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

Fauci, Gates, and the Biosecurity State As Told by RFK Jr.

19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Biosecurity Public Health Government Influence Medical Ethics
  1. The book discusses how Fauci, Gates, and other key players have shaped the Global Pharma Machine, driving the narrative towards profit over public health.
  2. RFK Jr.'s exploration delves into the rise of the biosecurity state, revealing how two decades of scenario planning laid the groundwork for the COVID-19 response.
  3. The book sheds light on the interconnected web of pharmaceutical influence, regulatory capture, and intelligence community involvement leading to a potential march towards a global police state.

Dr. David Brownstein

19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Holistic Medicine Health Freedom Public Service
  1. Dr. David Brownstein is known for using iodine and nebulized hydrogen perioxide in his treatments, especially during the pandemic.
  2. Dr. Brownstein is a leading figure in holistic medicine and emphasizes the use of natural hormones and nutritional therapies in his practice.
  3. He is actively involved in advocating for health freedom and offering support through analyzing medical treatments, publishing findings, and engaging in public service work.

My Head and Neck Tension: 30 Minutes on the Elliptical to the Rescue

39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Mental health Exercise Anxiety Wellness
  1. Consistent use of 30 minutes on the elliptical helped alleviate head and neck tension caused by long hours at a computer.
  2. Elliptical exercise proved more time-efficient and cost-effective compared to other methods like physical therapy or massage.
  3. The elliptical's consistent shoulder and spine movement helped reduce muscle tension and anxiety, leading to improved joint health and relaxation.
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Povidone-Iodine Safety, Efficacy, and Lugol’s

39 implied HN points • 31 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety Efficacy
  1. Povidone-Iodine nasal irrigation and gargling can be effective in reducing bacterial infections in the respiratory tract.
  2. Using 0.5% Povidone-Iodine appears safe for most people, with rare allergies and rare risks at very high concentrations or durations.
  3. Lugol's solution is less studied than Povidone-Iodine, but may be an alternative with different considerations due to its iodine composition.

047: Niacin, Part 2: Blood Tests, Foods, and Supplements

59 implied HN points • 16 Mar 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplements Health Issues Biochemistry Research
  1. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for niacin has flaws, often underestimating the niacin needs of women.
  2. Proper food processing methods like nixtamalization, fermentation, and sprouting can increase the availability of niacin in foods like coffee, seeds, and grains.
  3. High-dose niacin as a supplement may have benefits for managing cholesterol levels, but caution is advised to avoid potential side effects like liver failure and insulin resistance.

The Incredible, Edible Egg Yolk

39 implied HN points • 19 Dec 19
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Health Benefits Food Safety Cooking methods Sustainability
  1. Egg yolks are packed with important nutrients like vitamins and essential fatty acids, while egg whites contain fewer nutrients, making yolks a more nutritious choice.
  2. Egg yolks can help resolve common nutrient deficiencies in Americans, as they contain essential nutrients like copper, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and E.
  3. Select pastured eggs for higher nutritional quality, especially in the yolk, as they offer essential nutrients and are a source of carotenoids and fatty acids for overall health.

Textbooks

79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 17
🚌 Education Nutrition Biochemistry Chemistry Biology
  1. To truly master nutrition, understand it from the ground up by gaining competence in the sciences it's based on and selecting the right textbooks.
  2. Top recommendations for nutrition textbooks include 'Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism' by Gropper and 'Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease' by Ross.
  3. Essential background education for nutrition includes chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and molecular and cellular biology.

How Much Choline Should I Eat? The Genetic Calculator

39 implied HN points • 27 Jul 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Methylation Supplements
  1. The Genetic Choline Calculator can help determine how much choline you should aim for based on your genetic data.
  2. The calculator considers specific genetic variations related to choline metabolism and folate utilization to provide personalized recommendations.
  3. Utilize the calculator to understand your choline requirements better and explore resources to meet them through diet and supplementation.

