This Scientist Believes Pro Cyclists Could Hold The Key To Curing Cancer

Dr Iñigo San Millán is best known as the coach of Tadej Pogačar and for pioneering zone 2 training methods, but did you know he also dedicates a lot of time to cancer research? Si sat down with him at the Tour de France to find out more about how pro cyclists could hold the key to finding a cure for cancer!
00:00 Intro
00:43 Cycling coach & cancer researcher?
02:30 Pioneering cancer research
06:43 Cancer metabolism
08:20 Learning from elite athletes
09:48 Lactate in cancer
14:07 How far along is this research?
16:42 A future cure for cancer?
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What other things would you love for us to ask Iñigo? 🧑‍⚕ Let us know in the comments below! 💬
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[@gcn]

What would you ask Iñigo?🧪

[@TheMoodyedge]

What's the most popular "illegal" substance used by the pros.

[@johnflynn4923]

What are his thoughts on fenbendazole as a potential cure?

[@jensenhealey907efi]

I am fascinated by his research but it wasn't very well explained how working with pro-cyclists has helped his research. I think I would have asked what effect pro-cycling or even cycling exercise has on this metabolic blocking process to kill cancer cells.

[@heywoodjablowme8120]

When was the last timed you doped and got away with it.

[@philstannard5563]

I’d ask him why it is that he reminds me of another exercise physiologist who trained professional cyclists in the 1990s and 2000s with so-called revolutionary training methods. Amazing how Pog is able to rip the legs off everyone on under-raced legs and lots of zone 2 training.

[@ianlaker9161]

The timing of this excellent video could not be more significant for me, a 62 year old active cyclist with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). I was diagnosed in October 2021 and have just had my 18 month review this very day (14th July 2023). I'm very happy to report I'm in remission and my gut says that besides my miracle chemo drug, my recovery is due in no small measure to intense exercise including regular spin sessions, gym work and, of course, road cycling. I think it certainly helped me tolerate the chemo so well with no side effects after the first few months. I would very much welcome any relevant resources that explains more on the research discussed here in layman's terms.

[@carlosgonzalez-figueroa9977]

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4783224/

[@Dimashoey]

Amazing spirit!

[@nihonbunka]

Valter Longo's research on fasting prior and post chemo seems relevant on the input side. Other cells will go into hybernate mode so they won't consume the chemo whereas the fasting does not affect the cancer cells. If you do exercise as well, preventing lactate, and further carcinogenesis then super.

[@vasipro]

Search home made kefir yogurt. Make yourself at home this yogurt. It's life-saving, especially for cancer patients, especially after recovery.

[@vasipro]

Here is how you do chefir at home: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmekfYt8oLipgsU.

[@jeffackackly1927]

Absolutely incredible research and show... I am Stage 4 pulmonary adenocarcinoma. (lung cancer) ... non smoker.. (for those who judge).. I was originally told that I had 4 months... I am an old roadie, and refused to put my bike down, I have done ten sessions of radiation and 3 series of chemotherapies and one series of immunotherapy, Next month I will be starting a series of directed chemotherapy. I ride. I ride because I still can, my bike has, in my brain kept me alive. I am now ten years into my cancer journey, abused but not beaten. I am certain my bike has kept me going, I understand the words he is saying, but not certain I could use them in a sentence... If blocking lactate is the goal.. why is riding helping me?.. ok.. I am not really producing a lot of lactate (I don't think... I'm 61 years old, one lung and abused... aka not fast, but I do long, long 200+ km rides) Can you shed some light as to what might be going on? I think reducing/ controlling glucose is good... and increasing mitochondrial function... good. But I don't know how much lactate and me have in common. I guess maybe more than I think, my right lung is not functional, the smaller left lung has taken on the task of keeping me upright on the bike.

[@Techytechyy]

They should really have answered what the exact relationship between lactate and elite cyclist is. But it's not hard to guess at: exercise probably increases your body's ability to metabolise lactate effectively, thereby becoming better at clearing lactate. So, lactate goes up during exercise, but that also builds your body's ability to clear it.

[@brim3384]

Good question, from what I’ve heard from Dr San Milan, I hypothesize that increase in mitochondrial density increases the amount of lactate shuttling power. Essentially clearing the amount present in the cell/body.

