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Michael McIsaac, MS, MS, CSCS

Vitamin K2 Function

Vitamin K, a fat-soluble micronutrient, is found naturally in two forms to include phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinone (K2) (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). Said vitamin is widely recognized for its role in the synthesis of γ-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA); a residue necessary for blood clotting (Gropper et al., 2018). However, a lesser known function of vitamin […]

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Exercise, B6, and Oxidative Stress

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble micronutrient functioning as a coenzyme in over 100 enzymes (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). However, its primary role is the metabolism of amino acids in addition to the synthesis of glucose, carnitine, sphingolipids, heme, nucleic acids, and neurotransmitters (Gropper et al., 2018). A lesser known role […]

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Pyridoxine (B6) and Most Digestible Food Sources

Pyridoxine (B6), is a micronutrient which serves as a coenzyme in over 100 enzymes (Grooper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). Furthermore, its primary role is found in the metabolism of glucose, carnitine, neurotransmitters, heme, nucleic acids, sphingolipids, and amino acids (Gropper et al., 2018). Considering B6’s integral role as a coenzyme and its involvement in energy/neurotransmitter […]

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B9 (Folate) Function and Deficiencies

B9, also known as folate, is a water-soluble micronutrient central to health and homeostasis (Sanvisens et al., 2017). Functions include the metabolism of nutrients such as choline, amino acids, pyrimidines, purines, DNA synthesis/repair, and cell division (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). As such, deficiencies in folate can lead to disruptions in said functions. As a […]

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B5, Low Grade Chronic Inflammation, and Disease

Low grade chronic inflammation (LGCI) is a condition characterized by a persistent presence of inflammatory processes, that eventually manifests as tissue damage (Nasef, Mehta, & Ferguson, 2017). LGCI is also implicated with several diseases to include autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes (Kenney, Wilmore, & Costill, 2012; Nasef et al., 2017). Essentially, mitigating the inflammatory […]

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B5 and Cysteine Supplementation: Do They Increase Energy Production?

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an enzyme considered an essential cofactor for biochemical reactions, to include energy production (represented as ATP in above image). As such, CoA has gained attention as a possible means of enhancing health and performance by researchers such as Wall, Stephens, Marimuthu, Contstantin-Teodosiu, Macdonald, and Greenhaff (2012). In the following sections, this […]

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B7 Deficiency, Medications, Food Prep, and Genetics: Connecting the Dots

  Biotin, also known as B7, is a water-soluble vitamin contributing biochemically as a coenzyme carrier responsible for nutrient metabolism and energy production (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). B7 also facilitates gene expression via biotinylation of histone proteins (such proteins “wrap” around DNA base pairs) whereby said micronutrient exposes or “unwraps” DNA to facilitate expression […]

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Neuromuscular Dysregulation and Electrolyte Deficiencies

The human body communicates, interacts, and coordinates with itself and the external environment through a dense network of electrochemical conduits, colloquially known as the nerves or nervous system (NS) (Kenney, Wilmore, & Costill, 2012). Virtually all tissues, organs, motor, and sensory systems are fully integrated with the NS; like a conductor in an orchestra, the […]

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Riboflavin (B2) and Probiotics

B2, also known as riboflavin, is a water-soluble vitamin responsible for multiple roles to include management of xenobiotic substances, metabolism of drugs, redox balance, controlling reactive lipid metabolism, and participation in energy metabolism (Pinto & Zempleni, 2016). As such, optimal B2 levels are essential in maintaining health and homeostasis. Although consumption of B2 through foods […]

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Thiamine (B1) Status and Vegan/Vegetarian Diets

Humans have survived in unique and diverse environments, to include equally unique and diverse foods and dietary habits. However, it is also true that particular nutritional proclivities have the potential to induce unfavorable physiological consequences that inhibit optimal health and longevity. In the following sections, I would like to explore vegan/vegetarian diets, strengths, limitations, and […]

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