048: Pantothenic Acid, Part 1 (What It Is and Why We Need It)

39 implied HN points • 19 Jun 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Vitamins Metabolism Supplementation Health Conditions
  1. Pantothenic acid deficiency is rare due to it not naturally occurring, but it plays crucial roles in metabolism, especially in burning fat and regulating metabolic pathways.
  2. Mothers transfer pantothenic acid to fetus and milk at their expense, highlighting its importance during adolescence and pregnancy.
  3. Food is preferred over supplements for vitamin B5 due to better absorption, and metabolic disorders may affect coenzyme A pool.

044: Nutrition in Neuroscience Part 4

39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Neuroscience Sleep Mental health
  1. Basal ganglia plays a crucial role in decision-making by controlling the investment of energy based on perceived value signaled by dopamine.
  2. Understanding the autonomic nervous system is important for managing stress responses and bodily functions like digestion and sexual health.
  3. Nutrition plays a vital role in supporting mental health, making it easier to maintain a healthy mindset alongside cognitive work.

Start Here for Glycation and AGEs

79 implied HN points • 10 Jun 16
🏥 Health & Wellness Insulin
  1. Start with the article 'Where Do Most AGEs Come From?' for an introduction to glycation and AGEs.
  2. Insulin and glucose play important roles in protecting against AGEs and promoting health.
  3. Question the conventional wisdom on AGEs and explore their implications through podcasts and peer-reviewed articles.

041: Nutrition in Neuroscience Part 1

39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Neuroscience Brain health
  1. Nutrition significantly impacts brain health, mental and emotional well-being, senses, and motor functions.
  2. Neurons in the nervous system are key cells, supported by glial cells, and require nutrients like creatine, glucose, sodium, potassium, and cholesterol for optimal function.
  3. Calcium acts as a crucial second messenger in the nervous system, requiring ATP energy to maintain low cytosolic levels, highlighting the importance of dietary calcium and energy metabolism for brain health.

037: Living With MTHFR

59 implied HN points • 12 Aug 17
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Lab Tests Research
  1. MTHFR enzyme affects vital processes like methylation, gene expression, and neurotransmitter metabolism.
  2. Supplementing with methyl-folate is just a small part of managing MTHFR polymorphisms; focus on a diet rich in natural food folate and incorporating choline, creatine, and glycine.
  3. Key tests for MTHFR mutations include measuring homocysteine levels and evaluating plasma methionine, glycine, and sarcosine.

006: Why “Glycation” Is a Bad Reason to Restrict Carbs

79 implied HN points • 02 May 16
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Biochemistry Insulin
  1. Glycation can be driven by the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate, and fat, and insulin protects against glycation from all three sources.
  2. Glycation may serve important physiological roles under conditions of low insulin signaling, indicating it's not inherently a bad process.
  3. Restricting carbohydrates may actually increase glycation instead of decreasing it, suggesting glycation is not a good argument against consuming carbohydrates.

Hypothetical Side Effects of High-Dose Vitamin K

139 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Research
  1. High doses of vitamin K could potentially contribute to vitamin E deficiency by activating common receptors that break down both vitamins in a similar pathway.
  2. High doses of vitamin K have the potential to deplete glutathione, the master antioxidant, impairing detoxification and antioxidant activity.
  3. Pharmacological doses of vitamin K, although considered safe and effective, could inhibit bone resorption and potentially impact blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, metabolic rate, and testosterone production.

My New Favorite Way to Eat Organ Meats

19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 20
🍲 Food & Drink Recipe Health Nutrition Sustainability Products
  1. Eating organ meats can be challenging if you're not used to them, but blending them into ground beef with taco seasoning can make them taste surprisingly good.
  2. Blending organ meats with ground beef and heavily seasoning them can help mask the organ flavor and create a dish that tastes like regular taco meat.
  3. Using high-quality, well-blended organ meats like White Oak Pastures paleo ground beef can enhance the taste and experience of eating liver, making it a more enjoyable meal.

Finally Confirmed! Vitamin D Nearly Abolishes ICU Risk in COVID-19

19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vitamin D Nutrition Public Health
  1. The first randomized controlled trial of vitamin D in COVID-19 revealed that it greatly reduced the odds of requiring treatment in ICU and may even eliminate the risk of death.
  2. The vitamin D treatment protocol involved administering high doses of oral calcifediol to patients, leading to significant reduction in ICU risk.
  3. Maintaining vitamin D status in the 30-40 ng/mL range may be crucial for protection against severe or fatal cases of COVID-19, according to the study findings.

