Biological water storage and cell energy relationships"The storage of water by living matter is a topic that reductionist biology has only addressed hesitantly. 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 soluble, 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 decreases, as in hypothyroidism, muscles fatigue easily, absorb excess water, and the barrier structure weakens, allowing macromolecules, ATP, and other metabolites to leak out while foreign substances penetrate. Typical muscle enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase appear in the blood in typical hypothyroid myopathy, and cardiac proteins, including a specific form of lactate dehydrogenase and a muscle protein, troponin, enter the bloodstream following cardiac stress or fatigue in combination with hypothyroidism or systemic inflammation." September 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
ATP exit and the vicious cycle of serotonin"Any disruption of the 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 the alarm and stress signals. Increased serotonin synthesis is one of the most important responses to leaked ATP and adenosine, but serotonin can further exacerbate the disruption of the actin system and increase permeability—a vicious cycle." September 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell stiffness and degenerative changes independent of cholesterol"The actual physical stiffness of entire cells and their environment 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-induced stiffenings of the cell substance and matrix are not directly related to the local cholesterol level." September 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Composition of the protoplasm and cholesterol as a lubricant"I believe it is correct 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 the solutes affect the balance of cohesive forces. Due to its molecular shape and hydrophobicity, cholesterol acts as both a lubricant and a stabilizer of this complex system. It reduces cell stiffness by increasing protein immobility." 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 such as macrophages, which subsequently accumulate in the plaques." September 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Role and effects of parathyroid hormone in the aging process"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 |
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, for example tannins and polyunsaturated fatty acids." September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Components of milk 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 deficient, when phosphate is in excess, as well as 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, especially 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 |
The role of sodium in circulatory inefficiency and various ailments“Building on Brewer’s research, I realized 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 overall health"The easily oxidizable short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acids in coconut oil provide an energy source that protects our tissues from the toxic, inhibitory effects of unsaturated fatty acids and reduces their thyroid-suppressing effects. Animal studies over the last 60 years suggest that these effects also offer protection against cancer, heart disease, and premature aging. Other anticipated 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 the effects of stimulants"A person with a faulty mental energy storage system might rush around to keep their mind stimulated, or it could be that coffee or other nerve stimulants raise energy levels enough to allow for calm integration." Nutrition For Women |
Unique properties of water in biological processes"Water is unusual in its capacity 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 the muscle or nerve recovers) that cannot be explained by any known chemical change. Its order decreases with increasing temperature unless other substances create order. (The brain has utilized and enhanced these properties of water.)" Nutrition For Women |
Effects of estrogen on experience and memory formation"Argumentation patterns stabilize as knowledge and as developmental changes in tissue: growth and aging, and their effects. An excess of estrogen or other factors that impair proteolysis could block the ability to experience. The difficulty in remembering dreams is probably related to this synthetic (non-proteolytic) parasympathetic dominance during sleep." Nutrition For Women |
Hormonal intervention to support maternal and fetal health in cases of nutritional deficiencies"Furthermore, if the mother's overall health is so poor that nutrition alone during pregnancy cannot compensate for lifelong deficiencies, 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 cases, thyroid hormone would be crucial. In all cases, 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 correlates directly 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 long-range order in biological theory"Long-range order is a principle of biological thinking that leads us into a new phase of theory. If this succeeds in biology, this principle can help to re-evaluate other events in the history of ideas about the physical state." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen-related blood clotting and metabolic problems"It is known that taking estrogen can cause the blood to 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 its effects on libido"Normally, the liver treats estrogen like a poison and removes it from the body immediately. If the liver becomes sluggish due to malnutrition, too much estrogen, or other damage, it can allow the hormone to rise to very high levels. Since estrogen is metabolically antagonistic to progesterone and testosterone, I think the pill could decrease libido by counteracting these other hormones." Nutrition For Women |
Increased vitamin E requirement due to estrogen during pregnancy"Estrogen appears to increase the body's need for vitamin E, as it does for many other nutrients. Pregnancy, which can increase a woman's estrogen levels, seems to increase the amount of vitamin E needed to support a 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 single-celled stage. With insufficient thyroid function, we become sluggish, clumsy, cold, anemic, and susceptible to infections, heart disease, headaches, cancer, and many other illnesses, and appear prematurely aged because none of our tissues can function normally." Nutrition For Women |
Hypothyroidism causes digestive problems and internal malnutrition."In hypothyroidism, there is very little stomach acid, and other digestive juices (as well as bowel movements) are insufficient, which is why bloating and constipation are common. Food is not properly utilized, so that even with seemingly adequate nutrition, there is internal malnutrition." 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 gland. Heart, eggs, skin (gelatin), and milk are more beneficial for the thyroid. Other thyroid-suppressing foods include peanuts, soybeans, raw cabbage, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, unsaturated oils (such as safflower, corn, cottonseed, and soybean oil), and an excess of iodine." Nutrition For Women |
Conversion of thyroid hormone during stress and age"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 mothers with diabetes on child development"Diabetic mothers often have precocious children, provided these are not harmed by medication or unreasonable diets." Nutrition For Women |
Modulation of dopamine-serotonin antagonism by progesterone, thyroid gland, and other factors"Dopamine-serotonin antagonism (e.g., in the control of prolactin secretion) can be influenced by progesterone, thyroid gland, 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 male infertility. However, large amounts would likely suppress LH and lower testosterone synthesis, while smaller amounts (especially in older men) appear to increase sperm count and motility. In male and female athletes becoming infertile, this seems to be the appropriate therapy, usually in combination with thyroid hormone therapy." Nutrition For Women |
The complex role of the estrogen/progesterone ratio in health"An excessive estrogen/progesterone ratio is generally more involved than a simple excess of estrogen or deficiency of progesterone, but even this ratio is influenced by other factors, including age, diet, 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 acidemia can also be caused by other respiratory defects, including hypothyroidism, in which the tissues do not use enough oxygen. The skin appears bluer (in thin areas such as around the eyes) when hypoxia, rather than low oxygen consumption, is involved." Nutrition For Women |
Adrenal gland response to inflammation and stress hormones"When the body detects inflammation or other stress (possibly through the perception of changes in blood sugar, lactate, or carbon dioxide, or all of these factors), the adrenal glands will release anti-stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol (provided these glands are not exhausted or malnourished). Both adrenaline and cortisol can raise blood sugar to meet the increased demand." Nutrition For Women |
