

Mastering Nutrition
Chris Masterjohn, PhD
Welcome to the Mastering Nutrition podcast.
Mastering Nutrition is hosted by Chris Masterjohn, a nutrition scientist focused on optimizing mitochondrial health, and founder of BioOptHealth, a program that uses whole genome sequencing, a comprehensive suite of biochemical data, cutting-edge research and deep scientific insights to optimize each person's metabolism by finding their own unique unlocks.
He received his PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Connecticut at Storrs in 2012, served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Comparative Biosciences department of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Veterinary Medicine from 2012-2014, served as Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College from 2014-2017, and now works independently in science research and education.
Mastering Nutrition is hosted by Chris Masterjohn, a nutrition scientist focused on optimizing mitochondrial health, and founder of BioOptHealth, a program that uses whole genome sequencing, a comprehensive suite of biochemical data, cutting-edge research and deep scientific insights to optimize each person's metabolism by finding their own unique unlocks.
He received his PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Connecticut at Storrs in 2012, served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Comparative Biosciences department of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Veterinary Medicine from 2012-2014, served as Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College from 2014-2017, and now works independently in science research and education.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Feb 6, 2023 • 30min
Glutathione Intolerance: Getting to the Bottom of It | Masterjohn Q&A Files #308
Explore the causes of glutathione intolerance and learn about various hypotheses and tests to determine the factors contributing to it. Delve into the breakdown and synthesis of glutathione, as well as the metabolism of cysteine. Discover the potential toxic by-products associated with different options for metabolizing cysteine and find out about recommended interventions for glutathione intolerance.

4 snips
Jan 23, 2023 • 29min
Statins Vs. Sulfur for Heart Disease | Masterjohn Q&A Files #307
Short Answer: From the trials, statins seem to reduce heart disease risk and total mortality, but it is impossible to separate this from conflicts of interest and industry funding. There are plausible mechanisms by which they may hurt mitochondrial function and promote soft tissue calcification. Dietary sulfur appears to lower cholesterol. While Lester Morrison showed 1500 milligrams per day of chondroitin sulfate could reduce cardiac events 7-fold, this has a theoretical potential to hurt the microbiome. My preferred way of getting sulfur is 1.2-1.8 grams per kilogram bodyweight of total non-collagen protein, with an emphasis on animal protein. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-statins-versus-sulfur In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Glutathione Intolerance: Getting to the Bottom of It Why Plasma Zinc is the Best Marker of Zinc Status If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the October 12, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: NADH vs NMN vs NR An unexplained rise in urine ketones Spreading out calcium across meals What should we have in our cold season cabinet? What besides diet could cause my high morning glucose on a CGM? Will some older people benefit from supplementing carnitine? What do I think about the CGM fad? Could my low triglycerides be cholestasis? Why limit the dose of cod liver oil? Why do I always feel better when my sulfur problems are worse? Should I use one lab's reference range with another lab's results? Is it safe to eat roasted potatoes? How much weight should I give genetic SNPs in my nutrition? High RBC magnesium but low serum: what could it mean? Burning in the stomach: what could it be? Should I treat low plasma amino acids by supplementing them? Why would MK-4 cause heart palpitations? Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-october Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Jan 9, 2023 • 16min
Why would someone not tolerate methyl donors even if they need them? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #306
Short Answer: I believe most methyl donor intolerances are a result of deficiencies in the glycine buffer system, which requires glycine, vitamin A, fasting (glucagon), androgens, riboflavin, unmethylated folate (THF), and iron. No one should expect to tolerate 30 milligrams of folate, however, and there is almost never a reason to use doses that high. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-cognitive-health-mct In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Does whey protein hurt the kidneys or otherwise hurt our health Why would someone not tolerate methyl donors even if they need them? If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the September 14, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: Why isn't my ferritin as high as diabetics when my transferrin saturation is higher? Why are vitamins A and E needed alongside D and K? Sunflower lecithin versus phosphatidylcholine supplements How do I reduce congestion while consuming dairy? Could eggs be raising triglycerides by curing fatty liver? Why would homocysteine ever be high when you can just use it to make glutathione? Why did my eye start twitching after sweating more than usual this weekend? Why do I now think A and D should be in roughly 1:1 ratios? Would MK-7 be enough to take with D or do I need MK-4? Why does water make me hungry? What's the proper ratio of calcium to magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2? Is it safe to take zinc carnosine long term? Why did I recommend only using high-dose zinc for COVID protection for one year? Why did I recommend limiting quercetin phytosome to three months? Why take MK-4 when it has such a short half-life? How to make bowel movements more regular? Could freeze dried animal beef supplements cause gut infections? Do I recommend food sensitivity testing? What are the nutritional causes of restless leg syndrome? What do I think of drinking deuterium-depleted water for COVID severity? Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-september Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Dec 26, 2022 • 19min
