Ray Peat on Parathyroid Hormone

The Role and Effects of Parathormone in Aging

“Phosphate, which is mainly found in grains, legumes, nuts, meat, and fish, increases the production of parathormone, while calcium and magnesium inhibit its formation. This hormone, whose levels rise with age, suppresses the immune system, and in excess causes insomnia, seizures, dementia, psychosis, cancer, heart disease, shortness of breath and pulmonary hypertension, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, histamine release, inflammation, as well as calcification of soft tissues and many other problems.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Influence of Milk on Parathormone and Optimal Levels

“Drinking milk lowers parathormone compared to diets that chronically stimulate its production. Very little attention has been paid so far to the optimal level of parathormone, as opposed to the so-called normal range.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Effects of an Increase in Parathormone on Body Tissues

“When vitamin D or calcium is lacking, when phosphate is in excess, or during hypoglycemia and stress (Ljunghall et al., 1984), parathormone rises. This can lead to softening of the bones and hardening of soft tissues, especially the arteries, sometimes also the brain, skin, and other organs. Parathormone raises blood pressure even before calcium-induced vascular stiffening is detectable.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Nocturnal Activity of Parathormone and Calcium Loss

“Parathormone usually rises during the night (Radjaipour 1986; Logue 1989, 1990; Fraser, 1998), and especially in old age this leads to significant calcium loss from the bones. If a large portion of daily calcium is taken before bedtime, it reduces the nocturnal rise of parathormone and calcium loss from the bones.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Lowering Parathormone in Relation to Overweight and Associated Problems

“Lowering parathormone through increased intake of calcium and vitamin D is closely linked to a reduction in overweight as well as a decrease in overweight-related health problems – high blood pressure, insulin resistance, arrhythmias, depression, and various inflammatory diseases.”

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Influence of Parathormone on Hair Loss and Mast Cells

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

September 2017 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Progesterone and Vitamin D in Restoring Nerve Function

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

May 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Influence of Stress Hormones on Mitochondria

“Levels of aldosterone and parathormone are increased by stress, with serotonin acting on the adrenal cortex and parathyroid gland to increase their secretion. All three of these hormones affect mitochondria and reduce oxidative energy production.”

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Influence of Diet on Hormone Secretion

“Increasing the intake of sodium and calcium (as well as vitamin D, which also helps lower parathormone and aldosterone) in the diet can reduce the secretion of aldosterone and parathormone, leading to an increase in oxidative energy production.”

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Factors for Healthier Pregnancies and Life After Birth

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

May 2019 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Oxidative Processes and Factors of Enzyme Regulation

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

March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Snacks to Support Restful Sleep and Brain Health

“Using snacks to minimize the nocturnal rise of free fatty acids and hypoglycemia is an effective method to promote restful sleep and slow the aging-related brain effects caused by the accumulation of unstable fatty acids. Calcium and vitamin D, in sufficient amounts to keep parathormone low, contribute to this process.”

March 2018 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Studies on Parathormone and the Interchangeability of Minerals

“About 88 years ago, W. K. Koch (known for his cancer therapy) studied parathormone and its relationship to tetany (persistent muscle contractions) and seizures. He demonstrated that the main minerals sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are interchangeable to some extent to relieve tetany and seizures caused by removal of the parathyroid gland, with magnesium being the most effective.”

December 1999 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Crucial Role of Carbon Dioxide in Regulating Water, Proteins, and Minerals

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

December 1999 – Ray Peat's Newsletter
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