The Cancer Code: Dr. Jason Fung on Insulin, Fasting, and Cancer Prevention

Nov 11, 2025

Dr. Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist and best-selling author known for his work on metabolic health, dives deep into the connections between insulin, diet, and cancer prevention. He argues that cancer should be viewed as a metabolic condition influenced by lifestyle choices rather than mere genetic fate. Dr. Fung shares insights on the dangers of hyperinsulinemia and processed foods while advocating for fasting and nutritional strategies to mitigate cancer risk. He also discusses the promise of non-radiation screening technologies and the potential integration of metabolic interventions with traditional cancer treatments.

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INSIGHT

Insulin Is The Fertile Soil For Cancer

Excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia) drives obesity, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers by acting as a growth factor.
Fasting and lowering carbohydrates reduce insulin, shrinking the 'soil' that allows cancer to grow.

ADVICE

Lower Insulin With Fasting And Carb Control

Lower insulin by fasting and reducing refined carbohydrates to reduce cancer risk associated with obesity and diabetes.
Use dietary timing and carb reduction as practical tools to change your metabolic environment.

INSIGHT

Cancer Cells Struggle To Use Fat

Most normal cells can switch to burning fat, but many cancer cells cannot, making fasting or ketogenic states hostile to cancer growth.
This metabolic vulnerability explains why lower insulin and ketosis may slow cancer proliferation.

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In this special Q&A episode, Dr. Jason Fung joins TFM Coach Lisa and Community Mentor Patrice Michael to revisit The Cancer Code — five years after its release. Together, they explore how modern science is reframing cancer not as a disease of random genetic "bad luck," but as an evolutionary and metabolic condition deeply connected to insulin, diet, and lifestyle.

Dr. Fung explains how hyperinsulinemia, obesity, and processed foods create fertile "soil" for cancer to grow — and how fasting and nutritional strategies can help restore metabolic balance. He also discusses the link between hormones and cancer risk, new non-radiation screening technologies, and how combining traditional treatments with metabolic interventions may shape the future of cancer care.

Episode #231

🧭 Listener Questions Include:

What does current research say about fasting's potential role in cancer prevention, particularly for individuals with family histories of cancer?
How do insulin, IGF-1, and mTOR influence cancer risk — and what information exists comparing ketogenic versus plant-based diets for prevention and overall health?
For someone with a significant family cancer history (including aggressive cases in young adults), what non-radiation screening or imaging technologies are available?
Do bioidentical hormone replacement therapies increase cancer risk, and can fasting help reduce that risk?
What's your view on combining traditional treatments with metabolic interventions?
Can you tell us about your upcoming book, The Hunger Code?
If the cancer research community fully embraced your paradigm, what would be the top three research priorities?

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💡 Key Takeaway

"Cancer isn't just a disease of bad luck — it's a disease of metabolism. By changing the soil through fasting and nutrition, we can change the outcome."

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction 00:30 Welcome & Episode Overview 01:21 What current research says about fasting and cancer prevention 05:02 Insulin, IGF-1, and mTOR: How diet and lifestyle affect cancer risk 08:49 Comparing ketogenic and plant-based diets 12:31 Non-radiation cancer screening and emerging technologies 12:49 Hormone replacement therapy and cancer risk 17:59 Combining traditional treatments with metabolic approaches 24:37 Dr. Fung's next book: The Hunger Code 30:41 If cancer research embraced the metabolic paradigm 34:54 Final thoughts & takeaways

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.