Dr. Ray Peat

deceased

PhD Physiology (U Oregon 1972), No medical degree

Bioenergetics, Hormones, Metabolism

GPS Score80/ 100Outstanding

Legacy Pioneer

Pioneering legacy

Research Rebel

Challenged conventional research

Philosophy

Thyroid optimization and progesterone are foundational to health. Metabolism is everything. PUFA (polyunsaturated fats from seed oils, fish oil, nuts) are toxic, suppress thyroid function, promote inflammation, and accelerate aging. Sugar (from fruit, juice, honey, not processed junk) and saturated fat (butter, coconut oil) are protective and support metabolism. CO2 is protective (Haldane effect, altitude benefits), not just a waste product. Serotonin is a stress mediator and inflammatory signal, not the 'happiness molecule' mainstream claims. Estrogen dominance (elevated estrogen relative to progesterone and thyroid) drives many modern diseases including cancer, hypothyroidism, and neurodegeneration. The body requires adequate energy (glucose, oxygen, CO2) for optimal cellular respiration and low stress hormones. Health is bioenergetic efficiency.

Key Contributions

Pioneered bioenergetic health model (energy production at cellular level determines health)
PUFA toxicity research (polyunsaturated fats suppress metabolism, promote lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cascade)
Progesterone therapy advocacy (protective against estrogen dominance, pro-metabolic, neuroprotective)
Thyroid-metabolism focus (thyroid hormone optimization central to treating chronic disease)
Anti-serotonin framework (serotonin as stress mediator, not happiness molecule)
Anti-estrogen excess (estrogen dominance drives cancer, hypothyroidism, inflammation)
CO2 research (carbon dioxide as protective, Haldane effect, altitude benefits for health)
Pro-sugar in context (carbohydrates from fruit/juice/honey fuel metabolism, not the enemy)
Gelatin/collagen protein emphasis (balances muscle meat amino acids, anti-inflammatory)
Built massive underground following (no marketing, word-of-mouth, influenced entire movement)
Died 2022, but work lives on through community (Danny Roddy, Jay Feldman, Georgi Dinkov, countless practitioners)

Notable Books

Nutrition for Women
Generative Energy: Structural-Hormonal Energies in Art and Life
Mind and Tissue: Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain
From PMS to Menopause: Female Hormones in Context

Notable Protocols

Pro-metabolic diet: adequate calories (don't under-eat), carbs from fruit/juice/honey (not grains), dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream), saturated fat (butter, coconut oil), gelatin/collagen protein, LOW PUFA (avoid seed oils, limit nuts/fish oil)Thyroid optimization (T3/T4 supplementation if hypothyroid, pro-thyroid foods)Progesterone therapy (especially women, bioidentical progesterone)Anti-estrogen strategies (liver support, calcium, fiber, adequate protein)CO2 retention techniques (bag breathing, high altitude)Anti-serotonin approach (cyproheptadine in some cases, avoid serotonin-promoting foods/supplements)

Institutional Response

PUFA-toxicity claims controversial (mainstream promotes omega-6 and fish oil, Peat says both suppress thyroid). Sugar advocacy conflicts with mainstream nutrition (Peat says sugar from fruit/honey is protective, mainstream blames sugar for everything). Anti-serotonin stance opposite of conventional psychiatry (SSRIs increase serotonin, Peat says serotonin is inflammatory stress hormone). No clinical trials (relied on literature synthesis, theoretical framework, anecdotal reports, not RCTs). No medical degree (PhD physiologist, not physician, couldn't prescribe). Work seen as fringe by mainstream but massive devoted following in alternative health circles.

Note: This section documents official institutional and regulatory responses. It does not constitute Gabriel's endorsement or rejection of such actions.

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Related Thought Leaders

Pathfinder

Jay Feldman

Bioenergetics, Pro-Metabolic Nutrition

GPS: 67

Philosophy

Key Contributions

Pioneered bioenergetic health model (energy production at cellular level determines health)

PUFA toxicity research (polyunsaturated fats suppress metabolism, promote lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cascade)

Progesterone therapy advocacy (protective against estrogen dominance, pro-metabolic, neuroprotective)

Thyroid-metabolism focus (thyroid hormone optimization central to treating chronic disease)

Anti-serotonin framework (serotonin as stress mediator, not happiness molecule)

Anti-estrogen excess (estrogen dominance drives cancer, hypothyroidism, inflammation)

CO2 research (carbon dioxide as protective, Haldane effect, altitude benefits for health)

Pro-sugar in context (carbohydrates from fruit/juice/honey fuel metabolism, not the enemy)

Gelatin/collagen protein emphasis (balances muscle meat amino acids, anti-inflammatory)

Built massive underground following (no marketing, word-of-mouth, influenced entire movement)

Died 2022, but work lives on through community (Danny Roddy, Jay Feldman, Georgi Dinkov, countless practitioners)

Notable Protocols

Institutional Response

Note: This section documents official institutional and regulatory responses. It does not constitute Gabriel's endorsement or rejection of such actions.