• Vitazen Health
  • Posts
  • 🛡️The 'metabolic shield' that makes your body IMMUNE to cancer (oncologists are finally admitting it works)

🛡️The 'metabolic shield' that makes your body IMMUNE to cancer (oncologists are finally admitting it works)

Hello Everyone - Welcome to Vitazen Health!

In Today’s Edition:
  • Health Breakthrough: The 'metabolic shield' that makes your body IMMUNE to cancer (oncologists are finally admitting it works)

  • Quick Wins: Cancer Nutrition: The "Rainbow Rule"

  • Research + Resources: Heart Attack Deaths Drop 90%

  • Recipe of the Week: Moroccan Spiced Chicken and Vegetable Tagine (6 Servings)

HEALTH BREAKTHROUGH

The 'metabolic shield' that makes your body IMMUNE to cancer (oncologists are finally admitting it works)

Hey there!

This week I want to talk about the 'metabolic shield' that makes your body IMMUNE to cancer (oncologists are finally admitting it works):

Your body can literally starve cancer cells to death by switching fuel sources

Ketogenic diets are making cancer drugs 10x more effective in clinical trials

Simple dietary changes are outperforming traditional treatments in some cases

The reason is because most people still think cancer is purely a genetic disease that requires toxic treatments to "fight." But once you understand that cancer is fundamentally a metabolic disease, then you unlock the power to literally starve tumors while strengthening your immune system's natural cancer-fighting abilities.

Let's dive in!

The Big Idea: Cancer Cells Are Metabolic Parasites

Here's what oncologists are finally starting to admit: cancer isn't just about "bad genes" - it's about hijacked metabolism. Research from UCSF shows that cancer cells are essentially metabolic parasites that depend on specific fuel sources to survive and spread.

In order to build your metabolic shield against cancer, you first need to make sure you don't make a few of the most common mistakes:

Mistake #1: Thinking you need to "fight" cancer with more toxicity. Most people believe the only way to beat cancer is with chemotherapy and radiation - essentially poisoning the body to kill cancer cells. But this approach often weakens your immune system when you need it most.

Mistake #2: Feeding cancer cells their preferred fuel. The average person eats a high-carb, high-sugar diet that provides cancer cells with their favorite energy source: glucose. It's like throwing gasoline on a fire.

Mistake #3: Ignoring your body's natural cancer-fighting mechanisms. Your immune system is already designed to identify and eliminate cancer cells, but most people never learn how to optimize this built-in defense system.

The reason people tend to make these mistakes is because mainstream medicine has focused almost exclusively on the genetic theory of cancer for decades. And as a result, they keep themselves stuck in a cycle of fear and dependence on increasingly expensive treatments that often fail.

So, here's how to fix it:

Step 1: Switch Your Body's Fuel Source

The very first step to building your metabolic shield is switching from glucose to ketones as your primary fuel source.

Here's why this works: NIH research shows that when you follow a ketogenic diet, your liver produces ketones from fat breakdown. Your healthy cells can use ketones efficiently, but cancer cells struggle because they're metabolically inflexible - they're addicted to glucose.

The myth that keeps people from succeeding here is believing that carbs are essential for energy. In reality, your body can run perfectly well on ketones, and many people report having MORE energy once they're fat-adapted.

What to do instead: Adopt a ketogenic diet with 70-80% healthy fats, 15-20% protein, and 5-10% carbohydrates. Focus on foods like avocados, olive oil, grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, and low-carb vegetables.

For example, Dr. Davide Ruggero's team at UCSF found that mice on ketogenic diets combined with the cancer drug eFT508 saw their pancreatic tumors completely starve and shrink. The cancer cells literally had no fuel left to survive.

The takeaway: By switching fuel sources, you're essentially cutting off cancer's food supply while powering up your healthy cells.

Step 2: Supercharge Your Immune System's Cancer Killers

The next step to building your metabolic shield is optimizing your immune system's natural cancer-fighting cells.

This matters because Penn Medicine research discovered that beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) - a ketone your body produces during ketosis - actually powers up your immune system's T-cells, making them more effective at hunting down and destroying cancer cells.

The mistake most people make here is thinking their immune system is either "on" or "off." In reality, immune function exists on a spectrum, and you can dramatically enhance it through metabolic optimization.

What to do instead: Support ketone production through intermittent fasting, ketogenic eating, or targeted BHB supplementation. The research shows that CAR-T cells (your body's elite cancer killers) prefer BHB as fuel over glucose.

For instance, patients with higher BHB levels showed better CAR-T cell expansion and cancer-fighting activity. It's like giving your immune system premium fuel instead of regular gas.

The takeaway: Ketones don't just starve cancer - they supercharge your body's natural defense systems.

Step 3: Target Cancer's Metabolic Weaknesses

And finally, the last step to building your metabolic shield is exploiting cancer's metabolic vulnerabilities.

This works because cancer cells have what researchers call "metabolic inflexibility" - they can't easily switch between fuel sources like healthy cells can. Recent studies show that this creates specific windows of vulnerability.

The myth that prevents success here is believing that all cells in your body have the same nutritional needs. Cancer cells are actually metabolic outliers with specific dependencies you can target.

