@DakotaWorrell You will never, ever be able to "figure this out". We all have different diet histories, activity levels, etc.
I think that as long as you're staying well under known toxic doses, you feel good, and you have some degree of balance between nutrients that are known to interact (ex. vitamin d, k,a; phosphorous:calcium, protein:carbs), that's about the best you can do.
@PrinceTrebata yes I remember ray saying that. I also recall that he said a small amount of progesterone combined with a little dhea (for example 8mg p4 with one mg dhea) would have a similar effect as pregnenolone would have:
@Chud
the dentist suspected the infection had started 2 months ago which was a time when I was suffering from a build-up of the effects of chronic stress and inflammation. Cascara basically fixed my digestive issues and so I'll try that again along with carrot salad. one thing I am concerned about is the antibiotic treatment worsening gut health in some way. One thing I have noticed on the antibiotics is a very bad histamine response. I already had an issue with this and cyproheptadine makes it better but hasn't fixed the root cause. I suspect impaired liver function and lack of bowel movements, endotoxin as you mentioned is implicated in this. Read that Ray peat recommended taking sugar with amoxicillin to someone who had similar reaction as it is an anti-histamine. I'll try everything you mentioned, I imagine a lot of it will be important in maintaining a lack of any bacteria exposure to the gums that were affected once done with the antibiotics
Consider that “worsening gut health“ might be that the amox standard dosage, if that’s what you’re taking, is too high/too toxic.
I sampled the kindle version. It is indeed worth buying and learning from. While it may be somewhat flawed in its ideas on pumps, it still has a lot of empirical data to back up its claims on the K/Na relationship.
It may just be the answer (or if not a key piece to solving the puzzle) to my 2 decade long quest to lower my blood pressure naturally.
I am reminded of Dr. William Kelley, a dentist who invented the metabolic typing diet, which for many years before discovering Peat I relied to improve my metabolism, with success. He relied on empirical evidence but his basis was not as solid as Peat's, as he explained that people take to food differently depending on their metabolic type, and that the metabolic is largely dependent on the parasympathetic and symphatetic responses which vary according to metabolic types. I held on to these ideas until I encountered Ray Peat's ideas and found Peats's ideas more coherent while still finding more connecting dots in Peat's ideas than those of William Kelley's. Kelley's is very empirically based, and Ray Peat goes further by explaining the biochemical connection to what basically couldn't explain beyond empiricism.
I liken Rogers using pumps to explain away his observations to Kelley's use of parasympathetic/sympathetic activity to explain his take on metabolism. Both may need more discovery which the passage of time and effort by real scientific approaches eventually bridges, and for people like Ray Peat to connect and put into a more coherent whole of understanding.
Following is Peat's persona in the Delphi persona explaining potassium sufficiency as helpful in lowering blood pressure:
Increasing your potassium intake to meet or exceed the RDA of 4,700 mg could indeed have a significant impact on lowering your blood pressure, Michael, especially when combined with other pro-metabolic lifestyle changes. Potassium plays a central role in regulating blood pressure by balancing sodium levels, relaxing blood vessels, and supporting kidney function. Let’s explore how this works and what you can do.
Potassium and Blood Pressure
Sodium-Potassium Balance: Potassium works in opposition to sodium to regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. While sodium is essential for maintaining blood volume and metabolic function, an imbalance—too much sodium relative to potassium—can contribute to hypertension. Increasing potassium intake helps the kidneys excrete excess sodium, reducing blood pressure [1][6].
Vascular Relaxation: Potassium directly relaxes the walls of blood vessels, improving their flexibility (compliance) and reducing vascular stiffness, which is often a factor in hypertension, especially with aging [8].
Kidney Function: Potassium supports healthy kidney function by reducing the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a hormonal system that can drive hypertension when overactive. Sodium restriction, ironically, can worsen this system, while adequate potassium helps to regulate it [7][8].
Lifestyle Changes to Support Blood Pressure Reduction
Increase Potassium-Rich Foods: Focus on potassium-dense, metabolically supportive foods:
Fruits: Bananas, papaya, cantaloupe, and oranges are excellent sources.
