Stress Management through Nutritional and Environmental Correction“In general, stress should first be addressed by correcting the defect, which can be environmental or nutritional. 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 supplied.” Nutrition For Women |
The Importance of Potassium in Sugar Metabolism in Diabetes“Potassium is necessary for sugar metabolism and should probably always be considered as a supplement in diabetic nutrition.” Nutrition For Women |
Effects of Cancer on Stress Hormones and Nutrient Requirements“Cancer overstimulates the anti-stress adrenal cortex hormones and usually leads to extreme tissue breakdown through mobilization of fat and protein; blood sugar and glycogen stores are disturbed. During or after cancer therapy, a hypoglycemic diet seems desirable: frequent small meals, liver (or similar nutrients), magnesium, potassium. Vitamins A, E, C, and pantothenic acid are especially important during 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 required in the final extreme stress phase when the adrenal glands are exhausted.” Nutrition For Women |
The Importance of Various Orthomolecules for Maintaining Cell and Protein Stability“Other orthomolecules besides niacin would be potassium, vitamin E (to improve oxygen supply, to promote cellular protein binding), inositol (stabilizer of cells and proteins against denaturation or drying, Webb, 1965), the other B vitamins, vitamin C, anabolic steroids (for example androgens and progesterone, ginseng, eleutherococcus), to promote protein synthesis as well as the storage of potassium, creatine, and ATP.” Mind And Tissue – Russian Research Perspectives on the Human Brain |
The Role of ATP in Cell Stability“In a muscle cell, the presence of ATP stabilizes the muscle in its relaxed state, and in every cell, similar interactions between ATP and proteins stabilize the cell in a fundamental resting state in which potassium is preferred over sodium.” March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Protein Interactions and the Influence of the So-Called Cardinal Adsorbents“Anything that binds to a protein, such as potassium or ammonium, has an inductive effect on the structure of the protein and its interactions with the environment. Substances that strongly adsorb, especially ATP and steroids, have a strong influence on the properties of the system. Molecules that bind strongly to proteins change the way proteins affect the properties of water, and the properties of water control the metabolism of cells as well as their interactions with each other and with the environment. Ling called these influential binding molecules cardinal adsorbents.” March 2020 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
The Effects of Estrogen on Tissue Water and the Sodium-Potassium Ratio“The immediate effect of estrogen on a responsive tissue is that it absorbs water and increases the ratio of sodium to potassium; these changes lead to depolarization activation of nerve, muscle, and some gland cells as well as the initiation of growth and cell division in other cell types. If the stimulation of the growth process continues uncontrolled or even accelerated, it is obvious that shape, proportion, and organization would quickly be lost.” March 2000 |
Estrogen Activation and Cellular Water Dynamics“Estrogen activation, associated with water uptake and potassium loss (relative to intracellular sodium), is probably the simplest response a cell is capable of. Any specificity recognized in this process arises from pre-existing cell conditions or from the organism’s defense reactions.” March 2000 |
The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Cellular Ion Regulation“The adsorptive effects of carbon dioxide and a variety of other chemical effects modulate the structure and function of the cell so that it stores significantly more potassium than sodium and is able to excrete calcium while binding magnesium.” January 2000 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
Studies on Parathyroid Hormone and Mineral Interchangeability“About 88 years ago, W. K. Koch (known for his cancer therapy) studied parathyroid hormone and its relationship to tetany (persistent muscle contraction) and seizures. He was able to show that the main minerals sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are interchangeable to some extent to relieve tetany and seizures caused by removal of the parathyroid gland, with magnesium being the most effective.” December 1999 – Ray Peat's Newsletter |
