Harnessing the Power of Nutrients

Chris Masterjohn, PhD's Substack 'Harnessing the Power of Nutrients' merges scientific insight with innovative thinking, focusing on health optimization through nutrition, genetic factors, and biochemistry. It challenges mainstream health narratives, explores nutrient impacts on health, and presents actionable advice based on personal health data and scientific research.

Nutritional Science Genetic Health Analysis Dietary Recommendations Mitochondrial Health Supplementation Metabolic Health Iron Metabolism Vaccine Analysis Health Policy Food Safety

The hottest Substack posts of Harnessing the Power of Nutrients

And their main takeaways

001: Coffee

19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 16
🍲 Food & Drink Coffee Health Science
  1. The author discusses their daily coffee consumption and why they do not apologize for it.
  2. There is skepticism about the connection between coffee intake and reduced disease risk based on a large body of literature.
  3. Genetic factors may influence our choice to drink coffee and could have an impact on disease risk, which might not be solely altered by coffee consumption.

Where Do Most AGEs Come From? O Glycation, How Thy Name Hast Deceived Me!

39 implied HN points • 07 Oct 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Research Metabolism Diabetes Biochemistry
  1. AGEs are mostly formed from dicarbonyls, which are much more reactive than glucose and come from broken pieces of glucose, protein, and fat.
  2. Dietary AGEs are unlikely to significantly contribute to the pool of AGEs circulating in our bodies at any given moment as they are absorbed and excreted quickly.
  3. Most AGEs in our bodies are likely formed inside our cells, emphasizing the importance of cellular processes and defense mechanisms in handling AGEs.

The Central Role of Thyroid Hormone in Governing LDL Receptor Activity and the Risk of Heart Disease

39 implied HN points • 28 Aug 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Heart Disease Cholesterol
  1. Thyroid hormone plays a central role in governing LDL receptor activity, affecting the risk of heart disease.
  2. Thyroid hormone regulates the expression of LDL receptors in cells, impacting cholesterol levels and the body's overall health needs.
  3. Correcting thyroid hormone deficiency may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, as shown in historical clinical trials.

Weighing in on the Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) Controversy

19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 15
🏥 Health & Wellness Supplements Nutrition Quality Critique
  1. The report discusses the controversy around fermented cod liver oil (FCLO), focusing on factors like potential conflicts of interest and the historical use of cod liver oil for health benefits.
  2. The author shares personal insights and experiences related to consuming cod liver oil, highlighting considerations about its necessity, dose, and potential health impacts.
  3. There is analysis of concerns about the FCLO's rancidity, vitamin content, authenticity, and potential presence of trans fats, with discussions around laboratory tests and the critique of claims made by the product manufacturer.
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Is the “Receptor for AGEs (RAGE)” Really a Receptor for AGEs?

39 implied HN points • 21 Nov 10
🔬 Science Research Health Inflammation Proteins
  1. The Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) may not actually bind to and activate AGEs as previously believed, leading to a debate in the scientific community
  2. Studies have shown that RAGE is involved in processes like cell proliferation, tissue repair, and immune system function, rather than solely causing inflammation
  3. Deletions of the RAGE gene in mice have shown varied effects, indicating the complex role RAGE plays in the body

Reflections on the “Don’t Eat Anything With a Face” Debate, Part 1: Overall Impressions and Lessons

19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Debate Public Speaking Ethics Nutrition
  1. In a debate, it's crucial to make the strongest points first and assert more influence over the topics being discussed.
  2. Being prepared to think on your feet in a live debate is essential as it requires a different skill set than public speaking or writing.
  3. When debating, make sure to deliver key arguments effectively and utilize opportunities to steer the discussion towards important topics.

My Experience With Vegetarianism — Updated With New Reflections (2013)

19 implied HN points • 09 Jun 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Personal Experience Ethical considerations
  1. The author shares their personal journey of transitioning from vegetarianism to incorporating high-quality animal foods for improved physical and mental health.
  2. The author explains their reasons for becoming a vegetarian, the struggles faced on a vegan diet, and the significant health improvements after reintroducing animal products rich in fat-soluble vitamins.
  3. There are potential health risks associated with vegetarian and vegan diets, including nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B12 and zinc, which may lead to dental decay and mental health issues. Incorporating nutrient-dense animal foods can help address these deficiencies.

Vitamin K Absorption and Fat: A Closer Look

19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Nutrition Vitamins
  1. Dietary fat aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and helps stimulate the machinery involved in fat digestion.
  2. Consuming more fat leads to better absorption of fat-soluble vitamins - studies have shown this for vitamins like carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
  3. For vitamin K absorption, around 30-35 grams of fat per meal is ideal, providing better absorption than lower amounts; it's essential to consume healthy fats with K2-rich foods for optimal nutrition.

Vitamin K2 in Foods: A Closer Look

19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Research Microbiota Functions
  1. Vitamin K2 in foods comes from the conversion of other K vitamins to MK-4 in animals or from bacterial production of various MKs, highlighting how cheese production involves these processes.
  2. Different cheeses have varying amounts of vitamin K2 based on the specific bacteria used in fermentation, showcasing how the type of bacteria impacts the levels of MKs like MK-7 and MK-10 in the final product.
  3. The presence of MK-10 and MK-11 in pork products raises questions about their bioavailability compared to other MKs found in foods like cheese and natto, emphasizing the need for further research on the different biological functions of various MKs.

