Welcome to the 49th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this radical and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Samuel Shepherd—a biochemical engineer, inventor, cancer survivor, and true renaissance man whose work spans medicine, AI, space exploration, and national defense.

Sam shares how he reversed a rare form of cancer, developed his productValasta, and uncovered the oxidative root behind 92% of inflammatory diseases.

In this episode we dive into:

· Sam’s personal journey of reversing a rare cancer diagnosis through biochemical innovation

· The story behind Valasta—how it works and what makes it different from other antioxidants like vitamin C or vitamin E

· Why certain animals don’t get cancer—and what humans can learn from that

· How Sam has faced resistance, censorship, and even threats to his life

· The 4–5 reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause nearly all chronic inflammatory conditions

· How sugar—especially fructose—disrupts DNA repair and creates disease

· The dangerous introduction of high-fructose corn syrup into the food supply

· Why your CRP (C-reactive protein) level is a powerful predictor of disease

· The difference between treating symptoms (branches) vs. root causes (ROS)

· How the healthcare system perpetuates sickness through systemic inflammation

· How Sam had zero atherogenic plaque at 70+ years old!

· How light, frequency, and military tech can influence your physiology and brain health

· What makes cancer cells electrically different (sodium, potassium, and charge potential)

· How Sam contributed to early AI and what it means for human relevance

· The existential cost of losing purpose in a post-AI world

· The two behavioral rules every living being follows: maximize pleasure or minimize pain

· The various ways to take Valasta: chocolate, capsules, or topical

· ValAsta's testimonials including compelling cases such as the reversal of the founder Sam Shepherd's mother's renal failure, along with reported remissions in conditions like breast cancer, brain tumors, and even severe cases of COVID-19

· What lifestyle changes are recommended while using Valasta

To learn more about Sam's work, visit Valasta.net.

Here are two of his 44 patents:

• Method of Using Astaxanthin for the Treatment of Diseases, Particularly Cancer
  US Patent 11065269B1

• Process for Reducing Cell Death and Increasing Growth of an Algal Culture
  US Patent 10364426B1

This episode is a thoughtful dive into biology, purpose, and what it means to take ownership of your life—with one of the most insightful and unfiltered guests I’ve had on the show. Enjoy the conversation, and if it resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who’d appreciate it.