Episode 124: Drs. Laura Buchanan and Matt Calkins

Laura Buchanan and Matt Calkins are a husband and wife team with a mission and a passion to help as many people as possible age successfully. Laura earned her M.D. from the University of Florida and holds a BS in biomedical sciences. Matt is an emergency medicine resident who loves studying the science of longevity, the optimization of all phases of health, and applying his knowledge to physician and patient wellness. Matt earned his M.D. from the University of Florida and holds a BS in physics.

Brian, Matt, and Laura talk about how each of them came to realize the power of the low-carb diet, and the many benefits of the direct primary care model of healthcare for both doctors and patients. They discuss how to motivate and empower patients to take control of their own health, how the predominate health care model in the United States could be better described as a sick care model, how the low-carb/keto diet and the DPC model might be able to make more of a breakthrough into the mainstream, the power of lifestyle/dietary intervention for mental health and mood, the difficulties involved in going through residency, and physician-burnout statistics.

Life's Best Medicine according to Matt: "I get a lot of fulfillment out of leaving things in a better state than I found them—even if it's incremental. That's why I like primary care. You don't have to change someone's lifestyle all in one day, but we can really be fulfilled in the small day-to-day changes that patients make."

Life's Best Medicine according to Laura: "It's the relationships—the people in my life. That's family, first and foremost, friends, even patients, and the people you encounter on a regular basis. All of those relationships make me excited to be alive. And if I can help make their lives better too then that is a win-win."

Life’s Best Medicine is sponsored by Simply Snackin’ on-the-go high-protein, low-carb, beef and chicken snacks crafted to be delicious AND nutritious, naturally!