The Chronic Disease Expert: We Can Now Reverse Stage 4 Cancer! This Is Feeding Your Cancer Cells!

Dr. William Lee, a Harvard-trained physician and medical scientist, discusses revolutionary insights into disease prevention and treatment, emphasizing the role of the body's natural defense systems and the impact of diet on health. He highlights the alarming rise in chronic diseases linked to lifestyle and environmental factors, such as microplastics and processed foods, while advocating for the consumption of over 200 studied foods that can bolster health defenses. Dr. Lee shares breakthroughs in cancer treatment, particularly immunotherapy, and underscores the importance of a balanced diet, including foods like tomatoes, tree nuts, and tea, to enhance longevity and reduce disease risk.

• Dr. William Lee, a Harvard-trained physician and medical scientist, presents a groundbreaking perspective on cancer, emphasizing the body's innate health defense mechanisms.
• He highlights that our bodies make approximately 10,000 DNA mistakes daily, each a potential microscopic cancer, but our health defense systems prevent these from developing into clinical diseases.
• The increase in chronic diseases is partly due to lifestyle and dietary habits from decades ago, but scientific advancements are offering new solutions.

"Every 24 hours, there are 10,000 mistakes that are made in your body. Each of those is a microscopic cancer."

• This quote underscores the constant occurrence of potential cancerous mutations in the body, emphasizing the role of the body's defense systems in preventing disease onset.

• Dr. Lee's research highlights how certain foods can bolster the body's natural defenses against diseases, including cancer.
• He mentions over 200 foods that can help starve cancer cells, advocating for dietary changes as a form of proactive health management.
• The consumption of certain foods and excess sodium, sugar, and alcohol can weaken these defenses, increasing disease risk.

"We know that if you boost your immune system with foods, with exercise, diet, lifestyle, you're going to actually make your immune defenses a lot stronger to patrol your body to wipe out those microscopic cancers."

• This quote emphasizes the impact of diet and lifestyle on strengthening the immune system to combat potential diseases.

• Despite having more health information than ever, chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer are on the rise.
• The industrialization of food and healthcare, along with environmental degradation, has contributed to these health challenges.
• There is a need for a societal shift towards preventive health measures and better lifestyle choices.

"As a nation, it feels like we've got more information than ever before, but when you look at the objective numbers, for some reason, we're not going in the right direction."

• This quote reflects the paradox of increased health information but worsening health statistics, highlighting the need for actionable changes.

• Dr. Lee discusses the potential to reverse cancer progression from stage four to stage zero, focusing on the immune system's role in healing.
• He challenges the notion that cancer is purely a game of chance, explaining how lifestyle choices can influence cancer outcomes.
• New scientific breakthroughs are exploring how to harness the body's natural processes to fight cancer more effectively than traditional pharmaceuticals.

"I've had well over a dozen patients and there are hundreds of people like this that are starting to form that can go from stage four cancer that's game over cancer to stage zero."

• This quote illustrates the potential for significant cancer recovery through enhanced immune function and lifestyle changes.

• Chronic stress and poor sleep can significantly weaken the body's health defenses, making individuals more susceptible to diseases.
• Stress affects immune function, blood pressure, and DNA integrity, while sleep is crucial for brain detoxification and metabolic balance.
• Maintaining a balance of stress and ensuring adequate sleep are vital for optimal health.

"When you're stressed and you're not getting good sleep, you start to accumulate these toxins that are never quite cleaned up and your brain is not that cleaned up."

• This quote highlights the detrimental effects of stress and inadequate sleep on brain health and overall well-being.

• There is a notable increase in early-onset cancers, particularly among younger populations in developed countries.
• Factors contributing to this trend include lifestyle, dietary habits, and possibly environmental influences.
• The need for further research and public health strategies to address these rising cancer rates is critical.

"Globally early onset cancer incidents have risen by about 80% by 1990 and 2019."

• This quote points to the alarming rise in early-onset cancers, suggesting an urgent need to understand and mitigate contributing factors.

• Discussion on the increase in diagnosed clinical cancer incidences due to environmental factors.
• Concerns about exposure to toxic elements and the compromise of health defenses.
• Historical perspective on the rarity of colorectal cancer in younger individuals compared to the present situation.

"There are more toxic elements in our environment that we're being exposed to, leading to earlier incidents of clinical cancer."

• The environment and its changes are contributing to the increased frequency of cancer diagnoses.

"When I went to medical school, colorectal cancer was something that you rarely saw in people even in their 50s."

