In today's episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. William Li, a visionary physician, and scientist who leads us on a fascinating journey through the world of food as medicine. We unpack the rejuvenating properties of sleep, delve into the health benefits initiated by our body's natural fasting period, and illuminate the remarkable ways in which what we eat can drastically affect our well-being. Tune in to discover how you can leverage your body's natural defenses through what you eat, and understand why your diet is not just about weight—it’s about preventing disease and promoting vitality.In this episode you’ll:Discover why sleep is far from a passive state and how it activates crucial health defenses.Understand how the metabolism revs up during sleep, burning fat and refreshing the gut microbiome for improved health.Learn about the foods that can help cut off the blood supply to diseases and promote healing.Uncover the significance of angiogenesis and how maintaining a balanced number of blood vessels is key for health.Identify the importance of whole foods and plant-based diets in obtaining optimal health and preventing disease.Explore the connection between gut health and cognitive function, as well as overall immune response.00:07 Greeting and Introductions00:59 Dr. William Li's Multi-Ethnic Food Background and Its Influence02:35 Sleep as an Active State for Health Defense Mechanisms05:50 Metabolism During Sleep and its Role in Health09:22 Fasting Benefits and its Natural Occurrence in Sleep12:07 The Misconceptions of Intermittent Fasting and Finding Balance15:10 Dr. Li's Journey from Disease Treatment to Disease Prevention17:53 The Science Behind Food as Medicine20:48 Why Blood Vessel Health is Key in Fighting Diseases23:15 The "Eat to Beat Disease" Approach25:01 The Impact of Plant-Based Foods on Breast Cancer and Overall Health30:44 The Importance of Dietary Choices in Supporting a Healthy Microbiome34:15 The Role of Medicinal Mushrooms and Teas in Health38:00 Deep Dive into the Latest Research on Cancer Prevention and Food Synergy41:00 Closing Thoughts and GratitudeDr. William Li is a world-renowned physician, scientist, speaker, and author of "Eat to Beat Disease." He's best known for his groundbreaking work on angiogenesis, the body's formation of blood vessels, and how this process influences disease and health. His heritage and international experiences have fueled a fascinating career that intersects medicine, research, and food culture — all to encourage a lifecycle approach to health that is both preventative and nurturing. Connect with Dr. William Li:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwilliamli/Website: https://drwilliamli.To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with RHMD, visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/time-to-talkTo get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Person's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://realhealthmd.kartra.com/page/SmartPersonsGuidetoBreastCancerJoin the Facebook group: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepingabreastwdrjennConnect with Dr. Jenn:Website: https://www.realhealthmd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons