Leading biologist exposes what fuels cancer, and, no, it's not what most people think
credit: Instagram/@thomasseyfriedbc
credit: Instagram/@thomasseyfriedbc
1
2
Cancer continues to be one of the most difficult diseases to treat, with ongoing research uncovering new dimensions of its biology. One such voice advocating a different lens to understanding cancer is Dr.
Thomas N. Seyfried, a professor of biology at Boston College and a recognized authority in the field of cancer metabolism. (
source: Boston College, National Institute of Health)
In a recent viral video, Dr. Seyfried deconstructs two biological compounds that, in his research, supply the growth of cancer: glucose and glutamine. His perspective conforms to the metabolic theory of cancer, which holds that cancer is derived more from aberrant cellular metabolism than from mutations in genes alone.
A renowned researcher in cancer metabolism
Dr. Seyfried received his Ph.D. in genetics and biochemistry from the University of Illinois and finished postdoctoral fellowships in the Department of Neurology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is now a professor at Boston College, where he studies the ways in which cellular energy metabolism can drive cancer, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disease development.
His pioneering book, "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease," released in 2012, offers scientific proof that mitochondrial breakdown—not genetic mutation—is the underlying cause of most cancers.
What does his expertise say?
Glucose: It nourishes your tumor
Dr. Seyfried maintains that glucose is the major fuel for cancer cells. In contrast to healthy cells, which have the flexibility to cycle between burning sugar and fat, cancer cells depend nearly completely on sugar. This characteristic makes them susceptible to interventions that lower blood glucose, including ketogenic diets or fasting.
This concept is derived from the Warburg Effect, a discovery made by Nobel Prize Winner Otto Warburg, where cancer cells have abnormally high glucose metabolism even when oxygen is present.
Glutamine: The secret fuel
The second fuel is glutamine, an amino acid that tumors use to keep growing even during glucose starvation. Glutamine sustains key processes that fuel cancer cell growth and evade immune responses.
Dr. Seyfried contends that the combination of therapies that limit both glucose and glutamine may be a promising approach to inhibiting tumor growth, although he emphatically warns that such treatment should be undertaken only by experienced professionals.
Are the paradigms shifting or are we clinging to some new hope?
By pinpointing cancer as fundamentally a metabolic disorder, Thomas Seyfried reframes the prevailing genetic-focused paradigm in oncology. Although not yet mainstream, his research has generated excitement in the realm of metabolic therapies, such as nutritional treatments and non-toxic, metabolism-targeting medications.
As a seasoned scientist of many decades, Dr. Seyfried stresses evidence-based, holistic strategies over band-aid remedies.
While increased attention is being paid to metabolic strategies for treating cancer, these strategies should not displace mainstream therapy until they are tested in the clinic. Cancer is exceedingly personalized, and any dietary or supplement modification must be done at the direction of oncologists and medical doctors.
Dr. Thomas Seyfried's research keeps challenging the traditional thinking in cancer understanding and treatment. Whether or not this approach will open new paradigms in oncology is an intriguing question for the future of medical research.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Fitness coach who dropped 70 pounds naturally shares 4 things she does after a workout for 'instantly flatter stomach'
Cortisol, often known as the stress hormone, can trigger fat storage in the body. For women, this stress-related fat commonly accumulates around the belly, contributing to visceral fat. With countless weight loss hacks circulating online, it can often be overwhelming to figure out what truly works and what can actually help achieve a leaner, healthier body. Also read | Are you holding fat in your body? Weight loss coach shares 5 things to focus on to shed extra kilos faster Know how to get a flatter stomach.(Pexels) Fitness coach Kathryn Dakota Kaiser went through a weight transformation and 'dropped 70 pounds naturally'. Her Instagram profile is replete with weight loss hacks and tips that work wonders in shedding extra kilos. On June 9, Kathryn shared the easy habits she followed after working out that helped her instantly get a flatter stomach. 'After I work out, I do these four things to keep a flat stomach and keep off the 70 pounds that I lost,' she wrote. 1. Walking after working out: 'I walk around for at least five minutes… sometimes, especially after a HIIT workout, all you want to do is sit down, but walking around and recovering your body slowly for at least five minutes after heavy lifting or HIIT workouts will help your stress levels come down naturally,' she wrote. 2. Have protein: Have 25 g of protein powder in a protein shake with water: strength training + protein = lean muscle gain = faster fat loss. The more muscle you have, the faster you will burn fat, especially in your belly… If you work out hard and don't recover with protein, the workout is basically for nothing. 3. Have a full meal: 'Eat a full meal with an hour with another 25 g of protein and at least 50 g of carbs…carbs are the 'car' that transports the protein to the bloodstream so you can build lean muscle,' Kathryn wrote. Also read | Nutritionist shares no 1 most important weight loss tip: 'Don't eat if you are not hungry' 4. Regulate cortisol levels: 'Lay on my back with my feet up against the wall for 10 minutes to activate my parasympathetic nervous system…easiest way to regulate cortisol levels is by activating that,' Kathryn added. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Cortisol cocktails are trending : But do they really work?