• Colorectal cancer, once rare in younger populations, is now being diagnosed in teenagers, indicating a shift in environmental and lifestyle factors.

• Introduction to the issue of microplastics and their presence in the human body.
• Microplastics are found in various human tissues and are linked to inflammation.
• Studies show significant quantities of microplastics in the human brain and other organs.

"The amount of plastic found in the average human brain is about the amount you'd find in a typical plastic picnic spoon."

• Microplastics accumulate in the body, suggesting significant exposure over time.

"Those men who had plastic embedded in their blood vessel lining had a four-fold increase in the chances of having a fatal heart attack or a stroke years later."

• Presence of microplastics in blood vessels is associated with increased risk of serious cardiovascular events.

• Practical suggestions to reduce microplastic exposure include avoiding plastic utensils and opting for ceramic or glass alternatives.
• Awareness of microplastic shedding from tea bags and other food packaging.

"The easiest way to lower your exposure to microplastics is to throw out your plastic cups, your plastic plates, and your plastic silverware."

• Simple lifestyle changes can significantly reduce microplastic exposure.

"Tea bags can shed microplastics, so you can have a billion particles of microplastic shed from a single teabag."

• Awareness of microplastic shedding from common items like tea bags is crucial for reducing exposure.

• Exploration of the health benefits of different types of tea, particularly green tea and matcha.
• Matcha is highlighted as a potent source of polyphenols with various health benefits.
• Discussion on the unexpected potency of Earl Grey tea in supporting blood vessel health.

"Green tea, which is universally healthy, lowers the risk of inflammation, improves metabolism, and lowers the risk of cancer."

• Green tea is recognized for its comprehensive health benefits, including cancer risk reduction.

"English tea, specifically Earl Grey tea, was the most potent when it actually supported your blood vessels."

• Earl Grey tea is unexpectedly effective in promoting blood vessel health, challenging assumptions about tea varieties.

• Matcha's unique preparation process enhances its health benefits.
• Matcha's polyphenols have been found to kill breast cancer stem cells in laboratory settings.

"Matcha is truly a superenriched polyphenol enriched tea."

• Matcha's preparation process makes it a concentrated source of beneficial polyphenols.

"The polyphenols found in matcha have been found in the lab to kill breast cancer stem cells."

• Matcha's potential in targeting cancer stem cells highlights its role in cancer prevention.

• Explanation of colorectal anatomy and its relation to rising cancer rates.
• Processed meats are linked to higher colorectal cancer risk.
• Importance of diet in influencing colorectal cancer incidence.

"Processed meats are highly linked to an increased risk of bowel cancers."

• Diet, particularly processed meats, is a significant factor in colorectal cancer risk.

• Explanation of angiogenesis and its role in cancer development.
• The body's angiogenesis system is a critical health defense mechanism.
• Foods can influence angiogenesis, either promoting or inhibiting blood vessel growth.

"Our circulation is one of our body's health defense systems, delivering blood to every organ and tissue."

• The angiogenesis system is essential for maintaining health and preventing disease.

"Eating foods like artichokes or strawberries can help your body prevent extra blood vessels from growing towards cancer."

• Certain foods can inhibit angiogenesis, reducing cancer risk by preventing unnecessary blood vessel growth.

• Exploration of the concept of food as medicine, with foods having drug-like potency.
• Experimentation with food powders reveals their potential to influence angiogenesis.
• Foods offer immediate and accessible health benefits without the toxicity of drugs.

"Foods have potency just like drugs."

• Foods can exert significant health effects, comparable to pharmaceuticals.

"A food has immediacy. If you discover something amazing about a food, that immediacy could be used beneficially without toxicity."

• The immediate and non-toxic nature of food makes it a powerful tool for health improvement.

• Personal anecdotes about family experiences with cancer and the evolving landscape of cancer treatment.
• Immunotherapy as a breakthrough in cancer treatment, harnessing the body's defenses.
• The role of diet in supporting cancer treatment and recovery.

"My mother had immunotherapy, and her own 80-year-old immune system woke up like an army of super soldiers and went after that cancer."

• Immunotherapy represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, utilizing the body's natural defenses.

"We completely adjusted her diet so that her body between treatments would be as strong as possible."

• Diet plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments and supporting recovery.

• Traditional cancer diagnosis involves biopsy and basic examination, often leading to limited treatment options.
• New frontier in cancer therapy involves full genetic sequencing of tumors to identify specific mutations.
• Use of artificial intelligence to differentiate between normal and cancerous cells, identifying key mutations responsible for cancer.

