Dec 13, 2021
Sam Apple is the author of the
book Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the
Cancer-Diet Connection, published in May 2021. In this
episode, Sam describes the fascinating life story of Otto Warburg,
a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who, despite being both Jewish and
gay, survived Nazi Germany because of his valuable research on
cellular metabolism and cancer. Sam describes Warburg’s observation
that cancer cells consume large amounts of glucose anaerobically –
a phenomenon subsequently known as the “Warburg Effect” – and
relates how Warburg’s seminal work on this topic was largely
forgotten after the discovery of oncogenes, only to regain
relevance decades later within the field of cancer biology. Sam
sheds light on the current debate around Warburg’s interpretation
of the causes of cancer, and Peter gives his personal take on the
matter. Finally, Peter and Sam tie it all together with a
discussion about cancer prevention, the role of hyperinsulinemia,
and the link between dietary sugar and cancer.
We
discuss:
- Sam’s interest in Otto Warburg
and work as a writer [2:30];
- Otto Warburg’s dedication to
science and his complicated life in Germany
[14:00];
- Warburg’s interest in cancer and
early discoveries about cellular consumption of oxygen
[23:00];
- The role models who fueled
Warburg’s desire to make a great discovery
[34:15];
- How Warburg described the primary
and secondary causes of cancer [42:15];
- Warburg’s Nobel Prize in 1931
[45:45];
- Warburg’s life and work during
WWII in Nazi Germany [46:30];
- Warburg’s research in hydrogen
transfers and coenzymes—his best science?
[59:45];
- Warburg’s decision to stay in
Germany after WWII [1:03:30];
- Discovery of oncogenes in the
1970s and the decline in interest in Warburg’s ideas
[1:07:30];
- The renaissance of Warburg’s
ideas on cancer metabolism and a new explanation for the Warburg
Effect [1:13:45];
- The argument against the Warburg
Effect as a primary cause of cancer and the potential role
hyperinsulinemia [1:21:15];
- Identifying primary and secondary
causes of cancer for the purpose of prevention
[1:27:00];
- The link between sugar, fructose,
and cancer [1:35:30];
- Sam’s reflections on the work
that went into Ravenous [1:39:45];
- More