Stress management through dietary and environmental correction"In general, stress should first be addressed by correcting the underlying defect, which may be environmental or nutritional. Increased nutritional needs usually include protein and fat; acute hypoglycemia may require a large amount of sugar, indicating that the adrenal glands may 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 involved, the greater the stress. An injury to a leg connected only by blood vessels triggers a stress response in the animal, so the stress signal can be transmitted via the blood, although nerves are usually also involved. Adenine nucleotides are suspected as a cause of shock (because, like many other stress products, including phosphate, they have a vasodilatory effect); other possible causes include histamine, various polyamines, and low blood sugar." Nutrition For Women |
Similarities between injury and stress in energy requirements"Injury and physical exertion have in common that more energy is required. I think that blood sugar levels are therefore useful, at least for understanding stress, even if other substances are involved in the signaling or coordination process." Nutrition For Women |
Sugar excretion in urine during stress – independent of insulin requirements"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 excess copper or estrogen can be alleviated through diet. Zinc supplementation is usually necessary – about 20 mg per day; for this problem, about 30 mg of vitamin B6 has been recommended, but the amount varies from person to person. The other B vitamins, as well as vitamins E and A, should also be taken." Nutrition For Women |
Menopausal symptoms and progesterone deficiency"Strickler found that only 10% of his patients with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes experienced a sense of improvement from estrogen when it was administered alternately with a placebo. These studies, and several dozen others, have convinced me that menopausal symptoms are primarily due to a progesterone deficiency relative to estrogen. The 10% who do experience improvement from estrogen might potentially have an estrogen deficiency, but this has not been 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 the very least alters well-being, could raise blood sugar levels, and increase 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 activity in such a way that this fat distribution could be balanced, and this could also occur in cases caused by hormonal disorders, not just by age itself." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen and the inhibition of coagulation-dissolving enzymes"Another effect of estrogen is the inhibition of a proteolytic enzyme in the blood that normally dissolves blood clots. This is why birth control pills can cause blood clots, strokes, and other circulatory problems." Nutrition For Women |
Effects of a low-protein diet on estrogen detoxification by the liver"A low-protein diet clearly impairs the liver's ability to detoxify estrogen and other stressors." Nutrition For Women |
The role of nutrition and the thyroid gland in stress-related illnesses"A diet high in animal protein and other nutrients, including an appropriate amount of dried thyroid when refined proteins are used, can produce 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 (a deficiency of red blood cells), 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 system"Vitamin C increases the structural strength of the connective tissue of the mucous membranes proportionally to the amount ingested, up to the megadoses recommended by Pauling (according to electron microscopic evidence, J. Clin. Nutr., Summer 1974). It is also more concentrated in white blood cells than in any other tissue (approximately in a ratio of 60:1 between white blood cells and surrounding fluid), and their immune function depends on a sufficient amount." Nutrition For Women |
Zinc deficiency in association with estrogen excess and its nutritional effects"A zinc deficiency is often associated with a deficiency of vitamin B6 and an excess of copper; since estrogen is associated with zinc loss, other nutrients such as vitamin E and folic acid should also be considered in cases of white spots on the nails." Nutrition For Women |
Influences of thyroid gland and progesterone on protein synthesis and lactate oxidation"However, the relevant effects of the thyroid gland (especially in conjunction with progesterone to promote the tissue response to the thyroid gland and to 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 experienced complete cures during treatment with frequent doses of LSD. Another alkaloid from ergot, bromocriptine, is now used to suppress lactation (e.g., caused by a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma that develops after taking oral contraceptives) and is being used experimentally to treat Parkinson's disease. Both LSD and bromocriptine shift the ratio of two brain chemicals, DOPA and serotonin, in favor of DOPA dominance. One of the effects of this is the inhibition of prolactin secretion. Excess prolactin is implicated in breast cancer and other cell proliferations, and probably also in the rapid cell division seen in psoriasis." Nutrition For Women |
Older mothers and the lower incidence of Down syndrome"Women are often encouraged to have children at a young age for fear of having a child with Down syndrome, which is more common in older mothers. However, a study has shown that children with Down syndrome are more frequently born to women who have been married longer. For example, women who married at 30 or 35 had fewer children with Down syndrome than women of the same age who married younger. The researcher suggested that in long-married couples, sexual intercourse was so infrequent that there was a greater chance that the egg (or egg and sperm) would degenerate before fertilization." Nutrition For Women |
Diabetes, pregnancy and fetal brain nutrition"It's known that women with diabetes typically have large babies with big heads who learn quickly. With each pregnancy, a woman tends to have a lower glucose tolerance or appear more diabetic. HCG, the hormone that maintains pregnancy, raises blood sugar to meet the fetus's need for plenty of sugar. Therefore, diabetes and pregnancy have a lot in common. As women age, they are also more prone to diabetes, which better nourishes the fetus, especially its brain. Furthermore, a more mature woman is less likely to snack." Nutrition For Women |
Nutritional needs during pregnancy and their impact on development"Better nutrition before and during pregnancy, as well as while breastfeeding, makes a big difference to the mental and physical development of the baby. Young pregnant women should pay particular attention to avoiding low blood sugar. Older women probably need slightly more vitamin E and should be especially careful not to 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 the fetus's fat and glucose dependence"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 is similar to diabetes in its adaptation to oxidize fat instead of sugar, so a slight predisposition to diabetes can be seen as supportive for pregnancy. Older women are more likely to have some degree of diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels. With each pregnancy, there is a tendency for blood sugar to be higher and for the baby to be larger and more precocious." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen-induced changes in nutrient requirements for maintaining blood sugar levels and for a healthy pregnancy"Vitamin E, vitamin A, and magnesium are other nutrients that help maintain blood sugar levels. Vitamin B12 is needed to utilize vitamin A. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and zinc are reduced by increased estrogen and are particularly 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 bigger and healthier until the fourth or fifth week, after which there is a significant decline in the average. At this point – which indicates that nutritional reserves are depleted – twin pregnancies and Down syndrome become more likely." Nutrition For Women |
Natural iron sources and their compatibility with vitamin E"Natural sources of iron such as red meat, wheat bran, wheat germ, or molasses do not appear to have this destructive effect on vitamin E. Therefore, if iron supplementation is necessary during pregnancy, these foods seem suitable for reducing the risk of vitamin E deficiency and dangers such as miscarriage." Nutrition For Women |
Damage to the social behavior of animals due to early separation"In other animals, even a temporary separation immediately after birth damages their social behavior." Nutrition For Women |
The front part of the brain is particularly sensitive to this function."The front part of the brain, which is most distinctly human (and the most recent), but has no specific function in the usual sense, is among the most sensitive areas of the brain. It is a very large piece of tissue that appears to be involved in planning and decision-making, and it controls the other, more specific functions. (This part of the brain, as well as the cerebral cortex as a whole, 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 maintenance 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 high meat consumption relative to other foods. When excess phosphate (for example, from meat or wheat germ) is ingested, calcium and magnesium are leached 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 able to uncouple energy-producing reactions from oxidation. This means that they promote fuel consumption without increasing fat synthesis. This is an effect similar to the specific dynamic effect 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 overall usable energy production is reduced relative to heat production.” Nutrition For Women |