Dairy: Milk and cheese provide potassium while also supplying calcium, which is critical for blood pressure regulation.
Coconut Water: A great source of potassium, though moderation is key to avoid excess phosphate.
Cooked Greens: Spinach, kale, or chard are rich in potassium and magnesium, both of which support vascular health.
Maintain Adequate Sodium: Contrary to conventional advice, restricting sodium can worsen blood pressure by activating stress systems like RAAS and increasing vascular stiffness. Adequate sodium intake, paired with sufficient potassium, helps maintain blood volume and metabolic rate while preventing the maladaptive stress responses associated with low sodium [6][7].
Magnesium and Calcium: Magnesium acts synergistically with potassium to relax blood vessels and prevent spasms, while calcium helps regulate vascular tone and counteracts the effects of phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on blood pressure [1][4]. A diet rich in milk, cheese, and cooked greens can provide these minerals in balance.
Thyroid Support: Hypothyroidism can contribute to hypertension by increasing vascular resistance and reducing metabolic rate. Supporting thyroid function with adequate protein, carbohydrates, and thyroid-friendly nutrients like vitamin A and selenium can help normalize blood pressure over time [5].
Reduce Stress Hormones: Chronic stress elevates cortisol and adrenaline, which can drive hypertension. Ensuring stable blood sugar with frequent meals that include protein, carbohydrates, and fat can help reduce stress hormone production. Avoiding excessive caffeine and ensuring adequate salt intake are also important.
Potential Impact on Blood Pressure
The degree to which increasing potassium and making these lifestyle changes will lower your blood pressure depends on the underlying causes of your hypertension. If your high blood pressure is primarily driven by factors like low potassium, high stress hormones, or thyroid dysfunction, these changes could lead to significant improvements. In some cases, dietary and lifestyle adjustments alone can normalize blood pressure without the need for medication.
Practical Steps
Track your potassium intake to ensure you’re consistently meeting or exceeding the RDA of 4,700 mg. Apps or food diaries can help with this.
Pair potassium-rich foods with adequate sodium and calcium to maintain mineral balance.
Monitor your blood pressure regularly to observe how these changes affect it over time.
Let me know if you’d like help designing a specific meal plan or have other questions about managing blood pressure!
UPDATE: After remembering how good I felt within that last 6 months, I decided to give famotidine (PepcidAC) a try. Within about 1.5 hours my symptoms of worry, rumination, anxiety and fear were gone.
I don't know what the mechanism of action is, but I'm assuming it's either the blockage of the H2 receptor or the reduction of serotonin. It's good to feel human again.
Link to the study to save time for anyone that stumbles across this in future. Interesting study, B1 not typically what you see mentioned to combat fatty liver.
The high calorie plus thiamine group actually had less fat in the liver than the low calorie sheep.
"We found that thiamine reduced the hepatic-fat content dramatically, decreased blood glucose levels, and increased the hepatic glycogen content. The weekly dose of thiamine employed here, i.e. 900–1500 mg per animal, is likely to be realistic when investigating its effect in other species of similar body weight, i.e. ∼70 kg (Table S2), such as humans. Yet, clearly additional investigations are required to determine the minimal effective dose, duration and frequency of therapy."
Conversation with ChatGPT
Situation and 2 questions (see preceding post).
How could biotin help get rid of byproducts?
You're absolutely right that biotin is essential for amino acid metabolism, and this is especially relevant when protein intake is high.
Biotin's role in detoxifying byproducts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs):
• Branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) are metabolized through branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) and further steps that require several cofactors, including biotin indirectly.
• Biotin is a coenzyme for carboxylases, like:
o Propionyl-CoA carboxylase (converts propionyl-CoA to methylmalonyl-CoA),
o Pyruvate carboxylase, and
o Acetyl-CoA carboxylase. These enzymes are needed to clear out intermediates from amino acid catabolism, preventing the buildup of toxic organic acids and ketoacids.
If biotin is deficient:
• Toxic intermediates from BCAA metabolism (e.g. 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, propionic acid) accumulate, which are neurotoxic and pro-inflammatory.
