What if the “best” cancer diet isn’t one diet at all—but the one that fits how you’re wired? As Dr. Linda Isaacs explained in my recent conversation with her, your autonomic nervous system runs in two main gears: parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) and sympathetic (“fight or flight”).

Most of us lean one way. That tilt affects digestion, blood sugar, and immune tone—so the same plate of food that settles one person can leave another wired or wiped out.

In Dr. Isaacs’ framework, sympathetic-leaning folks often feel better with more plant-focused, alkaline meals and lighter proteins, while parasympathetic-leaning folks may need more protein and healthy fats to feel steady and focused. In this post, we’ll keep it simple: how to spot your dominant gear, what that means for your plate, and practical meal ideas you can discuss with your healthcare practitioner.

Quick Self-Check: Which “Gear” Do You Run On?

This isn’t a diagnosis—just a simple way to notice patterns. Read the lists below and circle what sounds like you most of the time. If you relate to 4 or more in one column, you likely lean that way.

You may lean sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) if:

• You run “wired-and-tired”: go-go-go by day, hard to wind down at night.
• You get shaky or irritable if you skip meals; sugar/caffeine give quick relief.
• Heavy, rich meals (lots of red meat/cheese) feel like a brick in your stomach.
• Light proteins (fish, eggs, poultry) and steamed veggies sit best.
• Sleep can be light or broken; you wake at 2–4 a.m. on stressful weeks.
• Coffee hits hard (jitters, palpitations) unless you’ve eaten first.

You may lean parasympathetic (“rest-and-digest”) if:

• You’re slower to start in the morning but steady once you get going.
• Hearty proteins and healthy fats (steak, salmon, avocado) ground you.
• High-carb meals make you sleepy or foggy afterward.
• You can go longer between meals without crashing.
• You sleep deeply; stress makes you sluggish more than wired.
• Warm, savory meals feel comforting; big salads don’t always satisfy.

The Solution?

• If you check more sympathetic boxes, try plant-focused plates with lighter proteins, steady but modest carbs (berries, sweet potato, quinoa), and gentle bitters or broth before meals.
• If you check more parasympathetic boxes, try protein-and-healthy-fat–centered meals with plenty of non-starchy veggies and smaller, strategic carbs.

Track energy, mood, sleep, and digestion for 3–5 days as you adjust. Share your notes with your healthcare practitioner. Match the plate to your wiring, not someone else’s.

Meet Dr. Linda Issacs

If you’ve ever wanted to sit face-to-face with a true expert on cancer diets, pull up a chair. In this conversation, Dr. Linda Isaacs breaks down the two nervous-system “gears”—parasympathetic and sympathetic—how to tell which one you’re in, and how to build a plate that fits it. You’ll feel like you’re sitting one-on-one in her office as she delivers clear, practical, advice.

No appointment necessary. No charge. Just advice from a true expert.

Check out my interview with Dr. Linda Isaacs below:

Resources:
Nutrition and the Autonomic Nervous System: The Scientific Foundations of the Gonzalez Protocol

Eat Healthy, Wherever You Are!

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