[@TheEvaMM]

I think the goal of this research is to find a way to control lactate production in cancer cells, so they need to understand they way it is cleared in an athlete cells. It does not mean that an athlete could have cancer because o lactate produced during exercise.

[@Rinnk]

Thank you GCN for keep bringing Iñigo back. These videos are so interesting and educational at the same time. Chapeau.

[@oumtaha3834]

Don't move that!

[@hicky62]

Fascinating interview, Iñigo is so interesting to listen to. I was diagnosed with a tumour in my right lung a year ago, and it was suspected to be cancer. Following a thoracotamy and lobectomy to remove the tumour, it was thankfully benign. However, as I had cycled for most of my 60 years, my lung function was really high, even though a third of the right lung was a tumour. Because of this, the surgeon had no issues operating and put my speedy recovery down to my overall fitness, too. I was discharged 3 days after the operation and on my indoor trainer 2 weeks later. Recently completed the Ride Clywd Sportive and raised over £1600 for Macmillan.

[@3Unique]

Amazing story

[@Littleweenaman]

You are the man!

[@AndrewOliverHome]

I’m 11 years from my diagnosis of advanced bowel cancer, 2 large tumours, 1 extending beyond the bowel and into the surrounding tissues. I was a keen cyclist before my discovering I had cancer, I regularly rode 80+ miles in the Peak District on Summer Sundays. The day after I was diagnosed I hit the bike and rode as hard as I could though surgery, 6 months of chemotherapy and 2 years of treatment overall. I came out of that time leaner (10+kg lighter) and much faster. Cycling saved me mentally and kept me physically strong.

[@jeffackackly1927]

My story is the same... keep the bike on the road!! I am 10 years with stage four lung cancer... with a prognosis of 4 months... my bike and everything it gives back to me... has kept me alive. Keep on riding! when they tell me I failed another CTScan... I ride harder. f them

[@msj1117]

Two interviews with Iñigo, two smashing successes. Please continue to feature interviews with him and other experts. The repertoire of knowledge and content we receive from GCN is outstanding. Bravo!

[@meatcleaverness]

OUTSTANDING!!! As a 2 time cancer survivor this gives me huge hope. Proof that not all superheroes wear capes ❤

[@notmyrealname6272]

Love love love love. He is quite literally the boss. Cycling saved my life physically and certainly mentally when I had cancer and nothing makes me happier than hearing this guy talk about bringing these two things together. Hope for the future is what we all need. ❤

[@aals3940]

Dear GCN legends, from Saudi Arabia, i send you my best wishes. That's why i love GCN, it's not a training sessions only, but a life of health and hope. 4 years ago, i was 92 kg, a very high cholesterol, with a poor fitness, watched lots of fantastic clips. Solo outdoor training, indoor training, then joined groups, now i am a professional player, 69 kg, with a great ftp. Bye to cholesterol and over weight. Love love GCN.

[@CatManDoSocial]

I love every interview that you've done with Dr San Millán, as well as other outlets. He's brilliant and kind. Please have him on as much as you can.

[@since_always]

Honestly unreal, my mom goes in 1 week from today to have a cancerous tumor removed from her pancreas. Let's go cycling!

[@tonyhickey8849]

I work in this field. I work on mitochondrial function. Very well explained, I have to teach some of this over the next month. About ten years back an opposing tack to blocking lactate was used to enhance mitochondrial function (search DCA). Worked really well on rats, not so well in humans. I have yet to see both approaches used at the same time. I didn't expect to see this topic here, so good job.

[@db613]

This was so brilliantly explained, something so complicated makes it simplified and so interesting. There's a reason Pog has him as a coach, because he truly is brilliant. I always get overloaded with the science data in sports, but a coach like that I can see how he makes it so easy to digest

[@gcn]

We love sitting down with Iñigo! Always a fountain of knowledge, did you catch our previous meetings? 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hILVnXiNjJ2KrKc

[@nluisa]

I love the fact he keeps on quoting and refering to other scientists work. It isn't often seen in the science community.