My AHS 2012 Talk Is Now Up! Oxidative Stress and Carbohydrate Intolerance

19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 12
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition
  1. The talk titled 'Oxidative Stress and Carbohydrate Intolerance' by Chris Masterjohn, PhD, from the 2012 Ancestral Health Symposium is now freely available online.
  2. The talk offers an ancestral perspective on the relationship between oxidative stress and carbohydrate intolerance.
  3. Interested individuals can watch the talk on Vimeo for more insights on the topic.

Having Sex Protects Against Vitamin D Toxicity

19 implied HN points • 19 Oct 12
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Sexuality Research Prevention
  1. Balancing vitamin D with vitamins A and K2 may prevent soft tissue calcification caused by vitamin D toxicity.
  2. Studies on mice suggest that sex can protect against vitamin D toxicity by reducing lethality and toxicity levels.
  3. The exact amount of sex needed for this protective effect, whether pregnancy is necessary, and the effects of contraception are still unclear.

We Really Can Make Glucose From Fatty Acids After All! O Textbook, How Thy Biochemistry Hast Deceived Me!

19 implied HN points • 07 Jan 12
🔬 Science Biochemistry Metabolism Insulin
  1. Biochemistry textbooks may claim that animals cannot convert fatty acids to glucose, but evidence suggests that it is possible under certain conditions.
  2. Acetate from fatty acids can be converted to glucose in a process involving ketogenesis, particularly when high levels of fatty acids flood the liver.
  3. Insulin plays a role in regulating the conversion of fatty acids to glucose by influencing enzyme production, demonstrating a complex network of reactions in the body.

When Standing At the Brink of the Abyss, Staring Into the Great Unknown, We Randomize

19 implied HN points • 17 Dec 11
🔬 Science Research Observation Experiment
  1. Randomization is key in experiments to help remove the influence of known and unknown confounders.
  2. The vast unknown in scientific research is likely much greater than what is presently known, reminding us to approach findings with humility and caution.
  3. Observational evidence is useful for generating hypotheses, but randomized controlled experiments are crucial for supporting or refuting cause-and-effect relationships.

I’m Thankful for Wise Traditions, Past and Present

19 implied HN points • 28 Nov 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Community Conference Friendships Research
  1. The author expresses gratitude for the Wise Traditions conference and the impact it had on their personal and academic development.
  2. Attending events like Wise Traditions can lead to forming valuable friendships and connections with like-minded individuals in the same field.
  3. The conference included insightful talks on topics like saturated fats, vitamin absorption, and overall health, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

This Just In: The Infamous Lard-Based High-Fat Rodent Diet Is Twice as High in PUFA as Previously Reported

19 implied HN points • 19 Nov 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Research Transparency
  1. The lard-based high-fat rodent diet contains twice as much PUFA as previously reported, with a higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
  2. Research Diets opted for direct analysis over using the USDA database for determining the diet's fatty acid profile, showing commitment to honesty and transparency.
  3. Despite potential variations in each batch, Research Diets aims to accurately reflect the diet's fatty acid profile for the well-being of the 50,000 mice worldwide fed on it.

The Trouble With Measuring AGEs — Butter and More

19 implied HN points • 06 Oct 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Research Nutrition Measurement
  1. Immunological techniques for measuring AGEs may not provide accurate results because they are like throwing gum at a wall - crude and questionable in terms of specificity and reliability.
  2. Chromatographic methods are a more reliable alternative to measure AGEs, as they allow for precise identification and measurement of individual compounds in a sample.
  3. Critics, including notable researchers like PJ Thornalley and Thomas Henle, emphasize the importance of using chromatographic techniques over immunological methods for accurate quantification of AGEs in food.

How to Do a Proper Self-Experiment, and Why Your “N” Doesn’t Technically Equal “1”

19 implied HN points • 11 Sep 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-experimentation Statistical Analysis
  1. For a proper self-experiment, the number of repeated observations is crucial to demonstrate cause and effect.
  2. Randomization in experiments helps control for unknown variables and factors, ensuring more accurate results.
  3. Maintaining consistency in experimental conditions and using statistical tests can help in determining if there is a significant difference between responses.

What No One Is Saying About Zonulin — Is Celiac About More Than Genes and Gluten?

19 implied HN points • 06 Apr 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Toxins
  1. Study found celiacs produce 30 times more zonulin than non-celiacs, even without gluten in their diet for over two years, suggesting factors other than gluten increase zonulin in celiacs.
  2. Research showed that a stricter adherence to a gluten-free diet for a longer period, or certain intestinal dysbiosis, may contribute to elevated zonulin and gut permeability in celiacs.
  3. Significant zonulin production and leaky gut in celiacs persist even after being gluten-free for two years, indicating celiac disease involves more than just genes and gluten.

