Episode 048: Morley Robbins, The Many Hats of Vitamin A, How Retinol Works with Magnesium, Iron and Copper to Keep You Well

In Episode 048 of A Medicinal Mind, Wisdom and Wellbeing, I welcome back the inquisitive mind of the researcher known affectionately as the Magnesium man, Morley Robbins. In my two previous discussions with Morley, Episodes 23 and Episode 32, we explored the foundations of mineral metabolism, the intricate dance between Fe, Mg and Cu and the overall implications of these minerals on our health.

 

In this new foray into the world of biochemistry, Morley leads us through a fascinating exploration of his most recent research rabbit hole into the importance of fat soluble vitamins, and most specifically Vitamin A and its part of the wider dance of mineral biochemistry.

 

Morley begins the conversation with a foundational discussion of Vitamin A metabolism, what really is Vitamin A, retinol, retinal, and beta carotene. Is the vitamin A in carrots the same Vitamin A in beef liver?

 

Exploring further questions, Morley helps to answer: What are some of the highest sources of retinol, what is the history of cod liver oil and the ingestion of organ meats?

 

What is retinol actually doing in the body? Besides its involvement in balancing oxidative stress in the body, Is it the molecule, and not iron, driving the production of hemoglobin and eventually the oxygen carrying red blood cell?

 

We then shift the discussion into the intricate science behind energy production in the mitochondria and the fascinatingly beautiful electron transport chain, where does Fe, Oxygen, Magnesium, Vitamin A, lipids and Cu enter the scene in order for us to make the energy currency of the body: ATP.

 

As the story unfolds we begin to discover that Vitamin A is behind perhaps the most important systemic processes in the body

 

1. Energy Production
2. Genetic Expression and Regulation
3. Inflammation
4. Oxygen Deliverability
5. Oxidative Stress

 

and much more

 

Shifting back to the discussion of fat soluble vitamins, A, D and K, Morley fills us in with the reality that Vitamin D supplementation alone is likely not helping and actually probably hurting more people than we think. And where does Cu fit into the metabolism and function of the fat soluble vitamins?

And what really is the difference between a vitamin and a mineral chemically? Structurally? How does their chemical structure affect their function and location of action in the body.

 

We then end the discussion with an exploration of Vitamin A and its importance in genetic expression and regulation? Why are people so terrified of Vitamin A overdose and toxicity?

 

I encourage you once more to listen to this conversation at least 2 or 3 times to really synthesize all of the ideas presented by Morley and myself.

 

And, be sure as well to explore the show notes for today’s show on our podcast page, our podcast app or other podcast media device to find our link to the intricately described Nutritional Testing Resource: a jam packed guide created by the visionary researcher Dr. Chris Masterjohn to help you discover how to properly assess, test and address functional nutritional status and any unearthed clinical deficiencies.

 

To get Dr. Chris Masterjohn’s Nutritional Testing Resource go HERE

 

List of Primary Research Studies

 

1. http://departments.agri.huji.ac.il/animal/staff/faculty_staff/uni_zehava/publications/Bacterial%20population%20and%20innate%20immunity-related%20genes%20in%20rat%20gastrointestinal%20tract.pdf
   
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991380/
   
3. https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/34/6/766/2354654
   
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21366525
   
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17320364
   
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916855/

Don’t forget to get Dr. Chris Masterjohn’s Nutritional Testing Resource HERE

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Disclaimer: The content at A Medicinal Mind and the content of our podcast are educational and informational in nature. They are not intended to be medical advice, spiritual counsel or a substitute for working with a health professional or a trained spiritual counselor. We cannot guarantee the outcome of any of the recommendations provided on our page or by the guests on our podcast and any statements written or made about any potential outcomes are expressions of opinion only.