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How nutrition and medications impact mitochondrial health.

Episode Summary: Dr. Chris Masterjohn talks about the intricate relationships between nutrition, prescription drugs, and mitochondrial health, discussing how molecules like acetaminophen and SSRIs affect the body beyond their intended purposes, particularly impacting inflammation and energy metabolism. The discussion gets into the broader implications of serotonin outside the brain, the side effects of commonly used medications, and 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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