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

Biotin Causes a Multitude of False Lab Tests | Here is What to Do

738 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Lab Tests Supplements Medical Prevention
  1. High-dose biotin supplements can cause false signals on various lab tests, potentially leading to misdiagnoses and unnecessary treatments.
  2. Physicians should ask patients about biotin intake, advise them to stop biotin supplements before lab tests, and be aware of biotin interference in lab results.
  3. Be cautious with biotin supplements, especially before lab tests, to avoid inaccurate results and potential medical misguidance.

How Energy Deficiency Hurts Methylation

858 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Methylation
  1. Energy deficiency can be a primary issue affecting methylation patterns.
  2. Patterns on the Genova Methylation Panel are showing energy deficiency as a key problem.
  3. Consulting practice has revealed energy deficiency impacting methylation more than nutrient-related issues.

The Spike Protein As a Pore-Forming Toxin

1437 implied HN points • 19 Mar 22
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. The spike protein from COVID vaccines acts as a pore-forming toxin, puncturing holes in cell membranes at low concentrations, which can lead to broad cellular damage and affect essential functions.
  2. The concentrations of spike protein in vaccinated individuals reach levels that may disrupt barrier functions, impair mitochondrial function to some extent, and potentially lead to illness and lung damage similar to severe COVID infection.
  3. While modifications in certain vaccines may reduce the spike protein's pore-forming toxicity, systemic distribution of the toxin from the vaccines poses a greater risk compared to the natural virus spike protein.

Doing Carnivore Right

259 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Nutrition Wellness
  1. The post discusses important vitamins and minerals for a carnivore diet.
  2. It highlights specific nutrients that may be lacking in a carnivore diet.
  3. The guide provides insight on how to balance and incorporate these important nutrients into a carnivore diet.

Protecting Against Spike Protein Toxicity With Sulfur, Selenium, and Sunlight

1318 implied HN points • 11 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Toxicity
  1. The spike protein may cause harm at low concentrations, but the body has natural defenses like heat shock proteins to counteract this.
  2. HSP90 inhibitors could potentially protect against spike protein toxicity, but they may come with serious side effects.
  3. Instead of pharmaceuticals, exploring natural ways like incorporating sulfur, selenium, and sunlight into our diet and lifestyle may offer benefits without harmful side effects.
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How Essential Are the Essential Fatty Acids?

718 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Deficiency Inflammation Supplementation
  1. Essential fatty acids are crucial for the body, but mainstream texts may have inflated their required amounts and overlooked sources like animal fats.
  2. Polyunsaturated fatty acids do not directly cause oxidative stress, but in certain conditions, they can pose an oxidative liability, potentially leading to oxidative damage.
  3. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fatty fish can provide reserve capacity without overdoing it, especially important in specific life stages and conditions.

Vibrant Vs. SpectraCell Panels

599 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Vitamins Minerals Supplements
  1. Vibrant and SpectraCell panels assess micronutrient status differently, one focusing on serum concentrations and intracellular levels and the other on the ability of nutrients to promote white blood cell replication in culture.
  2. Vibrant panel seemed more comprehensive and efficient in measuring nutrient concentrations compared to SpectraCell, but both panels showed discrepancies in identifying abnormalities in the user's nutrient levels.
  3. The user's suspicion of a biotin transporter defect was not confirmed by either panel, but the data hinted at issues with intracellular transport of certain nutrients, providing insights for further investigation.

Quarterly Health Goals

639 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Goals Physical health Mental health
  1. Quarterly health goals can be more effective than New Year's resolutions because they offer a shorter time horizon.
  2. Regular quarterly evaluations help maintain momentum and prevent mid-year drop-offs in health goal progress.
  3. Setting clear goals, key performance indicators, and maintenance plans can help achieve and sustain progress in health goals over time.

What's Your Quarterly Health Goal?

579 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Nutrition Goals
  1. It's important to set specific health goals for each quarter to track progress and improvements.
  2. Choosing key performance indicators (KPIs) can help measure success in achieving health goals.
  3. Regularly evaluating and adjusting health goals can lead to better overall wellbeing and progress.

Questions on plant compounds and heart disease, balancing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, food intolerances, nutrient cofactors for genetic defects in branched-chain amino acid metabolism.

519 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Supplementation Metabolism Weight Loss
  1. Plant foods and their phytochemicals can help reduce arterial plaque.
  2. Balancing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is crucial for health; consider arachidonic acid intake and cumulative EPA over years.
  3. Branched-chain amino acid metabolism requires B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and more; extra support may be needed during weight loss.

A Brand New Study on PCR-Negative COVID-Like Illness Suggests It is Often... COVID!

1258 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 PCR testing Vaccines Antibody testing
  1. PCR-negative COVID-like illness can often turn out to be actual COVID, rendering some studies and vaccine trial efficacy questionable.
  2. A significant percentage of PCR-negative COVID-like illnesses without alternative diagnoses may actually be COVID cases.
  3. Data on PCR-negative cases questioning the efficacy of vaccines and highlighting the need for a better understanding and classification of COVID-like illnesses.

COVID Vaccines Impair Response to Variants of Concern

1258 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID vaccines Immune Response Variants Antibodies Natural Immunity
  1. COVID vaccines impact the response to variants of concern by creating immune bias towards the original strain, affecting responses to new variants.
  2. Understanding 'original antigenic sin' can help explain how previous infections or vaccinations influence the immune system's response to subsequent exposures.
  3. The study suggests that natural immunity, including mucosal IgA, may have superior abilities to adapt to new variants compared to vaccine-induced immunity, highlighting the importance of considering different aspects of immunity.

Questions on Hair Graying, Copper, and Estrogen

399 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Body Research
  1. To slow or reverse hair graying, focus on fixing the weakest link among energy signaling, energy production infrastructure, and antioxidant protection.
  2. Estrogen plays a role in moving copper during pregnancy, and maintaining pregnancy-level hormones when not pregnant can risk excess copper absorption.
  3. It's important to monitor copper levels when using supplemental hormones to avoid copper toxicity.

V&M101 Audio

259 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🎙 Podcasts Health Education
  1. Vitamins and Minerals 101 lessons are now available in podcast format for Masterpass members
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only
  3. Chris Masterjohn, PhD is the author of the content

Questions on phosphatidylcholine, TMAO vitamin K2, undercarboxylated osteocalcin and my twitching protocol.

499 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Exercise
  1. Concerns about TMAO and cardiovascular disease may be overstated due to research emphasis and marketing, so decision to supplement with phosphatidylcholine should be based on personal evaluation of benefits.
  2. Vitamin K2 plays a role in optimizing insulin secretion, fuel use during exercise, and male testosterone through its effects on undercarboxylated osteocalcin.
  3. Twitching can be influenced by factors like glutamate/GABA balance, acetylcholine regulation, and nutritional issues, requiring individualized trial-and-error approach for resolution.

Catch Me on "Microbes and Mental Health"

379 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Nutrition Wellness Supplements Immunity
  1. The Microbes and Mental Health Summit covers a range of topics from experts in the field, including discussions on vitamins and minerals' impact on mental health.
  2. Chris Masterjohn offers insights on improving brain health through diet changes, understanding nutritional biochemistry, and identifying imbalances that can affect mood and cognition.
  3. The summit provides valuable information on methylation, genetic polymorphisms, riboflavin, and the importance of cognitive work in mental health.

The MTHFR Protocol

339 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Methylation Supplements Diet
  1. The MTHFR Protocol offers a quick guide to optimizing and personalizing methylation through foods and supplements.
  2. The protocol is available to Masterpass members through paid subscription plans.
  3. To access the guide, subscribe via the provided link and choose a paid option to receive immediate access.

Cancer, IV Drips, and the Glutathione-Vitamin C Connection

738 implied HN points • 23 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Cancer Balance Glutathione
  1. High-dose intravenous vitamin C can selectively kill cancer cells and save sepsis patients, acting as a pro-oxidant in cancer and an antioxidant in sepsis.
  2. Oral doses of vitamin C can increase oxalate levels, indicating a delicate balance with glutathione is needed.
  3. Maintaining a delicate balance between vitamin C and glutathione is crucial for health, especially for immunity, while also being cautious of generating oxalate.

Vitamins and Minerals 101 Premium

778 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Vitamins Minerals Metabolism
  1. The course 'Vitamins and Minerals 101 Premium' is designed to take learners from beginner to intermediate level in understanding vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
  2. The course offers the first three lessons for free, with the remaining reserved for Masterpass members.
  3. Vitamins play diverse and crucial roles in the body, from supporting immunity and brain health to energy metabolism and skin health.

Lab Tests

219 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Metabolism Testing
  1. Comprehensive lab tests can help identify nutritional deficiencies and energy metabolism issues.
  2. A simple DIY home test for molybdenum deficiency can be done with basic equipment and a supplement.
  3. Interpreting the Genova Methylation Panel requires going beyond the report's interpretive section to uncover patterns.