You've probably seen them all over Instagram - the so-called cortisol or adrenal cocktails. A bright, zesty mix of orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar (hello, potassium!), and sea salt. Cortisol cocktails contain bright, zesty mix of orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar (hello, potassium!), and sea salt(Photo: Adobe Stock) They're served as the new wellness elixir to 'support adrenal health' and 'balance cortisol levels' , your body's main stress hormone. But is this drink really a stress cure in a cup? According to culinary nutritionist and wellness coach Eshanka Wahi, the hype needs a reality check. 'These ingredients are hydrating and mineral-rich, which can help stabilise blood sugar and reduce perceived stress,' she says. 'But the idea that they 'heal' your adrenals or balance cortisol in a major way isn't backed by strong science.' Basically, it's not a magic fix , more of a feel-good wellness boost. Dr Archana Batra, dietician and certified diabetes educator, agrees. 'Cortisol is a vital hormone that regulates metabolism, immunity, and stress. These cocktails might offer a quick electrolyte hit, but they don't directly impact cortisol levels in a significant or clinical way.' Also as per experts, one point is worth noting: the sugar and sodium content. The orange juice may spike blood sugar, which isn't ideal for people with diabetes, and the added salt can be problematic for anyone with kidney or blood pressure issues. So what actually helps keep your cortisol levels in check? Both experts say it's all about the basics: a balanced diet, protein-rich breakfast, quality sleep, regular exercise, magnesium-rich foods (hello nuts and seeds), and real stress management tools like meditation and movement.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Man gets drunk in Thailand: You won't believe what he swallowed and thought it was a dream
A 29-year-old Chinese man named Yan swallowed a 15cm coffee spoon while drunk in Thailand. However, he thought it was a dream. Months later, in Shanghai, he went to the doctor thinking he had swallowed plastic from takeaway food. The doctor instead found the spoon lodged in his small intestine, the South China Morning Post reported. It was dangerously placed, and any movement could have caused bleeding or infection. Yan then remembered trying to use the spoon to make himself vomit while drunk in a hotel room. The spoon slipped into his throat, and he blacked out due to alcohol. When he woke up, he thought it was just a dream and blamed his stomach pain on vomiting. For six months, he carried on with normal life, including workouts, without realising the truth. The shocking discovery came only during a medical check-up in June, according to SCMP. Doctors found it difficult to remove it because of its slippery surface and position. On June 18, surgeons at Zhongshan Hospital used a special method with two forceps to drag the spoon into the stomach and then remove it. The surgery lasted 90 minutes and was successful. Doctors successfully removed the spoon without surgery, and Yan has since recovered fully. The man, now discharged, is thankful the spoon was discovered by chance. When drunk, people are sometimes known for doing adventurous things. Last week, a video from Hyderabad showed a drunk man riding a camel dangerously on the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway. The viral video shows the camel walking close to the edge, nearly causing an accident. The poster of the video splashed water to sober the man and later tied the camel to a lamppost. The Instagram user claimed he chased and stopped the camel before anyone was hurt. The user expressed sadness that people only watched without helping.
