Biological water storage and cell energy relationships“Water storage by the living substance is a topic that reductionist biology has only reluctantly addressed. There are no pumps for biological water, and it took a long time before a water channel protein was proposed. The structural molecules of a cell, its metabolites, and water are mutually dissolved, and their affinity for each other is influenced by the energetic relationship of the cell to its environment. This mutual affinity is regulated by the balance of hormones and nutrients. ATP is a crucial factor in regulating the optimal state of water storage.” September 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of hypothyroidism on muscle fatigue and metabolites“When metabolic energy declines, as in hypothyroidism, muscles tire easily, absorb excess water, and the barrier structure loosens, allowing macromolecules, ATP, and other metabolites to leak out while foreign substances enter. Typical muscle enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase appear in the blood in typical hypothyroid myopathy, and heart proteins, including a specific form of lactate dehydrogenase and a muscle protein, troponin, enter the blood after heart stress or fatigue combined with hypothyroidism or systemic inflammation.” September 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
ATP leakage and the vicious cycle of serotonin“Any disruption of normal cell or tissue structure is recognized by the organism as a problem to be corrected; the appearance of ATP outside the cells is a fundamental sign of damage and danger. Special enzymes break down extracellular ATP into ADP, AMP, adenosine, and other purines, which contribute to alarm and stress signals. Increased synthesis of serotonin is one of the most important responses to leaked ATP and adenosine, but serotonin can further increase disruption of the actin system and enhance permeability – a vicious cycle;” September 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell stiffness and degenerative changes independent of cholesterol“The actual physical stiffness of whole cells and their surroundings is very important. For example, excitotoxicity (Fang et al., 2014) and other forms of energy deficiency can stiffen cells, and persistent energy deficiency as well as inflammation lead to degenerative changes – for example tissue calcification, fibrosis, and invasive, disorganized cell movements. These stress-related stiffenings of the cell substance and matrix have nothing directly to do with the local cholesterol amount.” September 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Composition of Protoplasm and Cholesterol as a Lubricant"I consider it appropriate to view the protoplasm as a complex type of solution made up of proteins, water, cholesterol, and other lipids, nucleic acids, ATP, and smaller amounts of other substances, whose viscosity changes when small changes in dissolved substances affect the balance of cohesive forces. Due to its molecular shape and hydrophobicity, cholesterol acts both as a lubricant and as a stabilizer of this complex system. It reduces cell stiffness by increasing protein mobility." September 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Lipid peroxidation in atherosclerotic plaques – effects"Lipid peroxidation has been observed in atherosclerotic plaques, and the breakdown products of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, and acrolein (derived from EPA, arachidonic acid, and other highly unsaturated fats in the affected blood vessel) are known to attract white blood cells like macrophages, which then accumulate in the plaques." September 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Role and effects of parathyroid hormone in the aging process"Phosphate, found mainly in grains, legumes, nuts, meat, and fish, increases the production of parathyroid hormone, while calcium and magnesium inhibit its formation. This hormone, whose levels rise with age, suppresses the immune system, and in excess causes insomnia, seizures, dementia, psychosis, cancer, heart disease, shortness of breath and pulmonary hypertension, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, histamine release, inflammation, as well as soft tissue calcification and many other problems." September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Harmful substances in leaves that impair nutrient digestion"Leaves contain many substances that can be harmful and hinder the digestion of protein and other nutrients, such as tannins and polyunsaturated fatty acids." September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Milk components support efficient energy use"Milk provides lactose, which is quickly metabolized into glucose, as well as small amounts of other substances, including progesterone and thyroid hormone, which promote their efficient use." September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of an increase in parathyroid hormone on body tissues"When vitamin D or calcium is lacking, when phosphate is in excess, as well as in hypoglycemia and stress (Ljunghall et al., 1984), parathyroid hormone increases. This can lead to softening of the bones and hardening of soft tissues, especially the arteries, sometimes also the brain, skin, and other organs. Parathyroid hormone raises blood pressure even before calcium-induced vascular stiffening is detectable." September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of sodium in circulatory inefficiency and various complaints"Building on Brewer's research, I recognized that additional sodium can also be helpful in other situations involving circulatory inefficiency. Premenstrual edema, insomnia, and even high blood pressure often respond very well to it." Nutrition For Women |
Benefits of coconut oil for the thyroid and health"The easily oxidizable short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acids of coconut oil provide an energy source that protects our tissues from the toxic inhibitory effects of unsaturated fatty acids and reduces their thyroid-inhibiting effects. Animal studies over the past 60 years suggest that these effects also offer protection against cancer, heart disease, and premature aging. Other expected effects include protection against excessive blood clotting, protection of the fetal brain, protection against various stress-related problems including epilepsy, and some protection against sun damage to the skin." Nutrition For Women |
Faulty mental energy storage and effects of stimulants"A person with a faulty mental energy storage system might rush around to keep their mind stimulated, or it may be that coffee or other nerve stimulants raise the energy level enough to allow calm integration." Nutrition For Women |
Unique properties of water in biological processes"Water is unusual in its ability for internal structural change and due to its heat capacity. During cell division, muscle contraction, and nerve stimulation, heat is released (followed by heat absorption as muscle or nerve recovers), which cannot be explained by any known chemical change. Its order decreases with rising temperature unless other substances create order. (The brain has utilized and amplified these properties of water.)" Nutrition For Women |
Effects of estrogen on experience and memory formation"Excitation patterns stabilize as knowledge and as developmental changes in tissue: growth and aging as well as their effects. An excess of estrogen or other factors that impair proteolysis could block the ability to experience. The difficulty in remembering dreams is likely related to this synthetic (non-proteolytic) parasympathetic dominance during sleep." Nutrition For Women |
Hormonal intervention to support maternal and fetal health in nutrition-related deficiencies"Furthermore, if the mother's overall health is so poor that nutrition alone during pregnancy cannot compensate for lifelong deficiency, the use of hormones could keep the mother healthy during pregnancy and act as a buffer between the fetus and the mother's metabolic instability. In some areas, thyroid hormone would be crucial. In all areas, progesterone can improve pregnancy in a large percentage of women." Nutrition For Women |
Relationship between brain size, life expectancy, and health"It has been observed that the ratio of brain weight to body weight directly correlates with life expectancy. The brain has a nourishing, trophic influence on other tissues. A stable, efficient brain acts as an anti-stress factor." Nutrition For Women |
Principle of remote order in biological theory"Remote order is a principle of biological thinking that leads us into a new phase of theory. If successful in biology, this principle can help reassess other events in the history of ideas about physical states." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen-induced blood clotting and metabolic problems"It is known that taking estrogen can make the blood clot too easily. Other effects include anemia, low blood sugar, and slowed liver function." Nutrition For Women |
Role of the liver in estrogen metabolism and effects on libido"Normally, the liver treats estrogen like a toxin and removes it immediately from the body. If the liver becomes sluggish due to malnutrition, excess estrogen, or other damage, it can allow the hormone to rise to very high levels. Since estrogen acts metabolically antagonistic to progesterone and testosterone, I think the pill could reduce libido by counteracting these other hormones." Nutrition For Women |
Increased vitamin E requirement due to estrogen during pregnancy"Estrogen seems to increase the body's need for vitamin E, as with many other nutrients. Pregnancy, which can raise a woman's estrogen levels, appears to increase the amount of vitamin E required to support the subsequent pregnancy, if the results of animal studies can be generalized." Nutrition For Women |
Essential role of thyroid hormone in cellular respiration and biological functions"Thyroid hormone is necessary for cellular respiration and enables all higher biological functions. Without the metabolic efficiency promoted by thyroid hormone, life could hardly progress beyond the unicellular stage. With insufficient thyroid function, we become sluggish, clumsy, cold, anemic, and susceptible to infections, heart disease, headaches, cancer, and many other illnesses, appearing prematurely aged because none of our tissues can function normally." Nutrition For Women |
Hypothyroidism causes digestive problems and internal malnutrition“In hypothyroidism, there is little stomach acid, and other digestive juices (as well as intestinal motility) are insufficient, which is why bloating and constipation often occur. Food is not well digested, so even with apparently adequate nutrition, internal malnutrition exists.” Nutrition For Women |
Influence of diet on thyroid function and food comparisons“When we eat large amounts of muscle meat or liver, the high concentration of cysteine suppresses the thyroid. Heart, eggs, skin (gelatin), and milk are more favorable for the thyroid. Other thyroid-inhibiting foods are peanuts, soybeans, raw cabbage, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, unsaturated oils (such as safflower, corn, cottonseed, and soybean oil), as well as an excess of iodine.” Nutrition For Women |
Conversion of thyroid hormone under stress and aging“When a baby is born, or when a person experiences other stress such as an infection, or when a person ages, the best-known thyroid hormone thyroxine is not converted into the more active form T3 (triiodothyronine) in the usual way. Under these emergency conditions, reduced oxygen consumption is a useful adaptation.” Nutrition For Women |
Effects of diabetic mothers on child development“Diabetic mothers often have premature children, provided these are not harmed by medication or unreasonable diets.” Nutrition For Women |
Modulation of dopamine-serotonin antagonism by progesterone, thyroid, and other factors“The dopamine-serotonin antagonism (e.g., in the control of prolactin secretion) can be influenced by progesterone, thyroid, and other factors.” Nutrition For Women |
Progesterone therapy for male infertility and infertility in athletes“Progesterone is the precursor (after acetate and cholesterol) of all other steroid hormones, so it can also be used in men. It (or its precursor pregnenolone) has been used for prostatitis, arthritis, and infertility in men. Large amounts would likely suppress LH and reduce testosterone synthesis, while a smaller amount (especially in older men) apparently increases sperm count and motility. In male and female athletes who become infertile, this seems to be the appropriate therapy, usually in combination with thyroid.” Nutrition For Women |
The complex role of the estrogen/progesterone ratio for health"An excessive estrogen/progesterone ratio is generally more involved than a simple estrogen excess or progesterone deficiency, yet even this ratio is influenced by other factors, including age, nutrition, other steroids, thyroid, and other hormones." Nutrition For Women |
Hypoxia, edema, and hypoglycemia with elevated blood lactate"Elevated blood lactate is a sign of tissue hypoxia. Edema, hypoglycemia, and lactic acidosis can also be caused by other respiratory defects, including hypothyroidism, where the tissue does not use enough oxygen. The skin appears bluer (in thin areas such as around the eyes) when hypoxia, and not low oxygen consumption, is involved." Nutrition For Women |
Adrenal response to inflammation and stress hormones"When the organism detects inflammation or other stress (possibly through sensing changes in blood sugar, lactate, or carbon dioxide, or all of these factors), the adrenal glands will release anti-stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisone (provided these glands are not exhausted or malnourished). Both adrenaline and cortisone can raise blood sugar to meet the increased demand." Nutrition For Women |
Stress management through nutritional and environmental correction"In general, stress should initially be addressed by correcting the defect, which may be environmental or nutritional. Increased nutrient demand usually includes protein and fat; acute hypoglycemia may require a large amount of sugar, suggesting that the adrenal glands might be exhausted. In this case, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium should be provided in addition to other nutrients." Nutrition For Women |