How Diabetes, Like Sugar, May Fuel Viral Growth

19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Diabetes Sugar Glutathione Nutrition
  1. Diabetics with poorly controlled blood glucose face significantly worse COVID-19 outcomes, highlighting the importance of managing blood sugar levels.
  2. Diabetes alters pathways that can fuel viral growth, increasing the risk of severe illness from viruses like COVID-19.
  3. The way diabetes affects the pentose phosphate pathway and glutathione supply could contribute to the severity of viral infections, emphasizing the significance of monitoring sugar intake.

Sleep ME (Chilli) Discontinued

19 implied HN points • 13 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Sleep Wellbeing Products
  1. Sleep ME (Chilli) is discontinued due to changes in ownership impacting affiliate programs and exclusive discounts.
  2. The company still offers high-quality mattress cooling products, despite the changes in their affiliate programs.
  3. Paid subscribers can access more detailed information and updates on this topic.

Do Glutathione Supplements Work?

19 implied HN points • 12 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Supplements Nutrition COVID-19 Research Prevention
  1. Glutathione is absorbed intact in laboratory animals and humans, increasing glutathione status.
  2. There is debate on whether liposomal glutathione supplements are necessary, as they may not survive digestion.
  3. NAC and oral glutathione show different impacts on glutathione levels based on a small study, but oral glutathione may be a more robust option in various contexts.

020: Insulin Resistance Isn’t All About Carbs and Insulin

59 implied HN points • 24 Aug 16
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Physiology Strategies Research
  1. Insulin resistance is not solely related to carbs and insulin, but also influenced by responses to obesity, exercise, and diet choices.
  2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a central role in the physiology of insulin resistance.
  3. Practical strategies to prevent and reverse insulin resistance include focusing on nutrient density, body composition, and considering long-term effects of low-carbohydrate diets.

Two Easily Available Lab Markers to Identify Patients at Risk of Severe COVID-19 [COVID-19 Updates]

19 implied HN points • 06 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Lab Tests Research Updates
  1. Recent research suggests that low lymphocyte percentage and interleukin-6 levels can predict severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
  2. A low lymphocyte count below 20% at 10-12 days after symptoms may indicate a severe case, while high IL-6 levels can predict the need for ventilation.
  3. Regular monitoring of lymphocyte counts and IL-6 levels can be valuable in triaging patients and forecasting outcomes in the context of COVID-19.

040: Why You Should Manage Your Thiamin Status and How to Do It

39 implied HN points • 14 Jan 18
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Supplementation Metabolism Deficiency
  1. Thiamin is crucial for energy metabolism and antioxidant defense; its deficiency can lead to neurological issues.
  2. Diets high in carbohydrates increase the need for thiamin, while certain foods like raw fish may contain thiamin antagonists.
  3. Thiamin deficiency can be caused by environmental exposure, so it's important to address potential sources and consider supplementation.

Why You Need Glycine: A Panel Discussion

39 implied HN points • 08 Jan 18
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Health Benefits Research
  1. Glycine has numerous health benefits like promoting sleep, stabilizing blood sugar, improving joint health, and skin health.
  2. Our bodies have a limited ability to synthesize glycine, leading to a potential deficit that can be mitigated through diet and supplements like collagen.
  3. Lab tests can help assess glycine status, and hydrolyzed collagen or pure glycine supplements are recommended for optimal glycine intake.

Vitamin K2: What is the Optimal Dose?

99 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. When determining the optimal dose of Vitamin K2, it's essential to find the balance between the minimum effective dose and achieving the maximal desired effect.
  2. For healthy populations, studies suggest that a dose of around 200 micrograms per day is likely the optimal amount for improving Vitamin K status at bone.
  3. In kidney disease patients, the evidence points towards a higher optimal dose of Vitamin K2, possibly around 480 micrograms per day, or even higher, but this should be done under medical supervision.

