Effects of hypothyroidism on muscle fatigue and metabolites"When metabolic energy production fails, as in hypothyroidism, muscles fatigue easily, absorb excess water, and the barrier structure loosens. This allows macromolecules, ATP, and other metabolites to leak out while foreign substances enter. Typical muscle enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase appear in the bloodstream in typical hypothyroid myopathy, and heart proteins – including a specific form of lactate dehydrogenase and a muscle protein, troponin – appear in the blood after heart strain or fatigue combined with hypothyroidism or systemic inflammation." September 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Blood-brain barrier and cell stress: evidence in the blood"The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has sometimes been considered something unique, but it is only a special case of cellular resilience that exists everywhere. After intense exercise causing fatigue and muscle damage, for example, a specific brain protein, S100B, considered a key component of the BBB, can be detected in the bloodstream. The exchange of substances – even proteins and nucleic acids – between cells and their environment increases under stress. The detection of substances like S100B in the blood is now recognized as an indicator of depression and brain injury." September 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Serotonin production and the body's defense mechanisms"The vast majority of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut, where the tissue is constantly exposed to foreign material like endotoxin. However, all cells in the body can produce serotonin and histamine under stress, and platelets are one of the body's defense mechanisms against serotonin: they can bind it, take it up, and transport it to the lungs, where it is destroyed. The lungs have a great capacity to oxidize it." September 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell stiffness and degenerative changes independent of cholesterol"The actual physical stiffness of whole 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 – such as tissue calcification, fibrosis, and invasive, disorganized cell movement. These stress-induced stiffenings of the cell substance and matrix are not directly related to the local amount of cholesterol." September 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Paradox of the Lipid Bilayer Membrane Doctrine"The fact that cholesterol strengthens cells and prevents them from breaking down under stress obviously has nothing to do with a lipid bilayer membrane. This membrane doctrine has made it seem paradoxical that the loss of cholesterol should make cells stiffer while simultaneously weakening them. Gilbert Ling pointed out the numerous paradoxes faced by proponents of the lipid boundary membrane over more than 65 years, but the membrane doctrine continues to prevail." September 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Role of Nutrient-Rich Foods in Normal Development and Stress"Any food that provides simple nutrients without triggering inflammation or blocking enzymes supports the normal development of the animal without activating stress responses." September 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of Increased Parathyroid Hormone on Body Tissues"When vitamin D or calcium is lacking, or when phosphate is in excess – as well as in hypoglycemia and stress (Ljunghall, et al., 1984) – parathyroid hormone increases. This can lead to softening of the bones and hardening of soft tissues, especially the arteries, sometimes also the brain, skin, and other organs. Parathyroid hormone raises blood pressure even before calcium-related stiffening is detected." September 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Sodium: Influence on Magnesium Retention Under Stress"One of the most important effects of sodium is that it tends to spare magnesium, which is easily lost under stress and in hypothyroidism. When we eat salty foods when we crave them, we can retain our magnesium more easily." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen Production in Men Under Stress and Hunger"Men produce estrogen, especially under stress such as hunger, alcoholism, or liver damage. In a famine, men can even produce milk." Nutrition For Women |
Stress-Induced Estrogen Increase and Effects on Male Behavior"Stress leads to an increase in estrogen and a loss of anti-estrogens such as thyroid hormone, progesterone, and (in men) testosterone. Male primates that are bullied have reduced testosterone levels, and this effect persists long after their environment has improved. The stress of submission seems to lead to an adaptation to passivity. This passivity prevents further injury, but we do not know how stressful their continued subordination is." Nutrition For Women |
Selye's Discovery of the Phases of the Adaptation System and "Stress Immunization"“Hans Selye found that the adrenal glands are a central part of our adaptation system. In the first stress phase, there is a shock reaction (with changes resembling those of estrogen dominance) and damage to various tissues. In the second phase, the adrenals protect the animal, and this protection continues until something is exhausted. By exposing rats to preliminary stress, Selye found he could trigger adaptation to other, later stressors – a kind of immunization against stress.” Nutrition For Women |
Stress Hormones, Nutrition, and Longevity“Stress hormones cause various tissues to age, including the brain and collagen in connective tissue. Good nutrition – including the anti-stress compounds found in certain foods – will simultaneously optimize mental performance and extend healthy lifespan.” Nutrition For Women |
Cysteine: Influence on Thyroid Function during Stress and Hunger“Cysteine, an amino acid abundant in muscles and liver, incidentally blocks the synthesis of thyroid hormone. When we are starving or under stress, cortisone causes these protein-rich tissues to break down. If metabolism continued at a normal rate, stress or hunger would quickly destroy us. However, the cysteine released from the muscles inhibits the thyroid, slowing metabolism.” Nutrition For Women |
Adaptive Thyroid Underactivity Due to Stress and Intense Physical Exertion“Cortisone also inhibits the thyroid. Any stress – including intense physical exertion – leads to this protective slowing of metabolism. The slow heartbeat of runners is largely the result of this adaptive thyroid underactivity.” Nutrition For Women |
Conversion of Thyroid Hormones under Stress and Aging“When a baby is born or when someone experiences other stress, such as an infection, or when a person ages, the best-known thyroid hormone, thyroxine, is not converted into the much more active form T3 (triiodothyronine) in the usual way. Under these emergency conditions, reduced oxygen consumption is a useful adaptation,” Nutrition For Women |
Effectiveness of Natural Thyroid under Stress Conditions“Many people whose thyroid is suppressed by stress may not respond to synthetic thyroxine (T4) because the same stress can block its conversion to T3. Natural thyroid (USP) is generally the most effective,” Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen, Reproductive Aging, and Cancer Theories“This antioxidant effect of estrogen suggests a convergence of research on reproductive aging with Warburg’s theory, which states that impaired cellular respiration is the primary defect in cancer – and also with Selye’s observation that the effect of estrogen resembles the initial shock phase of the stress response.” Nutrition For Women |
Stress, Seasons, and Hormone Levels in Humans"Excessive stress (by increasing estrogen and/or decreasing progesterone, etc.) can trigger symptoms in someone who has never had complaints before. A summer in Alaska with unusually long days can alleviate symptoms in a chronically affected person. Dark, cloudy winters in England or the Pacific Northwest are strong stressors and lead to lower progesterone in women and lower testosterone in men." Nutrition For Women |
Adrenal Response to Inflammation and Stress Hormones"When the organism perceives inflammation or other stress (possibly by detecting changes in blood sugar, lactic acid, or carbon dioxide – or all of these together), the adrenal glands release anti-stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisone (provided these glands are not exhausted or starved). Both adrenaline and cortisone can raise blood sugar to meet the increased demand." Nutrition For Women |
Effect of Cortisone on Protein Utilization and Immunity"Cortisone stimulates the conversion of protein into sugar, and since there are no stored proteins (except for small amounts circulating in the blood), this means that cortisone begins to convert the organism into fuel for the problem area. In acute emergencies, the lymphatic tissues shrink first – which is acceptable since they can be restored after the animal recovers, and their function – immunity – operates partly on a longer timescale, over days to weeks. However, if these tissues are chronically depleted by stress or malnutrition, infections are more likely to be fatal, as seen in old age or poor populations." Nutrition For Women |
Stress Management through Correction of Diet and Environment"In general, stress should first be addressed by correcting the underlying defect – which can be environmental or nutritional. An increased nutrient demand usually includes protein and fat; acute hypoglycemia may require a large amount of sugar, indicating that the adrenal glands might be exhausted. In this case, in addition to other nutrients, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium should be provided." Nutrition For Women |
Hans Selye's View on Stress and Tissue Activation"According to Hans Selye, the activation or injury of tissue is the beginning of stress. The more cells involved, the greater the stress. An injury to a leg, which is only connected by blood vessels, triggers a stress reaction in the animal – the stress signal can therefore be transmitted through the blood, even though nerves are usually involved as well. Adenine nucleotides were suspected as a cause of shock (because they are vasodilators, like many other stress products, including phosphate), but other possibilities include histamine, various polyamines, and low blood sugar." Nutrition For Women |
Selye's stress phases and their effects on tissues"Selye divides stress into three phases: alarm, resistance (or adaptation), and exhaustion. Three tissues usually show effects first: thymolymphatic tissue shrinks, gastrointestinal tissue becomes inflamed and bleeds, and the adrenal cortex enlarges." Nutrition For Women |