Hans Selye's view on stress and tissue activation"According to Hans Selye, the activation or damage of tissue is the beginning of stress. The more cells are involved, the greater the stress. An injury to a leg, which is only connected by blood vessels, triggers a stress reaction in the animal, so that the stress signal can be transmitted through the blood, although normally nerves are also involved. Adenine nucleotides are suspected as a cause of shock (because they, like many other stress products, including phosphate, act as vasodilators), other possible causes are histamine, various polyamines, and low blood sugar." Nutrition For Women |
Commonalities of injury and strain in energy demand"Injury and physical exertion have in common that more energy is needed. I think that blood sugar levels are therefore at least useful for understanding stress, even if other substances are involved in the signaling or coordination process." Nutrition For Women |
Sugar excretion in urine under stress – independent of insulin requirement“Stress can cause sugar to appear in the urine, as can many other conditions, and this does not require insulin treatment.” Nutrition For Women |
Nutritional relief for tension caused by copper or estrogen“Tension caused by too much copper or estrogen can be nutritionally relieved. Usually, zinc supplementation is necessary—about 20 mg per day; for this problem, about 30 mg of vitamin B6 has been recommended, but the amount varies by person. Other B vitamins as well as vitamins E and A should also be used.” Nutrition For Women |
Menopausal symptoms and progesterone deficiency“Strickler found that only 10% of his patients with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes felt improvement from estrogen when given alternately with a placebo. These studies and several dozen others convinced me that menopausal symptoms are mainly due to a progesterone deficiency relative to estrogens. The 10% who truly experience improvement from estrogen might possibly have an estrogen deficiency, but this was not established, and several other factors could explain the perceived well-being. For example, a healthy thyroid responds to increased estrogen with increased thyroxine production, which at least changes well-being, raises blood sugar, and increases alertness.” Nutrition For Women |
Aging and Cushing’s syndrome: fat distribution and vitamin E“Fat distribution in aging is similar to that in Cushing’s syndrome. It is known that vitamin E influences enzyme activities in a way that could balance this fat distribution, and this could also occur in cases caused by hormonal disorders, not just by aging itself.” Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen and the inhibition of clot-dissolving enzymes“Another effect of estrogen is the inhibition of a proteolytic enzyme in the blood that normally dissolves blood clots. That is why birth control pills can cause blood clots, strokes, and other circulatory problems.” Nutrition For Women |
Effects of a low-protein diet on the liver’s detoxification of estrogen“A low-protein diet clearly impairs the liver’s ability to detoxify estrogen and other stress factors.” Nutrition For Women |
The role of diet and thyroid in stress-related diseases“A diet high in animal protein and other nutrients, including an adequate amount of dried thyroid when refined proteins are used, can bring immediate improvement in many diseases specifically caused by stress.” Nutrition For Women |
The role of folic acid in the function of red and white blood cells“Folic acid, known for its ability to cure certain anemias (red blood cell deficiency), also improves the function of white blood cells and increases antibody production. It may also be involved in a non-antibody-based process that enables white blood cells to destroy viruses, fungi, and other parasites.” Nutrition For Women |
Effects of vitamin C on mucous membranes and immune defense“Vitamin C increases the structural strength of the connective tissue of mucous membranes proportionally to the amount consumed, up to the megadoses recommended by Pauling (according to electron microscope evidence, J. Clin. Nutr., Summer 1974). It is also more concentrated in white blood cells than in any other tissue (about a 60:1 ratio between white blood cells and surrounding fluid), and their immune function depends on an adequate amount.” Nutrition For Women |
Zinc deficiency associated with estrogen excess and its nutritional implications“A zinc deficiency is often associated with a deficiency of vitamin B6 and an excess of copper; since estrogen is linked to zinc loss, other nutrients such as vitamin E and folic acid should also be considered when there are white spots on the nails.” Nutrition For Women |
Influences of thyroid and progesterone on protein synthesis and lactate oxidation“The relevant effects of the thyroid (especially in connection with progesterone, to promote tissue response to the thyroid and block cortisone production) consist of stimulating protein synthesis and preventing lactate formation—or stimulating its oxidation, either by the tumor itself or by other tissues, to prevent its entry into the Cori cycle for gluconeogenesis.” Nutrition For Women |
Psychoactive substances and their effects on chronic diseases“During LSD research, it was found that people with chronic headaches, asthma, or psoriasis sometimes completely recovered during treatment with frequent LSD doses. Another alkaloid from ergot, bromocriptine, is now used to suppress lactation (e.g., caused by a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma that arises after taking oral contraceptives) and is experimentally used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Both LSD and bromocriptine shift the balance of two brain chemicals, DOPA and serotonin, in favor of DOPA dominance. One effect of this is the inhibition of prolactin secretion. An excess of prolactin is involved in breast cancer and other cell proliferations, probably also in the rapid cell division seen in psoriasis.” Nutrition For Women |
Older mothers and the lower frequency of Down syndrome"Women are often encouraged to have children at a young age out of fear of having a mongoloid child (Down syndrome), which is more common in older mothers. However, a study was conducted showing that mongoloid children are more frequently born to women who have been married longer. For example, women who married at 30 or 35 had fewer mongoloid children than women of the same age who married younger. The researcher suspected that in long-married couples, sexual intercourse was so infrequent that the likelihood was higher that the egg (or egg and sperm) degenerated before fertilization." Nutrition For Women |
Diabetes, pregnancy, and fetal brain nutrition"It is known that women with diabetes typically have large babies with large heads who learn quickly. With each pregnancy, a woman tends to have lower glucose tolerance or appear more diabetic. HCG, the hormone that maintains pregnancy, raises blood sugar to meet the fetus's need for abundant sugar. Therefore, diabetes and pregnancy have much in common. As a woman ages, she also tends toward diabetes, thereby better supplying the fetus, especially its brain. Additionally, a more mature woman is less likely to rely on snacks." Nutrition For Women |
Nutritional needs during pregnancy and effects on development"Better nutrition before and during pregnancy as well as during breastfeeding makes a big difference for the baby's mental and physical development. Young pregnant women should be especially careful not to have low blood sugar. Older women likely need a bit more vitamin E and should particularly ensure they do not ingest toxic amounts of copper through drinking water or kitchen utensils." Nutrition For Women |
The crucial importance of nutrition and toxin avoidance during pregnancy"Pregnant women should make special efforts to maintain a perfect diet every day and avoid toxins, including medications, fumes, and smoke. Even medications that do not directly reach the fetus can affect its health by disrupting the mother's metabolism." Nutrition For Women |
Maternal adaptation to fat and fetal glucose dependency"During pregnancy, the mother's body increasingly adapts to living on fat, so that most of the available sugar can be used by the baby. The brain consumes most of the body's glucose, so mental fatigue can easily affect blood sugar levels. The developing baby is extremely dependent on glucose for its energy supply, and its brain can be damaged by a lack of sugar." Nutrition For Women |
Similarities Between Pregnancy and Diabetes and Blood Sugar Trends"Pregnancy itself resembles diabetes in the adaptation to oxidize fat instead of sugar, so a slight tendency toward diabetes can be considered supportive of pregnancy. Older women are more likely to have some degree of diabetes or elevated blood sugar. With each pregnancy, there is a tendency for blood sugar to be higher and the baby to be larger and more mature at birth." Nutrition For Women |
Nutrient Needs Altered by Estrogen for Maintaining Blood Sugar and a Healthy Pregnancy"Vitamin E, vitamin A, and magnesium are other nutrients that help maintain blood sugar. Vitamin B12 is needed to utilize vitamin A. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and zinc are reduced by increased estrogen and are especially important for a healthy pregnancy. Too much copper can lower blood sugar; too much iron can destroy vitamin E, and a vitamin E deficiency can lead to jaundice, which can affect the baby's brain." Nutrition For Women |
Depletion of Nutrient Reserves and Reproductive Health"On average, every baby is larger and healthier up to the fourth or fifth, but after that, there is a significant decline in the average. At this point—which suggests that nutrient reserves are depleted—twin pregnancies and Down syndrome become more likely." Nutrition For Women |
Natural Iron Sources and Their Compatibility with Vitamin E"Natural iron sources like red meat, wheat bran, wheat germ, or molasses do not seem to have this destructive effect on vitamin E. If iron supplementation is necessary during pregnancy, these foods therefore appear suitable to reduce the risk of vitamin E deficiency and dangers such as miscarriage." Nutrition For Women |
Damage to Animal Social Behavior Due to Early Separation"In other animals, even a momentary separation immediately after birth damages social behavior." Nutrition For Women |
Special Sensitivity of the Front Brain Area for Function"The front part of the brain, which is most distinctly human (and the youngest), but in the usual sense has no specific function, is among the most sensitive areas of the brain. It is a very large piece of tissue apparently involved in planning and decision-making and controls the other, more specific functions. (This part of the brain, as well as the cerebral cortex overall, gives us the ability to ignore stimuli, to use Lendon Smith's expression.)" Nutrition For Women |
Appetite as an Indicator of Nutrient Needs"Normally, appetite is probably a good indicator of the specific need for protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamin C, salts, and possibly other nutrients." Nutrition For Women |
Saline solutions for muscle preservation during fasting"A recent study (1975) investigates the possibility that a balanced saline solution prevents the destruction of muscles and other protein-rich tissues during fasting. I have found that such a solution relieves feelings of stress, so I think it will prevent protein breakdown." Nutrition For Women |
American eating habits and the deterioration of bones and teeth"Almost all Americans have porous, weakened bones and teeth by the age of 50 due to the high meat consumption relative to other foods. When excess phosphate (for example from meat or wheat germ) is absorbed, calcium and magnesium are removed from teeth and bones to be excreted with the phosphate." Nutrition For Women |
Dietary fats and their influence on energy production"E. Racker and other biochemists have pointed out that unsaturated (liquid) fatty acids are capable of uncoupling the energy-producing reactions from oxidation. This means they promote fuel consumption without increasing fat synthesis. This is an effect similar to the specific dynamic action of proteins, and it is the biochemical explanation for why not all calories count equally in terms of weight loss. At the same time, however, this means that the total usable energy production relative to heat production is reduced." Nutrition For Women |
Human chorionic gonadotropin in slimming clinics: effects on appetite and metabolism"Many slimming clinics use injections of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin to facilitate diets and possibly improve fat distribution. This hormone shifts energy metabolism towards the use of fat instead of sugar, allowing an increase in blood sugar levels. This suppresses appetite. The hormone is produced by the placenta to provide sugar for the growing fetus." Nutrition For Women |
Nutritional and hormonal components of natural foods"In addition to their content of essential nutrients, all natural foods also contain other substances, such as hormones." Nutrition For Women |
Essential amino acids and the global nutrition question"The carbon framework of essential amino acids seems to be crucial. When the diet provides these along with other nutrients, protein in the diet does not seem to be as critical. If fruits and vegetables are found that contain these substances, the global food problem could be easily solved." Nutrition For Women |
Biophysical Approach and Individual Nutritional Needs"The emphasis on the uniqueness of individual needs should be seen in the context of seeking the most general principles: This can help us recognize meaningful configurations and make otherwise trivial things significant. I think a biophysical approach to the cytoplasm is one of the principles that helps in pattern recognition. Other specific and immediately useful ideas include stress, the efficient or wasteful use of sugar, and the energy supply of cells." Nutrition For Women |
Controversy Over Temperature in Diagnosing Hypothyroidism"The rejection of Broda Barnes’ use of temperature to diagnose hypothyroidism was partly based on the belief that a subnormal temperature was protective. This deeply rooted belief likely contributed to the official preference for the relatively inactive thyroxine form over the thermogenically active thyroid, USP, and T3, and to the lack of interest in the connection between hypothermia and chronic infections, cardiovascular problems, kidney diseases, chronic inflammation, and other age-related issues." November 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Aromatase Activity and Hormonal Effects During Menopause"Aromatase, the enzyme that produces estrogen, is present in muscles, fat, blood vessels, and many other tissues, and its activity is increased by cortisol and decreased by progesterone. The altered activity of these two steroids during menopause may explain the sudden rise in degenerative diseases, inflammation, depression, etc." November 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Lifestyle Choices to Delay Aging and Promote Longevity"Altitude and a milk-based diet are obviously two important thermogenic factors that slow the accumulation of harmful adaptations, but there are many other controllable factors that could further extend lifespan. Reducing inflammatory factors is important, and personal choices can make a big difference, such as choosing easily digestible foods to reduce endotoxins, avoiding polyunsaturated fatty acids that disrupt cellular respiration and form inflammatory prostaglandins, avoiding antioxidant supplements that create excessive reduction levels, and selecting foods containing anti-inflammatory thermogenic compounds like citrus fruits with their high flavonoid content that support cellular respiration functions." November 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Debunking the Myth of the Semipermeable Cell Membrane“Maintaining a non-random distribution of ions and other dissolved substances as well as the presence of an electrical potential difference were the reasons why some people postulated the existence of a semipermeable membrane around cells. The work of Bungenberg de Jong and his colleagues showed that no membrane is needed to explain these properties of living cells.” November 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Interaction of the Cell Nucleus with Cholesterol and Lipids“In the cell nucleus, there is a highly organized substance, the nuclear matrix, which interacts closely with the rest of the cytoskeleton and allows DNA to be expressed according to the needs of the cell and its response to the environment. Cholesterol and other lipids are essential for the specific highly organized interactions between DNA and the rest of the cell.” November 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Role of Estrogen-Progesterone Polarity in Adult Tissue“The estrogen-progesterone polarity of pregnancy also exists in adult tissues, as a polarity of growth and maturation, of inflammation and normalization.” November 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Thymus Atrophy: Causes and Regenerating Substances“Factors that cause thymus gland atrophy include cortisol and other glucocorticoid hormones, estrogen, prostaglandins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, endotoxin, hypoglycemia, and ionizing radiation. Progesterone and thyroid hormone support thymus gland restoration and provide protection by counteracting all these atrophy-inducing factors. Increasing sugar content in the diet can correct some of the metabolic changes of aging.” November 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Importance of Various Orthomolecules for Maintaining Cell and Protein Stability“Other orthomolecules besides niacin would be potassium, vitamin E (improves oxygen supply, facilitates protein binding in cells), inositol (stabilizes cells and proteins against denaturation or drying out, Webb, 1965), the other B vitamins, vitamin C, anabolic steroids (for example androgens and progesterone, ginseng, eleutherococcus), to promote protein synthesis as well as the storage of potassium, creatine, and ATP.” Mind And Tissue: Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
Possible Non-Genetic Cellular Effects of Radiation“There is evidence in the Russian paradigm that small amounts of radiation can have a catalytic or chain reaction-like effect in materials other than genes, and that the effects of radiation on cellular water could have important consequences for development, enzyme activity, and nerve function.” Mind And Tissue: Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
Historical Use of Gland Extracts in Neurological Treatments"Extracts from glands and other tissues have been used over generations to treat nervous disorders (e.g., Filatov, 1945). The thyroid, with or without gonadal extracts, was widely used to treat nervous and mental illnesses." Mind And Tissue: Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
Metabolic Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Altitude Sickness"When the role of carbon dioxide in suppressing lactate formation is neglected, all its other essential metabolic effects are also overlooked, including its function as a factor whose absence causes the syndromes of altitude sickness." May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Chronic Metabolic Hyperventilation and Degenerative Diseases"Those who ignore that 30 years of slightly elevated lactate levels could lead to cancer or other degenerative diseases also showed little interest in the idea of chronic metabolic hyperventilation – the slight loss of CO₂ even at sea level." May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Treatments for Altitude Sickness and CO₂ Retention"Like acetazolamide, other recognized treatments for altitude sickness, such as calcium channel blockers, inhibit carbonic anhydrase and thus facilitate the body's CO₂ retention." May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress and the Effect of Lactate on Inflammation and Exosomes"A reduction caused by stress and/or lactate activates the channels, tightens the smooth muscle of the vessels, and activates a variety of other cellular activities, including inflammation and exosome secretion." May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen, Serotonin, and Manipulation by Pharmaceutical Companies"The manipulation of information about estrogen by pharmaceutical companies was more extreme than with serotonin. Activated by stress, along with serotonin, it is one of the main activators of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which activates the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, promotes inflammation, and is a major factor in postpartum depression (PPD, Glynn and Sandman, 2014; Hahn-Holbrook, 2016) as well as other types of depression, aging, and Alzheimer's disease." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen, Progesterone, and the Connective Tissue of Animals"A.V. Everitt reviewed studies on rabbits that showed endogenous estrogen during pregnancy increased the stiffness of their connective tissue, while the continued elevated production of progesterone between litters reversed this effect. It was found that the connective tissue of animals that had many litters appeared younger than the tissue of age-matched animals that had never been mated." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cholesterol and Its Role in Neurosteroid Production"Cholesterol is the precursor of pregnenolone, progesterone, and other neurosteroids, and its own properties include stabilizing effects similar to those of progesterone." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Role of the Placenta in Adaptation During Pregnancy"During pregnancy, the placenta serves as a large anti-stress organ that increases the mother's adaptability while she and the growing fetus increase the mother's nutrient needs." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Pregnancy, energy, and nutritional adequacy"The significance of salt and calcium in pregnancy is related to their effects on the respiratory energy system. The fact that these effects are not widely known has led most doctors to believe that a diet providing all necessary nutrients is sufficient for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Despite the presence of all necessary nutrients that would be adequate for someone with a generally supportive environment, good nutrition is not necessarily sufficient for someone with a problematic environment or a history of stressful experiences." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Importance of skin contact for newborn development"Ashley Montagu argued in his book Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin that skin contact between the newborn and the mother is a crucial factor for the development of mind and body." May 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Understanding autism through concepts of Theory of Mind"A description of autism states that it involves the absence of a Theory of Mind, meaning the ability to recognize that other people have their own consciousness and emotions. This is sometimes called mind blindness or emotion blindness." May 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Linguistics and culture in Boasian language theory"In the scientific study of language, people like Boas and his contemporaries considered language in relation to the consciousness and intentions of the speaking organism as well as the changing culture in which communication takes place. For them, the essence of language was communication, and communication consists of changing the relationships of individuals to each other and to their environment." May 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Intercellular communication through protein and mitochondria transfer"Human cells of various types are capable of communicating with each other by passing proteins, nucleic acids, and even mitochondria. Microvesicles containing these macromolecules and shed by cells from different organs can move through the body's fluids." May 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Tumor microenvironment and vesicle recruitment in cancer"The abnormal and stressful conditions in a tumor increase the release of vesicles, which are likely involved in a tumor's ability to recruit other cells into the abnormal structure." May 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Nutritional and age-related factors in chronic inflammation"Poor nutrition, aging, and other stresses weaken our anti-inflammatory defense mechanisms and lead to chronic systemic inflammation." March 2021 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Exosomes in cell communication and genetic information transfer"The study of exosomes, particles the size of small viruses that transfer useful (or harmful) information between cells, has shown their similarity to the DNA particles bacteria use to pass new information—such as antibiotic resistance—to other bacteria. Exosomes can carry the DNA of mobile genetic elements, and when they leave the body through secretions like sweat and saliva, they can transfer genetic information to other individuals of the same species or even to very different types of organisms." March 2021 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Chronic inflammation as a link between aging and degeneration"Prolonged exposure to environmental conditions far from the ideal conditions of a healthy gestation leads to a systemic inflammatory state, and this chronic inflammation results in the degenerative processes of aging, with a failure of tissue repair and renewal mechanisms." March 2021 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
CO₂ and its relationship to proteins"Almost all biologists I have known were unaware that the ability of CO₂ to form carbamino compounds with hemoglobin also extends to other proteins, including those called specific receptors." March 2020 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Protein interactions and the influence of cardinal adsorbents"Anything that binds to a protein, such as potassium or ammonium, has an inductive effect on the protein’s structure and its interactions with the environment. Substances that adsorb particularly strongly, especially ATP and steroids, have a particularly strong influence on the system’s properties. Molecules that bind tightly to proteins change the way proteins affect the properties of water, and the properties of water determine the metabolism of cells as well as their interactions with each other and with the environment. Ling called these influential binding molecules cardinal adsorbents." March 2020 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Bystander effect in different types of injuries"The bystander effect, where the irradiation of one tissue causes similar damage in other tissues or throughout the organism, is a general phenomenon that also occurs with injuries other than ionizing radiation. When a lung is damaged by silicate particles, cells taken from this lung and cultured outside the organism release substances into the culture medium that cause similar damage and fibrosis in cells of another organism exposed to this fluid." March 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Silicon Dioxide, Estrogen, and Lactic Acid Production“Small particles of silicon dioxide or other inorganic or organic materials (such as plastics) can—in a manner similar to radiation, oxygen deficiency, sepsis, or estrogen—increase lactic acid production. This lactate promotes various features of inflammation, including edema, collagen synthesis, as well as cell growth and movement.” March 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Nerve Cells as Electrical Sinks During Cellular Respiration“When a nerve cell uses oxygen for energy production, it becomes significantly more electrically charged than other cells and acts as an electron sink. This causes the head to have an electrically positive polarity compared to other body parts.” March 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Independent Initiation of Sleep Rhythm by Brain Regions“A small area of the brain can enter the sleep rhythm earlier than other areas if it has been more strongly stimulated.” March 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Understanding the Onset of Sleep in the Brain“Sleep begins in the cortex and spreads to other parts