Ray Peat on Lipofuscin

January 29, 2026

The role of lipofuscin in plaque inflammation and calcification

"The age pigment ceroid or lipofuscin, which is largely derived from PUFAs and associated with the macrophage foam cells in the plaque, accumulates iron (Lee et al., 1998) and, through the catalysis of oxidation, generates local hypoxia, leading to the formation of lactic acid and contributing to an inflammatory process. The products of lipid peroxidation, such as azelaic acid (Riad et al., 2018), together with lactate, lead to tissue calcification."

September 2018 - Ray Peats Newsletter

Lipofuscin formation from polyunsaturated fatty acids

"The age pigment lipofuscin is formed by the oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids. The polyunsaturated fatty acids that accumulate with age have been known as the main source of this material for about 80 years. These fatty acids inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol."

November 2018 - Ray Peats Newsletter

Calcium and iron deposits in damaged tissues: a mystery

"At the beginning of the century, it was discovered that calcium and iron tend to be deposited together in damaged tissues, but the exact reason for this association remains unknown. I think the role of iron in the age pigment lipofuscin is an important part of the mechanism."

June 1994 - Ray Peats Newsletter

Antagonism between estrogen and vitamin E

"Around the time these factors were being studied in the formation of age pigment, the Shutes were investigating the antagonism between estrogen and vitamin E. Essentially, this antagonism is that vitamin E conserves oxygen and estrogen wastes oxygen."

June 1994 - Ray Peats Newsletter

Biochemical parallels between aging and estrogen dominance

"There are a large number of biochemical similarities between aging and the state of estrogen dominance, and no discernible biochemical differences can be found between these states – apart from their history. For example, in both states the oxygen tension is relatively low, and as a result, unsaturated lipids are rapidly converted into age pigment or lipofuscin by lipid peroxidation."

January 1991 - Ray Peats Newsletter

Vitamin E deficiency and the formation of age pigment

"In the case of a vitamin E deficiency, unsaturated oils are oxidized in a way that produces age pigment, also called ceroid pigment or lipofuscin. This pigment consumes both oxygen and fuel, but does not produce any usable energy."