Ray Peat on parathyroid hormone

The role and effects of parathyroid hormone in old age

"Phosphate, which is found primarily 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 it causes insomnia, seizures, dementia, psychoses, cancer, heart disease, shortness of breath and pulmonary hypertension, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, histamine release, inflammation, calcification of soft tissue, and many other problems."

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The influence of milk on parahormone and optimal levels

"Drinking milk lowers parathyroid hormone levels compared to diets that chronically stimulate its production. Very little attention has been paid to the optimal level of parathyroid hormone, in contrast to the so-called normal range."

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Effects of an increase in parathyroid hormone on body tissues

"When vitamin D or calcium is deficient, when phosphate is present in excess, or in cases of hypoglycemia and stress (Ljunghall et al., 1984), parathyroid hormone levels rise. This can lead to softening of the bones and hardening of soft tissues, particularly the arteries, and sometimes also the brain, skin, and other organs. Parathyroid hormone increases blood pressure even before calcium-induced vascular stiffening is detectable."

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Nighttime parathyroid hormone activity and calcium loss

"During the night, parathyroid hormone levels usually rise (Radjaipour 1986; Logue 1989, 1990; Fraser, 1998), and especially in old age, this leads to a significant loss of calcium from the bones. If a large portion of the daily calcium is consumed before bedtime, this reduces the nocturnal rise in parathyroid hormone and the calcium loss from the bones."

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Lowering of parathyroid hormone levels in connection with obesity and related problems

"Lowering parathyroid hormone levels through increased intake of calcium and vitamin D is closely linked to a reduction in excess weight and a decrease in the health problems associated with excess weight – high blood pressure, insulin resistance, cardiac arrhythmias, depression and various inflammatory diseases."

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The influence of parathyroid hormone on hair loss and mast cells

“In vitro experiments with hair follicles show that parathyroid hormone terminates the growth cycle. Prostaglandin D2, which is associated with hair loss, is released from mast cells, and parathyroid hormone acts as an activator of mast cell degranulation. Hair growth follows a 24-hour rhythm, and the long cycle of shedding and renewal appears to be regulated by genes involved in this daily rhythm (Lin et al., 2009). It is possible that the daily rhythm of parathyroid hormone is responsible for progressive hair loss.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Progesterone and vitamin D in the restoration of nerve function

"Studies on the effects of progesterone on the recovery of nerve function after traumatic brain injury have shown that vitamin D enhances its effectiveness. By improving calcium homeostasis and counteracting the effects of parathyroid hormone, which activates calcium channels, vitamin D (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) is increasingly being considered both as a neurosteroid (Groves et al., 2014; Gezen-Ak and Dursun, 2019) and as an essential factor for immune function."

May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The influence of stress hormones on mitochondria

"The levels of aldosterone and parathyroid hormone are increased by stress, with serotonin acting on the adrenal cortex and parathyroid glands and increasing their secretion. All three of these hormones act on the mitochondria and lower oxidative energy production."

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Influence of diet on hormone secretion

"Increasing the intake of sodium and calcium (as well as vitamin D, which also helps to lower parathyroid hormone and aldosterone) in the diet can reduce the release of aldosterone and parathyroid hormone, leading to an increase in oxidative energy production."

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Factors for healthier pregnancies and life after birth

"The most important factors that can be optimized with existing resources. Healthier pregnancies lead to a healthier and happier life after birth. These factors include sunlight, vitamin D, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit and well-cooked vegetables, high-fiber foods, and optimizing thyroid function, pregnenolone and progesterone (which support mitochondrial function, offer protection against aldosterone, parathyroid hormone, excess serotonin, CRK and cortisol, and additionally increase allopregnanolone), as well as using the safest anti-inflammatory and antiserotonergic medications, such as aspirin and cyproheptadine, when needed."

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Oxidative processes and factors of enzyme regulation

"The oxidative processes that support the targeted, creative functioning of the organism optimize CO₂ by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase; this enzyme is inhibited by the thyroid hormone T3, progesterone, urea, caffeine, antipsychotics, and aspirin. Substances that tend to revert to primitive anaerobic energy production activate the enzyme—for example, serotonin, tryptophan, cysteine, histamine, estrogen, aldosterone, HIF, SSRIs, angiotensin, and parathyroid hormone."

March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Snacks to support restful sleep and brain health

"Using snacks to minimize the nighttime rise in free fatty acids and hypoglycemia is an effective way to promote restful sleep and slow down age-related brain effects caused by the accumulation of unstable fatty acids. Calcium and vitamin D, in sufficient amounts to keep parathyroid hormone levels low, contribute to this process."

March 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Studies on parathyroid hormone and the interchangeability of minerals

"About 88 years ago, W.K. Koch (known for his cancer therapy) investigated parathyroid hormone and its relationship to tetany (sustained muscle contractions) and seizures. He was able to show that the main minerals sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are interchangeable to some extent in alleviating tetany and seizures caused by the removal of the parathyroid gland, with magnesium being the most effective."

December 1999 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The crucial role of carbon dioxide in the regulation of water, proteins and minerals

"Water, proteins, oxygen, and minerals are all crucially regulated by carbon dioxide. The enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which is controlled by hormones (including parathyroid hormone) and nerves, accelerates the exchange between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, each of which has specific functions. Bicarbonate is more soluble in water, while carbon dioxide is more soluble in living substances and fats."

December 1999 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

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