Low Carb MD Podcast

Exercise as Medicine: Rethinking Fitness for Metabolic Health | Peter Cummings MHP, NNP - E435

Low Carb MD Podcast

Show Notes

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/

More from Low Carb MD Podcast

Sep 28, 2026

Dr. Eric Berg, D.C., is a chiropractor, bestselling author, and internationally recognized health educator known for his work in ketogenic nutrition, intermittent fasting, and metabolic health. Through his popular YouTube channel and books, including The Healthy Keto Plan, Dr. Berg makes complex health topics accessible, helping millions explore the connections between nutrition, metabolism, and overall wellness. In this episode, Dr. Brian and Dr. Berg talk about… (00:00) Intro

Sep 21, 2026

A ketogenic diet can dramatically improve metabolic health while sending LDL-C through the roof. So what's actually happening? Dr. Josh Wageman and Dr. Laura Buchanan break down their new study, "Increased LDL-C reduction with ezetimibe in ketogenic diet-induced hypercholesterolemia." The results raise some fascinating questions. In 14 patients who developed very high LDL-C while following a ketogenic diet, ezetimibe cut median LDL-C from 254 to 127 mg/dL—a remarkable 53% reduction. Why was the response so much greater than what's typically seen with ezetimibe? Could altered cholesterol absorption help explain why some people experience dramatic LDL increases on keto? Josh Wageman, Matt Calkins, and Laura Buchanan take us inside the study, explore the biology behind the findings, discuss what the results can—and cannot—tell us about cardiovascular risk, and explain why much more research is needed. If you've ever wondered why LDL can rise so dramatically on a ketogenic diet—and what might be driving it—this is a conversation you won't want to miss. In this episode, Dr. Tro, Dr. Buchanan, Dr. Calkins, and Dr. Wageman talk about… (00:00) Intro

Sep 14, 2026

Anthony G. Jay, Ph.D., is a biochemist, researcher, bestselling author, and founder of AJ Consulting Company. His research background spans fats, hormones, cholesterol, genetics, epigenetics, stem cells, and infrared light, including work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mayo Clinic. Today, Dr. Jay combines his scientific expertise with public speaking and writing, exploring topics at the intersection of biology, health, and human performance. He and his wife homeschool their five children. In this episode, Dr. Brian and Dr. Jay talk about… (00:00) Intro

Sep 7, 2026

Dr. Annette Bosworth, known as Dr. Boz, is a physician, educator, and bestselling author who has become a leading voice in metabolic health and therapeutic nutrition. After witnessing firsthand the limitations of conventional approaches to chronic disease, she began exploring the powerful role of nutrition, fasting, and ketosis in improving health. Through her clinical work and popular educational platform, Dr. Boz helps people understand the science behind metabolic health and turn it into practical, sustainable strategies for everyday life. In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, and Dr. Annette talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:42) A little bit about Dr. Annette and an overview of the research she is working on (11:56) Dr. Annette's research on ketogenic patients and Tirzepatide (21:09) GLP1 non-responders (38:01) Sardine fasting (42:25) Food noise and behavioral change (49:35) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!

Aug 31, 2026

Brian Ruby is the founder of Medifoodz, a company focused on making therapeutic ketogenic nutrition more practical, accessible, and sustainable. Through Medifoodz's Glyvance program, Ruby is combining chef-prepared ketogenic meals with continuous glucose monitoring, digital support, and clinician oversight to help patients translate metabolic health science into everyday life. His work centers on one of the biggest challenges in nutrition-based care: not simply knowing what to eat, but making it easier to consistently eat that way. Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota, MD, PhD, FACP is an internist, metabolic researcher, and professor whose work focuses on human metabolism, ketone biology, and evidence-based approaches to metabolic disease. He earned his PhD in Physiology and Metabolism from the University of Oxford and has conducted research on exogenous ketones, glucose metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Zetia Study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12944-026-03034-w In this episode, Dr. Brian, Dr. Tro, Dr. Adrian, and Brian Ruby talk about… (00:00) Intro (02:20) Why Brian Ruby founded Medifoodz (09:49) Dr. Soto Mota's recent study pitting the ADA's recommended diet and a ketogenic diet (22:28) The hardest barrier to entry most people struggle to overcome when starting a keto diet (26:15) Why CGMs are so incredibly valuable sustainability (32:16) Babies, dogs, and real food (39:24) Big Food and subsidies (45:58) Real food and dietary motivation (51:38) The AHA recommended diet diabetes reversal (59:15) Accepting and embracing criticism (01:05:51) Dr. Soto Mota's recent Zetia Study (link below) (01:18:24) Outro

See all episodes →