of the brain and body.” March 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Prenatal Influences and the Development of Autistic Traits“Current knowledge about prenatal influences on the development of autistic traits in humans and experimental animals aligns with Pavlov’s observation that some animals were overwhelmed by stimulation that others could easily adapt to.” March 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The Diverse Influences and Effects of Nitric Oxide“Nitric oxide is, like endotoxin and rotenone, a strong inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. Endotoxin and other harmful stimuli can increase nitric oxide production, but it is also produced in the normal excitatory processes of nerves. When excitation exceeds energy production and inhibitory influences, it can become a central factor in excitotoxicity.” March 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Stress-Induced Metabolic Shift and Production of Reactive Toxins“When stress shifts metabolism toward reduction, producing lactic acid, iron atoms cyclically react with oxygen and reducing agents, generating hydroxyl radicals and other highly reactive toxins.” March 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Protective Factors in Parkinson’s Generally Act Against Estrogen“Factors that likely have a protective effect in Parkinson’s generally protect against estrogen and inflammatory-degenerative processes: progesterone, minocycline and other anti-inflammatory antibiotics, agmatine, aspirin, coffee, niacinamide, citrus flavonoids, vitamin D, ACE inhibitors, as well as fiber-rich and antiseptic foods.” March 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The Role of the Brain in Overall Health"The brain is a factor in every disease or injury, and when the brain does not function properly, every other system is affected." March 2016 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Serotonin Balance: Synthesis versus Breakdown"The amount of serotonin in the brain at any given time is influenced by various factors that control the balance between its synthesis and its storage or breakdown. The so-called serotonin transporter binds serotonin and holds it tightly, reducing its interactions with other cell components. The enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) breaks down serotonin and converts it into the inactive 5-HIAA." July 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The Path of Serotonin: Effects from Gut to Brain"Events in the gut, where most serotonin is produced, in the blood, where it is transported, and in the lungs, where much of it is detoxified, affect the brain. Toxins produced by gut bacteria cause the release of serotonin into the bloodstream, and if the platelets cannot tightly bind it until the lungs eliminate it, some of it reaches the brain, where it impairs sleep and other brain functions." July 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Ideology Distorts Understanding of Stress Physiology"The ideology surrounding stress physiology, which distorts the importance of serotonin, estrogen, unsaturated fats, sugar, lactate, carbon dioxide, and various other biological molecules, has hidden the simple remedies for most inflammatory and degenerative diseases." July 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Reducing the Harmful Effects of Excess Serotonin"Avoiding prolonged fasting and strenuous exercise that increase free fatty acids, combining sugar with proteins to keep free fatty acids low, and using aspirin, niacinamide, or cyproheptadine to reduce free fatty acid formation caused by unavoidable stress; avoiding an excess of phosphate relative to calcium in the diet; consuming milk and other anti-stress foods before bedtime or during the night; staying in brightly lit environments during the day with regular sunlight exposure – all of these can minimize the harmful effects of excess serotonin and reduce the associated inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophies." July 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The Symphony of Life: Embracing Complexity"The organism's metabolism is a single, integrated process in which every part must adapt to the conditions of the other parts. Our nerves contain chemical receptors that detect changes in metabolic chemicals in the blood and enable the organism to make adaptive adjustments." July 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Various substances that increase respiration and reduce essential CO₂"In addition to ammonia and lactate, other stress-related substances can also increase respiratory drive and thereby deplete essential CO₂ – for example endotoxin, acetylcholine, serotonin, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, angiotensin, and estrogen." July 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Cell structure: conductivity in energy flow and function"He explained that he considered the cell structure as an integral conductive/semiconductive system, and cellular movement as well as other functions as a result of energy flow through this system." July 2016 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The role of glucose in reducing cellular excitation through oxidation"The ability of glucose to reduce excitation in other situations probably relates to the increased oxidative state." July 2016 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Early childhood stress affects longevity and brain development"Reduced energy production as compensation for stress early in life determines the quality of gestation and the life course of the developmental process, limits brain size, the ability to produce and use energy, and longevity." January 2021 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The role of vaccine purity for immunogenicity"Highly purified vaccines have only a low immunizing effect (Petrovsky, 2015); traditionally, many substances have accidentally entered the composition of vaccines – proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other materials from the growth medium used to produce the vaccine have been detected in vaccines, and their role in the immune response has not been studied, apart from the recognition that a pure, highly purified disease antigen has only low immunogenicity." January 2020 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The role of inflammation in universal pathology"Until the beginning of this century, inflammation was mostly seen as a simple constructive part of the local healing process, but gradually its universal role in pathology was recognized. Tissue damage was no longer viewed as merely a local event. Research was forced to reconsider Metchnikoff's holistic, developmental view of immunity. Bystander effects – the release of substances by any injured cell that cause similar damage in other cells, even in distant parts of the body (Koturbash, 2007; Kovalchuk, 2016) – as well as the associated persistent epigenetic changes are part of innate immunity. This system is activated both by adjuvants and by the adaptive immune system, which produces antibodies." January 2020 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Hormones alter enzyme activities"Besides their metabolism in the uterus and other target tissues, it is now well known that estrogen and other hormones can alter enzyme activity without directly participating as catalysts in the reaction and without initially acting in the cell nucleus." January 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Unbiased exploration of the properties of living substance"Responsiveness or sensitivity is a property of living substance that must be examined without bias, along with other properties such as polarity and intentionality, which have guided the best research of the past." January 2019 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Antagonistic effect of progesterone against other steroid hormones"The effects of progesterone contrast with those of other major steroid hormones, especially estrogen, cortisol, and aldosterone. These hormones disrupt energy metabolism, particularly the oxidation of glucose." January 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The role of the exploratory reflex in functional and energetic expansion"The orienting or exploratory, curious reflex – the need to discover and understand – becomes strong once other needs are met. The opportunity to exercise the exploratory reflex expands not only the functional range of the organism but also that of the cells and tissues engaged in exploration and discovery, as well as their energetic metabolism. By discovering something about the world, the organism creates something new within itself." January 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Protective roles of progesterone in energy-intensive states"During constructive exploration, energy is abundant, and cells with the highest energy demand are protected by progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and other steroids." January 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Appetite for exploration and its effects on learning"Unlike other needs, the appetite for exploration is self-stimulating as long as it is satisfied, and is dampened rather than enhanced by frustration. The increased alertness of the orienting state enhances learning and memory." January 2018 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Long-term consequences of early childhood hypoglycemia"If hypoglycemia occurs during gestation or childhood, when metabolic intensity is greatest, the adjustments can lead to lifelong problems." January 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Activation of the NMDA Receptor and the State of Pseudohypoxia“The NMDA receptor (like many other regulatory proteins, e.g., COX, TLR, NOS, aromatase) is activated by the reduction of its thiol groups. The reduced state that activates this excitatory system can be caused by actual oxygen deficiency, but also by inhibition of mitochondrial function, creating a state of pseudohypoxia.” January 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Cortisol Responds to Low Glycogen“If there is not enough stored glycogen in the liver, muscles, and other tissues to meet the brain’s nighttime glucose needs, cortisol rises. It breaks down tissue proteins to provide amino acids and glucose, while free fatty acids are also increased by this nighttime stress.” January 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Aging Increases Fatty Acids in the Brain“With increasing age, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids rises, incorporating some arachidonic acid into the brain. Especially during the night, highly unsaturated fatty acids enhance excitatory processes, including the formation of prostaglandins and other pro-inflammatory compounds.” January 2017 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Epigenetic Changes Through Stress Adaptation“In all these conditions of stress adaptation, epigenetic modifications of DNA are involved, with nitric oxide participating along with estrogen and other hormones in DNA methylation, histone modification, and a variety of other biochemical persistent modifications.” January 2016 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Conversion of Animal Cholesterol into Steroids, Role of the Thyroid“In animals, cholesterol is the basic sterol molecule that is extensively converted into other substances, including steroid hormones. Thyroid hormone and vitamin A are required for this conversion.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
The Fundamental Role of Progesterone and DHEA“Progesterone and DHEA are the precursors of other, more specialized steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone (sodium-retaining hormone), estrogen, and testosterone.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
The Important Role of Progesterone During Pregnancy“During pregnancy, very large amounts of progesterone are produced. It protects and stabilizes virtually all functions of both the mother and the fetus.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Higher Brain Levels of Certain Hormones Decrease with Age“The brain contains significantly more pregnenolone, DHEA, and progesterone than other organs or the blood, and these levels continuously decrease with age.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Antitoxic Effects of Steroids and Cell Functions“I believe this stabilizing effect is a general feature of these steroids, which explains other antitoxic effects, such as blocking hemolysis, and probably many features of growth and differentiation, including control of cell division and prevention of atrophy.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Understanding of Hormones in Organism Resistance in the 1930s“Until the 1930s, it was well known that the organism’s resistance depends on the energy produced by respiration under the influence of the thyroid, as well as on adrenal hormones, and that pregnancy hormones (especially progesterone) can replace adrenal hormones.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Thyroid Hormone as a Fundamental Anti-Stress Factor“In a way, the thyroid hormone is the fundamental anti-stress hormone because it is required for the production of adrenal and pregnancy hormones.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Harmful Effects of Prolonged Cortisone During Stress“Meerson’s work has shown in detail how the normally beneficial adaptation hormone cortisone can cause so many other harmful effects when its action is too prolonged or too intense.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Limitations of Cortisone Without Treating the Causes“Although cortisone supplementation can help with a variety of stress-related diseases, no cure will occur as long as the underlying cause is not discovered. Besides the thyroid, the other class of adaptation hormones often out of balance in stress-related illnesses is the group of hormones mainly produced by the gonads: the sex hormones.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Connection Between Arthritis and Pregnancy“It is known that some forms of arthritis improve or even disappear during pregnancy. As mentioned above, pregnancy hormones can compensate for a deficiency of adrenal cortex hormones.