Does whey protein hurt the kidneys or otherwise hurt our health? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #305
Short Answer: The main problem with too much protein, particularly animal protein, is that acidity may hurt the bones and increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones, but this can be obviated by balancing it with organic acids, which have bicarbonate-sparing effects that are alkalinizing. The best index of the organic acid content of foods is the potassium content. This balance can be achieved with 750 to 1500 milligrams of potassium for every 100 grams of protein. This is not specific to whey protein. Other than allergies, none of the claimed harms of whey protein are convincing. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-cognitive-health-mct In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Does glucose handling in the brain decline with age? And if so, does this serve as a rationale to supplement with MCT oil to prevent cognitive decline? Why would someone not tolerate methyl donors even if they need them? If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the September 14, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: Why isn't my ferritin as high as diabetics when my transferrin saturation is higher? Why are vitamins A and E needed alongside D and K? Sunflower lecithin versus phosphatidylcholine supplements How do I reduce congestion while consuming dairy? Could eggs be raising triglycerides by curing fatty liver? Why would homocysteine ever be high when you can just use it to make glutathione? Why did my eye start twitching after sweating more than usual this weekend? Why do I now think A and D should be in roughly 1:1 ratios? Would MK-7 be enough to take with D or do I need MK-4? Why does water make me hungry? What's the proper ratio of calcium to magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2? Is it safe to take zinc carnosine long term? Why did I recommend only using high-dose zinc for COVID protection for one year? Why did I recommend limiting quercetin phytosome to three months? Why take MK-4 when it has such a short half-life? How to make bowel movements more regular? Could freeze dried animal beef supplements cause gut infections? Do I recommend food sensitivity testing? What are the nutritional causes of restless leg syndrome? What do I think of drinking deuterium-depleted water for COVID severity? Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-september Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 55min
Biotin Causes a Multitude of False Lab Tests | Here is What to Do
High-dose biotin supplements can cause a multitude of false lab tests, masking recent heart attacks, pregnancies, or allergies, giving false signals about tumors, and far more. In this episode, I lay out for you the nature, scope, and magnitude of the problem, and develop actionable strategies you can use to protect your lab tests from generating false information as a result of this phenomenon. You can find the written and fully referenced version of this episode here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/biotin-causes-false-lab-tests The written version also contains some figures that help you visualize the mechanistic information. If you find this episode valuable, please head over to the written version on Substack using the above link to like it, share it, and comment on it. This will encourage the Substack algorithm to get it in front of more people. In High Protein? You Need More Biotin, I made the case that 30 micrograms per day is not enough for adults, and that many people need 150-300 micrograms per day, depending on how much protein they eat. My simple food-based recommendations for getting enough biotin are found in my Cliff Notes (free for Masterpass members here). To learn more about the Masterpass, click here. Stay Immune Through the Winter My new 7-page quick guide on how to not get sick this winter, Staying Immune Through the Winter, is free for everyone. All you need is a free or paid subscription to my Substack. Head here to check your subscription status and to make sure you get the guide: Staying Immune Through the Winter Join the Next Live Q&A Have a question for me? Ask it at the next Q&A! Learn more here. Join the Masterpass Masterpass members get access to premium content (preview the premium posts here), all my ebook guides for free (see the collection of ebook guides here), monthly live Q&A sessions (see when the next session is here), all my courses for free (see the collection here), and exclusive access to massive discounts (see the specific discounts available by clicking here). Upgrade your subscription to include Masterpass membership with this button: Join the Masterpass Learn more about the Masterpass here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Dec 12, 2022 • 39min
