S1E15: L.J. Amaral - Using Keto for Cancer Treatment

L.J. Amaral is a clinical research dietitian in Oncology specializing in ketogenic diets for cancer, a registered dietician who is board certified in oncology nutrition, and she currently works in the outpatient cancer center at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA as a clinical research dietician. She comes on the show to discuss the role that nutrition plays in cancer treatment, how keto is being used in cancer treatment, what her research has shown so far, if it's possible to prevent cancer, how sugar and carbs affect cancer growth, and so much more. Here's a look at what's in store in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to the podcast 00:29 L.J. Amaral introduction 04:00 The clinical trial L.J.'s been working on since 2016 07:38 Is L.J. actively using a keto diet with her patients? 11:08 Is it common for doctors to prescribe keto for cancer patients? 12:10 Is cancer a genetic disease, luck of the draw, or something else? 14:25 Are there currently nutritional recommendations or guidelines for cancer patients? 16:26 Are the governing bodies missing anything or is there anything you disagree with in the current recommendations? 19:17 Does sugar cause cancer? 24:42 Do we all have cancer cells in our bodies already? 26:34 What's the story with keto and cancer treatment? 29:26 Do the potential cancer benefits from keto come from lowering carbs and sugar or the state of ketosis? 32:08 What role does nutrition play here? Are there nutrients you can consume to avoid cancer? 34:56 What you should cut out of your diet if you have cancer 36:06 Does keto work better on certain cancers over others? 44:10 The microbiome and cancer 48:05 What's the justification behind using a 3:1 approach 53:08 Trying a holistic approach to beating cancer 55:54 Is fasting a good complement to traditional cancer therapies? 01:03:55 Are statins a potential therapy for treating cancer? Resources mentioned in this episode: L.J. Amaral's website L.J. Amaral's Instagram and Twitter