The Sweet Truth About Liver and Egg Yolks — Choline Matters More to Fatty Liver Than Sugar, Alcohol, or Fat

139 implied HN points • 23 Nov 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Liver health
  1. Choline deficiency is a key factor in the development of fatty liver, more than sugar, alcohol, or fat.
  2. Studies show that dietary fat, fructose, and ethanol all contribute to fatty liver when choline intake is inadequate.
  3. Choline is crucial for exporting fats from the liver and preventing the accumulation of fat that can lead to inflammation.

My Response to Garrett Smith About My Health

19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Holistic health Diagnosis Symptoms Detoxification
  1. It's important to thoroughly investigate and identify the root cause of health problems, rather than making assumptions without access to all the necessary data.
  2. Symptoms and conditions can have multiple potential causes, highlighting the need for expert analysis and evaluation tailored to an individual's case.
  3. Financial interests should not cloud judgment when evaluating health concerns, and transparency about revenue sources is essential.

Better Sleep

39 implied HN points • 29 Jul 17
🏥 Health & Wellness Sleep Nutrition Light Environment
  1. Establish a healthy sleep rhythm by getting morning sunshine regularly, even when it's cloudy, to signal your brain it's daytime and improve your sleep quality.
  2. Ensure you're eating enough food and carbohydrates, as hunger can disrupt sleep. Track your caloric intake and consider increasing carbohydrates slowly to optimize your sleep.
  3. Create an optimal sleep environment by avoiding blue light at night, sleeping in darkness, keeping your room cool, and using ear plugs or white noise to reduce disturbances.

032: Is Coconut Oil Killing Us?

39 implied HN points • 24 Jun 17
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Heart Disease Fats Studies Research
  1. Recent headlines on coconut oil are causing discussion about its health impacts, specifically on heart disease.
  2. The position paper from the American Heart Association discusses the risks associated with coconut oil consumption but also highlights its benefits beyond heart health.
  3. Historical examples from traditional Pacific island diets and research studies suggest that coconut oil may not be as harmful as previously thought and can have positive effects on health.

027: Why You Should Manage Your Selenium Status and How to Do It

39 implied HN points • 18 Feb 17
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Testing
  1. Selenium is crucial for combating oxidative stress and thyroid function but can vary in food, making it important to manage our selenium levels.
  2. Key markers like plasma selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity help assess selenium status, with specific recommendations for supplementation.
  3. Incorporating selenium-rich foods like organ meats and seafood can be a reliable way to improve selenium levels, with insight on supplements and dosages.

The Biochemistry of Vitamin K2

79 implied HN points • 28 Apr 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Biochemistry Metabolism
  1. Vitamin K2 plays a crucial role in carboxylating proteins to enable calcium binding, essential for various bodily functions.
  2. Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting as it helps in activating different clotting factors and is required for both procoagulants and anticoagulants.
  3. Osteocalcin, dependent on vitamin K, influences metabolic and hormonal health, and MGP regulated by vitamin K helps distribute calcium appropriately in the body.

Colpo's The Great Cholesterol Con

139 implied HN points • 20 Nov 08
🏥 Health & Wellness Cholesterol Heart Disease Diet Research Nutrition
  1. Saturated fat may not be as harmful for heart health as previously thought, with some populations consuming high saturated fat diets showing low rates of heart disease.
  2. The connection between cholesterol and heart disease is not straightforward, and lowering cholesterol may not always be beneficial for overall health.
  3. Various factors, apart from cholesterol, play significant roles in heart disease prevention, such as antioxidants, blood pressure maintenance, and stress management.

017: Ketogenesis Isn’t All About Carbs and Insulin

39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 16
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Biochemistry Diet Exercise
  1. Ketogenesis can be initiated by oversupply of acetyl groups to the TCA cycle during conditions of oxaloacetate depletion, not just by restricting carbs.
  2. Adding MCT oil or coconut products can help achieve ketosis without strict carb restrictions, offering flexibility in diet choices.
  3. Different conditions may require varying degrees of ketogenesis, and understanding these differences can help make informed dietary decisions.