Ray Peat

Ray Peat on Nitric Oxide

By OxidativeState · · 38 articles · 77 studies

Short answer: Ray Peat rejected the popular picture of nitric oxide as a heart-protective molecule. He wrote that it interacts with unsaturated fats to reduce oxygen use, damage mitochondria and cause edema, and that endotoxin, estrogen and low thyroid function all raise it.

What Ray Peat wrote about nitric oxide

He wrote that nitric oxide interacts with unsaturated fats to reduce oxygen use, damage mitochondria and cause edema. Source: Progesterone, not estrogen, is the coronary protection factor of women

He challenged the claim that estrogen protects the heart through nitric oxide. If that were true, he argued, men, who produce more nitric oxide, would be better protected than women. Source: Progesterone, not estrogen, is the coronary protection factor of women

Endotoxin from the intestine increases nitric oxide, so he called it essential to minimize intestinal inflammation. Source: Cataracts: water, energy, light, and aging, The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)

Low thyroid function increases its formation. He compares hypothyroidism to an excess of cholinergic tone in that respect. Source: The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)

Excess excitation produces nitric oxide and lactic acid together, lowering the energy of the cells of the blood vessel wall. He used that to explain the flushing of rosacea. Source: Rosacea, inflammation, and aging: The inefficiency of stress

Ultraviolet light strongly stimulates its formation, one of his explanations for cataracts. Source: Cataracts: water, energy, light, and aging

What lowers it: progesterone inhibits the enzyme that produces it, uric acid inhibits its formation, and aspirin blocks it. Source: Progesterone, not estrogen, is the coronary protection factor of women, Cataracts: water, energy, light, and aging, Lactate vs. CO2 in wounds, sickness, and aging; the other approach to cancer

He cites work showing that inhibiting nitric oxide production protects against several kinds of dementia. Source: The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)

What he suggested in practice

  • Keep the intestine free of irritation, to keep endotoxin down.
  • Thyroid function and progesterone.
  • Carbon dioxide, which relaxes blood vessels without the cost.

Where he wrote about it

This topic comes up in 38 of the articles on his site. These are the most relevant ones:

My take

Carbon dioxide is the main vasodilator in the body. Nitric oxide is the backup, and it is toxic to bacteria and to our own mitochondria. I wrote more in Nitric oxide ages you faster.

Quick answers

What did Ray Peat say about nitric oxide?

That it is a toxic free radical which, together with unsaturated fats, blocks oxygen use and damages mitochondria, and that it rises with endotoxin, estrogen, ultraviolet light and low thyroid function.

What lowers nitric oxide, according to Ray Peat?

Progesterone, uric acid, aspirin, good thyroid function and less endotoxin from the intestine.

