D-Lactate: Groundbreaking Research No One Is Talking About

D-Lactate: Groundbreaking Research No One Is Talking About

Author: Chris Masterjohn, PhD August 1, 2024 Duration: 1:30:24

D-lactate is commonly stated to be exclusively a microbial metabolite. 

This is found in assumptions within the medical literature for decades even when it was long-known to be false. 

While D-lactate is indeed made by bacteria, D-lactate is also inarguably and irrefutably produced by human enzymes.

In this podcast, moreover, I will argue the following:

Microbial contribution to D-lactate in humans under normal circumstances is negligible. 

I coin the term "the D-lactate shuttle" to describe a role for D-lactate that should eventually make its way into biochemistry textbooks alongside the malate-aspartate shuttle and the glycerol phosphate shuttle.

The D-lactate shuttle operates alongside these other shuttles to balance the priorities of conserving cytosolic NAD+, reducing cytosolic acidity, bypassing complex I, or generating ATP. It is uniquely useful as a shuttle when there is an absolute deficit of niacin or NAD(H).

D-lactate is an important contributor to gluconeogenesis that could account for up to 11% of it and rival an individual amino acid.

While D-lactate concentrations in human plasma are infinitesimal, when the downstream metabolism of D-lactate and L-lactate are blocked by genetic disorders, the concentrations of the two forms are similar in plasma. This contrasts wildly with the common claim that flux through D-lactate is "minuscule." Most likely D-lactate is produced in considerable quantities in liver and kidney but is rarely secreted into plasma because doing so would risk neurotoxicity.

D-lactate should be taken seriously for its potential role in Parkinson's and in neurological problems generally, for its role in diabetes, and for its extremely underappreciated roles in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the respiratory chain.

Oxalate powerfully impairs D-lactate clearance, so D-lactate should be investigated as a potential link between oxalate and autism, and oxalate-lowering strategies should be seen as a way to improve D-lactate clearance and reduce its potential role in diabetes and neurological disorders.

See the sections on riboflavin, zinc manganese, and glutathione in Testing Nutritional Status: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet, as well as Does CoQ10 Deserve a Spot on Your Longevity Plan? and the How to Detox Manganese guide for managing the relevant nutrients.

Read the written version for live links and references:

 https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/d-lactate-groundbreaking-research

Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.


Chris Masterjohn, PhD hosts Mastering Nutrition, a podcast that digs into the science of how our bodies work at a fundamental level. The focus here is on mitochondrial health-the energy powerhouses within our cells-and how optimizing them forms the cornerstone of lasting vitality. Chris brings his background as a nutrition scientist and his experience founding BioOptHealth to these conversations, which move beyond generic diet advice. Instead, the podcast explores how individual differences, informed by tools like whole genome sequencing and detailed biochemical data, can reveal personalized paths to better metabolic function. Listeners will hear deep dives into cutting-edge research, practical interpretations of complex studies, and discussions on how to apply these insights in a real-world context. This isn't about quick fixes or trending superfoods; it's about building a coherent, scientifically-grounded understanding of nutrition from the cellular level up. Each episode aims to provide the kind of nuanced, evidence-based perspective that can help you make sense of conflicting health information. Whether the topic is a specific nutrient, a metabolic pathway, or a broader principle of wellness, Chris works to translate dense science into actionable knowledge. Tune in for a thoughtful, detailed exploration of what it truly means to master your own nutritional landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 712

Mastering Nutrition
Podcast Episodes
7 Steps to Cure Histamine Intolerance | Chris Masterjohn Lite #95 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:27
Here's a 7-step protocol to tackle histamine intolerance. Tune in to learn more! This episode is brought to you by Ancestral Supplements' "Living" Collagen. Our Native American ancestors believed that eating the organs f…
Is Alcohol Good for You? | Chris Masterjohn Lite #94 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:43
Is alcohol good for you? It's clear to me that 1) alcohol is a toxin and 2) it can help with having fun, which is good for you, but in this episode I consider whether some dose of alcohol might actually be fundamentally…
Alcohol and Histamine | Chris Masterjohn Lite #93 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:33
Could drinking alcohol be contributing to your allergies or histamine intolerance? When my allergies started going nuts in Greece this summer, I was drinking more alcohol. Alcohol impairs the clearance of histamine *and*…
How to Test for Histamine Intolerance | Chris Masterjohn Lite #89 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:37
Do you have histamine intolerance? It could be confused with an increased burden of mast cells, one of the main types of cells that release histamine. Tune in for two lab tests that can help you tell the difference. This…
How to Manage Your Selenium Status | Chris Masterjohn Lite #87 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:10
Selenium makes you resilient to all kinds of stress, including the physical attacks of infections and toxins. It keeps your nails healthy, prevents the wear and tear on your tissues as you age, keeps your body from launc…
How to Manage Your Vitamin C Status | Chris Masterjohn Lite #86 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:23
Vitamin C protects against bleeding gums, makes your bones strong, helps keep you from getting sick, protects against the normal wear and tear on our tissues, helps us deal with alcohol, cigarette smoke, and toxins in ou…