About this video

• Video Title: What Experts Aren’t Saying About D-Lactate: Groundbreaking Research
• Channel: Chris Masterjohn, PhD
• Speakers: Chris Masterjohn
• Duration: 01:51:39

Overview

This video challenges conventional understanding of D-lactate, arguing that it is primarily produced by human enzymes, not the gut microbiome, under normal circumstances. The speaker introduces the "D-lactate shuttle" as a crucial metabolic pathway, comparable to established shuttles like malate-aspartate and glycerol-3-phosphate. The video also explores the origins of D-lactate production from methylglyoxal, its role in gluconeogenesis, and its implications for various health conditions including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and autism.

Key takeaways

• D-Lactate Origin: Contrary to popular belief, D-lactate is predominantly produced by human enzymes, specifically through the methylglyoxal pathway, rather than microbial fermentation in the gut.
• The D-Lactate Shuttle: A new "D-lactate shuttle" is proposed, suggesting it should be recognized in biochemistry textbooks alongside the malate-aspartate and glycerol-3-phosphate shuttles for electron transport from the cytosol to mitochondria.
• Methylglyoxal's Role: Methylglyoxal, derived from glucose, acetone, or threonine, is a key precursor to D-lactate. Its production and metabolism are linked to glycolysis, ketogenesis, and gluconeogenesis.
• Gluconeogenesis Contribution: D-lactate can account for a significant portion (estimated 11-14% under maximal conditions) of gluconeogenesis.
• Rethinking "Minuscule" Flux: Claims that D-lactate flux is "minuscule" are misleading. While plasma concentrations are low, this is due to efficient liver and kidney clearance and its neurotoxicity, not low production.
• Health Implications: D-lactate is implicated in various health issues, including diabetes, neurological disorders like Parkinson's, and potentially autism, especially in relation to oxalate's inhibitory effect on D-lactate clearance.
• Nutrient Cofactors: The D-lactate pathway relies on specific nutrients, including zinc, riboflavin, manganese, and CoQ10, highlighting the importance of optimizing their status.

In simpler terms, this video is suggesting that our bodies are more involved in producing a substance called D-lactate than we thought, and it's not primarily the "bad bacteria" in our gut causing it.

Here's what that might mean for you day-to-day:

• Your Cells are Busy: Your own cells are constantly processing sugars and other substances, and a byproduct of this is methylglyoxal, which can then be turned into D-lactate. This is a normal process.
• It's Not Just About Gut Health: While a healthy gut is important, this video highlights that issues related to D-lactate might stem from how your own body is metabolizing things, rather than just the bugs in your gut.
• Energy Production is Complex: Your cells have different ways of producing energy, and D-lactate is part of one of these pathways. Sometimes, this pathway might be favored to conserve certain resources (like NAD), even if it's less efficient at making energy.
• Potential Link to Chronic Illnesses: The video suggests that problems with managing D-lactate might play a role in conditions like diabetes and some neurological issues. This means that understanding how your body handles D-lactate could be important for overall health.
• Nutrient Importance: Certain vitamins and minerals (like zinc, riboflavin, manganese, and CoQ10) are crucial for the processes that handle D-lactate. This reinforces the idea that a balanced diet with adequate nutrients is key.
• Oxalate and Autism Connection: The research points to a possible link between oxalate (found in some foods) and D-lactate clearance, which could be relevant for understanding certain aspects of autism. This might suggest that managing oxalate intake could be beneficial for some individuals.

Essentially, the video is encouraging a shift in thinking: D-lactate isn't just a waste product from bad bacteria; it's a normal part of our cellular machinery with roles in energy production and metabolism, and disruptions in its handling could have broader health consequences.