"What if I told you that where we are headed with cancer therapy is a new frontier where you take the tumor with the biopsy, sure, look it under the microscope, call it out, define what it is, and then you send it to a lab where you do complete full-on genetics."

• This quote highlights the shift from traditional biopsy methods to advanced genetic sequencing for precise cancer treatment.

"Imagine you can take these human cancer mutations on the bottom of this glass screen and you can just randomly with your fingers pick out 20 random mutations and move them up on the screen."

• The analogy illustrates the process of identifying and connecting cancer mutations to tailor personalized treatments.

• Development of peptide vaccine treatments that stimulate the immune system to target cancer cells.
• Clinical trials show promising results in extending life expectancy for patients with aggressive cancers like glioblastoma.
• Importance of personalized cancer vaccines in activating the immune system to fight cancer.

"Now you take that protein and you inject it under the skin and you're challenging your own immune system."

• This quote emphasizes the innovative approach of using personalized proteins to stimulate the immune system against cancer.

"With this treatment, we've been able to actually show that some patients with their own immune system woken up can actually keep them alive and cancer-free brain cancer."

• Demonstrates the potential of immunotherapy in achieving long-term cancer remission.

• Certain gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, are linked to better responses to immunotherapy.
• Presence of specific bacteria can significantly impact the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
• Foods that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria can enhance treatment outcomes.

"The responders had one bacteria called Akkermansia muciniphila."

• Highlights the critical role of specific gut bacteria in determining the success of immunotherapy.

"Pomegranate juice. Pomegranate seeds will grow Akkermansia. Cranberries, cranberry juice, dried cranberries will grow Akkermansia."

• Lists foods that support the growth of beneficial bacteria, enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness.

• Many popular diets are difficult to maintain long-term and may not lead to sustainable health benefits.
• Emphasis on adopting a balanced, enjoyable, and sustainable diet inspired by healthy cuisines, such as the Mediterranean diet.
• Importance of finding a personal dietary approach that is enjoyable and sustainable for long-term health.

"Trending diets are well-intentioned and they often are designed to do one thing, but you can't keep it up."

• Critiques the practicality of popular diets and advocates for sustainable eating habits.

"Mediterranean is what how I tell people I actually eat. That's my quote diet."

• Endorses the Mediterranean diet as a model for balanced and enjoyable eating.

• Japanese culture emphasizes modesty in eating, contributing to longer lifespans.
• Avoidance of overeating and caloric restriction are key factors in promoting longevity.
• Cultural practices, such as stopping eating when 80% full, help prevent overconsumption.

"They don't overeat. And I'm giving a purposeful pause there because overeating, caloric loading, is very damaging to our metabolism."

• Explains how Japanese dietary practices contribute to health and longevity.

"Stop eating when you're 80% full."

• A cultural practice that helps prevent overeating and supports metabolic health.

• Body fat is an essential organ that serves protective and energy storage functions.
• Different types of fat (white and brown) have distinct roles and metabolic impacts.
• Brown fat can be activated by cold temperatures and certain foods to burn harmful visceral fat.

"Body fat's an organ in the body. Did you know that? Like it's one of our body organs."

• Emphasizes the functional importance of body fat beyond its storage role.

"Brown fat actually is metabolically active and it fires up a process called thermogenesis to burn down harmful visceral extra body fat."

• Describes the metabolic activity of brown fat in reducing harmful fat stores.

• Chronic stress and prolonged cortisol secretion can disrupt metabolism and fat storage.
• Cortisol affects the hormonal balance of body fat, leading to potential metabolic issues.
• Managing stress is crucial for maintaining healthy fat distribution and overall metabolic health.

"Cortisol is a stress hormone. It actually snaps us into action. It actually is also healing."

• Explains the dual role of cortisol in stress response and healing, and its impact on metabolism.

"Long-term cortisol that's actually the most damaging."

• Highlights the detrimental effects of chronic stress on metabolism and fat storage.

• Visceral fat is located around internal organs and is associated with increased inflammation.
• Excess visceral fat can lead to chronic diseases, including cancer, due to its inflammatory nature.
• Inflammation from visceral fat creates an environment conducive to cancer growth.

"Visceral fat grows between those folded shirts and pants and it fills all that space in there."

• Uses an analogy to describe how visceral fat accumulates and impacts internal organs.

"Cancer thrives in an inflammatory environment."

• Links the presence of visceral fat and inflammation to increased cancer risk.