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Pregnenolone as a Precursor and Effects on DHEA“Pregnenolone is the substance the body uses to form either progesterone or DHEA. Other natural hormones, including DHEA, have not been studied as long, but the normally high levels found in healthy people suggest that replacement doses to restore these normal values would likely not produce toxic side effects.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Influence of Diet on Cancer Incidence and Metabolic Rate“In 1927, German researchers reported that a fat-free diet prevented the occurrence of spontaneous cancers in rats. A little later, other scientists found that eliminating unsaturated fats from the diet not only prevented cancer but also significantly increased the metabolic rate. From this, it might have been concluded that it is not life itself that kills us, but something in the environment.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Analysis of the paradoxical features of older blood“Two clear differences were found between old and young blood. Albumin in old blood is in a more oxidized state. (I believe it was the famous gerontologist Verzar who first reported this.) Although aging people have significantly less oxygen in their blood, something causes the albumin in old blood to be more oxidized. The other striking feature of older blood also seems paradoxical at first glance: the red blood cells are younger. That means in an old individual, red blood cells are more fragile – possibly because they are damaged faster by oxidation – and are replaced more quickly, so on average they are many weeks younger than the cells of a healthy young individual. None of these features is actually paradoxical. Poor oxygen supply is a stress factor and causes glucose consumption and compensatory mobilization of fat from stores, and the relatively reducing environment in the cytoplasm causes mobilization of iron from stores in a toxic reduced (ferrous) form. Products of the peroxidative interaction of iron with unsaturated fats are detectable in the blood (and other tissues) during stress, especially in older animals.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Nutrition and stress resistance in age-related oxidative changes“Avoiding oxidative toxic heavy metals and maintaining cellular respiration while lacking highly peroxidizable unsaturated fats in the diet (and a lower content of these fats in storage tissues) would likely lead animals to better tolerate stress (mitochondria deprived of essential fatty acids are more resistant to oxidative damage, and vitamin E prevents many stress-related problems) and could inhibit age-related oxidative changes in serum albumin, red blood cells, and other tissues.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Puberty signals: iron, fats, and toxin accumulation“I think the accumulation of iron, unsaturated fats, and other toxins are the main signals for puberty. (Especially factors that inhibit cytochrome oxidase.)” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Progesterone promotes brain growth“Marion Diamond, who studied the effects of stimulation on brain development in rats, found that pregnancy or progesterone treatment – as well as freedom and stimulation – caused the brain to grow, while estrogen – similar to stress – caused it to shrink.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Characteristic skeletal changes and stress hormones in aging"The skeletal changes (shrinkage, curvature of the back, forward displacement of the lower jaw) that are so typical in old age in humans also occur in other animals with age and under the influence of stress hormones." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Kozyrev's theories on the asymmetry of time and stellar energy"When N. A. Kozyrev theorized that the asymmetry of time itself could be a source of stellar energy, he predicted that planets would also have a steady internal heat source proportional to their mass. His prediction matched the known heat of the Earth but also forecast that Jupiter would be almost star-like in its heat radiation and that even the Moon would produce some internal heat. In 1960, he measured hot emissions from the Moon, and later space explorations confirmed several other important predictions of his. I think Kozyrev's work should at least make people realize that even local matter is cosmic." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Hoyle's cosmological research points to the biological nature of cosmic dust"Fred Hoyle and his colleagues conducted work similar to Vernadsky's and inspired a more lively reflection on cosmology. They gathered spectroscopic evidence that cosmic dust (which makes up a significant part of the mass in the universe) resembles bacteria more than other proposed materials or particles (E. coli were used for spectroscopic comparison)." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Thyroid hormone and cholesterol conversion"The thyroid tends to lower cholesterol by converting it into pregnenolone and other steroids." Email response from Ray Peat |
Nutrient deficiencies and neurological imbalances"The imbalances of endorphins, serotonin, catecholamines, and other nervous substances observed in autism can sometimes also arise in adults through combined exhaustion and poor nutrition. When liver glycogen is depleted, it can be difficult to restore balance. Prenatal influences of various kinds could damage the neural networking that enables cell survival. Normally, many brain cells die before birth due to the limited availability of glucose." Email response from Ray Peat |
Senile brain minerals and aluminum in the diet"The senile brain accumulates a variety of mineral deposits, and it has been argued that aluminum in the diet is the cause of Alzheimer's. It would make sense to remove additional aluminum from public water systems and foods, but there is good evidence that other processes are behind the accumulation of aluminum and other minerals in our tissues." February 2001 |
Senile brain: mineral deposits and aluminum nutrition"The senile brain accumulates a variety of mineral deposits, and the hypothesis has been proposed that aluminum intake through food causes Alzheimer's disease. It would make sense to remove added aluminum from our public water systems and foods, but there is good evidence that other processes underlie the accumulation of aluminum and other minerals in our tissues." February 2001 |
Estrogen: redox-catalytic function and historical perspectives"In the 1950s, several endocrinologists gathered evidence that estrogen can act as a catalyst in the oxidation and reduction of the pyridine nucleotides NADPH and NADH. However, in the 1960s, the doctrine began that the effects of estrogen are mediated exclusively through the estrogen receptor, replacing all other ideas about estrogen chemistry and physiology." February 2001 |
Estrogen-stimulated NADH oxidases and aging pigment function"In my dissertation, I presented some additional arguments regarding the wasteful consumption of NADH. There is now good evidence for the existence of estrogen-stimulated extramitochondrial NADH oxidases, in addition to the NADH oxidase function of the aging pigment." February 2001 |
Calcium and iron deposits in mitochondria and diseases"Calcium and iron tend to be deposited together, and mitochondria are usually the starting points for their deposition. Iron overload has been linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and many other degenerative diseases, including brain diseases." February 2001 |
Estrogen and albumin interaction in uptake into brain cells"Protein-bound estrogen is an active form of estrogen, and the estrogen bound to albumin likely accounts for the majority of estrogen activity. Free fatty acids, which compete with estrogen for binding to steroid-binding globulin, probably alter the properties of the more abundant albumin so that it binds more estrogen in its active form, causing estrogen to transfer from other proteins, lipoproteins, and red blood cells to the activated albumin. The presence of albumin-bound fats makes the albumin more lipophilic, fat-loving, and molecules are taken up into cells according to their fat solubility – especially in brain cells. For fat-soluble molecules, there is no blood-brain barrier." February 2001 |
Excitotoxicity and feedback disorders in neurological diseases"Excitotoxicity, epilepsy, movement disorders, and mania are further examples of what happens when negative (inhibitory) feedback fails" March 2000 |
The unique receptor behavior of estrogen and its tissue interaction"The effect of estrogen on many tissues increases these tissues' ability to bind estrogen; estrogen induces its own receptor – a self-stimulating, yet self-destabilizing process. This differs from the behavior of other receptors, such as the adrenaline receptor, which is inactivated by increased adrenaline exposure. This unusual interaction between tissue and hormone requires careful investigation." March 2000 |
Estrogen's effect on tissue water and the sodium-potassium ratio"The immediate effect of estrogen on responsive tissue is that it absorbs water and increases its sodium-to-potassium ratio; these changes lead to depolarization activation of nerve, muscle, and some gland cells as well as the initiation of growth and cell division in other cell types. If the stimulation of the growth process were to continue uncontrolled or even accelerate, it is obvious that shape, proportion, and organization would quickly be lost" March 2000 |
Thyroid and antiestrogens in protection against various threats"The thyroid and other antiestrogens also possess a broad spectrum of protective effects, including against radiation, suffocation, carcinogens, and similar threats" March 2000 |
Treatment of lactic acid excess by inhibiting glycolysis"Heart failure, shock, and other problems associated with an excess of lactic acid can be successfully treated by inhibiting glycolysis with dichloroacetic acid, which reduces lactic acid production, increases glucose oxidation, and raises cellular ATP concentration: thyroid hormones, vitamin B1, biotin, and similar substances have the same effect" July 2000 |
Defective mitochondrial respiration in various organ diseases"It is now widely recognized that impaired mitochondrial respiration is a central factor in diseases of the muscles, brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs" July 2000 |
DNA repair and cellular regeneration of the skin through sun exposure"In ordinary nuclear chromosomal genes, DNA repair is well known. The other type of repair, where non-mutated cells replace genetically damaged cells, has often been observed in facial skin: during intense sun exposure, mutated cells accumulate; after a period in which the skin was not exposed to the damaging radiation, the skin again consists of healthy, young cells. Just as it is shown that skin can recover from genetic damage previously considered permanent and cumulative simply by avoiding the damaging factor, mitochondrial aging is increasingly seen as both avoidable and repairable" July 2000 |
Carbon dioxide and lactate dynamics in cellular processes"While the flow of carbon dioxide runs from the mitochondrion into the cytoplasm and beyond and tends to remove calcium from the mitochondrion and the cell, the influx of lactate and other organic ions into the mitochondrion under conditions where carbon dioxide synthesis and thus also urea synthesis are reduced and other synthetic processes proceed altered can cause an accumulation of calcium in the mitochondrion" July 2000 |
Glucose, glycolysis, and energy production in cells"Glucose and apparently also glycolysis are required for the production of nitric oxide, as well as for the accumulation of calcium, at least in some cell types, and these coordinated changes that reduce energy production could be caused by a reduction in carbon dioxide—a physical change even more fundamental than the energy level represented by ATP. The use of Krebs cycle substances for the synthesis of amino acids and other products would reduce CO₂ formation and create a situation where the system has two possible states: on the one hand the glycolytic stress state and on the other the carbon dioxide-producing, energy-efficient state" July 2000 |
The role of carbon dioxide in mitochondrial stability"Just as carbon dioxide changes the shapes and electrical affinities of hemoglobin and other proteins, I propose that it increases the stability of the mitochondrial coacervate, which recruits additional proteins from its external environment as well as from its own synthetic machinery to enlarge both its structure and its functions" July 2000 - (1) |
The role of carbon dioxide in cellular ion regulation"The adsorptive effects of carbon dioxide and a variety of other chemical effects modulate the structure and function of the cell so that it retains significantly more potassium than sodium and is able to excrete calcium while binding magnesium" January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Blood pH and the effect of carbon dioxide on cell alkalinity"This simplified picture of the effects of carbon dioxide on minerals makes it possible to understand the fact that the blood pH is higher than that of the cell, as well as many other mysteries, without resorting to special hypothetical constructs. The alkaline metals mobilized from respiring cells in connection with carbonic acid remain solely in the blood when carbonic acid converts to gaseous carbon dioxide and leaves the blood in the lungs. Protons, if we must speak of them, remain in the cells and are removed from the blood by the reactions of carbon dioxide, but the conventions for describing the alkalinity of blood compared to cells overlook the background conditions: the intrinsic acidity of the cell substance and the forces the cell substance exerts on the dissolved substances." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Influence of estrogen on histamine, serotonin, and edema"It is known that histamine, serotonin, and other estrogen-released inflammatory factors contribute to its ability to cause edema. The excess nitric oxide produced under the influence of estrogen likely contributes to some edematous, inflammatory, and degenerative conditions." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Toxicity and energy efficiency of unsaturated fats during oxidation"Part of the toxicity of unsaturated fats may lie in their energy demand for oxidation (S. Clejan and H. Schulz, 1986), but they reduce the efficiency of energy production in many other ways." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Natural factors for correcting edema and cell functions"Thyroid, protein, sodium, and magnesium correct most edema. Progesterone acts on mitochondria to increase respiratory efficiency and on structural proteins to alter their ionic affinities, synergizing with other natural factors to correct permeability and water regulation." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of progesterone in kidney blood flow and mineral regulation"Besides its ability to increase blood perfusion of the kidneys (and other organs), progesterone plays an important role in mineral regulation, as it acts as a weak aldosterone and protects against both deficiency and excess of this adrenal hormone." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Research by Koch and Szent-Györgyi on life processes"For both Koch and Szent-Györgyi, contraction, respiration, and cancer were life processes that required understanding the interactions of water, electrons, and proteins. Practically all other biologists mocked their interest in water and electrons." December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Sodium, progesterone, and glucose in brain development"In the fetus and newborn baby, sodium promotes growth. Progesterone, sodium, and glucose are often limiting factors for the baby's brain growth; when they are missing, cells die instead of growing" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 4 |