Commonalities of injury and exertion in energy demand"Injury and exertion have in common that they require more fuel/energy. I therefore think that blood sugar level is at least helpful in understanding stress, even if other substances are involved in signaling or the coordination process." Nutrition For Women |
Blood sugar as an integrating factor in stress"From my own experience, I am inclined to believe that blood sugar is an important integrating factor and that the organism can probably perceive small or rapid fluctuations that are very difficult to detect with usual laboratory methods. For example, it is known that especially men release adrenaline under the stress of a blood draw, which tends to increase blood sugar concentration." Nutrition For Women |
Vitamin E reduces iron-induced stress arthritis in animals"Hans Selye sometimes used injected metals, such as iron salts, to experimentally sensitize animals to stress and thus more easily trigger arthritis. He found that vitamin E could mitigate this effect of iron." Nutrition For Women |
Sugar excretion in urine under stress without relation to insulin need"Stress can cause sugar to appear in the urine – as can many other conditions – and this does not require insulin treatment." Nutrition For Women |
Effects of cancer on stress hormones and nutrient requirements"Cancer overstimulates the anti-stress hormones of the adrenal cortex and usually causes extreme wasting through the mobilization of fat and protein; blood sugar and glycogen storage are disrupted. During or after cancer treatment, a hypoglycemic diet seems sensible: frequent small meals, liver (or similar nutrients), magnesium, potassium. Vitamins A, E, C, and pantothenic acid are especially important under stress, but all nutrients are necessary." Nutrition For Women |
Nutrient requirements for stress resistance and recovery"Stress apparently increases a person's need for all nutrients, including calories and protein. The vitamins most commonly used for stress resistance are A, C, E, and pantothenic acid. The minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium, and zinc can help in the initial phases of stress, and sodium supplements may be necessary in the final, extreme stress phase when the adrenal glands are exhausted." Nutrition For Women |
Effects of stress on the thyroid and hormones"Stress inhibits the thyroid and can lower progesterone (and/or testosterone) while increasing estrogen. Recent work by Siiteri and his group shows hormonal involvement in various autoimmune diseases. Women are significantly more susceptible to these diseases than men." Nutrition For Women |
|
"Any activity can reduce stress if it is planned and completed as intended without interruption. Forced inactivity and the inability to achieve intended goals are strong stressors." Nutrition For Women |
Nutritional and nutrient recommendations for treating stress-related mineral imbalances"During stress, adrenal hormones and mineral metabolism are disturbed – whether the cause is a disorganized lifestyle or injury from surgery. The diet should include about 90 grams of protein (in frequent meals), eggs as a sulfur source (needed, for example, for the synthesis of joint lubricants), and promote a high magnesium to calcium ratio (through vegetables, bran, fruit) while keeping phosphate intake low (this would include using green leaves instead of some of the meat, as well as using cheese). Vitamins C, E, and pantothenic acid are needed in especially large amounts during stress. Vitamins A and B2 are also essential for the production of anti-stress hormones. Inositol is known to protect biological material from many types of damage and could have this effect in arthritis as well, but I am not aware of research on this specific application." Nutrition For Women |
Protective effect of pantothenic acid against stress consequences"Pantothenic acid was recently described in very high doses as protective against stress – even when an animal's adrenal glands had been removed. Since this nutrient is needed to break down insulin, I think part of its anti-stress effect is to minimize hypoglycemia and thus reduce the required amount of cortisone." Nutrition For Women |
Thyroid as the fundamental anti-stress hormone at the cellular level"At the cellular level, stress lowers energy charge. Systemically, stress inhibits oxidative metabolism. Both observations suggest that the fundamental anti-stress hormone would be the thyroid." Nutrition For Women |
Chronic stress, low blood sugar, and their role in diabetes"Animal studies have found that cortisone can trigger diabetes – apparently by damaging the pancreas – and it has been suspected that chronic stress (which can be triggered by low blood sugar) may be a factor in the development of diabetes." Nutrition For Women |
Insights from overlapping conditions related to stress and aging"Aging, stress, menopause, Cushing's syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome overlap so much that each of these conditions likely offers insights into the others." Nutrition For Women |
Estrogen accumulation due to stress-induced liver sluggishness"All types of stress tend to make the liver sluggish. Normally, the liver removes toxins and excess hormones from the body. Estrogen can accumulate to high levels if the liver is not fully active. One effect of estrogen is to promote a type of oxidation that produces no energy – thereby increasing oxygen demand." Nutrition For Women |
Stress affects steroids and promotes degenerative diseases in the gastrointestinal system"Stress consumes steroids and produces the many degenerative diseases described by Hans Selye. The gastrointestinal system becomes inflamed or forms ulcers, and fibrous tissue can proliferate. The adrenal glands enlarge, and lymphatic tissue shrinks in the initial stress phase (and may enlarge later)." Nutrition For Women |
Treating stress diseases with progesterone and vitamins instead of cortisone"Stress diseases typically have a dominant allergic aspect and respond to steroids. Cortisone is used medically but has side effects that could be avoided by using progesterone (although medical progesterone usually contains allergenic solvents and preservatives like phenol). Niacin, vitamin A, vitamin C, etc., help form progesterone and therefore often help with stress diseases – even if the substances produced are somewhat allergenic themselves." Nutrition For Women |
The role of nutrition and thyroid in stress-related diseases"A diet rich in animal protein and other nutrients – including an appropriate amount of dried thyroid when refined proteins are used – can bring immediate improvement in many diseases specifically caused by stress." Nutrition For Women |
Lactate as a trigger of the stress response"Lactate is a sufficient stimulus to trigger the stress response." Nutrition For Women |
Health before conception and risks from breeding injured animals"Give yourself time to fully recover before becoming pregnant. C. Brown-Séquard bred injured guinea pigs and found that the offspring had a high rate of epilepsy and birth defects. Illness or trauma – including surgeries – can trigger a chronic stress state accompanied by the depletion of many nutrients. A few months of extra nutrition and avoiding new stressors can restore the body's reserves." Nutrition For Women |
Central regulation of estrogen and its connection with key factors in the body"Estrogen is centrally – crucially – regulated by the liver. Estrogen, progesterone, iodine, sugar, and stress are closely interconnected." Nutrition For Women |
Saline solutions for preserving muscle tissue during fasting"A study from that time (1975) examines the possibility that a balanced saline solution can prevent the destruction of muscle and other protein-rich tissues during fasting. I have noticed that such a solution relieves feelings of stress, so I think it will prove effective against protein wasting." Nutrition For Women |
Fasting, stress, and recovery of thyroid function"Fasting and stress suppress the thyroid and can thereby worsen many symptoms. Thyroid function is not always restored when fasting ends." Nutrition For Women |
Nutrition and health: arguments for and against supplements"Individual peculiarities and stress can make it extremely difficult to stay healthy with a normal diet. However, if meals consisting of liver, broccoli leaves, oysters, and papaya can be considered normal, supplements might generally be unnecessary." Nutrition For Women |
Muscle breakdown due to stress and cortisone under strain"If the strain produces too much stress and too little actual muscle work, muscles can break down because cortisone shifts amino acid metabolism toward glucose production." Nutrition For Women |
How stress depletes progesterone and affects menstruation"Stress consumes progesterone and can cause menstruation to stop." Nutrition For Women |
Athletic training, stress hormones, and thyroid function"It is known that athletic training slows the pulse. Cortisone, which is produced by stress, inhibits the thyroid. (When the thyroid is low, less oxygen is needed – this is a useful adaptation to increase endurance.) These hormonal changes are now known to cause infertility in both men and women." Nutrition For Women |
Biophysical approach and individual nutrient needs"Emphasizing the uniqueness of individual needs should be seen in connection with the search for the most general principles: This can help us recognize meaningful connections and make seemingly trivial things significant. I believe a biophysical approach to the cytoplasm is one of the principles that will help in recognizing patterns. More specific and immediately practical ideas concern stress, the efficient or wasteful use of sugar, and the energy load of cells." Nutrition For Women |
Stress-Induced Increase in Serum Cholesterol as an Adaptive Response"The stress-induced increase in serum cholesterol is an important protective adaptation." November 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Brain Survival Mechanisms in Stress and Environmental Demands"To mediate adaptation, the brain aligns the organism with aspects of the environment most likely to meet its needs, including assessments of possible future situations. When good prospects are lacking, the brain engages in defensive changes: it increases stress hormones and fight-or-flight mechanisms and begins converting part of its own tissue into energy and materials needed to survive its essential organs – brain, lungs, and heart." November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Survival Responses of Stressed Cells and Long-Term Consequences"Part of the fundamental cellular defense response includes enzymes that process toxins to improve the immediate situation – but which can create new problems for the organism if they become chronic. For example, stressed tissues produce carbon monoxide and estrogen, which prevent apoptosis and promote autophagy, providing a short-term survival advantage. While surviving in the stressed state under the influence of CO and estrogen, cells produce cytokines that affect the sensitivity of surrounding cells to stress and inflammation, and gradually undergo epigenetic changes, tending to become cells of a different type," November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
