Nutrition in Neuroscience Part 2 | Mastering Nutrition #54

Nutrition in Neuroscience Part 2 | Mastering Nutrition #54

Author: Chris Masterjohn, PhD January 18, 2019 Duration: 1:50:56

Part 2 of how NUTRITION has a HUGE impact on your BRAIN!

Everything in your brain is something you ate, something you made from something you ate, or, in a few cases, something your mother ate. Nutrition impacts your mental and emotional health, the function of your five senses, and your conscious and unconscious control over your body movements.

Join me as I lead you in a safari through the textbook, "Neuroscience," pointing out along the way all the interesting connections to nutrition. Listen in for part 2 on the NEUROTRANSMITTERS!

Get all four episodes right now, ad-free, and with transcripts. Sign up for the CMJ Masterpass at https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/masterpass. Use the code LITE10 to get 10% off. To make it easier to get the discount, use this link, which has the coupon already activated: https://masterpass.chrismasterjohnphd.com/cmj-masterpass/2200/buy?coupon=LITE10

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In this episode, you will find all of the following and more:

Nutrition in Neuroscience Show Notes

00:36 Cliff Notes

10:15 Overview of neurotransmitters

12:55 Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.

20:08 De novo glutamate in the central nervous system is overwhelmingly made from glucose.

22:55 Ketogenic diet for epilepsy

26:12 Glutamate metabolism

29:42 There are two classes of glutamate receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.

30:45 There are three classes of metabotropic glutamate receptors, their actions are complex and variable, and they can be excitatory or inhibitory.

31:04 The ionotropic glutamate receptors include AMPA receptors, NMDA receptors, and kainite receptors, all of which have a depolarizing effect by allowing sodium and potassium to flow freely through them.

33:47 Four unique things about the NMDA receptor: magnesium is required to block its ion channel, it's important for coincidence detection, it allows calcium to come into the cell, and it has a glycine-binding site.

39:16 Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are important for forming memories, and glutamate receptors play an important role.

46:48 GABA and glycine are the two primary inhibitory neurotransmitters of the central nervous system.

50:04 GABA and presumably glycine can be stimulatory if there is more chloride on the inside of the neuron than the outside.

54:52 Evidence that GABA might cross the blood-brain barrier

57:43 GABA in foods

01:00:14 GABA metabolism in the nervous system

01:02:07 Glycine

01:08:01 Acetylcholine

01:13:49 The biogenic amines include histamine, serotonin, and the catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine).

01:14:30 Synthesis of the catecholamines

01:16:45 Dopamine

01:20:07 Norepinephrine

01:22:31 Histamine

01:26:14 Serotonin

01:29:10 ATP and adenosine

01:32:37 Peptide neurotransmitters

01:32:59 Hypothalamic releasing hormones include thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

01:35:14 Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

01:35:31 Oxytocin

01:36:18 Vasopressin

01:36:56 Synthesis of the neuropeptides Substance P, MSH, oxytocin, and vasopressin requires glycine, zinc, copper, and    vitamin C.

01:40:23 Endocannabinoids and the importance of arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA


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.
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