Cancer As A Metabolic Disease with Dr. Thomas Seyfried! 060
Feb 22, 2021
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Dr. Thomas Seyfried, a true warrior in the fight against cancer, discusses his research on the metabolic aspects of cancer cells, emphasizing the importance of cutting off the fuel for cancer which primarily includes glucose and glutamine. He explores the lack of progress in cancer research and treatment and proposes a better and safer way forward to enhance treatment and outcomes for patients. The potential benefits of a ketogenic diet and fasting in cancer treatment are also highlighted.
Metabolic therapy targeting glucose and glutamine shows promise in managing and possibly resolving cancer, offering a less toxic and potentially more effective approach than traditional treatments.
Cancer is fundamentally a mitochondrial metabolic disease, not primarily a genetic disease, and treatments that solely target genetic mutations do not effectively address the metabolic aspects of cancer.
Fasting and ketogenic diets can play a role in cancer management and prevention by targeting cancer cells that rely on glucose and glutamine for fuel while maintaining the metabolic health of normal cells.
Deep dives
Metabolic Therapy for Cancer: Targeting Glucose and Glutamine
Metabolic therapy, which targets glucose and glutamine, has shown promising results in managing and possibly resolving cancer. Rather than relying solely on traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, this approach focuses on the metabolic components of cancer cells. By reducing glucose and glutamine and elevating ketone bodies through a ketogenic diet, researchers have observed significant reductions in tumor growth. The key is to simultaneously target both fuels while maintaining a healthy metabolic state. While this alternative therapy requires further clinical trials and is not widely recognized within the medical community, it offers a less toxic and potentially more effective approach to cancer management and prevention.
Why Current Cancer Treatments Fall Short
Standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been largely unsuccessful in managing and resolving cancer. These therapies are often based on the misunderstanding that cancer is primarily a genetic disease. However, research has shown that cancer is fundamentally a mitochondrial metabolic disease. As a result, treatments that solely target genetic mutations do not effectively address the metabolic aspects of cancer. This contributes to minimal increases in overall survival rates and a lack of significant progress in managing the disease. Shifting the focus towards metabolic therapies that target glucose and glutamine shows promise in achieving long-term survival and resolution of cancer.
The Role of Fasting and Ketogenic Diets
Fasting and ketogenic diets have been linked to cancer management and prevention. Fasting, specifically water-only therapeutic fasting, has shown therapeutic benefits, including targeting cancer cells. While it can be challenging for some individuals, transitioning to a ketogenic diet before attempting fasting can make the process easier. The ketogenic state achieved through fasting or a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet can reduce inflammation, increase fat burning, and starve cancer cells that rely on glucose and glutamine for fuel. This approach, along with strategic drug interventions, aims to degrade tumors while maintaining the metabolic health of normal cells.
The Controversy Surrounding Biopsies
Needle biopsies, commonly used for cancer diagnosis, can potentially increase the risk of cancer spreading due to the inflammation caused by the procedure. Some research suggests that the immune response triggered by the biopsy can result in the metastasis of cancer cells. This raises questions about the necessity and potential harms of biopsies. Non-invasive alternatives such as PET and MRI scans should be considered for diagnosis whenever possible. The focus should be on reducing inflammation and managing cancer through metabolic therapies rather than invasive procedures that can potentially contribute to the spread of the disease.
Preventing Cancer Through Diet and Lifestyle
Preventing cancer starts with maintaining healthy mitochondria through diet and lifestyle choices. By prioritizing a diet and lifestyle that supports mitochondrial health, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing cancer. Research has shown that chimpanzees, our closest genetic relatives, have a low incidence of cancer due to their natural diet and lifestyle. While complete avoidance of cancer risk factors may be challenging for some, adopting a ketogenic or low-glycemic diet, along with intermittent fasting and metabolic therapies, can mitigate risk and potentially prevent the development of cancer.
Dr. Thomas Seyfried is a true warrior in the fight against cancer. He has dedicated his life to finding the true causes of the disease that kills so many Americans, including my mother in 2006. He wrote a book in 2012 called "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On The Origins, Management, and Treatment of Cancer" The money and research that has been poured into thinking that cancer is a genetic disease had been controversial, and hasn't improved many outcomes for the diagnosed patients. Dr. Seyfried has another idea: cut off the fuel for cancer, which is primarily glucose and glutamine, and then deal with the issue, which potentially could avoid poisoning via chemotherapy and irradiation using radiation therapy. Dr. Seyfried is clear in saying that these treatments have saved millions of lives, but proposed a better and safer way forward. This cause is near and dear to my heart, and we are so grateful for Dr. Seyfried and his work, and his willingness to come to our show to discuss his research!
