263: Amanda King & Hari Kuhan – Metabolic Drugs for Cancer

Amanda King & Hari Kuhan Integrative oncologist Dr Hari Kuhan and metabolic nutritionist Amanda King join Jackie to talk metabolic therapy for cancer, why the ketogenic diet stresses cancer cells, and what’s in their new book, Metabolic Drugs for Cancer. “Apply the brakes on a growing cancer. Anything above that obviously is a blessing and brilliant, but that’s the number one.” — Dr Hari Kuhan “The ketogenic diet causes stress on cancer cells, and stressed cancer cells are weaker.” — Amanda King About Hari Kuhan Dr Hari Kuhan completed his undergraduate medical training at Imperial College London, where he also obtained a BSc in Surgery and Anaesthesia. He carried out his foundation and core medical training in Central London, with appointments at St Mary’s Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Over time, he built substantial expertise in Medical Oncology, working at leading institutions including St Bartholomew’s, University College London, and the Royal Marsden Hospital. He then pursued a research fellowship at Barts Cancer Institute, London funded by Stand Up to Cancer and HCA Healthcare, focusing on metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer stem cells and circulating tumour cells through the use of repurposed medicines and Vitamin C. Expanding his reach into translational and clinical development, Dr Kuhan joined the Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK (Harley Street), London where he served as lead sub-investigator on multiple Phase I and II solid tumour trials, and became adept at integrating next-generation sequencing outputs into therapeutic decision-making. Motivated by both scientific innovation and patient-centred care, Dr Kuhan co-founded Lucio Health with long-time associate Raphael Swery, united by a vision to reshape cancer care for the 21st century. Together, they established a clinic that integrates precision oncology, metabolic targeting, repurposed medicines, and evidence-based integrative strategies—pioneering a personalised model that moves beyond the limitations of conventional, one-size-fits-all approaches. At Lucio Health, cutting-edge AI-driven platforms interpret complex mutational and molecular data, while functional sensitivity testing of blood and tissue samples reveals how an individual’s cancer responds to a wide range of agents in real time. These insights are then integrated with metabolic and genomic profiling to create multi-layered, personalised roadmaps for each patient—designed not only to identify the most promising treatments, but also to avoid those unlikely to help. The ambition of Lucio Health is to bridge the gap between laboratory science and lived patient experience: translating the latest advances in genomics, artificial intelligence, and metabolic oncology into practical, compassionate, and highly individualised care pathways. It is a clinic built on the belief that cancer treatment should be as unique as the patient facing it, combining clarity and scientific precision with humanity and hope. About Amanda King After earning her BSc through the Open University that combined Human Biology with Psychology and Counselling, Amanda King advanced her clinical training through the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London, qualifying as a Nutritional Therapist in 2022 and as a Naturopathic Practitioner in 2024. Most recently, she completed the Practitioner Master Course in Integrative Metabolic Oncology with the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health under Dr Nasha Winters, further deepening her expertise in terrain-focused cancer care. Over the past decade, Amanda has honed her practice at the intersection of nutrigenomics, methylation science and epigenetics, integrating advanced lab diagnostics with personalised nutrition, therapeutic ketogenic and ancestral diets, and targeted supplementation to optimise each patient’s metabolic landscape. A certified nutrigenomics practitioner with training in Integrative and Gestalt psychotherapy, she is widely regarded for translating complex genomic and hormonal data such as DNA methylation panels and DUTCH hormone testing into pragmatic nutrition and lifestyle protocols that address both biochemical individuality and psychological wellbeing. In her integrative oncology nutrition practice, Amanda delivers bespoke protocols that weave together diet, lifestyle optimisation, mindset coaching and evidence-based complementary therapies, empowering patients to navigate cancer with clarity and agency. Committed to reshaping the dialogue around food as medicine, she collaborates with metabolic oncologists, functional laboratories and patient-advocacy groups worldwide to expand access to precision, nutrition-centred oncology care and to generate rigorous outcome data that will elevate the standard of integrative cancer support.   Amanda’s Top Tips       Prioritise your sleep — it affects everything else.       Try Byron Katie’s “The Work” (thework.com) to question your stressful thoughts when you wake at 3am.       Take regular breaks completely off-grid, away from your phone a   Hari’s Top Tips       When a spark of inspiration to change something hits, ride it — don’t wait for the perfect moment.       Educate yourself about your condition: ask questions, look into your scan reports, tumour markers, mutations, and trial options rather than accepting “there’s nothing you can do.”       Make time to step away from the daily grind and be present with your family — don’t let life become just work and stress.   Their Book Metabolic Drugs for Cancer – Amanda King and Dr Hari Kuhan   Resources Mentioned       Hacking Chemo: Using Ketogenic Diet, Therapeutic Fasting and a Kickass Attitude to Power through Cancer – Martha Tettenborn       Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life – Byron Katie (referenced as “The Work,” thework.com)       The Metabolic Nutritionist Substack (Amanda’s, ~33,000 subscribers)       Optimized Health Substack (Amanda, co-written with Travis Christofferson)   Connect with Amanda King       Website: amandakingnd.com (also: themetabolicnutritionist.com / linktr.ee/amandakingnd)       Instagram: @the.metabolic.nutritionist       Facebook: the.metabolic.nutritionist       LinkedIn: Amanda King       YouTube: @the.metabolic.nutritionist       Email: [email protected] Connect with Hari Kuhan       Website: luciohealth.com       Email: [email protected]   The Fabulously Keto Diet & Lifestyle Journal: A 12-week journal to support new habits – Jackie Fletcher If you have enjoyed listening to this episode – Leave us a review By leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform, you help us to be found by others. 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