6 Foods That Help Your Body Fight Cancer
Health Lesson 1
Hello Leveling Up (LU) fam,
Health - Lesson 1 is an insight from Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li, a powerful book about how the food we eat can literally switch cancer cells on or off.
The core idea is this: we all have dormant cancer cells in our bodies, but whether or not they become dangerous depends heavily on our lifestyle especially our diet.
Dr. Li outlines a range of foods that activate our body's natural defense systems. I’ve distilled that list down into six key categories that are both accessible and powerful.
🥛 1. Soy-Based Foods
“Everything related to soy matters.”
Soy milk, miso paste, tofu, tempeh, soy yogurt, soy curls, even soy sauce, these aren’t just plant-based staples. They contain isoflavones, compounds that actively reduce cancer cell growth and block tumor blood vessel formation.
If you’ve been avoiding soy due to outdated fears around hormones, it’s time to re-evaluate. Incorporating soy can actually be a game changer for your health.
🍅 2. Cooked Tomatoes (Especially Cherry + Heirloom)
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that becomes even more powerful when tomatoes are cooked, especially in olive oil. This simple preparation method significantly boosts your body's ability to absorb cancer-fighting compounds.
🥦 3. Broccoli: Nature’s Detoxifier
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a nutrient that activates the body’s natural detox systems and protects DNA from damage. In parts of the world where broccoli isn’t common (like where I grew up in Cameroon), this may not have been part of your childhood diet. But if you can access it now, it's worth adding.
🥬 4. Kale and Other Cruciferous Greens
Kale comes in many varieties; baby, Russian red, curly, ornamental and all of them contain glucosinolates, which break down into compounds that fight cancer cells and inflammation.
Don’t have access to kale? No worries, just lean into whichever cruciferous greens you can find. They all support the same powerful defense pathways.
🍑 5. Stone Fruits: More Than Just Sweet Treats
Do you prefer the video? You can watch here: Youtube Video
Think plums, apricots, mangoes, nectarines, lychee fruits with a “stone” or pit inside. These are rich in polyphenols that inhibit cancer cell growth and help regulate inflammation.
🐟 6. Seafood: The Longevity Secret
Dr. Li doesn’t mince words: people who eat seafood regularly tend to live longer and age more slowly. The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines, and mackerel help reduce systemic inflammation and protect your cardiovascular and immune systems.
🧬 The Bigger Picture: Food Is Information
One of the book’s most profound takeaways is this: food isn’t just fuel, it is biological information. What you eat sends chemical signals to your body, influencing how your cells behave.
We all have dormant cancer cells. But when triggered by poor diet, chronic stress, environmental toxins, they can activate and grow. These foods act as molecular gatekeepers, keeping those cells in check.
✅ Our challenge LU fam!
Each week, I’m challenging myself to add at least one new cancer-fighting food to my diet. I started with plums and cherry tomatoes. What will you add this week?
Leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you.
✍️ A Note from Me
Hi, I’m Sylvie, a trained teacher, PhD holder, and curious learner. After losing my job recently, I realized how much school didn’t teach me about real life.
That’s why I’ve launched this newsletter: to learn (and share) on topics I think are very foundational to the human experience (and should be taught in schools but don’t get me started lol); health, wealth, relationships, and Artificial Intelligence.
This is the Posting Schedule:
Tuesdays→ Health (like this post)
Wednesdays→ Wealth (*currently reading “The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco*)
Thursdays→ Relationships (*reading “Social” by Matthew Lieberman*)
Fridays → Artificial Intelligence (because yes, it's changing everything)
Every weekend, I compile all my daily notes into a paid “Leveling Up Weekend Digest” . If you want access to it, please upgrade to be a paid subscriber.
💌 If you’re ready to learn, grow, and protect your health—one lesson at a time—subscribe and join me on this journey.
Till next time,
Sylvie