Episode Details

Guest: Dr. William W. Li, NYT-Bestselling Author of Eat to Beat Disease
Originally Recorded: May 2022 on Nutrition Without Compromise
Sponsor of Original Episode: ÖRLÖ Nutrition Co-Hosts: Corinna Bellizzi & Tia Walden This episode is shared with permission from Nutrition Without Compromise and ORLO Nutrition. 

Episode Summary

Today’s bonus episode comes from the archives of a show I once hosted—Nutrition Without Compromise—a series created to explore nourishment that never sacrifices human health, planetary health, or ethical integrity. While Dr. Li has joined us on Care More Be Better a few times, this conversation has never before aired here, and it remains one of my favorites.

Dr. William Li, internationally renowned physician, scientist, and author of the bestseller Eat to Beat Disease, breaks down the body’s five health defense systems, the science of using food as medicine, and how we can personalize nutrition to strengthen immunity, support longevity, and reduce disease risk. We talk about dietary diversity, the joy of eating, the role of omega-3s, the pitfalls of low-quality supplements, and how modern research is reframing what it means to live vibrantly at every age.

This episode originally aired under the sponsorship of ÖRLÖ Nutrition, makers of carbon-negative, algae-based omega-3s grown in Iceland using clean geothermal energy. Their commitment to regenerative nutrition aligned beautifully with the ethos of that show—and with the work we continue here.

Topics We Cover

• Dr. Li’s journey from medical researcher to food-as-medicine pioneer

• The Five Health Defense Systems: angiogenesis, stem cells, microbiome, DNA protection, and immunity

• Why dietary diversity—not restriction—is the foundation of vibrant health

• How food can enhance medical treatments, not just prevent disease

• The rise of planetary-aware eating and the importance of responsible sourcing

• Omega-3s: fish vs. algae, and why quality matters

• The 5x5x5 framework for daily eating without rigidity

• How lifestyle, joy, and cultural food traditions shape well-being

• Dr. Li’s free masterclasses and practical tips for getting started

Referenced In This Episode

• Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William W. Li https://amzn.to/3YEosdU

• Dr. Li’s TED Talk: Can We Eat to Starve Cancer? https://www.ted.com/talks/william_li_can_we_eat_to_starve_cancer

• The Angiogenesis Foundation: https://angio.org/

• The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas https://amzn.to/3KKEb8h

• Dr. Li’s Masterclasses & Newsletter: https://drwilliamli.com

• Dr. Li’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/drwilliamli

• ORLO Nutrition: https://orlonutrition.com

Connect with Me

Website: https://caremorebebetter.com
Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @CareMoreBeBetter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbellizzi/ and htt