PUFA Accumulation Amplifies Cellular Stress Responses"The accumulating PUFAs act as amplifiers of cellular stress responses." November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
|
"In experimental situations, stress-induced epigenetic changes are reversible. However, if the organism remains in the same type of environment that triggered the process, reversals become less likely with age." November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Role of the Nervous System in Emotional Stress and Survival"Emotional stress is organized by the nervous system and alters hormones and cell functions to improve immediate survival." November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related carbon monoxide and markers of chronic conditions"When carbon monoxide is produced during stress, the breakdown of the heme molecule also releases iron and biliverdin, which is quickly converted to bilirubin. Elevated bilirubin and carbon monoxide levels in body fluids or breath can be observed in many chronic conditions – along with changes in tissue iron content." November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Iron Accumulation: Stress, Aging, and Oxidative Damage“The accumulation of iron in tissue during stress and aging makes it increasingly likely that severe damage will occur during moments of oxygen deficiency, as iron atoms catalyze reactions like lipid peroxidation.” November 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress Influences Estrogen and Progesterone“Damage to the ovaries or systemic stress tends to lower progesterone production while the body’s own estrogen production increases.” November 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress and Endotoxin: Inflammatory Reactions and Aromatase Activation“Endotoxin absorbed from the gut during stress promotes many inflammatory reactions and activates aromatase.” November 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Beyond TSH: Hypothyroidism and Systemic Metabolic Disorders“Due to inefficient glucose utilization in hypothyroidism, fatty acids are mobilized from tissue, contributing to stress and inflammation. In autoimmune diseases, free fatty acids are consistently elevated.” November 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Vicious Cycle of Estrogen and Inflammation“Free fatty acids enhance the effects of estrogen and increase the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins that activate aromatase. Since estrogen increases lipolysis and free fatty acids as well as their conversion into prostaglandins, this stress-triggered process easily becomes a self-sustaining vicious cycle.” November 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Altitude Therapy and Its Connection to Antioxidant Activity“The changes observed by Meerson’s group during altitude therapy resemble those seen with supplementation of thyroid hormone and antioxidants. The lower oxygen concentration in tissue at high altitude would increase the organism’s antioxidant reserves and make it more resistant to stress. A reduction in the intake of unsaturated dietary fats similarly protects against oxidative stress.” Mind And Tissue Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
Pharmacological Benefits of Ginseng and Eleutherococcus at the Cellular Level“In a pharmacological approach, one can achieve reduced use of glycogen, ATP, and creatine phosphate (Dardymov, 1971) combined with increased protein synthesis (Rozin, 1971) as well as enhanced resilience of cells and organisms to stress using ginseng, eleutherococcus, and 2-benzylbenzimidazole.” Mind And Tissue Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
Chronic Stress and Its Effects on Inflammation and Energy“In a state of chronic stress, oxidative energy production is low, and inflammatory mediators are likely chronically elevated. Typically, lactate production is permanently increased and/or its oxidation reduced. I” May 2020 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress and Lactate: Influence on Inflammation and Exosomes"Reduction by stress and/or lactate activates the channels, contracts the smooth vascular muscle, and activates a wide range of other cellular activities – including inflammation and exosome secretion," May 2020 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-induced exosome production and protective factors"Exosome production under stress is part of the body’s normal restorative function (Zhang, et al., 2017). Only when protective factors like progesterone and carbon dioxide are missing does their production become counterproductive." May 2020 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Serotonin: Beyond the myth of the “happiness hormone”"The pharmaceutical myth of serotonin as the ‘happiness hormone’ has led most people – even researchers – to ignore the fact that it enhances inflammation and activates the stress system while simultaneously reducing the efficiency of energy production." May 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen, serotonin, and manipulation by pharmaceutical companies"The manipulation of information about estrogen by pharmaceutical companies was even more extreme than their handling of serotonin. Activated by stress – together with serotonin – it is one of the most important activators of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which activates the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, promotes inflammation, and is a key factor in PPD (Glynn and Sandman, 2014, Hahn-Holbrook, 2016), as well as in other forms of depression, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease." May 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
When adaptive stress becomes maladaptive"Stress is experienced when processes that are normally adaptive begin to have harmful (maladaptive) effects. This happens when the organism’s resources are insufficient to meet the demands of the situation." May 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress, metabolic energy, and integration in the organism"The stimulation of CRH production by histamine, serotonin, endorphins, IL-1, nitric oxide, and/or estrogen leads to the activation of complex and appropriate anti-stress responses in good health. When stress is very intense or prolonged, or when nutrition has been insufficient, all activating signals – CRH itself and the anti-stress glucocorticoids – can produce effects that are not integrated into the organism’s functions while it copes with its problems. This leads to symptoms and eventually to degenerative processes and aging. This failure of integration is almost always the result of insufficient metabolic energy." May 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Influence of stress hormones on the mitochondria"The levels of aldosterone and parathyroid hormone are increased by stress, with serotonin acting on the adrenal cortex and parathyroid gland to boost their secretion. All three of these hormones affect the mitochondria and reduce oxidative energy production." May 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Environmental factors that may contribute to autism“Things in the environment – or substances produced in response to environmental stress – that might cause autism include prenatal and neonatal radiation exposure, including isotopes from the energy industry, bomb tests, Chernobyl, and Fukushima; exposure to air pollution, including nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulates (Jung, et al., 2013); aluminum (Mold, et al., 2018), lead, mercury, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, and nickel (Windham, et al, 2006); acetaminophen, infections, endotoxin, exogenous and endogenous estrogens, hypothyroidism, progesterone deficiency, agmatine deficiency, serotonin excess, endogenous nitric oxide (Sweeten, et al., 2004), and vitamin D deficiency.” May 2018 - Ray Peats Newsletter |
Seasonal Variations in Breast Cancer Diagnoses“There is a clear seasonality in the diagnosis (occurrence) of breast cancer, with a peak in spring and a low in autumn (Cohen, et al., 1983). The increased detection in spring coincides with rising gonadotropins (which are linked to breast and prostate cancer), and the lower detection in autumn coincides with higher vitamin D and lower stress hormones.” May 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
McClintock’s Discovery of Gene Mobility in Plant Stress Responses“In the 1940s, Barbara McClintock discovered that plants under stress can ‘shift’ their genes to improve adaptation by creating more variation in offspring. Instead of recognizing that McClintock had discovered an aspect of life’s creativity, they found the adaptive flexibility she identified unbearably alien to their mechanistic understanding of life.” March 2021 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Radiation, Fine Dust, and Reductive Stress from Estrogen“Ionizing radiation, fine dust, and an excess of estrogen disrupt the system in different ways, but all generate reductive stress, inflammation, collagen synthesis, and loss of differentiated cell functions.” March 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Sleep Reduces Stress-Induced Catabolism“The stress of darkness creates an inefficient catabolic state in which cortisol breaks down tissue to provide glucose – and sleep reduces this stress to some extent.” March 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Diastolic Heart Failure as a Common Age-Related Condition“The diastolic, relaxed phase of the heart contraction cycle often fails under stress or with age – even in fruit flies. The heart stiffens and does not fill completely, so it pumps less blood with each beat.” March 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protective Role of Glucose for Gut Health Under Stress"Intense or prolonged stress damages the gut, impairs its barrier function, and allows bacterial toxins – especially endotoxin – to enter the bloodstream. Glucose is the crucial factor in protecting the gut epithelium under stress." March 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Decline of testosterone and increase of estrogen due to stress"In