Human chorionic gonadotropin in slimming clinics: Effects on appetite and metabolism“Many weight-loss clinics use injections of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to facilitate dieting and potentially improve fat distribution. This hormone shifts the body's energy metabolism towards using fat instead of sugar, thus causing a rise 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"Besides their content of essential nutrients, all natural foods also contain other substances, such as hormones." Nutrition For Women |
Essential amino acids and the global food question"The carbon skeleton of essential amino acids appears to be crucial. If the diet provides these along with other nutrients, protein in the diet does not seem to be so decisive. If fruits and vegetables containing these substances could be found, the world food problem could easily be 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 the search for the most general principles: this can help us to identify meaningful configurations and to make otherwise trivial things significant. I think a biophysical approach to the cytoplasm is one of the principles that helps in recognizing patterns. Other specific and immediately useful ideas include stress, the efficient or wasteful use of sugar, and the energy endowment of cells." Nutrition For Women |
Controversy surrounding temperature in the diagnosis of 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 held belief probably contributed to the official preference for the relatively inactive form of thyroxine over the thermogenically active thyroid, USP, and T3, and to the lack of interest in the link between hypothermia and chronic infections, cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, chronic inflammation, and other age-related problems." 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 increase in degenerative diseases, inflammation, depression, etc." November 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Lifestyle choices to delay aging and promote longevity"Altitude and a dairy-based diet are obviously two important thermogenic factors that slow the accumulation of harmful adaptations, but there are many other controllable factors that could extend lifespan even further. Reducing inflammatory factors is important, and personal choices can make a big difference, for example, choosing easily digestible foods to reduce endotoxins, avoiding polyunsaturated fats that disrupt cellular respiration and form inflammatory prostaglandins, avoiding antioxidant supplements that create excessive reduction levels, and selecting foods containing anti-inflammatory thermogenic compounds, such as citrus fruits with their high flavonoid content, which supports cellular respiration." November 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Debunking the myth of the semipermeable cell membrane"The maintenance of a non-random distribution of ions and other solutes, 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 enables the 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 |
Thymic atrophy: Causes and regenerative substances“Factors that cause thymus atrophy include cortisol and other glucocorticoid hormones, estrogen, prostaglandins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, endotoxin, hypoglycemia, and ionizing radiation. Progesterone and thyroid hormones support thymus restoration and provide protection by counteracting all of these atrophy-inducing factors. Increasing dietary sugar intake may correct some of the metabolic changes of aging.” November 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Importance of different orthomolecules for maintaining cell and protein stability“Other orthomolecules besides niacin would be potassium, vitamin E (improves oxygen supply, facilitates cell binding of proteins), inositol (stabilizes cells and proteins against denaturation or dehydration, 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 cell 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 glandular extracts in neurological treatments"Extracts from glands and other tissues have been used for generations to treat nervous disorders (e.g., Filatov, 1945). The thyroid gland, with or without gonadal extracts, has been 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"If the role of carbon dioxide in suppressing lactate production is neglected, all its other essential metabolic effects will also be 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 the fact 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, also 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 through 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 has been 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 in other types of depression, aging, and Alzheimer's disease." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen, progesterone and the connective tissue of animals"AV Everitt reviewed studies in rabbits that showed that the endogenous estrogen of 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 to be younger than the tissue of same-age animals that had never been mated." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cholesterol and its role in the production of neurosteroids"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, increasing the mother's adaptability, while it and the growing fetus increase the mother's nutritional needs." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Pregnancy, energy and nutritional adequacy"The importance of salt and calcium during 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 lactation. Despite the presence of all necessary nutrients, which would be sufficient for someone with a generally supportive environment, a good diet is not necessarily sufficient for someone with a problematic environment or a history of stressful experiences." May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The importance of skin contact for the development of newborns"Ashley Montagu argued in his book Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin that skin contact between the newborn and the mother is an essential factor in the development of mind and body." May 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Understanding autism through Theory of Mind concepts"One description of autism states that it involves the lack of a theory of mind, that is, the ability to recognize that other people have their own consciousness and emotions. This is sometimes referred to as mind blindness or emotional 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 to the changing culture in which communication takes place. For them, the essence of language was communication, and communication consists of changing the relationships between individuals and their environment." May 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Intercellular communication through protein and mitochondrial transfer"Human cells of different types are able to communicate with each other by passing proteins, nucleic acids, and even mitochondria. Microvesicles containing these macromolecules, which are pinched off by cells of different organs, can move through the body fluids in the organism." 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 factors in chronic inflammation"Poor diet, aging and other stressors weaken our anti-inflammatory defense mechanisms and lead to chronic systemic inflammation." March 2021 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Exosomes in cell communication and the transfer of genetic information"Research into exosomes, particles the size of small viruses that transfer useful (or harmful) information between cells, has shown their similarity to the DNA particles that bacteria use to pass on new information—such as antibiotic resistance—to other bacteria. Exosomes can transport the DNA of mobile genetic elements, and when they leave the body via secretions such as 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 removed from the ideal conditions of a healthy gestation leads to a systemic inflammatory state, and this chronic inflammation culminates 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 the biologists I have known were unaware of the fact that CO₂'s ability to form carbamino compounds with hemoglobin also extends to other proteins, including those known as specific receptors." March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protein interactions and the influence of cardinal adsorbents"Everything 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 alter how proteins affect the properties of water, and the properties of water determine cell metabolism as well as their interactions with each other and with the environment. Ling termed these influential binding molecules cardinal adsorbents." March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Bystander effect in various types of injuries"The bystander effect, in which the irradiation of one tissue causes similar damage in other tissues or in the entire 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 that lung and cultured outside the organism release substances into the culture fluid that cause similar damage and fibrosis