Degrees of Health Dr Tomás Duraj | Part 1 Targeting Cancer Metabolism - Why Mitochondria Matter More Than Mutations
We’ve been told for decades that cancer is a genetic disease - a matter of unlucky mutations. But what if we’ve been starting in the wrong place?
In this two-part episode, medical doctor and cancer metabolism researcher Dr. Tomás Duraj takes us through a paradigm-shifting look at cancer - exploring the metabolic theory, how it contrasts with the prevailing somatic mutation theory, and why mitochondrial dysfunction may hold the key to both treatment and prevention.
This episode covers the history of cancer theory, the evolutionary biology behind it, and why current models might be missing the mark by focusing on downstream symptoms instead of upstream causes.
In Part 1, we cover:
🧬 The somatic mutation theory vs. the metabolic theory of cancer🧠 Why mitochondria may be the origin, not a side-effect📚 The history of cancer theory - and why we got stuck on genetics🧪 Redefining the Warburg effect and oxidative phosphorylation🧬 BRCA mutations, mitochondrial signalling & inherited risk⚡ Energy before all else - how bioenergetics impacts everything🍽️ Why dietary interventions (like ketogenic therapy) are still so misunderstood
This conversation is foundational - if you want to understand why cancer research has been stalling (and where the future might be), this is where to start and end.
🎙️ Stay tuned for Part 2, where Dr Tomás dives into the potential of metabolic therapies in real-life application and treatment frameworks.
Mentioned in this episode:
Book - Tripping Over The Truth by Travis Christofferson
Paper The Warburg hypothesis and the emergence of the mitochondrial metabolic theory of cancer
Paper - Successful application of dietary ketogenic metabolic therapy in patients with glioblastoma
Find Dr Duraj:
Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy Forum
Dr Seyfried’s lab at Boston College
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