men, testosterone decreases due to stress and aging, and its conversion to estrogen is increased by stress and inflammation. Endotoxin specifically increases the conversion of testosterone to estrogen." March 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-induced metabolic shift and formation of reactive toxins"When stress shifts metabolism toward reduction – with the formation of lactic acid – iron atoms cyclically react with oxygen and reducing agents, producing hydroxyl radicals and other highly reactive toxins." March 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Dihydrotestosterone possibly more effective than testosterone"Treatment with dihydrotestosterone (which cannot be converted to estrogen) might be more effective than with regular testosterone – given the increased aromatase activity with age, stress, and inflammation, as well as the likely role of estrogen in the excitatory degenerative process." March 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Overlooked Effects of Stress on the Gut"Although the effects of stress on the gut have been known since Hans Selye described the General Adaptation Syndrome (with gut bleeding as an early sign of stress), this was not considered in any of the major studies on brain trauma or stroke." March 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Connection Between Brain Inflammation and Organs"The inflammatory, degenerative processes in the brain take several hours to develop, and during these hours, stress signals from the brain cause changes in the gut that lead to a systemic inflammatory state." March 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Oral progesterone as an appropriate response to severe stress"Oral administration of progesterone seems appropriate in any serious stress situation, as the gut quickly becomes an amplifier of inflammatory responses." March 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Serotonin: more than just a "neurotransmitter""Serotonin is often called a neurotransmitter and is assumed to act through receptors to transmit information, which is then processed similarly to digital information in computers. I find it more useful to consider it in terms of fields and formative processes that shape how the organism uses energy to adapt to stress and opportunities. It is involved in the energetic and structural changes that occur during stress and adaptation." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of free tryptophan in serotonin production in the brain"Increased free tryptophan in the blood is the most important factor determining serotonin production in the brain, and free fatty acids – which arise from stress – cause bound tryptophan in the blood to be released from albumin." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Interactions between serotonin, cortisol, and estrogen"Serotonin activates stress hormones, and the cortisol produced can have the protective effect of inhibiting the enzyme that forms serotonin, as well as activating the MAO that breaks it down (Clark and Russo, 1997; Ou, et al., 2006; Popova, et al., 1989). Estrogen increases serotonin synthesis, reduces its binding, and inhibits its breakdown." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The theory of antioxidant protection is questioned"The enzyme that breaks down superoxide – superoxide dismutase (SOD) – is sold as a dietary supplement, following the cultural script that aging is caused by oxidative stress and that antioxidants protect. This view is increasingly questioned as a reductive cellular state is recognized as a common factor in shock, stress, and degeneration." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
How ideology distorts the understanding of stress physiology"The ideology around stress physiology – which distorts the importance of serotonin, estrogen, unsaturated fats, sugar, lactate, carbon dioxide, and various other biological molecules – has hidden the simple means against most inflammatory and degenerative diseases." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Mitigating harmful effects of too much serotonin"Avoiding prolonged fasting and stressful training, increasing free fatty acids, combining sugar with proteins to keep free fatty acids low, and using aspirin, niacinamide, or cyproheptadine to reduce free fatty acid production caused by unavoidable stress; also avoiding an excess of phosphate relative to calcium in the diet, using milk and other anti-stress foods before bedtime or at night, and staying in a brightly lit environment during the day with regular sunlight exposure – all of this can minimize the harmful effects of excessive serotonin and reduce the associated inflammation, fibrosis, and atrophy." July 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Connection between hypothyroidism, chronic stress, and metabolic problems"In hypothyroidism with reduced oxidative metabolism, the organism is never far from stress and hyperventilation – with chronic production of lactate and ammonia. The inefficient metabolism in diabetes has similar effects." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Various substances increase breathing and lower the important CO₂"In addition to ammonia and lactate, other stress-related substances can also increase respiratory drive and thereby reduce essential CO₂ – for example endotoxin, acetylcholine, serotonin, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, angiotensin, and estrogen." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Hypothyroidism and the risk of reductive stress"The weak oxidative metabolism in hypothyroidism makes it easier to enter a state of reductive stress – with a shift toward higher concentrations of NADH and lactate." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Impact of stress hormones on the thyroid under extreme strain"When the demands on a healthy organism are very intense or prolonged, stress hormones block thyroid function. This leads to this reductive shift, which activates the fundamental survival processes of cell renewal or reproduction." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Reductive stress activates restorative cellular processes"Reductive stress activates multiple levels of restorative processes (as alternatives to the protective functions of carbon dioxide) to stimulate breathing, increase blood flow, and provide energy and materials for renewing cell structures. Prostaglandins, cytokines, estrogen, and nitric oxide are produced in a coordinated way, and cellular behaviors change defensively. Cytoskeletal structures are modified as reductive chemistry converts protein disulfides into sulfhydryls, altering shapes and – most importantly – the solvent properties of the cell material." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Indications of the brain's redox balance in mental disorders"MRI can also directly measure the brain's redox balance (NAD/NADH), and it has been found that schizophrenics and manic-depressives have lower ratios – meaning their cells are less well oxidized. Even before cognitive impairment occurs, people who later develop Alzheimer's experience reductive stress." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of ACE and carbonic anhydrase in metabolism"Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and carbonic anhydrase have fundamental roles in shaping metabolism. Angiotensin II, the peptide formed by ACE, raises blood pressure and water retention and activates stress hormones from the pituitary and adrenal glands, especially aldosterone. Both angiotensin and aldosterone activate carbonic anhydrase. It appears that any chemical causing blood vessel constriction also activates carbonic anhydrase." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related breathing changes and their consequences"Stress changes our breathing and causes a vicious cycle: lactate and ammonia, which form when stimulation exceeds our oxidative capacity, drive breathing further. This leads to more carbon dioxide loss, reduced oxidative efficiency, and increased formation of ammonia and lactate." July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cell stress: when energy production cannot compensate“When a cell is stressed – that is, stimulated beyond its ability to generate the energy needed to return to a resting state through increased respiration – then the stress itself is a relatively reducing state.” July 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Metabolic shifts during extreme stress and “learned helplessness™”“When the organism as a whole is overloaded – when stress physiology shifts into states of learned helplessness™ or shock – its metabolism shifts toward a reductive, pseudo-hypoxic metabolism, in which the nervous system suppresses oxidative metabolism,” July 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Hydroxyl radicals from divalent iron during stress“The main source of hydroxyl radicals during stress is the divalent iron ion (Fe²⁺), a reduced form of iron – for example, the iron released when heme oxygenase breaks down heme and produces carbon monoxide.” July 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related parasympathetic dysfunction and tumors“In severe, prolonged stress, the body’s stress-limiting parasympathetic nervous system can become counterproductive and promote excitotoxicity, inflammation, and tumor growth.” July 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Proper heat dosing: boost metabolism and improve sleep“Before going to sleep, a mild warm bath can compensate for low internal heat production, stimulate metabolism, and help increase glycogen stores and progesterone levels – enabling deeper, more restorative sleep. However, if the bath is too hot or too long, or if the influence of estrogen is too strong, the higher metabolic rate can further intensify inefficient metabolism, deplete energy reserves additionally, and lead to higher stress hormones. Additional carbohydrates before and during the warm bath improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the risk of heat shock.” January 2021 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Adaptive responses to stress to ensure survival“In general, the changes that compensate for stress damage protect the organism in terms of survival by making it less sensitive to stimuli that could otherwise lead to increased energy consumption.” January 2021 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Early childhood stress influences longevity and brain development“A reduced energy production as compensation for stress early in life determines the quality of pregnancy and the long-term development of the life course. It limits brain size, the ability to generate and use energy, as well as longevity.” January 2021 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Obstacles to understanding central biological concepts“Some of the best-known ideas in biology – including genes, membranes, and receptors – have hindered and continue to hinder the understanding of aging, cancer, stress, shock, epilepsy, regeneration, perception, and thinking.” January 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Coacervates: spontaneous formation and structure"Coacervates formed by mixtures of polymers spontaneously create structures; electron micrographs have shown that the separated phases contain finely structured, fibrous internal structures. Stress granules that form under stress in the cytoplasm are now considered coacervates formed by the interaction of RNA and protein." January 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of progesterone in brain energy processes"It is likely that a fundamental part of progesterone’s ability to protect the brain from stress lies in supporting the energy-intensive mitochondrial oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide." January 2018 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress from reductive state and unbalanced metabolism"Stress exists to the extent that cells are shifted into a reductive, pseudohypoxic state by an imbalance between stimulation and the rate of restorative oxidative metabolism." January 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Reductive stress and its self-reinforcing biochemical cycles"The reductive state caused by hunger or hypoglycemia, an excess of lactate or fat, or oxygen deficiency activates the release of glutamate. The resulting excitation can shut down mitochondrial oxidation and thus intensify the pseudohypoxic state. The synthesis of nitric oxide activated by reductive stress is an important factor in suppressing mitochondrial oxidation." January 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Biological shift towards fat: adaptive mechanisms of energy use"The biological changes associated with the shift of energy carriers from glucose to fatty acids and amino acids during stress, aging, and dementia have been termed the deprivation syndrome." January 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Epigenetic Changes through Stress Adaptation"In all these states of stress adaptation, epigenetic modifications of DNA are involved, with nitric oxide working together with estrogen and other hormones in DNA methylation and histone modification – as well as in a variety of other longer-lasting biochemical changes." January 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Thyroid hormone balances metabolism"Since the metabolic rate must be balanced with fuel availability, thyroid hormone – which directly activates respiratory enzymes – is especially important. Just as an animal in a state of hyperthyroidism could not enter hibernation, a fundamental mechanism in coping with stress in non-hibernators is to lower thyroid hormone production. Nitric oxide blocks thyroid hormone formation in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone." January 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Recognizing reductive stress through metabolic ratios"With increasing age and under stress, the metabolism of animals shifts towards reduction – with a higher ratio of lactate to pyruvate, NADH to NAD, ascorbate to dehydroascorbate, etc.: a state of reductive stress." January 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Reductive stress and the effect of parasympathetic nerves"Normally, parasympathetic nerves induce relaxation, but in a situation of prolonged or unavoidable stress, increased parasympathetic activity and the accumulation of nitric oxide – the state of reductive stress, pseudohypoxia –" January 2016 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Causes of hypothyroidism: nutritional and lifestyle factors"Besides fasting or chronic protein deficiency, common causes of hypothyroidism include excessive stress or aerobic (i.e., anaerobic) exercise, as well as diets with beans, lentils, nuts, unsaturated fats (including carotene), and insufficiently cooked broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or mustard greens." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Overview of F. Z. Meerson's research on stress adaptation"A contemporary researcher, F. Z. Meerson, assembles a comprehensive picture of the biological processes involved in adapting to stress – including energy production, nutrition, hormones, and changes in cell structure." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
The role of blood sugar in cortisone production"The fundamental signal that triggers cortisone production is a drop in blood sugar. The increased energy demand during any stress causes blood sugar to drop slightly, but hypothyroidism itself tends to lower blood sugar." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
The role of stress-induced cortisone in heart attacks"According to Meerson, heart attacks are triggered and worsened by the cortisone produced during stress. (Meerson and his colleagues have shown that the progression of a heart attack can be stopped by treatment including natural substances like vitamin E and magnesium.)" Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Effects of hypothyroidism on cortisone and inflammation"While hypothyroidism causes the body to need more cortisone to maintain blood sugar and energy production, it also limits the ability to produce cortisone. In some cases, stress therefore causes symptoms resulting from cortisone deficiency, including various forms of arthritis and more general types of chronic inflammation." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Balancing hydrocortisone use to manage stress effects"Often a small, physiological dose of natural hydrocortisone can help the patient cope with stress without causing harmful side effects. While symptoms are treated short-term with cortisone, it is important to identify the underlying cause of the problem – for example, by checking for hypothyroidism, vitamin A deficiency, protein deficiency, lack of sunlight, etc." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Stress: Effects on hormone production and deficiency states"The stress that can cause a cortisone deficiency is even more likely to disrupt the production of progesterone and thyroid hormone. Therefore, the fact that cortisone can relieve symptoms does not mean it has fixed the problem." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Limits of cortisone without treating the causes"Although cortisone supplementation can help with a wide variety of stress-related diseases, no cure will occur as long as the underlying cause is not found. Besides the thyroid, the other class of adaptive hormones that often becomes imbalanced in stress diseases is the group of hormones mainly produced by the gonads: the sex hormones." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Analysis of the seemingly paradoxical properties of older blood"Two clear differences were found between old and young blood. The albumin in old blood is in a more oxidized state. (I believe it was the famous gerontologist Verzar who first reported this.) Although – at least in aging humans – there is much less oxygen in the blood, something causes albumin in older blood to be more oxidized. The other distinctive feature of older blood initially also seems paradoxical: the red blood cells are younger. That means: in an old individual, the red blood cells are more fragile – possibly because they are damaged more quickly by oxidation – and are replaced earlier; therefore, on average, they are many weeks younger than the cells of a healthy young individual. None of these features is paradoxical. Poor oxygen supply is a stressor and leads to wasteful glucose consumption as well as compensatory mobilization of fat from stores, and the relatively reducing environment in the cytoplasm causes iron to be mobilized from stores – in the toxic reduced (ferrous) form. Products of the peroxidative interaction of iron with unsaturated fats are detectable in the blood (and other tissues) under stress – and are especially pronounced 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 respiration – while simultaneously avoiding highly peroxidizable unsaturated fats in the diet (and having a lower level of these in storage tissues) – would likely make animals more stress-resistant (EFA-deficient mitochondria are more resilient to oxidative damage, and vitamin E prevents many stress-associated problems) and could inhibit age-related oxidative changes in serum albumin, red blood cells, and other tissues." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
|
"Premature reproduction can be triggered by stress – or viewed differently: the conditions that extend the growth state can be understood as stress-free conditions." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Brain Atrophy Related to Certain Stress Conditions"Instead of a programmed or random, continuous cell loss, brain atrophy seems to be caused by certain conditions – such as stress with prolonged exposure to glucocorticoid hormones." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Typical Skeletal Changes and Stress Hormones in Aging"The skeletal changes (shrinking, curvature of the back, forward displacement of the lower jaw) that are so typical of aging in humans also occur in other animals with age and under the influence of stress hormones." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Mitochondrial Damage Affects Hormone Production and Energy"Since protective hormones depend on mitochondria being able to convert cholesterol into pregnenolone, it is clear that damage to mitochondria impairs our supply of protective hormones – precisely at the moment when energy supply also fails. This forces us to switch to atrophy-promoting stress hormones, including cortisol." Generative Energy Restoring The Wholeness Of Life |
Pregnenolone's Indirect Role in Hormonal Balance and Stress"Pregnenolone has no direct hormonal effects, but it is the precursor – and by slowing exaggerated stress responses, it can presumably help." Email response from Ray Peat |
Influence of Pregnenolone on Steroid Hormones and Stress Mitigation"Pregnenolone is not a hormone, but it normalizes steroid hormones, prevents excess cortisol, and helps normalize aldosterone – therefore, it should be helpful in any stress, including surgeries." Email response from Ray Peat |
Estrogen, PUFA, and Insulin Resistance in Diabetes"Estrogen and PUFA generate insulin resistance, and the resulting state of diabetes and stress deprives tissues of energy," February 2001 |
