Cancer Can't Stand This Diet: Dr. William Li's Anti-Cancer Nutrition Breakthroughs
May 1, 2024
auto_awesome
Dr. William Li discusses leveraging food for optimal health, the importance of eating to beat disease, the 5 x 5 x 5 plan for optimal health defense systems, misconceptions about dairy and soy, the role of polyphenols in cancer prevention, and activating the body's defense systems against threats like cancer cells.
Eating whole soy products like edamame and tofu can provide protein and unique polyphenols for health benefits.
Quality dairy from grass-fed cows offers probiotic benefits and essential nutrients, while processed dairy products should be avoided.
Opting for organic and minimally processed foods ensures higher nutrient density and well-being.
Inflammatory ultra-processed snacks can provoke inflammation and should be minimized for overall health support.
Deep dives
The Importance of Omega-3s and Quality Dairy for Optimal Health
Omega-3s are crucial for gut, brain, and immune health, and can be found in fish like salmon, sea bass, and also in cod and other fatty fish. Quality dairy sourced from grass-fed pastured cows can be beneficial, offering probiotic benefits and essential nutrients, but low-fat and processed dairy products with additives should be avoided.
Nuanced View on Soy Consumption and its Health Benefits
Eating whole soy products like edamame, tofu, tempeh, and traditional fermented soy foods like miso and natto can provide protein, fiber, and unique polyphenols that offer various health benefits. Soy myths associating it with negative effects on women's health are debunked, emphasizing the importance of consuming unprocessed soy products.
Sourcing and Preparation of Soy Products for Maximum Health Benefits
Choosing natural, fermented, and minimally processed soy products like edamame, tofu, and tempeh is crucial for maximizing their health benefits. Traditional soy foods from Asian cuisine contribute beneficial compounds that can support metabolism, circulation, and even combat cancer growth through their diverse phytochemical content.
The Significance of Quality Sourcing and Preparation in Food Choices
Opting for organic and regeneratively sourced foods, such as organic dairy, grass-fed meat, and non-GMO soy products, ensures higher nutrient density and fewer harmful additives. Prioritizing whole, minimally processed foods over ultra-processed options is key for optimal health and well-being.
Consuming Soy for Breast Cancer Prevention
Consuming soy, particularly in amounts equivalent to 10 grams or more per day, has been linked to a 30% decrease in the risk of mortality among women at high risk for breast cancer. Additionally, those who consumed the most soy showed a nearly 30% decrease in cancer recurrence after treatment, based on findings from the Shanghai Women's Breast Cancer Study.
Avoiding Inflammatory Foods and Ultra-processed Snacks
Inflammatory foods, particularly ultra-processed snacks like chips and neon-colored processed foods, can have detrimental effects on health by provoking inflammation in the body. These foods, commonly found in the snack aisle or Halloween candies, can lead to increased inflammation and should be minimized in the diet to support overall health.
Leveraging Food as Medicine and Supplements for Health Defense Systems
Food can be considered a form of medicine, with specific nutrients and supplements playing a role in enhancing the body's health defense systems. Key elements such as omega-3 supplements, vitamin D, and probiotics can help in boosting the body's healing, repair, and regeneration mechanisms. Understanding the importance of diversity in food choices and the appropriate dosage of supplements contributes to optimizing health and potentially reversing disease processes.
Each bite of food we eat has the potential to modulate our genetics and impact every cell of the body—don’t you want those levers to be moving in the right direction? Eating for health is one thing, but eating to beat disease is an even more intentional step toward prevention and longevity. I was so excited to sit down with internationally renowned physician, scientist, and author Dr. William Li to discuss how we can leverage food to optimize every system of the body.
We dig into:
How Dr. Li got interested in “Food As Medicine” while developing cancer treatments
Why eating to beat disease is not the same as eating for health
What food would Dr. Li bring with him if he was going to be stuck on an island?
One thing Dr. Li knows everyone needs to do better
Is dairy good or bad?
What’s the deal with soy?
The 5 defense systems to support optimal health and Dr. Li’s 5 x 5 x 5 plan
We talk about this and so much more. I know you’ll love this conversation as much as I did!
This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, BIOptimizers, Timeline Nutrition, and Momentous.
Streamline your lab orders with Rupa Health. Access more than 3,000 specialty lab tests and register for a FREE live demo at RupaHealth.com.
Tackle an overlooked root cause of stress with Magnesium Breakthrough. Visit bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%.
Support essential mitochondrial health and save 10% on Mitopure. Visit TimelineNutrition.com/Drhyman and use code DRHYMAN10.
Head over to LiveMomentous.com/Mark for 20% off creatine, collagen, and all of their best-in-class products.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode