#30 – Thomas Seyfried, Ph.D.: Controversial discussion—cancer as a mitochondrial metabolic disease?
Peter Attia MD
@peterattiamdAbout
Peter Attia, MD, is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of simultaneously lengthening their lifespan and increasing their healthspan. He is the host of The Drive, one of the most popular podcasts covering the topics of health and medicine. He is also the author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. Dr. Attia received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine and trained for five years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery, where he was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including resident of the year. Website: https://peterattiamd.com Peter's free newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Member-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity (book): https://peterattiamd.com/outlive/ © 2015–2025 PA IP, LLC. All rights reserved.
Video Description
Original release date: 11/26/18 In this episode, Thomas Seyfried, a cancer researcher and professor of biology at Boston College, discusses a controversial view of cancer as a mitochondrial metabolic disease. Many topics related to the causes, treatments, and prevention of cancer are covered in this in-depth conversation. We discuss: -How Tom got interested in cancer research [9:00]; -Calorie-restricted ketogenic diets, fasting, and epileptic seizures [18:30]; -Otto Warburg and the Warburg effect [30:45]; -Germline mutations, somatic mutations, and no mutations [42:00]; -Mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation: Warburg’s missing link [51:30]; -What is the structural defect in the mitochondria in cancer? [1:02:00]; -Peter’s near-death experience with the insulin suppression test while in ketosis [1:06:30]; -Insulin potentiation therapy and glutamine inhibition [1:13:15]; -The macrophage fusion-hybrid theory of metastasis [1:39:30]; -How are cancer cells growth dysregulated without a mutation? [1:47:00]; -What is the dream clinical trial to test the hypothesis that we can reduce the death rates of cancer by 50%? [2:03:15]; -How can the hypothesis be tested rigorously that structural abnormalities in the mitochondria impair respiration and lead to compensatory fermentation? [2:26:30]; -Case studies of GBM survivors [2:32:45]; and -More. Show notes page: https://peterattiamd.com/tomseyfried/ About: The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 10 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more. Peter is the founder of Attia Medical, PC, a medical practice with offices in San Diego and New York City, focusing on the applied science of longevity. The practice applies nutritional biochemistry, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, techniques to increase distress tolerance, lipidology, pharmacology, and four-system endocrinology to increase lifespan (delaying the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life). Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Play: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGooglePlay
Upgrade Your Everyday
AI-recommended products based on this video

Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, True Wireless Stereo Earphones with IPX7 Waterproof, Noise Cancelling Mic, Fast Charging and Comfort Fit Ear Buds for Sports/Workouts - Black

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Smart Watch for Men/Women, 1.95" AMOLED Fitness Tracker Watches with Bluetooth Calls/Flashlight/100+ Sport Modes Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Ultra Lightweight Ultrathin Design

Smart Watch for Men Women (Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD Smartwatch Fitness Activity Tracker, 110+ Sports IP68 Waterproof, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, Fitness Watch for Android iOS
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61nNNMI1cFL._AC_UL960_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6105jZyXyPL._AC_UL960_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg)
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack, Portable Jump Box, Power Bank & Jumper Cables - for 6.0L Gas and 3.0L Diesel Engines

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W Portable Charger 72Wh PD Fast Charging 3-Port USB C Battery Pack with TFT Smart Display for MacBook/iPad/iPhone 16/Samsung S24 and More

ANKER 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger with 140W Fast Charging, Smart Display, for Outdoor Work, Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14 Series, Vision Pro, Samsung, MacBook, and More

VOLTME Portable Charger, Slim 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&Out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, Travel Essentials Dual Output Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung Google iPad etc

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, White Smoke

Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray, Metal Windowsill Plant Pots with Drainage for Outdoor or Indoor Plants, Set/3 (Black)

Eye Contact Web Camera for Desktop Computer – 1080P USB Camera with Microphone & Stand, Center Cam for Laptop or Desktop, Manual Focus, Plug & Play for macOS & Windows(Black)
![PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61PnVkv6KKL._AC_UL960_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg)
PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]
![Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815keamN-BL._AC_UL960_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg)
Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film






