Estrogen's Role in Cortisol Production and Cell Damage"An elevated cortisol level is a normal response to the cell-damaging effects of stress or inflammation. However, cortisol itself leads to the death of nerve cells and immune cells through excitotoxicity by blocking glucose metabolism. Estrogen increases cortisol production in various ways, acting both through the pituitary gland and directly on the adrenal glands." February 2001 |
The Role of Adrenaline in Depression, Stress, and Inflammation"Increased adrenaline is – just like increased cortisol – a hallmark of depression, stress, and inflammation. By mobilizing fats, it can become part of a vicious cycle: free fatty acids cause insulin resistance and thereby activate stress responses again." February 2001 |
Estrogen's Evolutionary Role and Anti-Estrogen Strategies"Because excitation or stress is something simple – namely any disturbance of the rest of a living state – radiation damage, suffocation, nutrient deficiencies, various toxins, carcinogens, and irritants can mimic the effects of estrogen. Or, considering estrogen’s role in evolution, one could say that estrogen mimics the natural threats life encounters so that the processes of regeneration can be controlled and integrated into the life plans of organisms. This means that anti-estrogen strategies are appropriate under very different conditions. Whatever the challenge: a successful response will return the organism to a new, energized state of readiness." March 2000 |
Energy provision and reversal of genetic damage in the mitochondria"Providing energy while simultaneously reducing stress seems to be all that is needed to reverse the accumulated genetic damage of the mitochondria." July 2000 |
Glucose, glycolysis, and energy production in cells"Glucose – and apparently glycolysis as well – are necessary for the production of nitric oxide and, at least in certain cell types, for the accumulation of calcium. These coordinated changes reduce energy production. They could be triggered by a reduction in carbon dioxide – a physical change even more fundamental than the energy level represented by ATP. When Krebs cycle substances are used for the synthesis of amino acids and other products, this would reduce CO2 formation. This creates a situation where the system can have two possible states: on the one hand, the glycolytic stress state and on the other, the CO2-producing, energy-efficient state." July 2000 |
Light's influence on glucose oxidation and the efficiency of cellular respiration"Light promotes the oxidation of glucose and has been shown to activate the key enzyme of cellular respiration. Winter illnesses (including lethargy and weight gain) as well as nighttime stress must be included in the concept of a respiratory defect: there is a shift toward the respiration-inhibiting production of lactic acid, which damages the mitochondria." July 2000 |
Hypothyroidism, Hyperventilation, and a Vicious Cycle of Energy Loss"Hypothyroidism suppresses breathing as an energy source, so only a small amount of carbon dioxide is produced and lactic acid forms, even when no apparent stress is present. This resembles hyperventilation in itself, since the loss of carbon dioxide is the defining feature of hyperventilation. However, the presence of abnormally high adrenergic activity and free fatty acids stimulates further hyperventilation and increases carbon dioxide loss. As carbon dioxide decreases, breathing is further impaired, leading to increased lactic acid production; this in turn raises adrenergic activity – and so on, in a vicious cycle." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Role of Anti-Estrogens in Protecting Tissue from Stress"If estrogen can cause edema in any tissue, then anti-estrogens—like progesterone—can presumably protect any tissue from stress." January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Role of Iron and Calcium Accumulation in Aging and Stress"Iron and calcium tend to accumulate with age or under stress, and both promote excitotoxic damage. Bicarbonate helps keep iron in its inactive state and likely has a similar effect against a broad range of excitatory substances." December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Lactic Acid, CO2, and the Connection to Degenerative Brain Diseases"If an excess of lactic acid in brain tissue is typical for Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, then the lactate paradox suggests that slightly higher carbon dioxide retention in the brains of Kashmir residents would counteract chronic excitotoxic effects. This would dampen the stress metabolism that leads to degenerative brain diseases." December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Preventing Edema and Water Retention"The 'water-soaked' state seen in shock or stress in blood vessels, lungs, and other organs, as well as brain edema and lens opacities (cataracts) that occur after various metabolic disorders, seem to be associated with the uptake of free water while simultaneously losing bound (non-freezable) water. Carbon dioxide appears to promote the storage of bound water and protects against edematous conditions." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
Muscle Swelling in Hypoxic Stress Related to Lactic Acid"Muscle swelling during hypoxic stress likely represents the fundamental process in which lactic acid and pH increase while CO2 is lost." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 3 |
The Role of Inflammation in Aging and Degenerative Diseases"What we call inflammation provides a good conceptual link between studies on excitotoxicity or cellular stress and newer approaches to treating aging and degenerative diseases based on ideas of regeneration and development. Controlling inflammation becomes part of promoting regeneration." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Altitude and Lactic Acid Metabolism in Stress and Cancer"Under all conditions studied, the lactic acid metabolism typical of stress and cancer is suppressed at high altitude because respiration becomes more efficient. The Haldane effect shows that carbon dioxide retention increases at high altitude." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
ACTH levels in runners at different altitudes"Comparing very low altitude (Jordan Valley, over 1000 feet below sea level) with moderate altitude (620 meters above sea level), ACTH was elevated in runners after a race only at the low altitude. This suggests that the stress response was prevented by a moderate increase in altitude." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
|
"Stress changes the physical nature of the cell substance so that the cell is activated; in this case, it will either die from exhaustion or grow into new cells. The replacement of injured cells means that mutations do not necessarily have to accumulate, and this renewal with the elimination of mutated cells has been observed in sun-damaged skin. Among the many levels of form-generating and form-stabilizing systems, the balance of electric fields plays a fundamental role." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Cell damage, repair, and adaptive responses in organisms"When a cell has been damaged (for example by radiation or toxins), its reduced efficiency creates a small, local distortion in the fields that – as far as the organism's resources allow – stimulates processes of repair or removal and replacement. If stress is so severe that the entire organism is exposed to lactic acid, the organism's adaptive resources are challenged, and potentially harmful reactions are triggered. For example, a sluggish liver during stress may allow the lactate concentration in the blood to rise, which can lead to the release of endorphins and pituitary hormones (Elias, et al, 1997). Endorphins can increase histamine release, and growth hormone increases free fatty acids; increased permeability of blood vessels can allow proteins and fats to exit the bloodstream – with cumulative, harmful effects." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Sodium and Carbon Dioxide Loss During Stress"Sodium and carbon dioxide are crucial for maintaining the normal fields, and these substances work together so that both are lost under stress. In hypothyroidism, sodium is lost permanently, while carbon dioxide is chronically replaced by lactic acid. Both sodium (Veech, et al.; Garrahan and Glynn) and carbon dioxide – by stimulating the Krebs cycle and keeping respiratory enzymes active – help maintain normal ATP levels and protect against stress and shock." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Interlinked Fundamental Features of Cell Excitation and Energy in Stress Adaptation"The interconnected fundamental features of cell excitation/relaxation, electrical potential, lactic acid/carbon dioxide, water retention/water loss, salt regulation, pH, and energy level allow us to understand the biological significance of stress and adaptation in a coherent way. In interaction with these physicochemical processes, there are many levels of biochemical and physiological processes that amplify or modify them – including regulatory systems such as hormones and other biological signaling substances, nutrient supply, and the type of fuel used." 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter - 2 |
