Peat Archive

Ray Peat's views on calcium challenge both the mainstream recommendation to take calcium supplements and the alternative health community's fear of calcium. He argued that calcium deficiency is common but that the solution is dairy consumption (especially milk and cheese) rather than calcium carbonate supplements. He emphasized that calcium metabolism depends on a complex interplay of hormones — parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, thyroid, estrogen — and that excess parathyroid hormone (driven by calcium and vitamin D deficiency) is a major driver of soft tissue calcification and degenerative disease.

Peat noted that adequate calcium intake (from dairy) actually prevents pathological calcification by keeping parathyroid hormone low. He recommended 1-2 quarts of milk daily as an ideal calcium source, noting that milk also provides lactose, protein, and other nutrients that support metabolic health.