• A study in JAMAMA analyzed the impact of Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), formerly known as hypochondriasis, on mortality rates.
• The research involved 45,000 individuals over 24 years, comparing 4,000 patients with health anxiety.
• Findings indicated an 84% higher risk of death during the study period for those with IAD, dying on average 5 years earlier than those without the disorder.
• The causation is challenging to establish, as anxiety could lead to increased cortisol levels and poor dietary choices.

"Those with IAD that were anxious about health and getting checkups had an 84% higher risk of death during the study period, dying on average 5 years earlier than those without the disorder."

• This quote highlights the significant impact of health anxiety on mortality, emphasizing the importance of proactive health management.

• The concept of using food as a daily opportunity to support health defense systems is emphasized.
• Eating foods that "raise your shields" can lower the risk of health issues, although it doesn't eliminate them entirely.
• The example of tomatoes is given, which when consumed regularly, can lower the risk of prostate cancer by 29%.

"Most people encounter food about five times a day. Every time you're encountering food is an opportunity to choose an ingredient that supports your health defense systems."

• This underscores the idea that daily dietary choices significantly impact long-term health.

• Cooked tomatoes, rich in lycopene, are associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
• Lycopene cuts off the blood supply to tumors, supporting health defense systems and preventing cancer progression.
• Studies show that men who consume more tomatoes have fewer and less aggressive blood vessels in prostate cancer.

"Men who eat tomatoes regularly, cooked tomatoes, actually have a 29% lower risk of developing prostate cancer."

• This demonstrates the specific health benefits of tomatoes and the importance of lycopene in cancer prevention.

• Coffee contains polyphenols like chlorogenic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and activates brown fat.
• Brown fat activation leads to thermogenesis, burning harmful white fat or visceral fat.
• The recommended dose is about three to four cups of coffee a day for effective results.

"Chlorogenic acid in coffee turns on your brown fat, causing thermogenesis to burn down harmful white fat."

• This highlights the potential weight loss benefits of coffee through the activation of brown fat.

• Fasting is an ancient practice with health benefits, but there's no universal protocol suitable for everyone.
• A natural approach to intermittent fasting involves extending the overnight fast by delaying breakfast.
• This method can easily lead to a 12-hour fasting window, promoting metabolic health and fat burning.

"When you're sleeping, you're not eating. When you're not eating, you're fasting."

• This explains the simplicity of incorporating fasting into daily life by utilizing natural sleep cycles.

• The brain relies on a network of 400 miles of blood vessels for oxygen and nutrients.
• Vascular dementia, caused by narrowed and clogged blood vessels, is more common than Alzheimer's.
• Foods like dark chocolate and beets promote nitric oxide production, supporting vascular health and potentially reducing dementia risk.

"400 miles of blood vessels are actually coursing through our brain. Our brain is super metabolically active, highly dependent upon a healthy circulation."

• This emphasizes the critical role of blood vessels in maintaining brain health and preventing dementia.

• Historically, diet and lifestyle were the primary forms of medicine before pharmaceuticals.
• Modern science can now apply drug development techniques to understand how foods benefit health.
• The concept of "food as medicine" is about reintroducing this ancient tool with scientific backing.

"Before we had medicine as medicine, before we had pharmaceuticals in the 1930s, it's all we had."

• This reflects the historical context of food as medicine and the potential to integrate it with modern science.

• While food should be the primary source of micronutrients, supplements can help "top off" where diet falls short.
• Common supplements include vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics like Lactobacillus reuteri.
• Personalization is key, as individual needs vary based on lifestyle and health goals.

"We should get most of the micronutrients that we need to be healthy from our food. Supplements can be helpful in topping off."

• This highlights the role of supplements as a complement to a balanced diet, tailored to individual needs.

• Based on research, top superfoods include coffee, tea, tree nuts, tomatoes, and berries.
• These foods are rich in polyphenols, fiber, healthy fats, and have various health benefits.
• The Mediterranean style of eating, incorporating diverse vegetables, is also recommended.

"If you had to pick five of your favorite foods based on the research that you've done, what would those top five be?"

• This question prompts the identification of superfoods that offer significant health benefits based on scientific research.

• Emphasizes the importance of enjoying food while promoting health.
• Encourages individuals to focus on foods they love that are also healthy, building confidence in dietary choices.
• The goal is to integrate personal preferences with healthful eating for long-term well-being.

"You should love your food to love your health. Find out what are the foods that resonate with you."

• This advocates for a personalized approach to diet, combining enjoyment with health benefits.