77 studies Ray Peat cited on nitric oxide

  1. [Progesterone exerts neuroprotective effect on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy-induced brain damage via inhibition expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production]Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi · 2012 · PMID 22860428 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  2. Irradiation of the rabbit cornea with UVB rays stimulates the expression of nitric oxide synthases-generated nitric oxide and the formation of cytotoxic nitrogen-related oxidantsHistol Histopathol · 2005 · PMID 15736051 · cited in Cataracts: water, energy, light, and aging
  3. Amyloid beta-peptide induces nitric oxide production in rat hippocampus: association with cholinergic dysfunction and amelioration by inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitorsFASEB J · 2001 · PMID 11387239 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  4. Stimulated nitric oxide release and nitric oxide sensitivity in forearm arterial vasculature during normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancyAm J Obstet Gynecol · 1999 · PMID 10601932 · cited in Thyroid, insomnia, and the insanities: Commonalities in disease
  5. Progesterone inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression and nitric oxide production in murine macrophagesJ Leukoc Biol · 1996 · PMID 8604025 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness), Progesterone, not estrogen, is the coronary protection factor of women
  6. Association of microvascular leakage with induction of nitric oxide synthase: effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in various organsEur J Pharmacol · 1995 · PMID 7498320 · cited in Alzheimer's: The problem of Alzheimer's disease as a clue to immortality — part 2
  7. Regulation of acetylcholinesterase activity by nitric oxide in rat neuromuscular junction via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activationEur J Neurosci · 2013 · PMID 23121214 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  8. Arsenic toxicity induced endothelial dysfunction and dementia: pharmacological interdiction by histone deacetylase and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitorsToxicol Appl Pharmacol · 2013 · PMID 23921152 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  9. Nitric oxide mediates selective degeneration of hypothalamic orexin neurons through dysfunction of protein disulfide isomeraseJ Neurosci · 2013 · PMID 23904594 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  10. Pharmacological inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, convalesce behavior and biochemistry of hypertension induced vascular dementia in ratsPharmacol Biochem Behav · 2013 · PMID 23201648 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  11. Roles of cytokines and progesterone in the regulation of the nitric oxide generating system in bovine luteal endothelial cellsMol Reprod Dev · 2012 · PMID 22847916 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  12. Nitric oxide in neurodegeneration: potential benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatoriesNeurosci Bull · 2011 · PMID 22108814 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  13. Aldosterone increases kidney tubule cell oxidants through calcium-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase and nitric oxide synthaseFree Radic Biol Med · 2011 · PMID 21946068 · cited in When energy fails: Edema, heart failure, hypertension, sarcopenia, etc
  14. Nitric oxide signaling in brain function, dysfunction, and dementiaNeuroscientist · 2010 · PMID 20817920 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  15. Nitric oxide: target for therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer's diseaseCurr Pharm Des · 2010 · PMID 20698819 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  16. Linoleic acid-induced mitochondrial Ca(2+) efflux causes peroxynitrite generation and protein nitrotyrosylationPLoS One · 2009 · PMID 19557129 · cited in Cancer: Disorder and Energy
  17. Alterations in plasma nitric oxide during aging in humansIndian J Biochem Biophys · 2009 · PMID 19374267 · cited in Cascara, energy, cancer and the FDA's laxative abuse
  18. Suppression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase prior to traumatic brain injury improves cytochrome c oxidase activity and normalizes cellular energy levelsNeuroscience · 2008 · PMID 18037245 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  19. Nitric oxide synthase 3-mediated neurodegeneration after intracerebral gene deliveryJ Neuropathol Exp Neurol · 2007 · PMID 17413318 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  20. Adverse effects of excessive nitric oxide on cytochrome c oxidase in lenses of hereditary cataract UPL ratsToxicology · 2007 · PMID 17936468 · cited in Cataracts: water, energy, light, and aging
  21. Neuroprotection by selective inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase after experimental brain contusionJ Neurotrauma · 2006 · PMID 16958586 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  22. Progesterone suppresses the inflammatory response and nitric oxide synthase-2 expression following cerebral ischemiaExp Neurol · 2005 · PMID 15869954 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  23. Antiapoptotic effect of haem oxygenase-1 induced by nitric oxide in experimental solid tumourBr J Cancer · 2003 · PMID 12644828 · cited in The Cancer Matrix
  24. Nitric oxide inhibits polyamine-induced apoptosis in the human extravillous trophoblast cell line SGHPL-4Hum Reprod · 2003 · PMID 12721169 · cited in Meat physiology, stress, and degenerative physiology
  25. Caffeine decreases exhaled nitric oxideThorax · 2002 · PMID 11923558 · cited in Hot flashes, energy, and aging
  26. Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors of Chinese herbs III. Rheum palmatumPlanta Med · 2002 · PMID 12391547 · cited in Cascara, energy, cancer and the FDA's laxative abuse
  27. Endothelial- and nitric oxide-dependent effects on oxidative metabolism of intact arteryBiochim Biophys Acta · 2001 · PMID 11779553 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  28. Engagement of inducible nitric oxide synthase at the rostral ventrolateral medulla during mevinphos intoxication in the ratJ Biomed Sci · 2001 · PMID 11702011 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  29. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) induces Ca(2+)-independent activation and translocation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxationFEBS Lett · 2001 · PMID 11163359 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  30. Neuroprotective effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by direct scavenging of nitric oxide radicalsJ Neurochem · 2001 · PMID 11259508 · cited in Aspirin, brain and cancer
  31. Nitric oxide is involved in acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-induced myopathy in ratsJ Pharmacol Exp Ther · 2000 · PMID 10991996 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  32. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors unmask acetylcholine-mediated constriction of cerebral vessels in the in vitro isolated guinea-pig brainNeuroscience · 2000 · PMID 11074151 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  33. Choline is a full agonist in inducing activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase via the muscarinic M1 receptorPharmacology · 2000 · PMID 10657757 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  34. Impaired escape performance and enhanced conditioned fear in rats following exposure to an uncontrollable stressor are mediated by glutamate and nitric oxide in the dorsal raphe nucleusBehav Brain Res · 2000 · PMID 10862933 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  35. Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms and arginase in normal human skin and chronic venous leg ulcersJ Pathol · 2000 · PMID 10918219 · cited in Heart and hormones
  36. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition promotes carcinogen-induced preneoplastic changes in the colon of ratsNitric Oxide · 2000 · PMID 11139366 · cited in Meat physiology, stress, and degenerative physiology
  37. Implication of glutamate in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase after oxygen and glucose deprivation in rat forebrain slicesJ Neurochem · 2000 · PMID 10800947 · cited in Rosacea, inflammation, and aging: The inefficiency of stress
  38. Influence of sex and age on serum nitrite/nitrate concentration in healthy subjectsClin Chim Acta · 2000 · PMID 11020471 · cited in Hot flashes, energy, and aging
  39. Profound inhibition of myogenic tone in rat cardiac allografts is due to eNOS- and iNOS-based nitric oxide and an intrinsic defect in vascular smooth muscle contractionCirculation · 2000 · PMID 10725291 · cited in Cascara, energy, cancer and the FDA's laxative abuse
  40. Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits microglial nitric oxide production in a stimulus-specific mannerJ Neurosci Res · 2000 · PMID 11070493 · cited in Multiple sclerosis, protein, fats, and progesterone

Showing 40 of 77. Search all of them in the database →

Not affiliated with raypeat.com. This page describes Ray Peat's published articles in our own words and links to the originals. Educational content, not medical advice.

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