[@PhyllisBoone-sn8oi]

​@nluisa Legitimate scientists build on earlier research and routinely credit or cite their prediscessors. This is because the results of scientific studies are always open to questioning by other researchers. Skepticism is valued and questions tested using the scientific method, the process recognized in this interview. Anyone, especially as "scientist" or "expert" who tells you that a thesis is completely settled and discourages or demonizes those who question his or her findings is not a scientist, but an activist. Phyllis Boone MSN ANP-BC Retired

[@AdamGoodson]

Love the deeper conversations on nutrition, psychology, and now around metabolism in relationship to cancer. Cancer has been a burden on all of humanity for hundreds of years. Finding a cure will bring us all to a more fulfilling life experience on this planet.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Cancer has been around longer than humans have.

[@markrskinner]

Chemotherapy has been around for decades. It cures cancer. I'm one of those survivors.

[@derickcastillo9083]

Thank you Simon again for the interview with Dr. San Millan. My Biochemistry professors back in the early 90s always told me the regulation of all these pathways is the most important concept to understand. We could not have imagined at the time that these concepts would be a great weapon against cancer. Please continue to have interviews with Dr. San Millan as often as you can. BRILLIANT VIDEO!

[@theironceo]

Thank you, Simon, for this amazing and informative interview with Dr. San Millan. I never thought a GCN cycling video would lead me to an internationally renowned Ph.D. in applied physiologist in my home state of Colorado that studies how the top pro cyclists boost mitochondrial function and impact longevity and could be a link to curing cancer. At age 61, I successfully finished my 10th Ironman distance race on 9-11, 2022, and in January 2023, I was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor and operated on at CU Anschutz. Except for the two days of the surgery, I have exercised every day and continue to do what I love; swim, Bike and run. I've already run a half marathon, raced at an Olympic distance triathlon and have many more events on my schedule. I attribute my recovery to my mindset, specifically my mental strength, determination, and physical endurance. I am confident that the professor's research will provide vital clues and answers for how to cure this dreaded disease.

[@garysladek9110]

Let's recognize Si's interviewing skill as well as the hopeful information from Inigo. Throughly enjoyed this presentation.

[@Terakathis]

GCN keeps bringing up their game. This is awesome and I’ll be sharing the video for sure!

[@SquareyCircley]

Great stuff! Si's occasional serious health-related videos are why I'm still subbed, less Shimano ads and more of this lol

[@kristenbrook897]

Love love love these interviews with Inigo, please keep this variety of content going ❤

[@matthewsponseller]

So interesting and informative, greatly appreciate GCN going a bit beyond the realm of actual cycling. So important to be informed and for true science to be so clearly explained be a real caring expert. Thank you GCN!!

[@darrendunn54]

Truly great content 👍 I work in development for a global pharmaceutical company I really appreciate the long form version of this he’s so effusive and explains his work and interests so well

[@niles_stone2540]

Great interview. Hope to see this in translational research some day.

[@alolympic]

Great coverage GCN! Love this guy, so humble but so pioneering in everything he does!

[@geoffwhite3664]

Bicycling is the safest, most efficient way to train the body's metabolism to its highest possible levels where cancer-fighting mechanisms might be engaged. Elite cyclists should be studied. I'm dubious about "pro" cyclists being included because their systems may be compromised by any number of hazardous, perhaps illegal, substances. I hope this research gains support for the possible medical results and the boost our sport may enjoy when positive health benefits, vis-a-vis cancer-fighting effects, are confirmed.

[@wonderwatch2239]

The scary part is.. if the medical companies don’t see maximum profit, from the expected results from the research, the research is never going to be funded, and a possible cure will never see the light of day 😢 Money talks🤷‍♂️

[@user-ic5iy4yz2q]

This and previous interview with Dr I S M some of the most "grown up" and interesting videos I think GCN have produced. Excellent, Thank You.

[@bornagaintriathlete4344]

Really interesting video. Thanks GCN.

[@Ruggine85]

Fascinating! Thanks for the essential research you are doing and thanks GCN for the oppotunity to personally grow. Please more videos like this

[@zanperko3932]

More Iñigo and his research on GCN please! Top stuff

[@rachelharvey71]

I wish Inigo had been my science teacher I would have got top marks, he’s so knowledgable and makes a very complicated subject easy to understand thanks GCN great content 🥰

[@vmsrosa]

This man is absolutely incredible. Despite entering, sometimes, into technical details I cannot grasp, generally he's able to explain to "mere mortals" the general concepts. And if his (and others, like he recalls more than once) work really goes through, what an advance it will really be. FANTASTIC video!!

[@olivierlablee5901]

Just fascinating !!! Thank you GCN and Inigo.