in cells of another organism exposed to that fluid." March 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Silicon dioxide, estrogen and the production of lactic acid"Small particles of silicon dioxide or other inorganic or organic materials (such as plastics) can – similar to radiation, oxygen deficiency, sepsis, or estrogen – increase the production of lactic acid. This lactate promotes various aspects of inflammation, including edema, collagen synthesis, and cell growth and movement." March 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Nerve cells as electrical sinks during cellular respiration"When a nerve cell uses oxygen to produce energy, it becomes significantly more electrically charged than other cells and acts as an electron sink. This causes the head to have a positive electrical polarity compared to other parts of the body." March 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Independent initiation of the sleep-wake cycle by brain regions"A small area of the brain can enter sleep mode 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"The current state of knowledge about prenatal influences on the development of autistic traits in humans and laboratory animals agrees with Pavlov's observation that some animals were overwhelmed by a stimulation to which other animals were easily able to adapt." March 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The diverse influences and effects of nitric oxide"Nitric oxide, like endotoxin and rotenone, is a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. Endotoxin and other harmful stimuli can increase nitric oxide production, but it is also produced during normal nerve excitatory processes. When excitation is excessive relative to 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 the metabolism towards reduction, with the formation of lactic acid, iron atoms react cyclically with oxygen and the reducing agents, producing hydroxyl radicals and other highly reactive toxins." March 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protective factors in Parkinson's disease generally counteract estrogen."Factors that are likely to have a protective effect in Parkinson's disease generally protect against estrogen and the 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 illness or injury, and if the brain is not functioning properly, every other system is affected." March 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Serotonin balance: synthesis versus degradation"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, thereby 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 the gut to the 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 serotonin to be released into the bloodstream, and if the platelets cannot hold it tightly bound 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 the 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 cures for most inflammatory and degenerative diseases." July 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Reduction of the harmful effects of excess serotonin“Avoiding prolonged fasting and strenuous exercise that increases free fatty acids; combining sugars with proteins to keep free fatty acids low; using aspirin, niacinamide, or cyproheptadine to reduce the formation of free fatty acids due to unavoidable stress; avoiding an excess of phosphate relative to calcium in the diet; consuming milk and other anti-stress foods before bed or during the night; staying in brightly lit environments during the day with regular exposure to sunlight – all of these can minimize the harmful effects of excess serotonin and reduce the associated inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophy.” July 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Symphony of Life: Embracing Complexity"The metabolism of the organism is a single, integrated process in which each 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"Besides ammonia and lactate, other stress-related substances can also increase the respiratory drive and thereby deplete the 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 viewed the cell structure as an integral conductive/semiconducting system, and cellular movement and other functions as a consequence of the flow of energy through this system." July 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of glucose in the reduction of cellular excitation by oxidation"The ability of glucose to reduce excitation in other situations is probably related 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 at the beginning of life determines the quality of gestation and the 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 in immunogenicity“Highly purified vaccines have only a low immunizing effect (Petrovsky, 2015); traditionally, many substances have inadvertently found their way into the composition of vaccines – proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other materials from the growth medium used to manufacture the vaccine have been found in vaccines, and their role in the immune response has not been studied, apart from the realization that a pure, highly purified disease antigen has low immunogenicity.” January 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of inflammation in universal pathology"Until the beginning of this century, inflammation was mostly viewed as a simply constructive part of the local healing process, but gradually its universal role in pathology was recognized. Tissue damage was no longer seen 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)—and the associated persistent epigenetic changes are part of innate immunity. This system is activated by both adjuvants and the adaptive immune system, which produces antibodies." January 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Hormones alter enzyme activity"Besides their metabolism in the uterus and other target tissues, it is now well known that estrogen and other hormones can alter the activity of enzymes without directly participating as catalysts in the reaction and without initially acting in the cell nucleus." January 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Unbiased investigation of the properties of living matter"Reactivity or sensitivity is a property of living matter that must be studied without prejudice, 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 on other steroid hormones"The effects of progesterone are in contrast to the effects of the other important 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 the other needs are met. The ability to exercise the exploratory reflex expands not only the functional range of the organism, but also that of the cells and tissues involved in exploration and discovery, as well as their energy 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 plentiful, and cells with the highest energy demands are protected by progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and other steroids." January 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Appetite for exploration and its impact on learning"Unlike other needs, the appetite for exploration is in itself stimulating as long as it is satisfied, and is more likely to be dampened than increased by frustration. The heightened 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 at its highest, the adaptations can lead to lifelong problems." January 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
NMDA receptor activation 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 produced by actual oxygen deficiency, but also by the inhibition of mitochondrial function, resulting in a state of pseudohypoxia." January 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cortisol responds to low glycogen levels."If there is not enough stored glycogen in the liver, muscles, and other tissues to meet the brain's nighttime glucose demand, cortisol levels rise. It breaks down tissue proteins to provide amino acids and glucose, but at the same time, 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, causing some of the arachidonic acid to be incorporated into the brain. Particularly during the night, the polyunsaturated fatty acids intensify 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, along with estrogen and other hormones, participating in DNA methylation, histone modification, and a variety of other persistent biochemical modifications." January 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Conversion of animal cholesterol to steroids, role of the thyroid gland"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 the other, more specialized steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone (sodium-retaining hormone), estrogen and testosterone." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
The important function 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 |
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 decrease continuously with age." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Antitoxic effects of steroids and cell functions"I believe that this stabilizing effect is a general feature of these steroids, which explains other antitoxic effects, such as the blocking of hemolysis, and probably many features of growth and differentiation, including the control of cell division and the prevention of atrophy." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Understanding of hormones in organismal 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 gland, 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 sense, thyroid hormone is the basic anti-stress hormone, as it is required for the production of adrenal and pregnancy hormones." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Harmful effects of long-term cortisone use 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 effect is too long or too intense.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Limitations of cortisone without treating the underlying causes"Although cortisone supplementation can help with a variety of stress-related illnesses, no cure will occur until the underlying cause is discovered. Besides the thyroid gland, the other class of adaptation hormones that are often out of balance in stress-related illnesses is the group of hormones primarily produced by the gonads: the sex hormones." Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Link 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 its effects on DHEA"Pregnenolone is the substance the body uses to make either progesterone or DHEA. Other natural hormones, including DHEA, have not been studied as long, but the high levels normally found in healthy people suggest that replacement doses to restore these normal levels would probably 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 spontaneous development of cancer in rats. A little later, other scientists discovered 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 characteristics of older blood“Two distinct differences have been observed between old and young blood. The albumin in old blood is in a more oxidized state. (I believe it was the renowned gerontologist Verzar who first reported this.) Although there is at least significantly less oxygen in the blood of aging individuals, 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 is to say, in an elderly individual, the red blood cells are more fragile—possibly because they are more quickly damaged by oxidation—and are replaced more rapidly, so that on average they are many weeks younger than the cells of a healthy young individual. Neither of these features is actually paradoxical. Poor oxygenation is a stress factor and causes the depletion of glucose and the compensatory mobilization of fat from stores, and the relatively reducing environment in the cytoplasm causes the mobilization of iron from stores in a toxic reduced (ferrous) form. Products of the peroxidative interaction of Iron with unsaturated fats can be detected 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 oxidatively toxic heavy metals and maintaining cellular respiration while simultaneously eliminating highly peroxidizable unsaturated fats from the diet (and reducing the levels of these fats in storage tissues) would likely result in animals better stress tolerance (mitochondria lacking 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 |
Signs of puberty: Iron, fats, and toxin buildup"I think the accumulation of iron, unsaturated fats, and other toxins are the most important 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 the brain development of rats, found that pregnancy or progesterone treatment – as well as freedom and stimulation – made the brain grow, while estrogen – similar to stress – made it shrink.” Generative Energy: Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Characteristic skeletal changes and stress hormones in old age"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 in old 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 might be a source of stellar energy, he predicted that planets, too, would have a steady internal heat source proportional to their mass. His prediction matched the known warmth of Earth, but also predicted 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 suggests the biological nature of cosmic dust.“Fred Hoyle and his colleagues have carried out work similar to that of Vernadsky, stimulating a more vibrant thinking about cosmology. They have gathered spectroscopic evidence that cosmic dust (which makes up a significant part of the mass in the universe) is more similar to bacteria than to 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 gland tends to lower cholesterol by converting it into pregnenolone and other steroids." Email reply from Ray Peat |
Nutrient deficiencies and neurological imbalances"The imbalances of endorphins, serotonin, catecholamines, and other neurotransmitters observed in autism can sometimes also occur in adults due to combined exhaustion and poor nutrition. When liver glycogen stores are depleted, restoring balance can be difficult. Various prenatal influences could damage the neuronal networks that enable cell survival. Many brain cells typically die before birth due to the limited availability of glucose." Email reply 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 dietary aluminum is the cause of Alzheimer's disease. It would make sense to remove additional aluminum from public water systems and food, 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 it has been suggested that the intake of aluminum through food causes Alzheimer's disease. It would make sense to remove added aluminum from our public water systems and from food, but there is good evidence that other processes are behind 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 could act as a catalyst in the oxidation and reduction of the pyridine nucleotides NADPH and NADH. However, in the 1960s, the doctrine that the effects of estrogen are mediated exclusively via the estrogen receptor began to replace all other ideas about estrogen chemistry and physiology." February 2001 |
Estrogen-stimulated NADH oxidases and age pigment function"In my dissertation, I presented several further 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 age pigment." February 2001 |
Calcium and iron deposits in mitochondria and diseases"Calcium and iron tend to be deposited together, and the 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 during uptake into brain cells"Protein-bound estrogen is an active form of estrogen, and albumin-bound estrogen likely accounts for the majority of estrogenic activity. Free fatty acids, competing with estrogen for binding to steroid-binding globulin, likely alter the properties of the more abundant albumin, causing it to bind more estrogen in its active form. This shifts estrogen from other proteins, lipoproteins, and red blood cells to activated albumin. The presence of fats bound to albumin makes the albumin more lipophilic, or fat-loving, and molecules are taken up into cells—especially brain cells—according to their solubility in fats. There is no blood-brain barrier for fat-soluble molecules." 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 the ability of these tissues 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 tissue-hormone interaction warrants 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 the depolarization activation of nerve, muscle, and some glandular 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 unchecked or even accelerate, it is obvious that form, proportion, and organization would be rapidly lost." March 2000 |
Thyroid gland and anti-estrogens in protection against various threats"The thyroid gland and other antiestrogens also possess a wide range of protective effects, including against radiation, suffocation, carcinogens and the like." March 2000 |
Treatment of excess lactic acid 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, thereby reducing the production of lactic acid, increasing the oxidation of glucose, and raising the 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 generally accepted that impaired mitochondrial respiration is a key 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“DNA repair is well understood in ordinary nuclear chromosomal genes. The other type of repair, in which non-mutated cells replace genetically damaged cells, has frequently been observed in facial skin: During intense sun exposure, mutated cells accumulate; however, after a period of protection from damaging radiation, the skin is once again composed of healthy, young cells. Just as it appears that the skin can recover from genetic damage previously considered permanent and cumulative simply by avoiding the damaging factor, mitochondrial aging is increasingly seen as both preventable and repairable.” July 2000 |
Carbon dioxide and lactate dynamics in cellular processes"While the flow of carbon dioxide from the mitochondrion into the cytoplasm and beyond tends to remove calcium from the mitochondrion and the cell, the influx of lactate and other organic ions into the mitochondrion can cause an accumulation of calcium in the mitochondrion under conditions where carbon dioxide synthesis and thus urea synthesis are reduced and other synthetic processes are altered." 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 brought about by a reduction in carbon dioxide—by a physical change even more fundamental than the energy level represented by ATP. Utilizing substances of the Krebs cycle for the synthesis of amino acids and other products would reduce CO₂ formation and create a situation in which the system would have two possible states: the glycolytic stress state and the carbon dioxide-producing, energy-efficient state.” July 2000 |
