The Cancer Code: Dr. Jason Fung on Insulin, Fasting, and Cancer Prevention

The Cancer Code: Dr. Jason Fung on Insulin, Fasting, and Cancer Prevention

Author: The Fasting Method November 11, 2025 Duration: 35:21

In this special Q&A episode, Dr. Jason Fung joins TFM Coach Lisa and Community Mentor Patrice Michael to revisit The Cancer Code — five years after its release. Together, they explore how modern science is reframing cancer not as a disease of random genetic "bad luck," but as an evolutionary and metabolic condition deeply connected to insulin, diet, and lifestyle.

Dr. Fung explains how hyperinsulinemia, obesity, and processed foods create fertile "soil" for cancer to grow — and how fasting and nutritional strategies can help restore metabolic balance. He also discusses the link between hormones and cancer risk, new non-radiation screening technologies, and how combining traditional treatments with metabolic interventions may shape the future of cancer care.

Episode #231

🧭 Listener Questions Include:

  1. What does current research say about fasting's potential role in cancer prevention, particularly for individuals with family histories of cancer?
  2. How do insulin, IGF-1, and mTOR influence cancer risk — and what information exists comparing ketogenic versus plant-based diets for prevention and overall health?
  3. For someone with a significant family cancer history (including aggressive cases in young adults), what non-radiation screening or imaging technologies are available?
  4. Do bioidentical hormone replacement therapies increase cancer risk, and can fasting help reduce that risk?
  5. What's your view on combining traditional treatments with metabolic interventions?
  6. Can you tell us about your upcoming book, The Hunger Code?
  7. If the cancer research community fully embraced your paradigm, what would be the top three research priorities?

Learn more and join The Fasting Method Community:
👉 https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community

💡 Key Takeaway

"Cancer isn't just a disease of bad luck — it's a disease of metabolism. By changing the soil through fasting and nutrition, we can change the outcome."

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Welcome & Episode Overview
01:21 What current research says about fasting and cancer prevention
05:02 Insulin, IGF-1, and mTOR: How diet and lifestyle affect cancer risk
08:49 Comparing ketogenic and plant-based diets
12:31 Non-radiation cancer screening and emerging technologies
12:49 Hormone replacement therapy and cancer risk
17:59 Combining traditional treatments with metabolic approaches
24:37 Dr. Fung's next book: The Hunger Code
30:41 If cancer research embraced the metabolic paradigm
34:54 Final thoughts & takeaways

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

 


For anyone navigating the world of intermittent fasting, sorting through the noise can be the hardest part. The Fasting Method Podcast cuts through that confusion with clarity and authority. Co-hosted by recognized experts Megan Ramos and Terri Lance, Ph.D., this podcast is built on a foundation of real science and practical application. The conversations here move beyond simplistic tips to explore the nuanced physiology of fasting, the psychological hurdles, and the sustainable strategies that lead to lasting health changes. You’ll hear detailed explorations of metabolic adaptation, hormone regulation, and the social complexities of changing one's eating patterns, all grounded in the hosts' extensive clinical and research experience. This is a space where listener questions drive the dialogue, making each episode a direct address to the real-world challenges people face. Tune in for a candid, evidence-based resource that treats fasting not as a trend, but as a deeply personal tool for wellness. The discussions on this podcast are designed to empower you with knowledge, demystify the process, and provide a supportive audio companion for your journey.
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