Estrogen Increase in Aging Men and Under Stress"It was recognized decades ago that estrogen increases in aging men (Pirke and Doerr, 1975) – just as it increases with stress, illness, malnutrition, and hypothyroidism (which are also associated with aging)." May 1998 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Heme Synthesis and Factors in Red Blood Cell Production"The synthesis of heme/porphyrin and the formation of red blood cells are stimulated by oxygen deficiency or by toxins such as arsenic and iron, which cause oxidative stress. Emphysema, high altitude, sluggish circulation, and nighttime breathing problems can cause sufficient oxygen deficiency to stimulate the production of new red blood cells." 1997 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Progesterone Deficiency in Aging and Stress-Induced Infertility"It is now established that aging animals have a progesterone deficiency at the time they become infertile, but continue to produce estrogen. Even in young individuals, stress at the time of ovulation can disrupt progesterone production and thus prevent implantation. If progesterone becomes deficient only after embryo implantation, miscarriage occurs." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress, Estrogen, and the Role of the Brain in Menopause and Aging"Stress – especially when amplified by estrogen – leads to injury, exhaustion, and aging. The uterus and ovaries are involved in the stress response, but (as Zeilmaker and Wise have shown) the brain is more directly involved in menopause than the ovaries or uterus. Coordination proves crucial for complex processes like ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. The destruction of the nerve cells that regulate the pituitary gland makes coordination impossible." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Regeneration of the adrenal cortex and stress-induced cell differentiation"The outer cell layer of the adrenal glands can form the other two cell types, and since stress or ACTH converts them into the other types, new cells must be regenerated. When the inner layers are removed, the entire adrenal cortex can regenerate from the outer layer. Obviously, cells disappear from the inner layers when stress causes cells to proliferate and differentiate." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen excess, androgens, and "defeminization" in menopause"In menopause, an excess of estrogen—without progesterone—can promote androgen production, which tends to 'defeminize' the woman. This is often a result of stress and sometimes a consequence of hypothyroidism. In such situations, it becomes clear that estrogen is not a feminizing hormone; it cannot neutralize the male hormones the body produces in response to the estrogen excess." August/September 1995 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Creative adaptation versus authority belief and stress"Once we submit to a cultural stereotype or a textbook answer, we give up our creative ability for mental adaptation and begin to avoid problems, questions, and mysteries. Because adaptation at any level that is not creative imagination means physical stress; accepting authority obliges a person to exercise every authority they have—or helplessly conform to the authority of others." November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Adaptive culture as protection against stress"Meerson, a researcher in stress physiology, speaks of adaptive culture as the first level of protection against harmful conditions." November 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Recent studies on reperfusion injuries and aging factors"Reperfusion injuries, any stress causing oxygen deprivation and an excessively reduced (electron-rich) cellular state, the significance of lipid peroxidation and iron in aging, as well as the role of iron in damaging steroid synthesis in steroid-producing tissues, have recently been important research areas." June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of oxidative cellular stress on iron retention"Various studies* show that oxidative cellular stress promotes the retention of iron. This makes sense because iron is essential for respiration, and cells struggling to breathe tend to use developed mechanisms to retain the iron needed for the formation of new respiratory enzymes." June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Heart as an Indicator of Stress Resistance and Longevity"The heart gives us some clues about our overall resilience to stress, aging, disease, and death. The heart and brain are the most stress-resistant organs, and while moderate stress and malnutrition can cause the skin and thymus gland to lose more than 90% of their substance, only the most prolonged and intense stress can cause the heart and brain to lose more than a quarter of their substance." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-Induced Shrinkage of the Thymus and Increase in Heart Mass"In fact, moderate stress that shrinks the thymus by more than 90% can cause the heart to increase its mass by 80%." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Adaptive Organ Response Under Stress Conditions"When we are able to respond appropriately and adaptively to stress, there is a shift of substance from less efficient organs (mostly skin and thymus) to the organs bearing the greatest burden – usually the heart and brain." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Catabolic Role of Glucocorticoid Hormones in Stress"The stress-induced glucocorticoid hormones fulfill the important catabolic role of mobilizing substance from less active organs to support the working organs." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Heart's Resilience to Stress and Glucocorticoid Resistance"The many ways the heart can resist stress and even thrive on it can be generalized to develop methods to protect other organs and the entire body from the chronic and escalating burdens that lead to general atrophy, declining function, and aging. Under stress, the heart and other working organs become resistant to glucocorticoid hormones. When a person is given radioactive testosterone, it is observed that the highest concentration is reached in the heart. It is the anti-glucocorticoid effect of testosterone that causes an enlargement of skeletal muscle during moderate exercise." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress as an Information Gap and Adaptation of the Organism"Stress – understood as the need for adaptation – can be seen as an information gap between a need and the ability to fulfill that need. A suitable change in the organism's structure closes this information gap. The new structural trace, or “memory,” can develop either as a phenotypic or genotypic change. Mutations are important for bacterial adaptation, and learning is important for mammalian adaptation." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Brain Adaptation and Mechanisms of Stress Resistance"Our brain is the newest and most powerful organ for adaptation and resistance to stress. It enables the simpler systems of circulation and metabolism to align so that the greatest possible benefit is achieved with the least possible harm. Just as there are pro- and anti-catabolic hormones and circulatory patterns, the brain also has stress-promoting and stress-limiting systems." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
|
"When perception and orientation control the stress response, the ability to suppress certain parts of this response allows fine coordination and high efficiency." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
|
"A single experience, an insight, has enormous power to shape how a rat copes with stress. Insights and ideas can be gained through practice, but they can also be culturally transmitted. We can learn to prepare ourselves to respond optimally to stress while also trying to prevent the environment from becoming too stressful." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Heart attack risk in workers with low status and biosocial stress"Workers in physical occupations have more heart attacks than sedentary employees, and the biosocial stress of low status can be seen as a strong factor in mortality from heart attacks. The helpless feeling of low status is analogous to surrender stress." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Heart failure and the response of protective systems to stress"If stress is strong and long enough to overcome the heart's numerous protective systems, the heart fails in specific, clearly defined ways—both functionally and structurally. But before damage occurs, the stress-limiting systems of the heart's self-regulation, the endocrine system, and the brain must first fail." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Progesterone activates the respiratory center against stress"Under stress, even the respiratory center in the brain becomes underactive and tolerates the state of hypoxia. Since progesterone activates the respiratory center, the stress-suppressed breathing corresponds to a progesterone deficiency." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Effects of stress on glucose and fat utilization"When the oxygen supply to the tissue is insufficient, glucose is quickly depleted. Under prolonged stress, the liver's gluconeogenic response to glucocorticoids is suppressed, as is its ability to form and store glycogen. When less glucose is available, the amount of adrenaline in the blood increases, and fat is mobilized from stores as an alternative energy source. Free fatty acids, especially unsaturated fats, are toxic to the mitochondrial respiratory system: they block both the ability to use oxygen and the ability to produce energy. The increased use of fats instead of glucose leads to increased lipid peroxidation." 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 pauses that people with hypothyroidism often experience under stress or fatigue. In other situations of long and intense stress, vagal stimulation protects against fibrillation.)" June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Severe Stress and Deterioration of Liver Function"When stress is severe and prolonged, the liver loses enzymes of the detoxification system and also of the system that produces bile acids. This leads to a tendency toward abnormal fat metabolism, including hypercholesterolemia." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The role of adrenaline and calcium in heart disease and blood clotting"Excess adrenaline and calcium also promote clotting, and when beta-adrenergic receptors become desensitized, spasms occur in the coronary arteries. A changed vascular tone, which can be triggered by severe stress, can lead to venous pooling of blood; this acts synergistically with impaired relaxation of the heart and can cause cardiogenic shock." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
|
