Shocking New GLP-1 Side Effect: Can GLP-1s Reduce The Risk of Cancer? - With Dr. William Li

The Model Health Show

Shawn Stevenson

Fitness, Nutrition, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 7.3K Ratings

🗓️ 13 July 2026

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

Many prescription drugs come with a whole host of nasty side effects. But every once in a while, scientists discover that certain medications can unintentionally lead to benefits unrelated to the illness or condition they were originally designed to treat. Today, you’re going to learn about the newest example of this phenomenon. Our guest, Dr. William Li, is a physician, scientist, and New York Times bestselling author. He’s back on The Model Health Show for a fascinating discussion on the unintended side effects of GLP-1 medications. You’re going to hear the latest science on how taking GLP-1 medications can impact cancer rates, cancer recurrence, and so much more. In this conversation, you’re going to learn about the history of weight loss drugs like GLP-1s. You’ll learn the science behind how they work, as well as their positive and negative side effects. Specifically, Dr. Li is sharing cutting-edge science on the complex relationship between cancer and GLP-1s. You’ll hear the three ways that GLP-1s can improve cancer outcomes, plus how to support your body’s natural GLP-1 production. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. William Li! In this episode you’ll discover: The side effects of GLP-1 medications. (3:32) Why GLP-1 medications were created and how their use has evolved. (5:18) What a Gila monster is and what is has to do with GLP-1s. (7:27) The interesting history of weight loss drugs. (10:14) How many Americans have used or are using GLP-1s. (11:42) The effect that GLP-1s have on cardiovascular health. (12:53) What angiogenesis is and its relationship to GLP-1 receptors. (14:11) The four types of cancer that GLP-1s can prevent from spreading. (18:53) How GLP-1s reduce rates of cancer recurrence. (20:44) The preventative effect of GLP-1s on breast cancer. (24:16) Why medications and their side effects are nuanced. (26:02) How fat cells function like an organ. (35:53) What this new science can teach us about how our bodies work. (42:00) The importance of having healthy gut bacteria. (51:49) How to support your body’s natural GLP-1 production. (55:49) The health benefits of cacao. (1:00:17) Items mentioned in this episode include: Peluva.com/model - Most shoes weaken your feet—these rebuild them. Peluva barefoot shoes are designed to restore natural movement, improve strength, and support long-term health. Get 15% off with code MODEL. Piquelife.com/model - Doctor-approved, cutting-edge solutions for your head-to-toe health and beauty transformation. Get exclusive savings on bundles & subscriptions. Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li - Read the New York Times Bestseller! Eat to Beat Your Diet by Dr. William Li - Learn how to heal your metabolism! Connect with Dr. William Li Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube Be sure you are subscribed to this podcast to automatically receive your episodes: Apple Podcasts Spotify Soundcloud Pandora YouTube This episode of The Model Health Show is brought to you by Peluva and Pique. Most shoes weaken your feet—these rebuild them. Peluva barefoot shoes are designed to restore natural movement, improve strength, and support long-term health. Get 15% off with code MODEL at peluva.com/model. Elevate your daily ritual with cutting-edge, doctor-approved teas designed to support your metabolism, skin, and overall vitality. Unlock exclusive savings on bundles and subscriptions at piquelife.com/model.

Transcript

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0:00.0	You are now listening to The Model Health Show with Sean Stevenson. For more, visit the modelhealth
0:06.5	show.com. Welcome to the model host show. Today you're going to learn some cutting edge
0:13.9	new science connecting GOP-1s to cancer prevention, to reducing the recurrence of cancer, and much more.
0:23.7	But what about the potential side effects of GLP-1s?
0:27.2	We're going to dive into the data on that as well, and I'm telling you everybody needs to know this stuff.
0:33.2	Now, because of the exceedingly fast shift in our culture with GLP1 drugs,
0:39.1	this conversation warrants some caveats.
0:42.3	And this is not especially for me an advocacy for these drugs or against them.
0:50.6	This episode today is about providing access to the latest, again, cutting edge information
0:59.0	that has emerged now that we have accumulated years of data on their use.
1:05.9	Plus, you're going to discover the surprising relationship between cancer cells and fat cells
1:14.0	help to fuel or starve them both. It's the process of angiogenesis. And today you get to learn
1:23.1	about all of this from the world's leading expert on this subject, Dr. William Lee.
1:30.6	Dr. William Lee is an internationally renowned physician, scientist, and author of the New York
1:37.0	Times bestsellers, Eat to Beat Disease, and Eat to Beat Your Diet. His groundbreaking research has led to the development of more than 40 new medical
1:47.9	treatments that impact care for more than 70 diseases, including diabetes, blindness,
1:55.3	heart disease, and obesity.
1:58.0	Dr. Lee is a president and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation, and he's
2:04.2	leading global initiatives on food as medicine. Let's dive into this conversation with the incredible
2:12.3	Dr. William Lee. This episode is going to be out of this world. Literally, we've got some incredible new insights. We've got the one and only Dr. William Lee. This episode is going to be out of this world. Literally, we've got some incredible new insights.
2:19.7	We've got the one and only Dr. William Lee here with us. How are you doing today?
2:22.9	Doing great. Thanks for having me back on. Always a pleasure.
	...

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