INM interviews Dr. William Li, renowned physician, scientist, and bestselling author of Eat to Beat Disease, to explore the incredible natural healing power of food.

INM: Food as medicine is a naturopathic foundation, and licensed naturopathic doctors prioritize nutrition and healing foods in their core practice. Where did you first encounter the concept of food as medicine?
Dr. Li: I grew up in a household where delicious and wholesome food was front and center every single day. The influence of both traditional Asian and Mediterranean cultures was present in my upbringing and social circle, so there has always been a natural connection in my mind between what we eat and how our body responds to what we put in it. The science of molecular nutrition is something I came to later in my career, after more than a decade of being involved with helping develop new biotech treatments for cancer, wound healing, and vision loss. I realized it was possible to apply the science used to develop new advanced medical treatments to study and understand the benefits of foods.
INM: We are big supporters of the food-as-medicine philosophy as part of a broader whole-health strategy. If certain foods promote healing, how do they influence prevention? How can we encourage intuitive healthy eating at a young age when cost, access, and environmental concerns weigh heavy on the average U.S. family?
Dr. Li: Society is shifting its views on food—from cheap and ultra-convenient to more natural and wholesome. It’s a return to the past, in some ways. There is a greater emphasis by food growers and manufacturers, as well as restauranteurs, to market the healthful aspects of food. These are important factors in encouraging young people and families to engage in healthy [eating].
Healthy eating begets disease prevention. So eating a whole-food, plant-based diet is the starting point for lifelong health and avoiding disease. Eating to treat disease is almost a separate concept. This is where an individual can augment what their doctor prescribes to achieve a better and faster healing result.
INM: Have you had any “pushback” in your field to your message of food as medicine?
Dr. Li: Because I take a science-based approach to my work and messaging, I have not encountered pushback.
INM: Do you feel a provider type centered on food as medicine could benefit our healthcare system?
Dr. Li: Yes, most definitely. Ideally, this should be integrated with mainstream medical care rather than as an “alternative” approach to healing. Many standard approaches to disease are lifesaving because they work. But food as medicine should be used in parallel for prevention, as well as to amplify healing during treatment.
INM: Which “superfoods” best support the body’s natural defenses, promote good health, and increase longevity?
Dr. Li: Superfood is an overused marketing term. Based on scientific and clinical research, some foods that are clear winners in health are brassica (broccoli, cabbage, bok choy), tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, green tea, and coffee.
INM: Emphasizing the roles of diet and nutrition in disease prevention and management is a central aspect of our efforts to expand awareness about naturopathic practice. Have you ever collaborated with licensed NDs, or would you like to?
Dr. Li: I am a big believer in collaboration across the health professions. Every group has something unique and important to contribute.
Dr. Li is co-founder, president, and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation. For the latest cutting-edge food as medicine science, check out his YouTube channel.
