Peat Archive

Prostaglandins are a family of signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, and Ray Peat viewed them as major mediators of inflammation, pain, and metabolic disruption. He noted that prostaglandins of the 2-series (derived from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 PUFA) promote inflammation, pain, fever, blood clotting, and uterine contractions, while also suppressing immune function and promoting cancer.

Peat's key insight was that reducing dietary PUFAs reduces the substrate for prostaglandin production, effectively reducing chronic inflammation at its source. He also recommended aspirin (which blocks cyclooxygenase) as a direct anti-prostaglandin intervention, and noted that this explains aspirin's broad protective effects against cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.