What to do instead: Combine metabolic interventions like ketogenic diets with targeted nutrient restrictions. Some oncologists are now using methionine restriction, glutamine limitation, and timed fasting protocols.

For example, Thomas Seyfried's research at Boston College demonstrates that cancer cells struggle when deprived of both glucose and glutamine - their two primary fuel sources. This creates a metabolic "press" that healthy cells can handle but cancer cells cannot.

The takeaway: Cancer's metabolic weaknesses become your strategic advantages.

That's it!

The metabolic shield isn't just theory anymore - it's being tested in clinical trials and showing remarkable results. While we're not making medical recommendations, the research is clear: your metabolism is one of your most powerful tools in cancer prevention and treatment support.

QUICK WINS

Cancer Nutrition: The "Rainbow Rule"

Here's a 30-second trick that could dramatically lower your cancer risk:

Fill two-thirds of your plate with colorful plant foods at every meal.

Why This Works

MD Anderson research shows plant foods contain over 4,000 cancer-fighting compounds.

Different colors = different benefits:

  • 🔴 Red (berries): 🍓 Lycopene

  • 🟢 Green (broccoli): 🥦 Sulforaphane

  • 🟠 Orange (carrots): 🥕 Beta‑carotene

  • 🟣 Purple (grapes): 🍇 Resveratrol

The Simple Rule

Before eating, ask: "Is two-thirds of my plate colorful plants?"

If not, add berries, vegetables, or salad.

Pro tip: Frozen vegetables count!

This beats complicated diets because it's visual, simple, and automatically provides variety while helping maintain healthy weight.

RESEARCH ROUNDUP + RESOURCES

☕ Coffee Linked to Healthy Aging: According to CNBC, a 30-year Harvard study of 47,513 women found each extra cup of caffeinated coffee increased healthy aging chances by 2-5%. This is a big deal because only 3,706 participants qualified as "healthy agers"—reaching 70 without chronic diseases or memory issues. Tea and decaf showed no benefits.

❤️ Heart Attack Deaths Drop 90%: According to Prevention, heart attack deaths fell from 41% of deaths in 1970 to 24% in 2022, but heart failure deaths increased 146%. This is a big deal because it shows a shift from sudden cardiac events to chronic heart conditions requiring long-term management.

💊 Blood Pressure Drug Fights Cancer: According to UC Davis Health, researchers are combining losartan with immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancers. This is a big deal because losartan suppresses TGF-β protein that weakens immune response, potentially boosting treatment effectiveness. Seven patients show tumor shrinkage.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Moroccan Spiced Chicken and Vegetable Tagine (6 Servings)

This aromatic Moroccan-inspired tagine combines tender chicken with a rainbow of vegetables in a warming blend of traditional spices, creating a complete meal that's rich in antioxidants, lean protein, and fiber. The slow-braised cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully while preserving the nutritional integrity of the vegetables, making this dish perfect for supporting heart health and reducing inflammation.

Estimated calories: 320 per serving.

Ingredients

For the Spice Blend:

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tagine:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 large onion, sliced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 medium carrots, sliced diagonally

  • 1 medium zucchini, cut into chunks

  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no added sugar

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup dried apricots, chopped

  • 1/2 cup green olives, pitted

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

For Serving:

  • 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa

  • Additional fresh herbs for garnish

Recipe Steps

  1. Prepare the spice blend by combining all spice ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

  2. Season the chicken by tossing chicken pieces with half of the spice blend in a large bowl. Let marinate for 10 minutes while preparing vegetables.

  3. Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Remove chicken and set aside.

  4. Sauté aromatics in the same pot by adding onions and cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and remaining spice blend, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

  5. Add vegetables by stirring in carrots, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing vegetables to begin softening.

  6. Build the base by adding diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and browned chicken back to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.

  7. Simmer the tagine covered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chicken should be tender and vegetables should be cooked through but not mushy.

  8. Add final ingredients by stirring in chopped apricots and olives. Continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.

  9. Finish with herbs by removing from heat and stirring in fresh cilantro and mint. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

  10. Rest and serve by letting the tagine stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this fragrant tagine over fluffy brown rice or protein-rich quinoa to create a complete meal with all essential amino acids. Accompany with a simple cucumber and tomato salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil for added freshness and vitamin C. A small portion of plain Greek yogurt on the side provides probiotics and helps cool the palate from the warming spices. For additional fiber and nutrients, consider serving with steamed broccoli or a mixed green salad. This dish tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep and leftover lunches.

PS - Want to stop feeding inflammation and start healing your body with every sip?

In The Anti-Inflammation & Immunity Smoothie & Juice Recipe Book, not only do we give you 65+ science-backed smoothie and juice recipes designed to reduce inflammation and bulletproof your immune system, but we also include The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Ingredient Guide (so you never guess which foods fight disease), complete recipe categories for gut-healing, immune-boosting, and anti-aging formulas, AND the exact Green Detox Powerhouse blends that flush toxins and rebuild your liver.

You'll never wonder what to drink to heal your body again.

Reply

or to participate.