The Lifestyle MD

Episode 044: Breaking Barriers: One Man's Journey Back to Health

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/fan_mail/new] From Avoiding Doctors to Reversing Insulin Resistance: David’s Lifestyle Medicine Wake-Up Call Dr. Angela interviews her patient David, a 63-year-old Michigan business owner and single dad of five, about overcoming decades of distrust in healthcare shaped by unresolved family illness and his mother’s heavy medication burden. After years of self-directed health efforts (fasting, workouts, cold plunges) and increasing stress while caregiving, David developed dizzy spells and ordered extensive labs himself, which revealed severe insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk alongside a history of blood clots and a pulmonary embolism. Fear prompted him to join Dr. Angela’s lifestyle-focused practice, use AI tools to interpret labs and food choices, eliminate added sugar and processed foods, adopt targeted supplements, and make small sustainable dietary swaps. Within 30–60 days his glucose dropped from 144 to 89 and free testosterone roughly doubled, with noticeable improvements in vision, urinary symptoms, body composition, and overall wellbeing, emphasizing longevity, self-awareness, and sustainable habits. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Meet David 06:07 Distrust of Doctors 12:54 The Turning Point 23:04 Joining the Practice 29:09 The Lab Results 38:03 Insulin, Testosterone & Body Changes 44:39 Sustaining the Lifestyle 54:08 Food & Cooking Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/support] Follow me on Instagram @angelalifestylemd and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my podcast & SHARE this episode.

Soundbite Episode 006: How to Stop Overpaying for Prescriptions: Cash Pricing, Coupons, and Smarter Pharmacy Shopping

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/fan_mail/new] How to Stop Overpaying for Prescriptions: Cash Pricing, Coupons, and Smarter Pharmacy Shopping Dr. Angela explains why prescription costs can spike even with insurance, emphasizing that coverage depends on insurer formularies shaped by contracts among insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and manufacturers, which can change midyear and trigger denials, step therapy, and prior authorizations. She offers practical strategies to lower costs: start with manufacturer websites for brand-name drugs to find savings cards, copay assistance, or direct-to-consumer cash programs (not typically for Medicare/Medicaid); use generics when possible and compare transparent cash options like Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs and GoodRx; ask direct primary care practices about at-cost dispensing; price-shop across pharmacies and ask pharmacists for the best cash price; and request a 90-day supply when stable, noting stricter rules for controlled medications but potential cash-pay options.  For a list of websites for medication discounts, see the companion blog post: https://www.dpcwestmi.com/blog/why-your-medication-costs-so-much----and-7-ways-to-save-money-on-prescriptions 00:00 Stop Overpaying Intro 01:30 Why Insurance Denies 02:54 Prior Auth Chaos 03:45 Pricing Disclaimer 04:15 Manufacturer Savings 05:54 Generics And Cash 07:21 Direct Primary Care 07:47 Compare Pharmacy Prices 09:30 Ask For 90 Days 11:27 Final Checklist Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/support] Follow me on Instagram @angelalifestylemd and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my podcast & SHARE this episode.

Episode 043: Midlife, Menopause & Motivation: Staying Consistent with Healthy Habits When Life Gets Busy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/fan_mail/new] Why does staying consistent suddenly feel so much harder in midlife and menopause — especially when life already feels overwhelming? f you’ve ever thought, “I know what I should be doing… I just can’t seem to stay consistent,” — this episode is for you. In this episode of The Lifestyle MD, Dr. Angela Andrews sits down with returning guest and midlife consistency consultant Cara Michelle to explore why so many women struggle with consistency in midlife, especially when balancing careers, family, changing hormones, stress, and the demands of everyday life. Together, they discuss a refreshing, realistic approach to self-care that moves away from perfection and focuses on building sustainable habits that actually fit your life. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout, changing energy levels, sleep struggles, or simply feeling unlike yourself, this conversation offers practical encouragement and a framework for moving forward. In this episode, we discuss: ✔ Why consistency matters more than perfection  ✔ The role of vision and identity in lasting behavior change  ✔ Why healthy habits feel harder in midlife  ✔ Menopause, hormones, and changing energy levels  ✔ Creating realistic nutrition, movement, and sleep routines  ✔ Building a “bounce back” plan when life gets overwhelming  ✔ How women can redefine self-care without guilt Cara shares her Midlife Consistency Framework, which focuses on: *  Anchoring your vision  *  Creating a realistic journey  *  Building an environment that promotes success  *  Developing a sustainable bounce-back plan  This episode is a reminder that thriving in midlife isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about finding a sustainable path that works for your life. Connect with Cara Michelle: Website: strengthvitalitywellness.com Webinar: strengthvitalitywellness.com/msvwebinar Email: caramichelle@strengthvitalitywellness.com,  🎙️ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another woman who may benefit from this conversation. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/support] Follow me on Instagram @angelalifestylemd and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my podcast & SHARE this episode.

Soundbite Episode 005:   The Silent Risk - Protecting Your Heart Through the Menopause Transition

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/fan_mail/new] Perimenopause and menopause are about more than hot flashes and mood changes—they’re also a critical time to assess long-term health risks. In this episode, Dr. Angela explains why cardiovascular disease risk rises during the menopause transition, often silently, and why women should know their blood pressure, cholesterol, ApoB, Lipoprotein(a), and overall metabolic health. She also shares practical prevention steps and why the most important intervention may sometimes be reducing heart attack or stroke risk—not just treating symptoms. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/support] Follow me on Instagram @angelalifestylemd and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my podcast & SHARE this episode.

Soundbite Episode 004: Updated Cholesterol Guidelines Explained

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/fan_mail/new] Dr. Angela breaks down the 2026 updated cholesterol guidelines in this essential episode for anyone concerned about heart health. Discover why these new guidelines represent a major shift toward precision prevention—moving beyond simple LDL numbers to give you a complete picture of your cardiovascular risk. What You'll Learn: * Why everyone should get their Lipoprotein A (LP(a)) tested at least once—it reveals genetic risk independent of lifestyle * The importance of Apo B testing and the "Mini Coopers vs Escalades" analogy that hopefully makes it crystal clear * When coronary calcium scoring can be the "tiebreaker test" for starting medication * How the new PREVENT risk calculator improves on the outdated ASCVD calculator with expanded age ranges and social determinants Key Takeaway: We're finally moving toward precision prevention—understanding what's behind your risk, not just treating numbers. This is the direction medicine needs to go. Perfect for patients who want to understand their heart health and healthcare providers looking to stay current with the latest evidence-based guidelines. Episode Chapters: * 0:24 - Introduction to New Cholesterol Guidelines * 0:46 - Lipoprotein A (LP(a)) Testing * 2:11 - Apolipoprotein B Testing * 4:14 - Coronary Calcium Scoring * 6:00 - New PREVENT Risk Calculator * 7:21 - Risk Categories & Personal Experience * 8:22 - Key Takeaways & Summary Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181307/support] Follow me on Instagram @angelalifestylemd and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my podcast & SHARE this episode.