ATP and CO₂ in regulating hemoglobin and proteins"Both ATP and CO₂ bind to hemoglobin and regulate its affinity for oxygen. The way they bind to this protein suggests that they also bind to many other intracellular proteins and regulate their functions similarly" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 4 |
Influence of carbon dioxide on biological structures and pH"Carbonated water is so commonplace that chemists feel uncomfortable talking about it. All the water in breathing organisms contains a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide binds to proteins and other amine-containing polymers and dissolves in water, lowering the pH, so the interactions of polymers and water are strongly influenced by the CO₂ concentration. Carbon dioxide alters biological materials and structures in and around our cells" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Enzyme action across membranes and biochemical thinking"Rothen also showed that enzymes can act across films. For me, the main significance lies in demonstrating the extent to which an archaic physical view has shaped biochemical thinking. The action of an enzyme from a distance means that its catalytic domain may be larger than previously assumed, but it also suggests that one cannot generalize from the behavior of an enzyme dissolved in water to its behavior in the cell, where it is subject to the mutual influences of many other components of the complex system" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Protein interactions across cell membranes and gene activation"This protein on one side of the [imaginären] cell membrane pulls on a protein on the other side, and perhaps then the little homunculus that counts the molecules decides that the time has come to send a message to the right gene and activate it" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Reaction of carbon dioxide and ammonia in urea formation"Carbon dioxide reacts spontaneously with ammonia and other amines. The reaction of ammonia with carbon dioxide is the first step in the formation of urea and protects against the potential toxicity of ammonia" 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Carbon dioxide as an expectorant and its effect on mucopolysaccharides“The simplest way to illustrate the effect of carbon dioxide on mucopolysaccharides is to consider its effect as an expectorant, where it reduces the viscosity of bronchial mucus and enables its reabsorption or elimination. Since iodide also has a long history as an expectorant, we should compare the effects of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid with the effects of iodide in other situations.” 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
The role of carbon dioxide in preventing edema and water accumulation“The water-overloaded state observed during shock or stress in blood vessels, lungs, and other organs, as well as brain edema and lens cataracts that follow various metabolic disorders, seem to involve the uptake of free water while simultaneously losing bound (non-freezable) water. Carbon dioxide appears to promote the storage of bound water and protects against edematous conditions.” 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Respiratory energy causes molecular alignment and cellular organization“The energy of respiration caused an alignment of molecules, leading to a polarization of charges. Each field of this kind will affect other charged particles, and therefore it is obvious that it is involved in the arrangement and organization of particles. The existence of such fields likely influences the orientation of particles within cells and of cells within organs.” 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Intensity of cellular respiration during excitation and stress“In general, cell excitation or stimulation increases the intensity of cellular respiration, but if no oxygen is available, the stressed or dying cell can become hyperactive. For example, epileptic seizures can be triggered by hypoxia or hypoglycemia as well as by other stimuli such as imbalances of salts and water.” 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Macromolecular charge and the influence of pH and CO₂ on proteins“The overall charge of proteins and other macromolecules generally depends on the pH of their environment. Cellular proteins usually carry a negative charge at a pH above 5. The ionization of chemical groups such as hydroxyl, amino, and sulfhydryl groups is responsible for the overall charge. The oxidation or reduction state affects the number of sulfhydryl groups, and the structural state of the protein also influences the charge. At high pH, the charge is high, and the number and arrangement of sulfhydryl groups can affect the charge. The presence of small ions, carbon dioxide, and oxygen also influences the charge of proteins. When the entire living system is involved, bioelectricity interacts with other electron-centered phenomena, including oxidation-reduction reactions, pH, donor-acceptor mechanisms, and radical reactions.” 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Protective Effect of CO₂ on Calcium and Water Binding"CO₂ has many other effects that act in the same protective direction, such as calcium removal, iron binding, and water binding, and these other effects are at least as important as the pH effect." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Interlinked Features of Cell Excitation and Energy in Stress Adaptation"The interlinked fundamental features of cell excitation/relaxation, electrical potential, lactic acid/carbon dioxide, water retention/water loss, salt regulation, pH, and energy level allow us to coherently visualize the biological significance of stress and adaptation. In interaction with these physicochemical processes, there are many levels of biochemical and physiological processes that amplify or modify them, including regulatory systems such as hormones and other biological messengers, adequate nutrition, and the type of fuel used." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Antagonism of Estrogen and Vitamin A in Cell Proliferation"The antagonism between estrogen and vitamin A in controlling epithelial proliferation (and possibly other cell types: Boettger-Tong and Stancel, 1995) is clear wherever it has been tested; vitamin A inhibits epithelial proliferation." May 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Diverse Functions of Pituitary Hormones in Prostate Growth"Pituitary hormones have diverse functions, including effects on epithelial tissues beyond their classical roles. Growth hormone, ACTH (Lostroh and Li, 1957), as well as ACTH together with prolactin (Tullner, 1963), stimulate prostate growth. Prolactin – which is increased by estrogen – stimulates the growth of the lateral prostate in rats (Holland and Lee, 1980) and the growth of human prostate epithelial cells in vitro (Syms et al., 1985)." May 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Prostaglandins in Cancer and the Therapeutic Potential of Aspirin"Prostaglandins were discovered in prostatic secretions, where they occur in significant concentrations. They are so closely involved in the development of various cancers that aspirin and other prostaglandin inhibitors should be considered a fundamental part of cancer therapy." May 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related conditions lead to exhalation of toxic substances"Under stress conditions, people can exhale measurable amounts of pentane, ethane, isoprene, carbon monoxide, and other potentially toxic substances." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Normalizing pituitary function with progesterone and thyroid"Progesterone, thyroid, bromocriptine, and other agents are available to normalize the pituitary gland when it is malfunctioning." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Schmitt's theory on the dinosaur extinction and CO₂ emissions"Roman Schmitt suggested that 66 million years ago, when the dinosaurs went extinct and mammals began their rapid evolution, hydrothermal vents became highly active and released huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other substances into the atmosphere." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Internal carbon dioxide production and brain development"In times of lower atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, our Krebs cycle continues to produce it internally, and the rapid development of the brain during pregnancy uses the high carbon dioxide concentration in the womb." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Respiratory potential and its effect on tissue changes"A weakened ability to produce energy oxidatively can lead to maladaptive overproduction of collagen, porphyrins, red blood cells, and other tissues and substances, which in turn can cause many adaptive and maladaptive changes. I think that skin and mucous membranes provide a good example of how respiratory potential influences structure: Keratinization enhanced by estrogen is counteracted by vitamin A, which increases the proportion of active, differentiated cells." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of Anandamide in cellular activation and anticonvulsant effects"A naturally occurring compound made of a fatty acid and ethanolamine, called Anandamide, activates the marijuana receptor of cells. It prevents certain types of cell activation. Mead acid ethanolamide, similar to the arachidonic acid form, can be enzymatically produced in various human tissues, such as the hippocampus, but the two substances have slightly different effects. The anticonvulsant properties of marijuana might be better represented by the Mead acid derivative. The anti-excitatory effect could also be effective in preventing cell loss in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and other brain regions, which – building on Olney's work from 25 years ago – is increasingly understood as a consequence of excitotoxicity." September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Energy consumption and organization in cellular regulation"The organization of life is maintained by the energy it uses, and the use of energy requires a specific organization. There are processes in cells that regulate the interactions of growth, division, and other functions, but these processes respond to the cell's environment—they are not simply sent out or rolled out from the cell's repertoire of capabilities." September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Reproductive aging, hypothalamic regulation, and hormonal support"About 30 years ago, researchers began to understand that reproductive aging is not caused by the lack of eggs, and the aged uterus could support a pregnancy if it received sufficient hormonal support. Interest turned to the brain cells in the hypothalamus that regulate the pituitary gland." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
