When Food Meets Medicine | Health & Functional Medicine Podcast

When Food Becomes Medicine: A Metabolic Approach to Cancer | Dr. Nasha Winters

When Food Becomes Medicine: A Metabolic Approach to Cancer | Season 1 Finale | When Food Meets Medicine — a health podcast, functional medicine podcast, and medical podcast series hosted by Dr. Remí Olukoya, PharmD. In this season one finale, host Dr. Remi Olukoya welcomes Dr. Nasha Winters, a naturopathic oncologist who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 ovarian cancer at 19 years old and given three months to live. Twenty-eight years later, she has not only survived but has dedicated her career to understanding the metabolic approach to cancer, working with over 10,000 patients and co-authoring the foundational text The Metabolic Approach to Cancer. This conversation explores the Warburg effect and why cancer cells metabolize glucose differently, how mitochondria serve as sensors that respond to our dietary and environmental choices, and the critical food-drug interactions that can determine treatment success or failure. Dr. Winters shares research showing that fasting less than 13 hours per night was associated with 36% higher breast cancer recurrence, and discusses how her clinical retreats demonstrated measurable metabolic changes within just four days of intervention. For patients navigating cancer, caregivers seeking to help, and clinicians wanting to expand their understanding of integrative approaches, this episode offers science-backed insights on creating a metabolic terrain that supports healing alongside conventional treatment. What you will learn in this episode: * The Warburg effect and why cancer cells use glucose differently from healthy cells * How mitochondria function as sensors, translators, and responders — and what that means for cancer * Why 93% of Americans are metabolically compromised and what to do about it * Fasting research: how 13 hours of overnight fasting reduced breast cancer recurrence by 36% * Critical food-drug interactions including grapefruit, tamoxifen, St. John's Wort, and curcumin at high doses * The chronotherapy evidence: why the time of day you take chemotherapy changes how well it works * Why the terrain — not just the tumour — determines treatment outcomes * How to find a therapeutically trained oncology nutritionist * The preconception research: what your father ate affects your disease risk in your lifetime Resources mentioned: The Metabolic Approach to Cancer — Dr. Nasha Winters Ravenous — Sam Apple Circadian Code — Dr. Sachin Panda Fasting Cancer — Dr. Walter Longo drnasha.com | Tend the Terrain podcast | Tend the Terrain Substack MediMeal Safe app — pharmaplansystems.com MediMeal Plan — pharmaplansystems.com Foods That Clash With Your Prescriptions — Dr. Remí Olukoya Find When Food Meets Medicine on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Subscribe so you never miss an episode: pharmaplansystems.com/podcast Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare team before making changes to your diet, medications, or treatment plan.

Does Your Blood Type Actually Determine Which Foods Are Safe With Your Medication?

Ever wondered if your blood type really determines which foods are safe with your medications? In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover the truth behind the popular blood type diet phenomenon and learn about the food-drug interactions that actually matter for your health. Dr. Ugomma Okorougo, a family medicine physician, public health specialist, and nutrition coach, joins Dr. Remi Olukoya to separate science from social media hype. You'll learn why grapefruit affects over 85 medications, discover how cultural dietary practices impact medication safety, and understand when to seek emergency care for food-drug interactions. Dr. Okorougo shares compelling patient stories that illustrate the critical importance of honest communication with healthcare providers about your actual eating habits, supplements, and traditional remedies. This episode empowers you with practical knowledge to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings while maintaining your cultural food traditions safely. Whether you're managing chronic conditions or taking over-the-counter medications, you'll gain actionable insights that could significantly impact your treatment outcomes. Subscribe to When Food Meets Medicine wherever you listen to podcasts.

Raising Healthy Kids, Childhood Obesity & Medications

One in five children in the United States is obese, and doctors are now prescribing blood pressure and cholesterol medications to kids—medications that used to be reserved for adults over 50. In this episode, you will learn the practical, real-world strategies for preventing childhood obesity before it starts, not the textbook version that sounds perfect but the version that actually works with screen-loving, broccoli-hating kids. Host Dr. Remi Olukoya sits down with Dr. Mojibola Ogunfowora, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist with over 30 years of experience, to discuss what parents can do today to build healthy habits that last a lifetime. You will discover the 5-2-1-0 formula and how to implement it in your daily routine, why prevention is far more powerful than treatment when it comes to childhood obesity, and practical strategies for creating healthy eating and activity patterns that work for real families with busy schedules. Dr. Ogunfowora shares evidence-based approaches that have helped countless families across different cultures and communities, from Lagos to London to Houston. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, or anyone who cares about a child's future health, this episode provides actionable insights you can start using immediately. The best medicine is often the one a child never has to take because you prevented the need for it in the first place. Subscribe to When Food Meets Medicine wherever you listen to podcasts.

Can cannabis really help my cancer symptoms?

Cannabis and chemotherapy — what does the science actually say? In this powerful episode, Dr. Remi Olukoya sits down with Dr. Donald Abrams, integrative oncologist at UCSF, to break down the real evidence behind cannabis use in cancer care. They explore CBD vs. THC, drug–drug interactions, CYP450 risks, timing around chemo, and why so many patients use cannabis without telling their clinicians.A warm, honest, and deeply practical conversation every cancer patient — and every oncology clinician — should hear. Presented by PharmaPlan Systems — ethical health tech that makes food–drug safety simple.

Can Government Food Policy Be Making Your Medication Less Effective?

Ever wondered if there's more to your medication's effectiveness than just taking it on time? 🤔 This week on 'When Food Meets Medicine,' Dr. Remi Olukoya is joined by the insightful Dr. Tosin Dotun-Olujinmi to explore a fascinating topic: how government food policy might be impacting your meds and the food you eat! Dr. Tosin, a global health scholar, shares her expertise on how public health policies influence everything from preventing chronic diseases to ensuring food safety and making sure you can even get your medications. It's a conversation that will open your eyes to the bigger picture of health and empower you to understand how governance affects your daily well-being. Don't miss out on these vital insights that can help you advocate for your health more effectively.