Browsing articles from "June, 2012"
“An excess of tryptophan in the diet, especially with deficiencies of other nutrients, can combine with inflammation to increase serotonin. Polyunsaturated fatty acids promote the absorption of tryptophan by the brain, and its conversion to serotonin. A “deficiency” of polyunsaturated fat decreases the expression of the enzyme that synthesizes serotonin (McNamara, et al., 2009). -Ray [...]
Hypothyroidism is a very common cause of increased serotonin (e.g. Henley, et al., 1998), and it the thyroid hormone is supplemented until symptoms are resolved, it’s likely that the serotonin will have been normalized. -Ray Peat, PhD Hypothyroidism increases the formation of serotonin, as does cortisol (Henley, et al., 1997, 1998; Neckers and Sze, 1976). [...]
Since estrogen promotes serotonin, progesterone is likely to be a protective factor (Donner & Handa, 2009; Hiroi, et al., 2006; Berman, et al., 2006; Bethea, et al., 2000). -Ray Peat, PhD Neuroscience. 2009 Oct 6;163(2):705-18. Epub 2009 Jun 23. Estrogen receptor beta regulates the expression of tryptophan-hydroxylase 2 mRNA within serotonergic neurons of the rat [...]
The Dire Effects of Estrogen Pollution By Ray Peat, PhD. Source Pollution of the environment and food supply by estrogenic chemicals is getting increased attention. Early in the study of estrogens, it was noticed that soot, containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was both estrogenic and carcinogenic. Since then, it has been found that phenolics and chlorinated [...]
Carcinogenesis. 1999 Mar;20(3):493-7. Promotion of intestinal carcinogenesis by dietary methionine. Duranton B, Freund JN, Galluser M, Schleiffer R, Gossé F, Bergmann C, Hasselmann M, Raul F. The metabolism of the polyamines spermidine and spermine is known to be enhanced in rapidly proliferating cells. Methionine is a precursor of the aminopropyl moieties of these amines. Therefore, [...]
The thyroid hormones associate with three types of simple proteins in the serum: Transthyretin (prealbumin), thyroid binding globulin, and albumin. -Ray Peat, PhD Transthyretin, which carries both vitamin A and thyroid hormones, is sharply decreased by stress, and should probably be regularly measured as part of the thyroid examination. -Ray Peat, PhD Clin Chem Lab [...]
Energy production and resting body temperature regulate many functions. Ample energy is required to relax fully and sleep deeply. The key to quality sleep is high energy metabolism and maintaining optimal body temperature (98-98.6F). Children sleep well because of their ability to maintain a high body temperature and produce energy and carbon dioxide. The combination [...]
The altitude itself helps the thyroid to function normally. For example, one study (Savourey, et al., 1998) showed an 18% increase in T3 at a high altitude, and mitochondria become more numerous and are more efficient at preventing lactic acid production, capillary leakiness, etc. -Ray Peat, PhD Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1998;77(1-2):37-43. Pre-adaptation, [...]
Adrenaline decreases the conversion to T4 to T3, and increases the formation of the antagonistic reverse T3 (Nauman, et al., 1980, 1984). -Ray Peat, PhD Eur J Clin Invest. 1980 Jun;10(3):189-92. In vivo and in vitro effects of adrenaline on conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine and to reverse-triiodothyronine in dog liver and heart. Nauman A, [...]
Also see: “Normal” TSH: Marker for Increased Risk of Fatal Coronary Heart Disease Thyroid Insufficiency. Is Thyroxine the Only Valuable Drug? High T4 Concentrations in the Brain – Suppression of Brain Metabolism Assessment of the Thyroid: Achilles Tendon Reflex TSH has direct actions on many cell types other than the thyroid, and probably contributes directly [...]