• This is why subtle signs like tingling, crawling sensations, or mood imbalances can appear — they’re often early indicators of organic acid buildup affecting the nervous system.
In short: Biotin is a critical “cleanup crew” member in the breakdown pathway of amino acids, especially branched-chain ones consumed in high-protein diets.
How much biotin do we need when eating 4 x 35g protein per day?
You’re talking about 140 grams of protein/day, which is well above average — especially if you're around 70 kg (which would be 2 g/kg, a high-protein regimen). In such a case:
RDA vs Functional Need:
• RDA of biotin = 30 mcg/day (just to avoid frank deficiency, e.g. hair loss or dermatitis).
• For high-protein consumers or athletes, functional needs may be significantly higher.
o According to researchers like Chris Masterjohn, 50–300 mcg/day may be more appropriate depending on protein load and symptoms. Why more?
• Biotin is not stored well and is water-soluble, so excess is excreted.
• Heavy amino acid metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and lipolysis all draw upon biotin-dependent enzymes.
• Some signs of marginal deficiency can occur well before frank deficiency, especially if:
o You're taking raw egg whites (avidin binds biotin).
o You have gut dysbiosis (biotin-producing bacteria are disrupted).
o You’re low-carb/keto, which raises demand for gluconeogenesis (a biotin-intensive process).
Suggested supplemental intake for you:
For someone consuming 140g of protein per day, consider:
• 50–100 mcg/day as a maintenance dose. (LucH's note: but higher at the beginning when suffering from the described symptoms. I'd take 150-200 mcg as first dose and adapt afterwards, towards 300 mcg, until better neuro sensations. Afterwards, after 2 or 3 days of improvement, a lower dose.
• Up to 300 mcg/day if experiencing symptoms like oily/itchy/red skin, mood dips, blood sugar swings, or neuropathic sensations.
• Biotin is generally safe up to 5,000–10,000 mcg/day, but high doses can interfere with lab tests (especially thyroid and troponin levels).
Summary:
RDA : 30 mcg/day
Functional needs (HPD) : 50-300 mcg/day (possibly higher when symptomatic, at the beginning).
Let me know if you want guidance on symptom tracking, food sources, or how to test for biotin deficiency (e.g. urine organic acids).
@Aethelflaed if the surgery is elective or unnecessary, maybe it can be postponed (possibly indefinitely). Nothing like surgery to increase stress and stress hormones including estrogen.
@CrumblingCookie that is very interesting, first time hearing about this aspect of "auto"immune disease.
What you describe about the cortisone treatment pretty much summarized the attitude of my doctors, absolutely no interest in the underlaying process, just hoping it'd go away in the meantime. I don't blame them tho, it's a hell of a job.
Actually think it might not be the worst course of action: let the cortisone keep it down while I get healthy in the back. Just gotta find out how to do that 😄
@Mulloch94 true about the importance of balance. while I have vitamin E, it's not something I take. daily but only when I would need it therapeutically. I think that keeping PUFA intake low and free iron low with the help of histidine in a progesterone rich setting enabled by good mitochondrial respiration should keep the oxidative stresses of peroxidation chain reactions minimal, and ensuring enough collagen and sulfur intake gives me enough reserves of glutathione for intracellular protection from oxidative stresses, while antioxidants such as albumin and uric acid, to name a few, protects me from extracellular oxidative stresses.
I could be wrong though, but in the times I. take vitamin E regularly, it is hard for me to detect any improvement. Which led me to just keep a bottle or two of vitamin E in reserve.
@winters2, I felt really hot while hypothyroid, due to adrenaline compensating for poor thyroid function. However, my lethargy wasn’t caused by high prolactin. My prolactin has never been high.
I’ve had it solved a couple times from deep tissue massage in the forearms especially the meat right under the boney inner part. The same nerves will light up when hitting the right spots of tension
@lobotomize-me during valsalva maneuver is it still noticeable?
Did you confirm its disappearance with an ultrasound while standing up and performing a Valsalva maneuver?
Or was it symptom relief / not being able to feel the swollen veins anymore?