New egg formation in ovarian cycles and species-specific differences"Two of the most productive researchers in reproductive physiology in America, Edgar Allen and Herbert M. Evans, made observations which they believed showed that the germinal epithelium of the ovary undergoes a cycle of cell proliferation that produces a new generation of eggs during each menstrual cycle. It is recognized that new eggs appear in the ovaries of adult prosimians and at puberty in cats and pigs. Observations of newly developed eggs have been reported in some other species. However, the dominant view favors the notion that the number of eggs decreases from birth or even earlier, without absolutely new eggs being formed later." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Mature cells inhibit the division of other cells"In a variety of tissues, it can be shown that the presence of mature cells inhibits the division of other cells. When part of the liver is removed, the remaining cells divide to replace the lost tissue. When the skin is cut, cells divide to fill the defect. When a sufficient number of eggs are present, this principle suggests that it is not necessary to produce more." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Regeneration of eggs in the ovary and ovulation processes"The ovary does not run out of eggs, and even if this were to happen, it would have no major consequences, as the most important events during ovulation are produced by cells other than the eggs." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Regeneration of the adrenal cortex and stress-induced cell differentiation“The outer cell layer of the adrenal glands can form the two other cell types, and since stress-ACTH converts them into the other types, new cells must be formed. When the inner layers are removed, the entire adrenal cortex can regenerate from the outer layer. Obviously, cells from the inner layers disappear when stress stimulates the cells to divide and differentiate.” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell division and regeneration of the ovaries in young women“In the ovary of young women, waves of degeneration of egg cells constantly occur. Radioactive markers used to argue that egg cells are not replaced seem to show that continuous cell division takes place in all other ovarian cells. Interestingly, these researchers did not seem interested in this apparent regeneration of the other parts of the ovary.” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of gonadotropins in ovarian and brain function in old age“Gonadotropins are involved in the development, maintenance, and function of the ovaries, and their effects depend on their timing, their balance with each other, and with the steroids produced by the ovaries in response to their stimulation. Their effects are also modified by many other factors, including ovarian, neural, pituitary, uterine, and immunological influences. During youth, the system functions in a coordinated way, with ovulation as the result. In old age, the critical changes seem to lie in a reduced ability of the ovary and brain to produce progesterone.” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Hypersecretion of the pituitary and risks for ovarian cancer“Two factors can cause the pituitary gland to secrete excessive amounts of gonadotropins: a deficiency of steroids and damage to the steroid-sensitive nerves that regulate the pituitary. When an ovary is displaced (transplanted into the spleen) so that its hormones are destroyed before reaching the brain, hypersecretion of gonadotropic hormone occurs, and tumors develop in the ovary. The interpretation that hypersecretion causes the tumors is supported by other observations, such as the removal of one ovary increasing the likelihood of cancer developing in the other ovary, and that long-term use of estrogen (known to create conditions for later hypersecretion of gonadotropin) increases the risk of ovarian cancer after menopause.” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Limitations of function-based naming in science and psychology“Psychologists have found that naming an object after a specific function often limits the way people can use it. This also happens in science. When we know a substance’s function and name it after that function, it becomes harder for us to think about its other possible roles” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of estrogen in sex characteristics and cell division“Estrogen promotes cell division and is involved in practically every tissue in both men and women. If it is called a female hormone, it might also need to be called a male hormone. However, it must be present for breast development, although it is only one of many factors. In this case, it contributes to feminization. In other cases, it seems to contribute to virilization” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Creative adaptation versus acceptance of authority and stress“Once we submit to a cultural stereotype or textbook answer, we give up our creative ability for mental adaptation and begin to avoid problems, questions, and puzzles, since adaptation on any level other than creative imagination is physical stress; acceptance of authority obliges a person either to exercise their own authority or helplessly yield to the authority of others” November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Health and happiness defined by creative mental adaptation“The other possible future considers our health and happiness and defines health as the ability for creative mental adaptation” November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Connection between iron fortification and leukemia and immunodeficiency“Maria de Sousa’s work on thymus-derived cells and their relation to the body’s iron content raised awareness that iron-fortified flour and other foods might contribute to the incidence of leukemia and other cancers as well as to immunodeficiency through lymphocyte misdistribution” June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Iron toxicity in the destruction of vitamins in animal feed“My interest in iron toxicity was sparked by the published discovery that iron, when added to animal feed, destroys the vitamin E also added. Later it was found that it destroys other vitamins as well” June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Iron interaction with vitamin C and lipid peroxidation“The interaction of iron with vitamin C (and other reducing agents) and unsaturated fats, which leads to lipid peroxidation, is the dominant topic in research on the toxic effects of iron” June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Factors contributing to premature tissue aging and pigmentation“The other factors besides iron overload and oxygen deficiency that lead to premature accumulation of age pigment in tissues are a diet low in vitamin E and/or rich in unsaturated fats, as well as an excess of estrogen” June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of fetal hemoglobin in oxygen transport and iron excess“The fetus, a whole organism within an organism, has a special oxygen problem. Fetal hemoglobin, with a high affinity for oxygen, helps it survive in this situation (I suspect that fetal hemoglobin reappears whenever prolonged hypoxia occurs). I believe that the low oxygen environment causes the fetus to be born with a large excess of iron” June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Energy demand in the cellular resting state“When cells do not have enough energy—whether due to insufficient fuel, overload, lack of oxygen, or poisoning—they absorb water. Too much water tends to excite the cells and can even stimulate cell division. The hyperactive state of a muscle cell, cramps, consumes energy. What is often overlooked is that the cell needs more energy to return to its resting state, and that an adequate amount of glucose or other fuel, oxygen, and thyroid hormone is necessary for the cell to produce enough energy to become calmly relaxed” April 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Heart resilience to stress and glucocorticoid resistance“The many ways in which the heart is able to resist stress and even thrive on it can be generalized to develop methods to protect other organs and the whole body from chronic and cumulative stress that leads to general atrophy, loss of function, and aging. During stress, the heart and other working organs become resistant to glucocorticoid hormones. When a person is given radioactive testosterone, the highest concentration is found in the heart. It is the anti-glucocorticoid effect of testosterone that enlarges skeletal muscles during moderate exercise” June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Importance of anti-catabolic steroids in the brain“The other anti-catabolic steroids, pregnenolone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are present in larger amounts and are of more general significance than testosterone, especially in the brain, where their concentration is very high” June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Positive effect of progesterone on heart function“Albert Szent-Györgyi showed that the heart responds to progesterone, and recent research has provided evidence that DHEA is our endogenous digitalis” June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Electrical instability of the heart and adrenergic stimulation“The electrical instability of the heart caused by excessive adrenergic stimulation can also make the sinoatrial node more susceptible to vagal inhibition. (I think this effect can be observed in the skipped heartbeats that hypothyroid people often experience during stress or fatigue. In other situations of prolonged and intense stress, vagal stimulation protects against fibrillation.)” June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protecting the heart from stress and general aging“When thinking about Meerson's achievements in protecting the heart from stress, it is important to remember that the heart is our most stress-resistant organ and that the factors protecting the heart from fatal stress also protect other organs from the everyday burdens that accumulate and lead to the problems of general aging. The liver, lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs are susceptible to the same types of damage as the heart, but under conditions that are comparatively mild and everyday.” June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of morphine on immunity and stress“The direct immunosuppressive effect of morphine is not fully understood, but there is suspicion that it is related to stress-induced immunosuppression (for example, the loss of natural killer cell function) by acting in place of stress-induced endorphins. White blood cells, like nerve cells, have surface receptors for morphine that are normally activated by endorphins. As abnormal material bound to the cell surface, it likely represents a hapten, something recognized as foreign by other white blood cells. It would be healthy to eliminate such abnormally altered cells and possibly even remove the cells containing the natural endorphin molecule. However, in a weakened organism, the formation of new cells may lag behind the elimination of altered cells.” December 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Alzheimer's disease: protective steroids and phagocyte function“The combination of an extreme drop in the concentration of protective steroids in the brain and impaired phagocyte function could explain some of the features of Alzheimer's disease. In this condition, microtubules accumulate within nerve cells, and other nerve cells die off, leaving tangles of their axons, including microtubules. These cells are not removed as dead cells normally are. A below-average body temperature and hypothyroidism likely contribute to the sluggishness of the phagocytes.” August/September 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Dietary supplements in the treatment of degenerative diseases"In degenerative diseases, the stress- and age-related accumulation of iron and other mitochondrion-toxic substances (e.g., calcium, aluminum, and lipid peroxidation products including age pigment) as well as the failure of detoxification systems make therapy with ordinary dietary supplements relatively ineffective. More appropriate is the direct supplementation of various natural protective substances (or their analogs) in addition to protective vitamins (especially vitamin E) and minerals (especially magnesium)." August/September 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of pregnenolone in sparing vitamin A for mitosis"Supplementation with pregnenolone, etc., makes it possible to spare the vitamin A taken in with food for other purposes, including the regulation of mitosis, differentiation, and oxidation." August/September 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Physiological compensation for diet-related drug-like substances"Physiology continuously compensates to maintain balanced function despite the variety of drug-like substances in our diet. When the diet is suddenly changed and alcohol, caffeine, or other biologically active substances are removed, our compensatory, opposing adjustment becomes visible." June 1991 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Dynamics of craving related to organismic stability"The fact that a piece of chocolate can trigger a wild craving for more chocolate or that a single cigarette reignites addiction does not mean that the presence of chocolate or nicotine in the blood creates the craving. Rather, an organism in an unstable state perceives the availability of something that promises to partially restore the desired stability. It is obvious that smoking cigarettes is not a good way to achieve the needed stability, but this observation cannot easily be generalized to cravings for potato chips, coffee, or the many other things people often desire." June 1991 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
The role of energy in brain function and behavioral patterns"The availability of energy is central to our stable function, and energy demand strongly changes our function. For example, the brain's interpretative system changes with increasing hunger so that increasingly unknown things are considered possible food. The spreading excitation that leads to this extended search probably also occurs in relation to other needs besides hunger and can lead to experiments with drugs and other activities that provide indirect satisfaction. Compulsive and obsessive patterns can sometimes be resolved by supporting the brain's energy metabolism, for example through supplementation of magnesium and thyroid." June 1991 – Ray Peat’s Newsletter |
Shark liver extracts and their effect on cancer resistance"Strong (who studied genetics with T.H. Morgan) was interested in the fact that sharks are immune to cancer. As a geneticist, he viewed this in connection with their genetic stability, meaning the fact that they have not evolved beyond an early stage of evolution, and he believed that cancer is a result of genetic instability. He found that injections of an extract from shark liver prevented mice from developing breast cancer; however, similar extracts from other livers had similar effects on the mice. Since his mice had too much estrogen, I assumed that their livers lacked something needed for the elimination of estrogen, as the liver is normally a powerful regulator of estrogen and uses a specific system of detoxifying enzymes." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The effect of estrogen on cellular respiration and water uptake"When I studied estrogen in other situations, two features of its effect stood out – it impairs respiration and causes cells to take up water. Other effects seem to result from this." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Unique osmotic balance of sharks through high urea concentration"Sharks are, apart from being primitive and not suffering from cancer, physiologically unique in another way: their body fluids are osmotically balanced with seawater, making them hypertonic compared to the body fluids of other animals. The mineral content in shark blood does not differ significantly from that of other animals. The osmotic difference is compensated by a very high concentration of urea (and trimethylamine oxide)." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Osmotic adaptation of salmon and accelerating aging hormones"Another fish species, the salmon, which returns to freshwater to reproduce, shows the other extreme of adaptation to an osmotic problem. After living isotonically in the hypertonic marine environment and keeping its mineral content and osmolarity lower than that of seawater, it must suddenly adapt to the extremely hypotonic freshwater. The release of prolactin and glucocorticoid steroids seems to facilitate this sudden adaptation, but these hormones also appear to trigger an explosively rapid form of aging. I think their condition resembles the Cushing-like symptoms often seen in middle-aged humans." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