Does glucose handling in the brain decline with age? And if so, does this serve as a rationale to supplement with MCT oil to prevent cognitive decline? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #304
Short Answer: Energy metabolism in general declines across the body with aging, but energy metabolism seems to stay healthy enough in the brain in people who do not experience cognitive decline. Cognitive decline does appear to be driven by decreases in brain energy metabolism, but these are not best described as a specific impairment in glucose handling. MCT oil can be modestly beneficial and a ketogenic diet can probably be somewhat more beneficial in people who have cognitive decline from any type. There is no evidence to support using it as a preventative. For prevention, I believe we should focus on aerobic fitness, nutrients required for healthy energy metabolism and antioxidant defense, and maintaining metabolic health with a healthy body composition and a healthy physical activity routine that includes the proper spread of a portfolio of different types of exercise. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-cognitive-health-mct In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Does whey protein hurt the kidneys or otherwise hurt our health Why would someone not tolerate methyl donors even if they need them? If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the September 14, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: Why isn't my ferritin as high as diabetics when my transferrin saturation is higher? Why are vitamins A and E needed alongside D and K? Sunflower lecithin versus phosphatidylcholine supplements How do I reduce congestion while consuming dairy? Could eggs be raising triglycerides by curing fatty liver? Why would homocysteine ever be high when you can just use it to make glutathione? Why did my eye start twitching after sweating more than usual this weekend? Why do I now think A and D should be in roughly 1:1 ratios? Would MK-7 be enough to take with D or do I need MK-4? Why does water make me hungry? What's the proper ratio of calcium to magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2? Is it safe to take zinc carnosine long term? Why did I recommend only using high-dose zinc for COVID protection for one year? Why did I recommend limiting quercetin phytosome to three months? Why take MK-4 when it has such a short half-life? How to make bowel movements more regular? Could freeze dried animal beef supplements cause gut infections? Do I recommend food sensitivity testing? What are the nutritional causes of restless leg syndrome? What do I think of drinking deuterium-depleted water for COVID severity? Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-september Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Nov 28, 2022 • 3min
Why is an IV more hydrating than salted water? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #303
Short Answer: If it can't be explained by the dose of salt, it may be that the salt is not being absorbed orally. Glucose, starch, or simply a meal consumed alongside the salted water may help with this. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-protein-and-longevity-1a2 In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Protein and Longevity How to Increase or Decrease SHBG? If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the August 15, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: Does which food you eat matter when everything is digested anyway? How to know if your nitric oxide is dilating your blood vessels properly? How big of a problem are transient glucose spikes above 140 mg/dL? Can I take too much collagen? What is the maximum dose of cod liver oil safe to use long-term? How much A is safe to take when I need so much to resolve my symptoms? Generalizing from cell studies of green tea catechins to cups of green tea per day. What to do about lumbar discs bulging? Why would vitamin K2 cause a nosebleed? How to balance A with D when I react poorly to D and need so much A? Why would COVID decrease HRV long-term? How to raise secretory IgA? Rapid-fire answers to pre-submitted questions that didn't win the contest: alternatives to bone meal powder, herbal tea and nutrient absorption, retinol-binding protein, improving fat digestion, metal provocation tests, fatty liver, high-dose B vitamins, eyebrow thinning, itchy bumps after exercise, brain fog and rifaximin, low cholesterol, tolerating chlorine pools, cycling nutrients, copper toxicity, stopping supplements before blood tests, COVID vaccines causing post-nasal drip, natural vs synthetic vitamins, absorbing iron through baths, elevated EPA and DHA in RBCs, COVID affecting the vagus nerve, supplements for athletic performance, when water doesn't hydrate, tics and Tourette's, recalcitrant homocysteine, fraud and corruption in scienctific research. Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-august Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Nov 23, 2022 • 53sec
Staying Immune Through the Winter
Get my new 7-page quick guide on how to not get sick for free when you sign up to my Substack: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/staying-immune-through-the-winter Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Nov 14, 2022 • 15min
How to Increase or Decrease SHBG? | Masterjohn Q&A Files #302