[@a.g.2700]

Wow!!! I knew my father was a "genius" ;) lol... But seriously, Wow, very interesting and informative. And I do think my father is a maverick. Started road cycling again at around 50. Had a serious brain trauma injury in 1999 (fell off his bike), got back to cycling after therapy...2006, cancer #1 required surgery, resulted in removal of a kidney. Got back on the bike...2016, cancer #2 one round of radiation, went into remission, kept cycling...2020 comes back, chemo. Went into remission, keeps cycling. My father celebrated this May his 79th birthday and is and avid road cyclist. He rides to stay mentally and physically healthy, and truthfully in his case we think it's what keeping him alive and he would agree. Thank you for sharing this video @inigosanmillan

[@lezivanerrol3697]

As a 70+ year old fighting cancer fires, stamping out metastasizing skin cancer cells, seeing in recent times that various scientists are explaining that sugar, glucose and exercise are vitally linked with cancer are revelations which younger people should be paying very close attention too. GCN must keep up the message that exercise plus the liberal use of sun blocking agents are vital.

[@fabriziotorri9433]

Thank you for the interesting interview!

[@Spider-zx6dm]

Kudos to Dr Inigo and other doctor/scientist out there. I really like how he mention that "I will not cure cancer of course, but at least we open new door." A TRUE scientist and a person this world need more of.

[@VirtuosoMatt126]

Very interesting! The more differing approaches to curing cancer the better! Every idea starts off as speculation but surely another lane to venture down is better than just relying on previous theories.

[@johnmurphy2189]

One of the best GCN’s to date, IMHO.

[@MrChippinator]

I absolutely love this video. It is not something I expected at GCN and it is a pleasant surprise. More of this content would be awesome!

[@David-he4wr]

And that's one of the reasons why I study moleculare medicine...very interesting video, thank you

[@albertpicher832]

Great interview Thanks!

[@peterslater7791]

holy cow, this was incredibly insightful and informative. thanks!!

[@Paul-dorsetuk]

Absolutely brilliant best gcn video for ages

[@samanthawalker6677]

Absolutely fascinating. I could listen to Dr Inigo for days.

[@3Unique]

Thank you. Brilliant and fascinating interview. Wish it had been longer 😀

[@archkod]

I could listen to Iñigo all day.

[@tedallenwolff]

wow, really fascinating! Great video, thanks Sy!!

[@divinemercy7036]

Lance Armstrong's would be a case study. Having had stage 3 cancer which spread to his lungs and brain, although he underwent chemo he is cancer free to date.. Wonder if what is discussed in video was what had help him in his recovery.

[@paulgordon7526]

Great interview Simon very interesting and brilliantly explained by Dr Inigo :-) is there a scale lactate threshold we can work with / Age / Size expected for the average person or is it just different for everyone?

[@seang8785]

More like this please GCN, great thought provoking content 👍

[@theresarowe1656]

Very good report. Excellent questions and answers.

[@cb6866]

Thank you Si and Dr I....as a survivor , and again a patient , the research means a lot . Life is experimental , eh?

[@iansingleton]

Fascinating! My whole family has died from cancer. Needless to say I'm super high cancer risk. It gives me hope to hear that new avenues are being researched after the, let's be honest, depressing lack of success through Gene research! Good luck for the future!

[@alwayslearning4]

Phenomenal discussion. I would listen to Dr Millan all day. Science is fascinating and the future of cancer research and prevention seems brighter by the day thanks for people like this.

[@iang7007]

Fascinating :) Thanks for your hard work guys God bless you :)

[@PrateekVarshney_PV]

That is soo promising! Keep doing great work sir 👏👏

[@DrSomhairle]

I loved this, very interesting and.as a scientist it's not too complicated for the lay person and gives enough for someone who works in the area as a general interest. That said, we. are a long way from a therapy in this area I guess. Will watch with interest. Thanks GCN

[@ricardocamacho1627]

These are the best videos GCN makes. Keep it up.

[@blamelouis]

Fantastic informative interview 👍🏻very much like Jane mcllellands protocol for blocking cancer pathways.

[@veloman59]

Great video I'm sure it could bring hope to a lot of people out there 🙂

[@Stickygoma]

Listening to Dr MIllan is awesome! Bring on more experts!

