Degrees of Health cover image

Degrees of Health

Dr Tomás Duraj | Part 2 Can You Starve Cancer? | Mitochondria, Ketones & The New Metabolic Playbook

Apr 17, 2025
01:10:28

In Part 1, we laid the foundation for a new understanding of cancer - one that begins with mitochondrial dysfunction and the bioenergetic breakdown of cells. In Part 2, we move into the real-world implications: how we treat, manage, and potentially prevent cancer using a metabolic lens.


Dr. Tomás Duraj explores the emerging tools and protocols being studied - from ketogenic metabolic therapies to glutamine inhibition, and how combining dietary strategies with systemic approaches might redefine cancer care completely. It is not throwing away what we already know, but rather using what we know works and disregarding what doesn’t. 


We also look at the failures of past trials, why so many therapies underperform, and what happens when the patient shifts from passive recipient to active participant in their treatment.


In Part 2, we cover:

🥑 The difference between dietary and pharmacological ketogenic therapy

📉 Why traditional cancer treatment starts backwards - and what to consider instead

📊 GKI (Glucose Ketone Index) as a key metabolic marker

⚙️ Using fasting, exercise, and ketones to shift cellular metabolism

🧬 How patient-led protocols could shape future cancer trials

🧠 The potential of metabolism-based priming for immunotherapy success

⏱️ Why time, compliance, and education are critical variables in success


This episode isn’t just about understanding cancer - it’s about reimagining how we treat it, measure it, and empower patients to become collaborators in their own care.


Mentioned in this episode:

Publications

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:

Website

Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy Forum

Dr Seyfried’s lab at Boston College

Donate to the lab


Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube

Instagram  @degreesofhealth

Disclaimer


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner