Episode Summary: Encore: How To Use Food As Medicine with Dr. William Li

The Dr. Hyman Show continues its exploration of the profound connection between diet and health in the encore episode titled "How To Use Food As Medicine with Dr. William Li", released on December 11, 2024. In this enlightening discussion, host Dr. Mark Hyman is joined by renowned physician and scientist Dr. William Li to delve deep into the science and practical applications of using food to prevent and heal various chronic diseases.

1. Introduction to Food as Medicine

Dr. Mark Hyman opens the episode by highlighting the limitations of traditional medicine in addressing chronic diseases and emphasizes the transformative potential of integrating food into healthcare strategies. Dr. William Li concurs, stating:

"There are foods that actually can lower inflammation. It's not just about avoiding bad food, but also incorporating the right foods to activate your body's health defenses." ([00:31])

2. Foundational Principles for Enhancing Health

Dr. Li outlines three fundamental steps to optimize health through diet:

1. Remove Harmful Foods: Eliminate sodas, ultra-processed foods, and processed meats to reduce the burden on the body's defenses.

   "It's like taking all the dirty laundry off the floor, starting with a clean room." ([03:57])

2. Incorporate Loved Healthy Foods: Identify and regularly consume nutritious foods that one enjoys, making it easier to maintain a healthy diet.

   "Start with things that are easy that you already love. That's the key thing." ([05:45])

3. Maintain Physical Activity: Complement a healthy diet with regular exercise to keep the body agile and efficient.

   "Physical activity, eating things that you love, and then just taking the laundry off the floor, unburden your body." ([05:45])

3. The Importance of Dietary Diversity

Both Dr. Hyman and Dr. Li stress the critical role of dietary diversity in maintaining optimal health. Dr. Li points out that:

"60% of our diet comes from three crops, and the rest comes from 12. We used to eat 800 species of plants. It's ridiculous." ([05:45])

He advocates for incorporating a wider array of plants and "weird" vegetables to unlock the full spectrum of health benefits inherent in nature's diversity.

4. Scientific Evidence Supporting Food-Based Interventions

a. Tree Nuts and Colorectal Cancer Survival

Dr. Li references a pivotal study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which examined 826 patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer. The study revealed that:

"Those who ate two 1-ounce servings of tree nuts a week had a 57% improvement in survival over six years." ([07:43])

He elaborates on the mechanisms by which tree nuts contribute to better outcomes, including the presence of healthy oils, bioactives like those in walnuts that kill colon cancer stem cells, and dietary fiber that nourishes the gut microbiome.

b. Broccoli Sprouts and Immune Response

Highlighting another significant study, Dr. Li discusses how:

"Consumption of broccoli sprouts, rich in sulforaphanes, led to a 22,000% increase in natural killer T cells in individuals who received the flu vaccine." ([39:30])

This astonishing result underscores the potential of specific foods to drastically enhance immune responses.

c. Ruminococcus and Cancer Immunotherapy

Dr. Li explains findings from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where the presence of the gut bacterium Ruminococcus was linked to a:

"57% improvement in survival rates among colorectal cancer patients consuming tree nuts." ([07:43])

Furthermore, Ruminococcus was associated with better responses to immunotherapy in melanoma patients, highlighting the interplay between diet, microbiome, and treatment efficacy.

d. Sildenafil (Viagra) and Alzheimer’s Disease

An intriguing study from the Cleveland Clinic revealed that men taking sildenafil experienced a:

"69% decrease in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease." ([52:14])

Dr. Li connects this to how sildenafil induces nitric oxide production, akin to the effects of consuming nitrate-rich foods like spinach and beets, suggesting potential dietary parallels for cognitive health.

5. Integrating Food as a Therapeutic Tool in Modern Medicine

Dr. Hyman and Dr. Li discuss the paradigm shift needed in medical education and practice to incorporate food-based therapies. Dr. Li emphasizes:

"First deliver benefit. Why are we thinking about the bad stuff when we can actually focus on the good stuff?" ([37:43])

They advocate for a balanced approach where food complements pharmaceutical interventions, enhancing efficacy while minimizing side effects.

6. Application to COVID-19 and Long COVID

Addressing the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duo explores how nutritional strategies can bolster the immune system and mitigate long-term effects:

• Reducing Inflammation: Consuming vitamin C-rich foods like strawberries and red bell peppers can help lower inflammation caused by the virus.

  "Strawberries, guava, tomatoes, red bell peppers... colorful foods that actually can begin addressing some of those things." ([58:07])

• Enhancing Immunity: Foods high in vitamin D, such as mushrooms exposed to sunlight, strengthen immune defenses.

• Repairing Vascular Damage: Incorporating dark chocolate, Mediterranean diet staples, and nitrate-rich vegetables aids in healing damaged blood vessels post-infection.

Dr. Li also touches upon the importance of anti-inflammatory medications during COVID-19 and the potential of natural compounds to complement these treatments.

7. Future Directions and Empowering Patients

Concluding the episode, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Li envision a future where healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge to prescribe specific diets tailored to individual health needs. Dr. Li remarks:

"Science is giving us the answer to those questions that patients want to have... how we can use it in a pharmacologic way." ([37:43])

They advocate for continued research and integration of dietary science into clinical practice, empowering individuals to take charge of their health through informed food choices.

Key Takeaways:

• Food Diversity: Embracing a wide variety of plant-based foods is essential for activating the body's natural defense mechanisms.

• Scientific Validation: Emerging studies substantiate the role of specific foods in enhancing treatment outcomes and preventing diseases.

• Integration with Medicine: Combining dietary strategies with medical treatments can optimize health outcomes and reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals.

• Empowerment Through Education: Educating both healthcare providers and patients about the therapeutic potential of food is crucial for a holistic approach to health.

• Ongoing Research: Continued exploration into how food interacts with the microbiome and genetic pathways will further illuminate the pathways to optimal health.

This episode serves as a compelling reminder of the power inherent in our daily food choices and the transformative potential of viewing food not just as sustenance, but as a cornerstone of medical therapy and disease prevention.