Time to Vote on the Questions! (June AMA)

239 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🚌 Education Q&A Voting
  1. It's time to vote on questions for the June AMA. Get your votes in by noon Eastern on Wednesday, June 14.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only. Non-subscribers can subscribe to participate in the Q&A.
  3. Chris Masterjohn, PhD is hosting the AMA. Paid subscribers can access more content and participate in the Q&A.

Can the Vaccines Write the Spike Protein Into the Human Genome?

998 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🔬 Science Vaccines mRNA
  1. A recent study presented the first evidence that vaccine spike protein mRNA can be reverse transcribed into DNA within human cells, although further validation is necessary.
  2. Integration into chromosomes is not required to consider something 'written into the genome'; extrachromosomal circular DNA can also lead to gene expression and phenotypic changes.
  3. The unexpectedly long persistence of mRNA and spike protein after vaccination raises concerns and suggests the need to investigate reverse transcription as a mechanism for this durability.

Questions on vitamin D sulfate, synthesis and recycling of BH4, and high-dose iron absorption

359 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplements Wellness Tips
  1. Get morning outdoor sunlight for circadian rhythm and some unprotected sunlight during the day without reddening, while avoiding burning, for vitamin D synthesis.
  2. Cofactors like zinc, magnesium, potassium, and niacin assist in synthesizing and recycling BH4, with folate and methylation playing no direct role.
  3. High-dose iron absorption can vary; 200mg in the morning absorbs faster but may cause gut issues, so starting lower and adjusting based on needs is advised.

Questions on statins versus sulfur, glutathione intolerance, plasma zinc

499 implied HN points • 24 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Glutathione Mitochondria
  1. Statins may reduce heart disease risk, but their benefits could be influenced by conflicts of interest; getting sulfur from protein sources may help lower cholesterol.
  2. Glutathione intolerance could stem from various amino acids or gut microbial metabolites; there are tests available for identifying the cause.
  3. Plasma zinc is a key marker of zinc status; factors like inflammation and stress can affect its levels, and symptoms should guide zinc supplementation decisions.

Please take 30 seconds to tell me what you need most!

679 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Survey
  1. Chris Masterjohn is requesting input on what people need most in a quick survey.
  2. The survey will take less than a minute to complete but will be valuable in understanding audience needs.
  3. Completing the survey will help Chris provide better content and address the major needs of the audience.

Questions on Questions on supplements causing brain fog, ATP, low blood sugar, ceruloplasmin

419 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplements Brain health Traditional Medicine Energy metabolism
  1. Consider balancing vitamin D, vitamin K2, and calcium with vitamin A and phosphorus to prevent brain fog.
  2. On a vegan keto diet, if experiencing low blood sugar, try increasing protein intake and consider B vitamins, iron, copper, sulfur, magnesium, potassium, biotin, and B6.
  3. If copper doesn't raise ceruloplasmin, focus on vitamin A and thyroid hormone levels, and consider antioxidant intake to regulate transferrin saturation.

Time to Vote on the Questions! (April AMA)

259 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🚌 Education Q&A Subscription
  1. The post is about voting on questions for an upcoming AMA session in April. Votes are due by midnight Eastern on Monday, April 10.
  2. Participants can vote for their own questions and for multiple questions.
  3. The post is specifically for paid subscribers, and non-subscribers are prompted to subscribe or sign in to access the content.

We need more VOTES to break the tie!

219 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🚌 Education Voting
  1. The post emphasizes the need for more votes to break a tie in a voting scenario. The top two questions are very close, and additional votes are crucial to determine a clear winner.
  2. Voting is ending soon at noon, and there's a call for new votes to generate a decisive outcome.
  3. The post content is directed towards paid subscribers, encouraging engagement through voting and providing a link for subscription.

Have a Beer With Masterjohn

319 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Beer Livestream Experimentation
  1. Chris Masterjohn is hosting a live chat event on YouTube while conducting metabolic experiments that involve drinking a beer.
  2. The event will be tomorrow, February 3, at 7:00 PM Eastern time.
  3. Participating in this chat session and experiment could become an annual event.

Questions on Protein and Longevity, SHBG, and Trouble Hydrating

519 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Longevity Hydration Nutrition Physiology Membership
  1. Cycling between fasting and feeding states may provide benefits similar to protein or calorie restriction for longevity.
  2. Several factors like vitamin K2, insulin sensitivity, thyroid hormone, and fasting physiology influence levels of SHBG.
  3. When salted water doesn't hydrate as effectively as an IV, it might be due to poor salt absorption, which could be helped by consuming glucose, starch, or a meal alongside.