Short Answer: SHBG is increased by adiponectin (vitamin K2, insulin sensitivity), thyroid hormone, fasting physiology (AMPK, fat oxidation), and estrogen (especially estrone), while it is decreased by insulin resistance, obesity, the fed state and carbohydrate-dominant physiology, androgens, and polyunsaturated fat. This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-protein-and-longevity-1a2 In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answers to these questions: Protein and Longevity Why is an IV more hydrating than salted water? If you want to become a Masterpass member so you can participate in the next live Q&A, or so you can have access to the complete recording and transcript of each Q&A session, you can save 10% off the subscription price for as long as you remain a member by using this link to sign up: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/qanda Learn more about the Masterpass here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/about This snippet is from the August 15, 2022 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included: Does which food you eat matter when everything is digested anyway? How to know if your nitric oxide is dilating your blood vessels properly? How big of a problem are transient glucose spikes above 140 mg/dL? Can I take too much collagen? What is the maximum dose of cod liver oil safe to use long-term? How much A is safe to take when I need so much to resolve my symptoms? Generalizing from cell studies of green tea catechins to cups of green tea per day. What to do about lumbar discs bulging? Why would vitamin K2 cause a nosebleed? How to balance A with D when I react poorly to D and need so much A? Why would COVID decrease HRV long-term? How to raise secretory IgA? Rapid-fire answers to pre-submitted questions that didn't win the contest: alternatives to bone meal powder, herbal tea and nutrient absorption, retinol-binding protein, improving fat digestion, metal provocation tests, fatty liver, high-dose B vitamins, eyebrow thinning, itchy bumps after exercise, brain fog and rifaximin, low cholesterol, tolerating chlorine pools, cycling nutrients, copper toxicity, stopping supplements before blood tests, COVID vaccines causing post-nasal drip, natural vs synthetic vitamins, absorbing iron through baths, elevated EPA and DHA in RBCs, COVID affecting the vagus nerve, supplements for athletic performance, when water doesn't hydrate, tics and Tourette's, recalcitrant homocysteine, fraud and corruption in scienctific research. Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-august Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.

Nov 5, 2022 • 1h 51min
COVID Vaccine Side Effects: What Causes Them?
I am done with my work on COVID vaccines, at least until I finish my Vitamins and Minerals 101 Book, so I am now making my scientific review on the likely causes of COVID vaccine side effects public. This is an excerpt of pages 19-52 of my Healing From COVID Vaccine Side Effects guide (free to Masterpass members here). You can read the written version on Substack using this link, which contains 139 of the 221 references. It does not contain the protocol, but rather the scientific review used to judge the mechanisms most likely underlying the side effects. Since I am no longer working on this, I hope it proves useful to anyone doing further work on the topic. This was originally published on August 10, 2022. The science described is not intended to be comprehensive. Rather, emphasis is placed on what is likely to provide insights into the mechanisms of side effects. Please visit the Substack version to like it, comment on it, and share it: COVID Vaccine Side Effects: What Causes Them? Join the Next Live Q&A Have a question for me? Ask it at the next Q&A! Learn more here. Join the Masterpass Masterpass members get access to premium content (preview the premium posts here), all my ebook guides for free (see the collection of ebook guides here), monthly live Q&A sessions (see when the next session is here), all my courses for free (see the collection here), and exclusive access to massive discounts (see the specific discounts available by clicking here). Learn more about the Masterpass here. Take a Look at the Store At no extra cost to you, please consider buying products from one of my popular affiliates using these links: Paleovalley, Magic Spoon breakfast cereal, LMNT, Seeking Health, Ancestral Supplements, MASA chips. Find more affiliates here. For $2.99, you can purchase The Vitamins and Minerals 101 Cliff Notes, a bullet point summary of all the most important things I've learned in over 15 years of studying nutrition science. For $10, you can purchase The Food and Supplement Guide for the Coronavirus, my protocol for prevention and for what to do if you get sick. For $10, you can purchase Healing From COVID Vaccine Side Effects for yourself or a loved one if dealing with this issue. It also contains an extensive well-referenced scientific review, so you can also use this just to learn more about my research into the COVID vaccines. For $15, you can pre-order a single format of my Vitamins and Minerals 101 book, my complete guide to nutrition, which I am currently working full-time on finishing. For $25, you can pre-order a digital bundle of my Vitamins and Minerals 101 book. For $29.99, you can purchase a copy of my ebook, Testing Nutritional Status: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet, my complete system for managing your nutritional status using dietary analysis, a survey of just under 200 signs and symptoms, and a comprehensive guide to proper interpretation of labwork. For $35, you can pre-order a complete bundle of my Vitamins and Minerals 101 book. For $250-$1499.99, you can work one-on-one with me. Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.


