Training your spleen: can it produce natural EPO?

The spleen might be able to produce more red blood cells if it is trained. This research is currently underway at Bicycling. EPO, or erythropoietin, is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. Some athletes use synthetic EPO as a performance enhancer, but natural EPO could be a healthier option.

The idea is that the spleen can produce more EPO if it is regularly activated. This could mean that athletes can improve their performance without doping. Whether this is actually the case, and how significant the effect would be, remains to be seen.

Bicycling is researching the possibilities of this phenomenon. It is not yet clear if and how the spleen can be trained. The results of the research are still awaited.

So far, there is little scientific evidence for this idea. It remains to be seen what the outcomes of the research will be. It is also still unclear whether the spleen responds equally well to training in everyone.

This report is a summary based on the mentioned source and is not medical advice. Always consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have complaints.