39. The Terrain Approach to Cancer: Dr. Nasha Winters on Revolutionizing Integrative Oncology

When it comes to cancer care—from the specific diet you follow to the type of treatment you subject your body to—quality intervention is key. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Nasha Winters, an integrative oncologist and cancer "thriver" (she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer at age 19), who is pioneering the future of cancer care. We sat down to discuss the root cause of the illness, the importance of doing a self-audit of your home and habits, and why there is a time and a place for conventional cancer care. In this episode, you'll discover: Cancer Goes Beyond Genetics: Cancer was originally believed to be genetic, but recent research demonstrates that it's a metabolic disease. A common denominator among cancer cells is that they all have very damaged mitochondria (known as the powerhouse of the cell), shares Dr. Winters. "We were just looking at the wrong organelle all these years when the real organelle of interest was the mitochondria and the environment in which the mitochondria is swimming in and being exposed to," she adds. Why a Self-Audit Is a Non-Negotiable: An easy first step to change your terrain is knowing what you’re putting on, in, and around your body. This can be anything from skincare products and kitchen utensils to water filtration systems and air fresheners. "The more we're exposed to at a younger age, the more our nervous systems, our immune systems, and our metabolic systems are wired differently to make us more vulnerable to disease in general and cancer in particular," says Dr. Winters. Making small lifestyle changes can lead to a big, sustainable impact. Blending Two Types of Care Is Vital: Despite her lifelong mission to educate patients and practitioners on the transformative benefits of integrative medicine, Dr. Winters isn't here to villainize conventional cancer treatments. She does, however, stress the importance of marrying the two—based on your individual needs and diagnosis. It's important to ask yourself, says Dr. Winters: "How can I make the standard of care effective with as few toxins as possible while simultaneously protecting the healthy cells and strengthening the environment, the terrain in which cancer happens?" 00:49 Dr. Nasha's Cancer Journey 08:23 Accidental Discoveries and Fasting Benefits 16:02 Nutritional Changes and Health Improvements 22:35 Exploring Metabolic and Mitochondrial Theories of Cancer 27:42 Debunking the Genetic Mutation Theory of Cancer 28:33 The Role of Mitochondria in Cancer 29:30 Changing the Environment to Combat Cancer 30:13 Self-Audit: Evaluating Your Surroundings 33:43 The Impact of Conventional Treatments on Cancer 35:43 A New Approach to Cancer Treatment 44:54 The Vision for a New Cancer Hospital Connect with Dr. Myers: Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/ Connect with Dr. Winters: Website: https://www.drnasha.com/ Podcast - Metabolic Matters: https://www.drnasha.com/metabolic-matters Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health (non-profit & training): https://www.mtih.org/ Books: https://www.drnasha.com/books-and-education Mitovida: https://mitovida.com/