Mind & Matter
Whether food, drugs or ideas, what you consume influences who you become. Learn directly from the best scientists & thinkers alive today about how your mind-body reacts to what you feed it.
The weekly M&M podcast features conversations with the most interesting scientists, thinkers, and technology entrepreneurs alive today.
Not medical advice.
At M&M, we are interested in trying to figure out how things work, not affirming our existing beliefs. We prefer consulting primary rather than secondary sources and independent rather than institutional voices. If we encounter uncomfortable truths or the evidence suggests unfashionable ideas may be valid, so be it.
As the host, my aim is to help you better understand how the body & mind work by curating & synthesizing information in a way that yields science-based insights that you can choose to use or disregard in your own life. Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
I am motivated to connect the dots and distill general principles from what I learn, preferring to ask questions and play devil’s advocate to debating or incessantly pushing my own viewpoint.
My beliefs:
- Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
- All knowledge is provisional and we must work hard to prevent ourselves from becoming attached to our favorite ideas & preferred conclusions.
- Wisdom comes from an iterative, trial-and-error process of learning and unlearning. Letting go of pre-conceived notions can be painful, but pain is information.
Sometimes modern discoveries teach us we must unlearn received wisdom. Other times, modern information overload & historical chauvinism cause us to forget ancient wisdom which stills applies. The framework for learning that I embody is inspired by three Ancient Greek maxims inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi:
- “Γνῶθι σεαυτόν” (Know thyself)
- “Μηδὲν ἄγαν” (Nothing in excess)
- “Ἐγγύα πάρα δ Ἄτα” (Certainty brings insanity)
Mind & Matter
Unlocking Energy: How Nutrition & Drugs Impact Your Mitochondria | Chris Masterjohn | 255
How nutrition and medications impact mitochondrial health.
Episode Summary: Dr. Chris Masterjohn talks about the intricate relationships between nutrition, prescription drugs, and mitochondrial health; how molecules like acetaminophen & SSRIs affect the body; broader implications of serotonin outside the brain; side effects of commonly used medications; the importance of personalized nutritional strategies to optimize mitochondrial function.
About the guest: Chris Masterjohn, PhD holds a doctorate in nutritional sciences and is a co-founder of Mitome, a company focused on mitochondrial testing to optimize cellular energy production.
Discussion Points:
- Acetaminophen & Inflammation: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation by blocking both the initiation and resolution of inflammation, potentially linked to health issues like autism when used during pregnancy.
- Serotonin’s Role Beyond the Brain: Approximately 95% of serotonin is found in the gut, regulating motility, with SSRIs causing side effects like nausea due to increased extracellular serotonin.
- SSRIs & Mitochondrial Function: SSRIs disrupt serotonin uptake into cells, reducing mitochondrial melatonin production, which impairs the body’s ability to handle hypoxic stress and produce ATP efficiently.
- Statins & Mitochondrial Impact: Statins, used to lower cholesterol, inhibit the mevalonate pathway, affecting not just cholesterol but also CoQ10 and vitamin K2, crucial for mitochondrial function, potentially leading to side effects like myopathy.
- Mitochondrial Testing with Mitome: Masterjohn’s company, Mitome, uses cheek swab tests to measure mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, providing personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations to optimize cellular energy production.
- Nutrition & Mental Health: Masterjohn shares his personal experience of severe mental health issues on a vegan diet, which improved dramatically with a nutrient-dense diet rich in organ meats, highlighting individual nutritional needs.
- Energy Metabolism’s Universal Role: Mitochondrial ATP production governs everything from daily energy levels to long-term health, with personalized testing helping identify and address specific bottlenecks.
*Not medical advice.
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