[@tonysegadelli9421]

Brilliant video Something completely different to the usual but well worth watching

[@josegomez-no1up]

Wow that was really interesting, thank you.

[@michaelevans797]

That was very interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@ondrejmitas3325]

I so enjoy his explanations. Thank you so much.

[@kulbirmalik55]

Great content and hence exercise of any kind is great for health. But what I love most is Si intensity to listen when Inigo talks about gene expression and pathways.! All Si is missing is his trusty old lab coat.

[@budycelyn]

extremely interesting video, my family has been ravaged by cancer and is still being ravaged so any sign of a future cure brings hope.

[@brettmutinelli2275]

Yes, mind blowing! Thank you!

[@scotta2996]

That was fantastic please do more

[@robertneild3772]

Truly amazing!

[@tomlangleydesign]

Thanks, for more great content.

[@AL-ey6du]

how awesome this video!

[@jacobwright9383]

Nothing to do with this video but thank you Hank for saying hello to me this morning outside GCN mega base. You're a star for not telling me where to get off on your way into work. 👏👏👏

[@SethGroover]

Amazing content.

[@jamiewaelend9242]

Amazing insight

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Every time GCN has Iñigo on, my IQ increases. This is fascinating content and the work that he is doing with cancer research is incredible. Thank you, GCN. And thank you, Dr. San Millán for your work in cancer research.

[@eragon6946]

More of these videos please!!!🙏

[@andrelott4851]

All respects to Dr Inigo. He is a big scientist and he shares things in very clear way.

[@sherab2078]

Very interesting material.

[@laniernelson1019]

Chapeau GCN for bringing this man into the lime light ✨️

[@ashokdongre7289]

Thank you Si and GCN. I live and breathe this stuff. Inigo is definitely not going to be popular with cancer geneticists. 😂😂 How about another episode to tie how cycling affects cellular metabolism and provides sustained health benefits and helps counter a wide variety of pathologies from diabetes to cardiovascular pathologies as well oncology. Great content .. this increases awareness and multiple levels. Also, one doesn't need to be a Tour d France level athlete to reap the health benefits cycling brings to ones life.

[@gordonbarnes8229]

Great Video! With several teams now sponsored by oil rich companies (which will soon be criticised by the non cycling public in view of the "Just Stop Oil" crowd and their like) it would be great that under the UAE sponsorship all these rich petro dollar teams gave Dr Inigo and his fellow researchers the funds they need.

[@theh2ohammer372]

I love these deep looks. Great video, thank you.

[@gcn]

And we long filming them 🙌 What topics would you like to see us dive into next?

[@nluisa]

@@gcn These deep dives are both accessible and insightful. It would be interesting to have more expert content on other sports science and nutrition areas. Stephen Seiler comes to mind, for instance.

[@Halfdome05]

I would like to hear the opinion of other researchers as well.

[@lazybuilder]

Just amazing!

[@livi7767]

Very interesting

[@dannixon247]

Are these lactate blockers used in the tour???

[@marios8372]

The man is an absolute legend, chapeau!

[@samirhadade]

The fundamental question pertaining to cycling is: "How does this research benefit Pogi and the UAE team"? I imagine that they may produce less lactic acid.... therefore improving their performance?

[@felipericketts]

What an amazing story! 🙂

[@getmeaname23]

At 6:30, he lowkey called Pogacar a machine... XD

[@frankeeeej]

Man, I'd love to see Iñigo on the Huberman lab podcast :)

[@victorknubben5515]

Very interesting video. However I really struggle to understand exactly how knowledge of these athletes helped to understand anything about the reprogramming of cancer cells towards lactate metabolism. You can't study the energy metabolism in the cells of these athletes. But besides that, the energy metabolism of cancerous cells , like Inigo said, is reprogrammed towards lactate production rather than the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation like in healthy cells. This difference is between healthy cells and cancerous cells, but how does knowledge from athletes come in handy there? Just really curious what insights were so useful for the researchers.

[@mrsmith4662]

Sounds great - let's hope they are onto something (quickly).

[@pikerflinn]

This is increasingly prominent in low carb circles, but a nice crossover between cycling and metabolic disease. Interesting.

[@ramelottepeter2249]

fascinating!

[@gcn]

We would expect nothing less from Inigo 🙌

[@SuperDodoe]

excelleny ty!

[@drigobarreto]

By using EPO?