The role of carbon dioxide in mitochondrial stability“Just as carbon dioxide alters the shapes and electrical affinities of hemoglobin and other proteins, I propose that it increases the stability of the mitochondrial coacervate, thereby recruiting additional proteins from its external environment as well as from its own synthetic machinery to enhance 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 pH of the blood 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 conjunction with carbonic acid remain in the blood alone, as the carbonic acid is converted into gaseous carbon dioxide and leaves the blood in the lungs. Protons, if we need to discuss 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 the blood compared to the cells neglect the background conditions: the intrinsic acidity of the cell substance and the forces that 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 inflammatory factors released by estrogen 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 requirement 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"The thyroid gland, protein, sodium, and magnesium correct most edema. Progesterone acts on the mitochondria to increase respiratory efficiency and on structural proteins to alter their ionic affinities, and synergistically with the other natural factors to correct permeability and water regulation." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of progesterone in renal blood flow and mineral regulation"Besides its ability to increase blood perfusion to the kidneys (and other organs), progesterone plays an important role in mineral regulation, as it acts as a weak aldosterone and protects against both a deficiency and an 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 vital processes that required an understanding of the interactions between water, electrons, and proteins. Virtually all other biologists ridiculed 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 growth of the baby's brain; if they are lacking, the cells die instead of growing." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 4 |
ATP and CO₂ in the regulation of 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 value"Carbonated water is so commonplace that chemists feel uncomfortable discussing it. All the water in respiring organisms contains a significant amount of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide binds to proteins and other amine-containing polymers and dissolves in water, lowering the pH, so the interactions between 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 effect of an enzyme from a distance means that its catalytic range 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 reciprocal 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 [imaginary] cell membrane pulls on a protein on the other side, and perhaps the little homunculus that counts the molecules then decides that the time has come to send a message to the correct 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 action as an expectorant, where it reduces the viscosity of bronchial mucus and facilitates its reabsorption or excretion. 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 fluid retention"The water-overloaded state observed in blood vessels, lungs, and other organs during shock or stress, as well as cerebral edema and lens cataracts following various metabolic disturbances, appear to involve the uptake of free water while simultaneously losing bound (non-freezable) water. Carbon dioxide seems to promote the retention of bound water and protect against edematous conditions." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Respiration energy causes molecular alignment and cellular organization."The energy of respiration caused an alignment of the molecules, leading to a polarization of charges. Any field of this kind will influence 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 alignment 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. Epileptic seizures, for example, 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 typically carry a negative charge at pH values above 5. The ionization of chemical groups such as hydroxyl, amino, and sulfhydryl groups is responsible for the overall charge. The degree of oxidation or reduction 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 work in the same protective direction, such as the removal of calcium, 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 during stress adaptation"The interconnected fundamental characteristics of cell excitation/relaxation, electrical potential, lactic acid/carbon dioxide, water retention/water loss, salt regulation, pH, and energy levels allow us to coherently visualize the biological significance of stress and adaptation. Interacting with these physicochemical processes, there are many levels of biochemical and physiological processes that enhance 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 the control of 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"The pituitary hormones have diverse functions, including effects on epithelial tissues, beyond their classical functions. Growth hormone, ACTH (Lostroh and Li, 1957), and 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 fluid, 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 component of cancer therapy." May 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related conditions lead to the exhalation of toxic substances."Under stressful conditions, people can exhale measurable amounts of pentane, ethane, isoprene, carbon monoxide and other potentially toxic substances." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Normalization of pituitary function with progesterone and thyroid gland"Progesterone, thyroid hormones, bromocriptine and other agents are available to normalize the pituitary gland when it is malfunctioning." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Schmitt's theory about the extinction of the dinosaurs and CO₂ emissions“Roman Schmitt has suggested that 66 million years ago, when the dinosaurs became extinct and mammals began their rapid evolution, hydrothermal vents became highly active at that time, releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other substances into the atmosphere.” 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Internal carbon dioxide production and brain development"During periods of lower atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, our Krebs cycle continues to produce it internally, and the rapid development of the brain during pregnancy utilizes the high carbon dioxide concentration in the uterus." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Respiratory potential and its effect on tissue changes"A weakened ability to produce energy oxidatively can lead to a maladaptive overproduction of collagen, porphyrins, red blood cells, and other tissues and substances, which in turn can trigger many adaptive and maladaptive changes. I think that skin and mucous membranes provide a good example of how respiratory potential influences structure: estrogen-enhanced keratinization 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 of a fatty acid and ethanolamine, called anandamide, activates the marijuana receptor in cells. It inhibits certain types of cell activation. The Mead acid ethanolamide, similar to the arachidonic acid form, can be produced enzymatically in various human tissues, such as the hippocampus; however, the two substances have slightly different effects. The anticonvulsant properties of marijuana may be better represented by the Mead acid derivative. The anti-excitatory effect may also be effective in preventing cell loss in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and other brain regions, which—building on Olney’s work 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 within 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 unwound 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 a lack of eggs, and that the aging 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 cell formation in ovarian cycles and species-specific differences“Two of the most prolific 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, producing a new generation of oocytes during each menstrual cycle. It is recognized that new oocytes appear in the ovaries of adult prosimians and at puberty in cats and pigs. Observations of newly developed oocytes have been reported in some other species. However, the dominant view favors the notion that the number of oocytes decreases from birth or even earlier, without any entirely new oocytes 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. If part of the liver is removed, the remaining cells divide to replace the lost tissue. If the skin is cut, cells divide to fill the defect. If a sufficient number of egg cells are present, this principle suggests that it is not necessary to produce more." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Regeneration of egg cells in the ovary and ovulation processes"The ovary does not release egg cells, and even if this were to happen, it would not have major consequences, since the most important events in ovulation are generated by cells other than the egg cells." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Adrenal cortex regeneration and stress-induced cell differentiation"The outer cell layer of the adrenal glands can form the other two cell types, and since stress-ACTH converts them into the other types, new cells must be formed. If 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 young women, waves of egg cell degeneration constantly occur in the ovaries. Radioactive labels, which have been used to argue that egg cells are not replaced, appear to show that cell division is continuously taking 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 manner, resulting in ovulation. In old age, the crucial changes appear to lie in a reduced capacity of the ovaries and brain to produce progesterone.” August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Pituitary hypersecretion 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 gland. When an ovary is displaced (transplanted into the spleen), so that its hormones are destroyed before they reach 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 fact that the removal of one ovary increases the likelihood of developing cancer in the other ovary, and that long-term use of estrogen (known to create conditions for subsequent 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 according to a specific function often limits the ways people can use it. This also happens in science. If we know one function of a substance and name it according to that function, it becomes more difficult 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 virtually every tissue in both men and women. If it is called a female hormone, perhaps it should also 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 appears to contribute to virilization." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Creative adaptation versus acceptance of authority and stress"As soon as we submit to a cultural stereotype or a textbook answer, we give up our creative capacity for mental adaptation and begin to avoid problems, questions, and puzzles, since adaptation at any level other than creative imagination is physical stress; the acceptance of authority obliges a person to exercise any authority of their own or to helplessly submit to the authority of others." November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Health and happiness defined by creative mental adaptation"The other possible future takes into account our health and happiness and defines health as the ability to creatively adapt mentally." November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Association of iron accumulation with leukemia and immunodeficiency"Maria de Sousa's work on thymus-derived cells and their relationship to the body's iron content has raised awareness that iron-fortified flour and other foods may contribute to the incidence of leukemia and other cancers, as well as to immunodeficiency through misdistribution of lymphocytes." June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Iron toxicity during vitamin destruction in animal feed"My interest in the toxicity of iron was sparked by the published discovery that when iron is added to animal feed, it destroys the added vitamin E. Later it was found that it also destroys other vitamins." 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, leading to lipid peroxidation, is the dominant theme in research on the toxic effects of iron." June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Factors that contribute to premature tissue aging and pigmentation"Besides iron overload and oxygen deficiency, other factors that lead to premature accumulation of age pigment in tissues include a diet low in vitamin E and/or high 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 its high affinity for oxygen, helps it survive in this situation (I suspect that fetal hemoglobin reappears whenever there is prolonged hypoxia). I believe that the low oxygen environment ensures that the fetus is born with a large excess of iron." June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Energy requirements during cellular rest"When cells don't have enough energy—whether due to insufficient fuel, overexertion, 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 a sufficient amount of glucose or other fuel, oxygen, and thyroid function are necessary for the cell to produce enough energy to become calmly relaxed." April 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Resilience of the heart to stress and glucocorticoid resistance"The many ways in which the heart is able to withstand and even thrive under stress can be generalized to develop methods for protecting other organs and the entire body from chronic and cumulative stress, which leads to generalized 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 antiglucocorticoid effect of testosterone that increases skeletal muscle mass 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 quantities and are of more general importance than testosterone, especially in the brain, where their concentration is very high." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Positive effects of progesterone on heart function“Albert Szent-Györgyi showed that the heart responds to progesterone, and more 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 when stressed or tired. In other situations of prolonged and intense stress, vagal stimulation protects against fibrillation.)" June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protection of the heart from stress and general aging"When considering 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 that protect the heart from fatal stress also protect other organs from the everyday stresses 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 commonplace." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of morphine on immunity and stress"The direct immunosuppressive effect of morphine is not fully understood, but it is suspected to be related to stress-induced immunosuppression (for example, the loss of function of natural killer cells) by acting in place of stress-induced endorphins. White blood cells—like nerve cells—possess surface receptors for morphine, which 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 the cells containing the natural endorphin molecule. However, in a weakened organism, the regeneration of cells may lag behind the elimination of the 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 disease, microtubules accumulate within nerve cells, and other nerve cells die, leaving behind tangles of their axons, including microtubules. These cells are not removed, as is normally the case with dead cells. Below-average body temperature and hypothyroidism likely contribute to phagocyte sluggishness." 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 mitochondrial toxic substances (e.g., calcium, aluminum, and lipid peroxidation products, including age pigment), as well as the failure of detoxification systems, renders therapy with ordinary dietary supplements relatively ineffective. Direct supplementation with various natural protective substances (or their analogues) in addition to protective vitamins (especially vitamin E) and minerals (especially magnesium) is more appropriate." August/September 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of pregnenolone in preserving vitamin A for mitosis"Supplementation with pregnenolone, etc., makes it possible to conserve the vitamin A ingested 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 multitude 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, counter-adaptation becomes visible." June 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Dynamics of desire in relation to organismic stability"The fact that a piece of chocolate can trigger a fierce craving for more, or that a single cigarette can reignite an addiction, does not mean that the presence of chocolate or nicotine in the bloodstream 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 necessary stability, but this observation cannot simply be generalized to cravings for potato chips, coffee, or the multitude of other things that people frequently crave." 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 functioning, and energy demand significantly alters our function. For example, as hunger increases, the brain's interpretive system changes, leading to the consideration of increasingly unfamiliar things as potential food. The spreading arousal that results in this expanded search likely also occurs in relation to needs other than hunger and can lead to experimentation with drugs and other activities that offer indirect gratification. Compulsive and obsessive patterns can sometimes be resolved by supporting the brain's energy metabolism, for example, through magnesium and thyroid supplementation." June 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Shark liver extracts and their effect on cancer resistance“Strong (who studied genetics at TH Morgan) was interested in the fact that sharks are resistant to cancer. As a geneticist, he considered this in the context of their genetic stability, the fact that they haven't 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 were lacking 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 effects stood out in particular – it impairs respiration and causes cells to absorb water. Other effects appear to follow from this." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Sharks maintain a unique osmotic balance due to high urea concentrations."Apart from being primitive and not suffering from cancer, sharks are physiologically unique in another way: their body fluids are in osmotic equilibrium with seawater, making them hypertonic compared to the body fluids of other animals. The mineral content in the blood of sharks does not differ significantly from that of other animals. The osmotic difference is balanced by a very high concentration of urea (and trimethylammonium)." 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. Having lived isotonic in the hypertonic marine environment, maintaining its mineral content and osmolarity lower than that of the seawater, it must suddenly adapt to the extremely hypotonic freshwater. The release of prolactin and glucocorticoid steroids appears to facilitate this sudden adaptation, but these hormones also seem to induce an explosively rapid kind of aging. I think their condition is similar to the Cushing-like symptoms commonly seen in middle-aged people.” July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