PMS, edema, and historical treatments"In PMS, edema is a common problem, and it was previously assumed that brain edema was responsible for irritability, depression, or other nervous symptoms, which is why diuretics such as ammonium compounds and urea were frequently used. (Premenstrual salt craving is the result of estrogen-disrupted water balance, and salt restriction in PMS is as inappropriate as in preeclampsia or pregnancy toxicosis.)" July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Ammonia and its metabolism-related compounds in biological regulation"For several years I have been interested in the biological effects of ammonia and compounds closely related to its metabolism. There is clear evidence of the antiviral effect of ammonia, which prompted extensive research by pharmaceutical companies seeking patentable antiviral amines. Most simple substances have regulatory functions themselves, in addition to their involvement in other systems. Besides viral immunity, I believe ammonia is involved in regeneration and nerve modulation. Urea, inosine, GABA, polyamines, and betaine derivatives (e.g., gamma-butyrobetaine) are closely linked to ammonia metabolism, and combinations of them will likely have many useful biological effects." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Osmotic and biochemical effects in therapy"Sodium chloride, glucose, and other substances can be used in high concentrations because of their osmotic effects, but they also have chemical and metabolic effects that are not necessarily desirable. Both osmotic and biochemical effects should be considered in any given therapy." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of light and dietary factors in therapy for light deficiency"In addition to studying the exact effects of light on us (for example, by maintaining the function of the essential respiratory enzyme cytochrome c), dietary factors that could worsen the problem of light deficiency (such as an excess of unsaturated fats) were also considered, as well as the possibility of other therapies, including medications, which may be more practical and economical than hormone supplementation." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Energy deprivation, histamine production, and the effect of unsaturated fats"When different cell types are deprived of energy (mast cells are often studied), they tend to produce and release histamine (among other substances). Unsaturated fats promote the release of histamine, while short-chain saturated fats and glucose inhibit it." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cortisol levels in darkness and stress response"People awake in the dark have higher cortisol levels than when sleeping in the dark, meaning sleep is a partial protection against the stress of darkness. The cortisol (an adrenaline) released in the dark or under other stress has the important function of maintaining blood sugar levels." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress and the Harmful Effects of Glucocorticoids on the Brain"It is now clear that both stress and an excess of glucocorticoid hormones cause brain damage (as well as damage to all other organs). Marion Diamond's work with rats (confined or free) showed that stress causes very general brain damage, including the cerebral cortex, and others have demonstrated specific damage to the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and other brain regions." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Gut Toxins in Aging: A Late-Acting Accelerating Factor"While Bogomoletz and Metchnikoff considered gut toxins as the factor driving the aging process, I see gut toxins more as a relatively late-acting factor that accelerates a process arising for other reasons. Once our detoxification mechanisms begin to fail, gut toxins pass through the gut relatively easily and quickly destroy the remaining defense and detoxification systems." February/March 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Aging Process: Heavy Metals, Fats, and Copper Loss"The accumulation of iron and other heavy metals as well as unsaturated fats and the progressive loss of copper under the influence of dark stress are probably the central events in the aging process." February/March 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effect of Estrogen on Blood Clotting During Pregnancy and Lactation"Although I am not sure which clinical observations led the Shutes to investigate the effect of estrogen on coagulation, it is known that pregnancy and lactation are associated with increased blood clotting (for example, eclampsia and thromboembolisms), caused by the body's high estrogen production during this time." April 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Oxygen Consumption and Estrogen in the Aging Uterine Endometrium"I found that the uterine endometrium of older animals often showed high oxygen uptake and other signs under the influence of excessive estrogen. As I tried to understand this, I realized that several factors can contribute to high oxygen uptake. Either too much estrogen or too little progesterone can have the same effect, as the ratio of these hormones controls their action. A vitamin E deficiency increases oxygen uptake, and too many unsaturated fats have the same effect." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Role of Estrogen in Preventing Pregnancy Through Oxygen Consumption"The way estrogen prevents or ends a pregnancy seems to be that the uterus consumes so much oxygen that no oxygen is available for the embryo, which has a high oxygen demand from the day of normal implantation." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The cumulative effects of estrogen and the formation of lipofuscin"The chronic or cumulative effects of estrogen that lead to the formation of lipofuscin act in the same direction as estrogen itself and cause a reduction of oxygen, especially in the uterus, but also in all other tissues." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of progesterone in pregnancy and anti-aging"The effect of progesterone in pregnancy is to ensure the availability of oxygen and nutrients for the embryo, but it also has the general effect of inhibiting the formation of lipofuscin and other signs of aging by improving metabolic efficiency." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Safety concerns with copper supplementation"Currently, there is not enough knowledge about the safety of various methods of copper supplementation. Copper can be toxic and oxidize other nutrients." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell interactions beyond direct contact: self-assembly in cells"Many other research areas on adsorption and long-range order make it clear that the interactions of atoms and molecules in cells do not have to be governed by direct contact or random movement. When cell components are rearranged, they return to their normal position relative to other components, demonstrating a great capacity for self-assembly or self-organization." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Tissue stress and regenerative biogenic tissue stimulators"Tissues exposed to stressful conditions produced substances that promoted healing and regeneration. (Among the biogenic tissue stimulators, succinic acid and other dicarboxylic acids were identified. Succinate stimulates respiration and steroid formation and protects against peroxidative damage. Filatov's work is an important addition to the work of Engelhardt, Szent-Gyorgyi, Polezhaev, and Meerson.)" August/September 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Tissue extracts in healing and regeneration research"Filatov tested sterilized tissue and found that it was just as effective in promoting healing and regeneration. At this point, he realized that tissue extracts would have the same effects, and he prepared extracts from a wide variety of stressed tissues, including leaves. He published results showing that sterile extracts could stimulate the regeneration of the optic nerve and various other tissues." August/September 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Factors in Traditional Management of Immune Deficiency"Some of the factors I paid special attention to when working with common (i.e., complex, traditional) immune deficiency were a deficiency of anti-glucocorticoid hormones, a dietary excess of iron and unsaturated fats, a nutritional deficiency of vitamin A, folic acid, copper, and protein, as well as exposure to pediculocides and other chlorinated hydrocarbons including dioxins, etc." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Metabolism Enhancement as an Immune Stimulator"Anything that intensifies metabolism tends to stimulate the immune system, all other things being equal." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Vitamins and Thyroid Extract in the Treatment of Allergies and Severe Conditions"Good results were achieved in allergy patients when they received supplements of vitamin A, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. Later, thyroid extract or triiodothyronine and magnesium were added to the other supplements for patients who had more serious problems than ordinary allergies." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Tailored Nutrition and Therapy for Immune Deficiency"Just as optimal nutrition must consider age and other factors, integrated therapy for immune deficiency must also be sensitively tailored to the individual's needs." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Inhibition of Respiratory Energy and Cytochromes by Cyanide"Since carbon monoxide binds to metal atoms, it could be held in a form that easily reacts with ammonia. While stress causes both lipid peroxidation and ammonia formation, rhodanese would be necessary to protect the respiratory cytochromes from cyanide, which would otherwise inhibit respiratory energy production and other processes involving the cytochromes." January 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effect of Penicillin on Early AIDS Symptoms in a Case Study"1981, before AIDS was recognized, two German doctors, K. Dierig and U. Waldthaler, suspected that gonorrhea endocarditis could cause the hot flashes, drastic weight loss, shortness of breath, and confusion of a patient. They therefore treated him daily for three weeks with 40 million units of penicillin intravenously. His symptoms disappeared, and later it was found that he tested HIV-positive. A review of his lab values from 1981 showed anomalies consistent with AIDS. Dierig and Waldthaler then used the same penicillin treatment on six more ARC and AIDS patients. All seven are now clinically asymptomatic." June 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Progesterone as a possible substitute for vitamin A"To a very large extent, progesterone could replace vitamin A, meaning that a very large part of the vitamin A used by the body is used to make progesterone, from which the other steroid hormones are formed" January 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Folic acid and B vitamins in rapid cell division"With rapid cell division and estrogen excess, folic acid and other B vitamins are quickly depleted, so supplementation might be useful. I have usually recommended a dose of one to ten milligrams of folic acid daily for several weeks, along with liver two to three times per week for the other vitamins" January 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Szent-Györgyi's contribution to understanding energy processes"Albert Szent-Györgyi developed some of Koch's ideas further and discovered vitamin C (which has a free radical state) and studied many other energy exchange processes, including the activation of free radicals by biological pigments" August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Destructive effect of cortisol on gut enzymes and allergies"Although a physiologically balanced amount of cortisol induces detoxifying enzymes, for example in the gut, an uncontrolled excess causes the destruction of these enzymes, resulting in the loss of much of the gut's barrier function and the potential development of allergies. This effect of cortisol on the thymus and the gut's detoxifying enzymes very likely explains the common association of allergies with viral infections. Since cortisol destabilizes the nervous system and acts pro-convulsively, psychological symptoms are also likely to occur – everything from compulsive behavior to depression or seizures – in connection with other chronic diseases" August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Non-catabolic effects of stress: enzyme inhibition and aging"Some effects of stress are not catabolic. When the detoxifying enzymes are lost, gut toxins block other fundamental enzyme systems, leading for example to a slowed protein turnover rate and reduced superoxide dismutase activity. The resulting increase in lipid peroxidation decreases steroid synthesis" August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Epilepsy and insomnia as states of low energy in brain cells"Epilepsy is an example of a very low energy state of brain cells. Insomnia is also a state of low energy and is usually cured by the right dose of thyroid hormone with sufficient glucose and other nutrients" February 1986 |
Ray Peat on Pregnancy
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