Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Health | Dr. Alan Schaffer - E434

Dr. Alan Schaffer is a board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. With decades of clinical experience, he focuses on the intersection of respiratory health, sleep disorders, and metabolic health, including the role of nutrition and carbohydrate restriction in improving chronic disease. Dr. Schaffer practices with St. Peter's Health Partners in New York and is a frequent educator and media guest discussing conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and the broader drivers of cardiometabolic health.

In this episode, Drs. Tro and Alan talk about…

• (00:00) Intro

• (09:59) Sleep Medicine and metabolic health

• (13:37) Pulmonary Medicine and environmental factors

• (18:57) How Dr. Alan helps his patients improve their sleep quality and metabolic health

• (26:43) Helping late bloomer patients

• (32:30) How to help patients trust you as a doctor

• (37:07) Sleep apnea and CPAP

• (42:52) Sleep apnea tools and tips

• (46:08) Sleep tape

• (52:05) Didjeridoo

• (55:16) Weight loss and sleep apnea

• (01:01:52) The Cholesterol Code documentary (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 Cholesterol Code Screening (Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT): https://gathr.com/events/0ed2437d/the-cholesterol-code-at-amc-crystal-run-16

• Cholesterol Code Movie: https://cholesterolcodemovie.com

Dr. Alan Schaffer:

• https://www.sphp.com/provider/alan-edward-schaffer-md-sleep-medicine-0

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/