what he learned from this experience

• (16:48) Gene mutations that make people more susceptible to obesity

• (23:19) Dr. Ryan’s revelations about the medical system and nutrition following his heart attack

• (30:00) Vitamin C and cancer

• (31:50) Molecular Hydrogen Treatment

• (35:15) How exercise may have contributed to Dr. Ryan’s cardiovascular troubles

• (37:05) LDL and cardiac events

• (39:29) Atrial fibrillation and insulin resistance

• (42:57) Treating atrial fibrillation

• (48:05) How Dr. Ryan’s colleagues have responded to his holistic approach to chronic disease

• (50:10) Increased AF diagnoses in younger people in recent years

• (53:39) How Dr. Ryan changed his diet following his cancer diagnosis

• (57:43) Thermogenic stress

• (59:13) Stress and metabolic health

• (01:03:02) Hydrogenated water and why hydrogen is the best antioxidant

• (01:06:45) Protein and mTOR

• (01:08:40) All of the supplements Dr. Ryan takes for their cancer fighting benefits and/or their cardiovascular benefits

• (01:12:24) How Dr. Ryan’s near death experiences have changed his outlook on life

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

Links:

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

Dr. Ryan L. Cooley:

• Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMetabochondriacs

• Inter Mountain Health: https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/ryan-l-cooley/2556896

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/

Gregory Rehmke is Program Director for Economic Thinking—a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching economic principles and the key role of economic freedom, property rights, and the rule of law to progress and prosperity in America and around the world.

He has directed educational programs at the Center for the American Idea, The Reason Foundation, and the Foundation for Economic Education.

Gregory Rehmke has a degree in Economics from the University of Washington and did graduate work at the University of St. Thomas and San Jose State University.

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

• (00:00) Intro

• (06:31) Finding and working toward bipartisan agreement on very important issues related to health

• (09:28) Health savings accounts and why Singapore’s health care system is the best in the world

• (13:41) The economic incentive model and health care

• (24:50) Why minorities and those in lower economic groups are at a much higher risk for health issues

• (34:36) Employee and student wellness

• (40:48) Reaching people with the message of metabolic health

• (46:20) Perverse incentive structures in healthcare and how they can be effectively reformed

• (57:10) The power of anecdotes for promoting good health information

• (01:03:18) Some potential issues with deregulating HSAs

• (01:06:08) The advancement of good metabolic health information over the past decade or so

• (01:08:50) Outro and 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:

• Medicine and Culture (book by Lynn Payer): https://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Culture-Revised-Lynn-Payer

• For Richer, for Poorer: Low-Carb Diets Work for All Incomes: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/richer-poorer-low-carb-diets-work-all-incomes-2024a1000cw5?form=fpf

Gregory Rehmke:

• Economic Thinking: https://economicthinking.org/

• State Policy Network: https://spn.org/

• STOA Debate League: https://www.stoausa.org

• Normal Nutrition (substack): https://normalnutrition.substack.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://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. Dr. Laura Buchanan is board certified in Family Medicine and is on the board of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Florida and was a valedictorian of her class at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She is on staff at Dr. Tro’s Medical Weight Loss & Direct Primary Care.

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

• (00:00) Intro

• (03:19) When and how Dr. Laura knew she wanted to go into some form of medical practice and become a doctor

• (07:25) Dr. Laura’s experience working at a small rural hospital in Peru

• (09:15) The story of how Dr. Laura met her husband, Dr. Matt Calkins

• (10:31) Some of the most prominent issues with Western medical education and standard nutritional information

• (14:39) Issues with the medical insurance system in the United States

• (21:50) Dr. Tro’s Employee Wellness Program

• (26:15) The initial 6 month data results of Dr. Tro and Dr. Laura’s employee wellness program study (see links below)

• (28:59) The incredible effectiveness of DPC and remote monitoring and remote patient care

• (33:51) The most important findings presented in the Toward Health paper

• (36:30) The GLP-1 medications’ benefits and downsides for weight loss and metabolic health

• (43:35) The highlight findings of the Toward Health study

• (49:52) Outro

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

Links:

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

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Toward Health Study: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1548609/full

Dr. Laura Buchanan:

• Twitter

• The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners

• Website

• Instagram

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/