The Origin of the Lipid Hypothesis — And Proposal of a New Term

19 implied HN points • 25 Feb 11
🔬 Science Health Cholesterol Atherosclerosis Research
  1. The term 'lipid hypothesis' originated in 1976 as a testable prediction that high blood cholesterol levels correlate with heart disease risk.
  2. The lipid hypothesis predates the diet-heart hypothesis by decades and focuses on cholesterol's role without claiming exclusivity, also considering factors like inflammation and hormones.
  3. A proposal suggests differentiating between the 'infiltrative lipid hypothesis' focusing on cholesterol quantity and the 'degenerative lipid hypothesis' emphasizing lipid degeneration's role in atherosclerosis.

Some Things I Like About “The New Evolution Diet”

19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 11
🏥 Health & Wellness Intermittent Fasting Exercise Nutrition Metabolism Well-being
  1. Intermittent fasting can potentially lengthen life, prevent degenerative diseases, offer dietary flexibility, and provide spiritual growth.
  2. Avoiding snacking, having three meals a day, and exercising in a fasted state can be extremely helpful for improving health and overcoming sleeping issues.
  3. High-intensity interval training, short bursts of exercise, and strength training can be effective for fitness and are backed by research, while calorie counting may not be necessary for a healthy diet.

Meeting the Choline Requirement — Eggs, Organs, and the Wheat Paradox

19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Genetics Wellness Disease Prevention
  1. The key sources of choline in our diet are organ meats, particularly liver, and eggs, with significantly higher choline content compared to most vegetables and other foods.
  2. Determining the exact choline requirement is complex due to factors like genetic variations, interactions with other vitamins like folate and B12, and dependency on energy sources like sugar, alcohol, and fat.
  3. Wheat and spinach are notable sources of betaine, which can contribute to choline needs and may help resolve paradoxes in dietary studies, suggesting its importance in balancing nutrient intake.

They Did the Same Thing to the Lab Rats That They Did to Us

19 implied HN points • 04 Nov 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Research Health Effects
  1. Purified diets for lab rats have caused health issues, leading to adjustments in diet composition over time.
  2. The AIN-93 diet updated lab rat nutrition with changes like using corn starch, balancing fatty acids, and adding ultratrace elements.
  3. Human arrogance in assuming knowledge about nutrition has led to health problems for both lab animals and humans.

John Meadows Gets Jacked with Liver, Whole Eggs, and Red Palm Oil, and Wins “Mr. Ohio”

19 implied HN points • 09 Oct 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness
  1. John Meadows achieved fitness success by consuming nutrient-dense foods like liver, whole eggs, and red palm oil
  2. Meadows' dedication to his diet and supplements helped him win bodybuilding competitions
  3. Regular intake of fat-soluble vitamins like those found in beef liver and red palm oil can be beneficial for overall health and fitness

Denise Minger’s Breakdown of The China Study

19 implied HN points • 13 Jul 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Review
  1. Denise Minger wrote an in-depth review of The China Study, analyzing its validity and facts.
  2. The review by Denise Minger is comprehensive and detailed, providing valuable insights.
  3. Denise Minger's breakdown of The China Study is recommended for those interested in a critical analysis of the book.

When Glucose Makes a Mess

19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Oxidative stress Proteins Research
  1. Oxidative stress caused by sugars can be similar to other types of stress like nitrative and carbonyl stress
  2. Methylglyoxal, a compound from sugar breakdown, can damage proteins by forming harmful imidazole rings
  3. Methylglyoxal's reaction with lysine can lead to crosslinking of proteins, potentially disrupting protein function and structure

JUPITER Trial Emphasizes the Role of Oxidative Degeneration in Atherosclerosis

19 implied HN points • 02 Jan 09
🏥 Health & Wellness Atherosclerosis Cholesterol Inflammation
  1. The JUPITER trial emphasizes that atherosclerosis is a disease of oxidative degeneration, confirming the link between oxidative damage and heart disease.
  2. The study does not strongly support the widespread use of statins, as the benefits do not justify the costs for most individuals.
  3. CRP plays a role in binding oxidized LDL and facilitating its uptake by the immune system, providing insight into the inflammatory processes of atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol Is Necessary for Digestion — Cholesterol Is a Precursor to Bile Acids

19 implied HN points • 27 Dec 08
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Biochemistry Anatomy Metabolism
  1. Cholesterol is essential for digestion as it is used to create bile acids, which help digest fats.
  2. Bile acids act as emulsifying agents that mix fats with water in the digestive system, aiding in fat breakdown by water-soluble enzymes.
  3. Bile acids are converted to bile salts, which are more effective at mixing fats with water and are stored in the gall bladder for future use in digestion.

Vitamin D is Synthesized From Cholesterol and Found in Cholesterol-Rich Foods

19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 08
🏥 Health & Wellness Vitamin D Cholesterol Nutrition Toxicity
  1. Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol in the body, and it can also be obtained from cholesterol-rich foods.
  2. Sunlight exposure is crucial for the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, but factors like latitude, time of year, and atmospheric conditions can affect this process.
  3. Cholesterol-rich foods, like cod liver oil and fatty fish, are among the richest dietary sources of vitamin D, highlighting the importance of consuming both vitamin D and cholesterol for optimal health.