PMS, edema and historical treatments"Edema is a common problem in PMS, and it was previously thought that cerebral 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 cravings are a consequence of estrogen-induced water imbalance, and salt restriction in PMS is just as inappropriate as in preeclampsia or pregnancy toxemia.)" July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Ammonia and its metabolically related compounds in biological regulation“For several years I have been interested in the biological effects of ammonia and compounds that are metabolically closely related to it. There is clear evidence for the antiviral activity of ammonia, which has spurred extensive research by pharmaceutical companies seeking patentable antiviral amines. Most of these simple substances have regulatory functions themselves, in addition to their involvement in other systems. Besides viral immunity, I believe that ammonia is involved in regeneration and nerve modulation. Urea, inosine, GABA, the polyamines, and betaine derivatives (e.g., gamma-butyrobetaine) are closely linked to ammonia metabolism, and combinations of them are likely to have many beneficial 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 the therapy of light deficiency"In addition to investigating the precise effects of light on us (for example, by maintaining the function of the essential respiratory enzyme cytochrome c), dietary factors that could exacerbate 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 that may be more practical and economical than hormone supplementation." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Energy depletion, histamine production and the effects of unsaturated fats"When energy is withdrawn from various cell types (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 who are awake in the dark have higher cortisol levels than when asleep in the dark; that is, sleep is a partial protection against the stress of darkness. The cortisol (an adrenaline) released in the dark or during 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 (caged 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 |
Intestinal toxins in aging: A late-acting accelerating factor“While Bogomoletz and Metchnikoff considered intestinal toxins to be the factor driving the aging process, I see intestinal toxins more as a relatively late-acting factor that accelerates a process arising from other causes. Once our detoxification mechanisms begin to fail, intestinal 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 breastfeeding"Although I am not sure what clinical observations prompted 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 thromboembolism) caused by the high estrogen production of the body during this time." April 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Oxygen consumption and estrogen in the aging uterine endometrium“I observed 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 much unsaturated fat has the same effect.” October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of estrogen in preventing pregnancy through oxygen consumption"The way estrogen prevents or terminates a pregnancy appears to be that the uterus consumes so much oxygen that no oxygen is available for the embryo, which has a high oxygen requirement 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, which lead to the formation of lipofuscin, act in the same direction as estrogen itself and cause a reduction in 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 during 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 regarding copper supplementation"Currently, there is insufficient knowledge about the safety of different methods of copper intake. 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 ordering make it clear that the interactions of atoms and molecules in cells do not have to be controlled 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-ordering.” October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Tissue stress and regenerative biogenic tissue stimulators"Tissue 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 production 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 research on healing and regeneration"Filatov tested sterilized tissue and found it to be equally effective in promoting healing and regeneration. At this point, he realized that tissue extracts would have the same effects, and he produced 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 the traditional management of immunodeficiency"Some of the factors I paid particular attention to when working with ordinary (i.e., complex, traditional) immunodeficiency 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 pediculicides and other chlorinated hydrocarbons including dioxins, etc." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Metabolism enhancement as an immune stimulant"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 serious illnesses"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 immunodeficiency"Just as optimal nutrition must take age and other factors into account, integrated therapy for immunodeficiency must also be sensitively tailored to the needs of the individual." November 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Inhibition of respiratory energy and cytochromes by cyanide"Since carbon monoxide binds to metal atoms, it could be kept in a form that readily reacts with ammonia. During stress, which causes both lipid peroxidation and ammonia formation, rhodanese would be necessary to protect the respiratory cytochromes from the cyanide, which would otherwise inhibit the production of respiratory energy and other processes in which the cytochromes are involved." January 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effect of penicillin on early AIDS symptoms in a case study"In 1981, before AIDS was recognized, two German physicians, K. Dierig and U. Waldthaler, suspected that gonorrheal endocarditis might be causing a patient's hot flashes, drastic weight loss, shortness of breath, and confusion. They treated him intravenously for three weeks with 40 million units of penicillin daily. His symptoms disappeared, and he later tested positive for HIV. A review of his 1981 lab results showed abnormalities consistent with AIDS. Dierig and Waldthaler then used the same penicillin treatment on six other 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, which means that a very large proportion of the vitamin A used by the body is used to produce progesterone, from which the other steroid hormones are formed." January 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Folic acid and B vitamins during rapid cell division"During rapid cell division and excess estrogen, folic acid and other B vitamins are quickly depleted, so supplementation could be beneficial. I have typically recommended a dose of one to ten milligrams of folic acid daily for a few weeks, along with liver two to three times a week for the other vitamins." January 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Szent-Györgyi's contribution to the understanding of energy processes“Albert Szent-Györgyi further developed some of Koch’s ideas, discovering vitamin C (which has a free radical state) and investigating many other energy exchange processes, including the activation of free radicals by biological pigments.” August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Destructive effects of cortisol on intestinal enzymes and allergies"Although a physiologically balanced amount of cortisol induces detoxification enzymes, for example in the gut, an uncontrolled excess causes the destruction of these enzymes, resulting in a significant loss of the gut's barrier function and potentially leading to allergies. This effect of cortisol on the thymus and the gut's detoxifying enzymes very likely explains the frequent association of allergies with viral infections. Because cortisol destabilizes the nervous system and has a proconvulsant effect, psychological symptoms—everything from compulsive behavior to depression or seizures—likely also occur in conjunction with other chronic conditions." August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Non-catabolic effects of stress: enzyme inhibition and aging“Some consequences of stress are not catabolic. When detoxifying enzymes are lost, intestinal toxins block other essential 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 status of brain cells. Insomnia is also a state of low energy and is usually cured by the correct dose of thyroid hormone with sufficient glucose and other nutrients." February 1986 |
Ray Peat on pregnancy
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