Show notes
Today, I am blessed to have here with me Sam Apple. He is on the faculty of the MA in Science Writing and MA in Writing programs at Johns Hopkins.
Prior to his arrival at Johns Hopkins, Apple taught creative writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania for ten years. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia University.
Apple is the author of Ravenous American Parent, and Schlepping Through the Alps. He has published short stories, personal essays, satires, and journalistic features on a wide range of topics. In recent years, he has primarily written about science and health.
His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, The MIT Technology Review, and McSweeney’s, among many other publications. Schlepping Through the Alps was a finalist for the PEN America Award for a first work of nonfiction.
In this episode, Sam talks about the inspiration behind his book Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet. We dive into Otto Warburg’s work and how the Nazis protected him for his cancer science. Sam explains how sugar can promote cancer growth and what steps you can take to lower your insulin levels. Tune in as we chat about fasting, therapies for cancer, and the importance of exercise. Get Sam’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ravenous-Warburg-Search-Cancer-Diet-Connection/dp/1631493159/benazadi-20
Order Keto Flex: http://www.ketoflexbook.com
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[00:30] The Inspiration Behind Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet
Read Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection: https://www.amazon.com/Ravenous-Warburg-Search-Cancer-Diet-Connection/dp/1631493159/benazadi-20
Sam was interested in researching metabolic disease and metabolic health.
Plus, Gary Taubes inspired him.
Sam was really surprised to learn that that cancer was associated with diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
He wanted to dig further on the connection between cancer and metabolic disease.
[02:10] The Nazis Protected Warburg For His Cancer Research
In 1923, Warburg makes this famous discovery called the Warburg Effect.
Cancer cells take up a lot more glucose than other cells and burn it without oxygen; they ferment it, just like microorganisms do.
Warburg also has made other discoveries about how cells breathe and use oxygen.
He wins the Nobel Prize in 1931. In 1933, the Nazis come along. Despite having a Jewish father and being openly gay, the Nazis protected Warburg because they were interested in his cancer research.
[06:50] Warburg’s Studies Started To Disappear After The War
After the war, Warburg’s cancer research really starts to disappear.
Australia in the 1950s famously discovered the structure of DNA. Eventually, we had a new sort of genetic understanding of cancer where we can now identify specific mutations.
So, how cells take up glucose and shift their metabolism was considered irrelevant because of the study of genetics.
Warburg’s studies take peoeple back to diet, and there’s a huge bias against taking diet seriously.
[12:20] What Sugar Does To Promote Cancer Growth
If cancer is about these metabolic shifts inside of a cell, what is it about the way we eat that affects the way a cell eats?
In America, one out of three women are diagnosed with cancer within their lifetime. For men, it's about one in two.
Cancer is closely linked to obesity. 13 of the deadliest cancers have been solidly linked to obesity.
Sam wanted to know if obesity was causing cancer or if something was driving both.
Elevated levels of the hormone insulin are responsible for obesity and give microscopic cancers a chance to grow and thrive.
What is it about our diet that causes insulin to rise? Sugar!
The increase in sugar consumption maps pretty closely to the rise of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
[19:30] How A Keto Diet That Will Help You Prevent Cancer
Sam is a huge believer that keto is a logical way to prevent cancer.
The single most important thing you can do to improve your odds for cancer prevention is to keep your insulin levels low.
Hyperinsulinemia promotes the growth of cancer.
So, it’s important to follow a diet that keeps your insulin levels down.
[22:20] Intermittent Fasting Is Another Great Way To Lower Insulin
Intermittent fasting is one very successful strategy for keeping insulin down.
If you can fast consistently, it seems to work quite effectively on lowering insulin.
Fasting can lead to weight loss because it lowers insulin levels in the body.
Sam wants to point out that thin people can still have insulin resistance.
In some ways, being naturally thin can actually be a disadvantage because you can't store subcutaneous fat.
[26:30] How To Optimize Insulin and Glucose Levels To Be Proactive Instead of Reactive
You can't outrun a bad diet.
However, exercise can help you feel better and make you more inspired to follow a low-carb diet.
After workouts, you can be inspired to eat healthily and continue to feel good.
Once you understand that sugar is linked to cancer, it should help you ditch it during mealtime.
[38:30] Finding Therapies To Target Specific Cancer Mutations
When cancer can eat lots of glucose, it's no longer thinking about dying; it's thinking about doing a lot more things.
Based on which particular mutation you have, the oncologist will devise a treatment.
Unfortunately, targeted therapies to specific mutations haven't been as successful as we would have liked.
However, there are some cases where therapies will successfully target mutations.
[42:25] The Best Preventative Measures To Preventing Cancer In The Future
Eliminate sugar from your diet. Definitely eliminate liquid sugar from your diet.
If you are insulin resistant, you need to reduce those insulin levels.
Stop smoking.
Cut out refined carbohydrates.
AND MUCH MORE!
Resources from this episode:
Check out Sam’s Website: http://samapple.com/
Read Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection: https://www.amazon.com/Ravenous-Warburg-Search-Cancer-Diet-Connection/dp/1631493159/benazadi-20
Follow Sam Apple Twitter: https://twitter.com/sam_apple1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samapplebooks/
Join theKeto Kamp Academy: https://ketokampacademy.com/7-day-trial-a
WatchKeto Kamp on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUh_MOM621MvpW_HLtfkLyQ
Order Keto Flex: http://www.ketoflexbook.com
--------------------------------------------------------
/ / E P I S O D E S P ON S O R S
PureForm Omega Plant Based Oils (Best Alternative to Fish Oil): http://www.purelifescience.com Use ben4 for $4.00 off.
Upgraded Formulas Hair Mineral Deficiency Analysis & Supplements: http://www.upgradedformulas.com Use BEN10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
Paleo Valley beef sticks, apple cider vinegar complex, organ meat complex & more. Use the coupon code KETOKAMP15 over at https://paleovalley.com/ to receive 15% off your entire order.
Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list.
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