"Uridine, a cofactor of glycogen synthesis, can also prevent stress by improving glycogen storage." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Toxicity of corn oil and the protective effects of saturated fats"Selye's finding that corn oil is toxic to the heart is an important piece in the overall picture of stress damage and adrenaline toxicity. The protective effects of saturated fats are not surprising when viewed against the toxic effects of adrenaline, which mobilizes free fatty acids and thereby triggers lipid peroxidation." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Heart protection from stress and general aging"When reflecting on Meerson's successes in protecting the heart from stress, it is important to remember that the heart is our most stress-resistant organ – and that what protects the heart from lethal stress also protects other organs from the everyday strains that accumulate and lead to general aging problems. 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 ordinary." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Comparison of stress resistance between heart and liver"The resilience of the heart and liver can be compared in various ways. For example, DNA replication in the liver is more easily suppressed by stress than in the heart, but DNA repair is not affected by stress in the same way. An overactive heart stabilizes DNA against damage, so DNA repair is stronger in the liver than in the heart and lowest in the brain." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Anti-stress effects of GABA and protective mechanisms"Meerson's laboratory has studied the anti-stress and anti-adrenaline effects of GABA and its metabolite gamma-hydroxybutyrate, especially in the form of the lithium salt. (Lithium appears to have its own anti-stress effect – presumably partly as a sodium agonist and partly through its ability to bind ammonium, which forms in the brain during fatigue, exactly when the GABA system is activated.) GHB acts protectively against stress-related damage in many tissues. It prevents stress-induced leakage of enzymes from tissues, gastric mucosal ulcerations, lipid peroxidation, epileptic seizures, impaired heart contraction function, and heart rhythm disturbances triggered by stress or ischemia." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Connection Between Oxygen Deficiency, Aging, and Estrogen Excess"The consequence of oxygen becoming scarce during aging, stress, and estrogen excess suggests that a fundamental coordination mechanism may be involved, leading to a shift toward conditions that activate the expression of certain genes – possibly the hypoglycemia/stress/heat shock proteins or perhaps simply the proteins of cell division and growth." June 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Autoimmune Antibodies as an Indicator of Organ Stress"Antibodies against certain tissues are likely part of a normal process to eliminate damaged cells. For example, simply twisting a piece of cartilage makes it antigenic. After speaking with many people who had anti-thyroid antibodies that disappeared shortly after their thyroids returned to normal through physiological therapies, I concluded that autoimmune antibodies are useful to indicate which organ is under stress but should not be understood as a sign of an immunological disease." December 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Morphine's Influence on Immunity and Stress"The direct immunosuppressive effect of morphine is not understood, but there is suspicion that it is related to stress-induced immunosuppression (for example, the loss of natural killer cell function) – with morphine taking the place of stress-related endorphins. White blood cells, like nerve cells, have surface receptors for morphine that would normally be 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 cells containing the natural endorphin molecule. However, in a weakened organism, the formation of new cells may lag behind the elimination of altered cells." December 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Dietary supplementation in the treatment of degenerative diseases"In degenerative diseases, the stress- and age-related accumulation of iron and other substances toxic to mitochondria (e.g., calcium, aluminum, and products of lipid peroxidation including age pigment) as well as the failure of detoxification systems make therapy with ordinary dietary supplements quite ineffective. A more sensible approach is direct supplementation of various natural protective substances (or their analogs) in addition to protective vitamins (especially E) and minerals (especially magnesium)." August/September 1992 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Recompensation processes in addiction: energy and metabolic balance"It is important to think specifically about the processes of recompensation or restoring balance. Some of the processes we should consider in connection with addiction are: the energetic 'charge' of the tissue, metabolic detoxification and elimination, permeability and barrier functions, excitation and inhibition, as well as poorly compensated stress responses." June 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Enhancing the organism's adaptability to toxins"Aging, stress, and high alcohol consumption increase intestinal permeability and lead to greater absorption of microbial toxins. Laxatives, carrot fiber (not carrot juice), activated charcoal, and a small amount of sodium thiosulfate reduce the formation and absorption of toxins, thereby increasing the organism's adaptability. Belladonna can improve intestinal function if cramps occur during drug withdrawal." June 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Systemic effects of estrogen and stress adaptation"Around 1940, Hans Selye observed that the systemic effect of estrogen mimics the shock phase of the stress response. In shock, inadequate blood flow – and thus insufficient oxygen supply to the tissue – is the main problem. Selye considered adrenal steroids crucial to solving this problem and enabling adaptation to stress." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Resistance of cells to osmotic stress and energy level"Cells with high energy can resist the osmotic stress of too much water in their environment – exhausted cells cannot. Removing the stress by making the surrounding fluid isotonic or slightly hypertonic can protect the cells' energy level and allow them to recover." July 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Connection of stress hormones and aging with light research"Having studied the effects of light on hormones and health for years, I began to realize that the existing knowledge about the role of stress and glucocorticoid hormones in aging fit perfectly with my concept of winter illness." 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 they sleep in the dark – meaning sleep is a partial protection against the stress of darkness. The cortisol (an adrenaline) released in darkness or other stress has the important function of maintaining blood sugar levels." January 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress and the damaging 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 shown specific damage to the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and other brain areas." January 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 the stressor darkness are likely the central events in the aging process." February/March 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter (1) |
Estrogen's role in blood clotting"Forty-five years ago, the Shutes discovered that estrogen promotes blood clotting. At the same time, Knisely studied the phenomenon of 'blood sludging' that occurs under many types of stress. It was known then that there is a balance between clot formation and their breakdown (fibrinolysis)." April 1991 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Convergence of interests in the oxidative metabolism of the uterus"Although I had studied the connection between estrogen and cancer and knew from personal experience with migraines that stress, diet, and hormones interact strongly, it was not clear to me at the start of my investigation into the oxidative metabolism of the uterus that several of my main interests would converge." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Estrogen treatment and the shock phase of the stress response"Hans Selye pointed out that estrogen treatment mimics the first, shock phase of the stress response. An excess of estrogen (or any stressor) prompts the pituitary gland to release prolactin and ACTH, and both hormones act on the ovaries to stop progesterone production." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Seasonal effects on respiratory energy, hormones, and immunity"In winter and at night, the energy-producing respiratory system is damaged, protective hormones decrease, and harmful stress hormones increase. The immune system becomes less active." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Positive feedback systems with progesterone and thyroid hormones"However, the existence of some positive feedback systems (self-stimulation) shows that our basic structure tends toward an expansive, upward direction. Progesterone (and its precursors pregnenolone and cholesterol) as well as thyroid hormones are involved in some important positive feedback systems affecting energy production, stress resistance, and brain growth." October 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Potential of thyroid supplementation to restore normal thyroid function"In a small percentage of people with hypothyroidism, short-term treatment with thyroid hormones can trigger the recovery of normal thyroid function: by activating the brain-pituitary system, raising blood sugar (which activates the liver enzyme system that produces T3), and lowering the antithyroid stress hormones." August/September 1990 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Cyanide inhibition of respiratory energy and cytochromes"Since carbon monoxide binds to metal atoms, it could be held in a form that easily reacts with ammonia. Then, under stress—which causes both lipid peroxidation and ammonia formation—rhodanese would be needed to protect the respiratory cytochromes from cyanide, which would otherwise inhibit cellular respiration energy production and other cytochrome-dependent processes." January 1989 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Magnesium supplementation recommended for stress and hypothyroidism"Magnesium is poorly retained under stress or hypothyroidism, so a daily supplement of several hundred milligrams is desirable." January 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Non-catabolic consequences of stress: enzyme inhibition and aging"Some consequences of stress are not catabolic. When detoxifying enzymes are lost, gut toxins block other fundamental enzyme systems. This leads, for example, to slowed protein turnover and reduced superoxide dismutase activity. The resulting increase in lipid peroxidation decreases steroid synthesis." August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Stress-related intracellular toxins and cellular blockade"Stress also leads to the formation of intracellular toxins, including ammonia and carbon monoxide, which tend to maintain the blocked state." August/September 1988 - Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Ray Peat on Stress
Supplements according to Ray Peat
-
Beef Liver Capsules in Premium Quality
Normal price CHF 59.90Normal priceBase price forCHF 59.90Sales price CHF 59.90 -
Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder from Pasture-Raised Beef
Normal price CHF 39.90Normal priceBase price forCHF 39.90Sales price CHF 39.90 -
Dried Organic Pasture-Raised Beef Thyroid in Capsules
Normal price CHF 64.90Normal priceBase price forCHF 64.90Sales price CHF 64.90 -
Vitamin D3 + K2 MK7 - 4000 IU + 200 µg Drops
Normal price CHF 19.90Normal priceBase price forCHF 19.90Sales price CHF 19.90
