Keto And High Blood Pressure: Is There A Link?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that is used to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. The diet forces the body to burn fats instead of carbohydrates, which puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state, and there is nothing dangerous about it. The keto diet is often used for weight loss, and it has been shown to improve blood sugar control for patients with type 2 diabetes.

The keto diet may also help lower high blood pressure. Obesity is a leading cause of hypertension, and the keto diet can help fight this risk factor by promoting weight loss. Several studies have shown that a low-carbohydrate diet may be as effective or even more effective at lowering blood pressure than blood pressure medication. However, there are some potential risks and side effects associated with the keto diet, including an initial increase in blood pressure due to increased sodium intake, kidney problems, and an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before starting the keto diet, especially if you have high blood pressure.

Keto can lower blood pressure in obese people

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where fat is burned for energy instead of carbohydrates. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state, and our bodies can be kept in that state all the time.

Obesity is a leading cause of hypertension (high blood pressure). When an obese person loses weight, other metabolic markers tend to improve too, including blood pressure. Keto can be an effective weight loss diet, especially for obese people, and has been shown to be more effective than other diets in lowering blood pressure.

How Keto Lowers Blood Pressure

Keto helps fight the hypertension risk factors of obesity and diabetes. A diet high in processed carbohydrates and refined sugars leads to arterial inflammation over time, which can cause an elevation in blood pressure. A diet low in carbs and sugars will therefore decrease insulin levels and arterial inflammation.

Studies on Keto for High Blood Pressure

Several studies suggest that keto may help treat or prevent hypertension.

One study compared keto to three other diets: the Zone diet (30% carbs), the LEARN diet (60% carbs), and the Ornish Diet (10% fat calories). The results showed that those eating keto saw twice as much improvement in systolic blood pressure as those on the other diets.

Another study compared keto to a regimen of a low-fat diet and the blood pressure medication Orlistat. Blood pressure fell in the keto group but rose in the low-fat group.

A third study put 40 obese people on a Spanish Mediterranean keto diet (under 30g carbs, olive oil and red wine daily, and vegetables encouraged) for 12 weeks. By the end of the study, the average systolic blood pressure fell from 126 to 109, and the average diastolic from 85 to 75. In other words, the average blood pressure went from "elevated" to "normal".

Risks of Keto for Blood Pressure

While keto has been shown to help lower blood pressure, there are a few cases where it might not.

A "dirty keto" diet, for example, would be short on potassium (from vegetables) to counter the high sodium load from salty processed meat. Too much sodium without enough potassium will raise blood pressure.

Too little sodium can also raise blood pressure. Low sodium is common on keto because low-carb diets increase urinary sodium loss. When you don't consume enough sodium, your body releases a sodium-retaining, blood-pressure-raising hormone called aldosterone.

Tips to Improve Blood Pressure

• Exercise: Regular mild to moderate aerobic exercise is well-documented to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
• Sleep well: Short sleep, insomnia, and other sleep disorders are independent risk factors for high blood pressure.
• Maintain a healthy weight: When obese people lose weight, they typically see improvements in blood pressure.
• Get enough sodium and potassium: Deficiencies in either can elevate blood pressure.
• Get more fiber: Higher fiber intakes seem to be protective against heart disease, and certain fibers have been shown to lower arterial blood pressure.
• Try a low-carb diet: Make sure it's a clean keto diet with plenty of low-carb vegetables.

Keto can help fight hypertension risk factors

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition affecting around a third of all Americans. It is a well-documented risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. While the mechanisms behind hypertension are not always clear, obesity is a significant risk factor. Obese individuals tend to have higher levels of chronic inflammation, which creates hormonal disturbances that may elevate blood pressure.

The keto diet can be an effective tool for weight loss, especially for obese individuals and people with diabetes. By shifting the body into a state of ketosis, a keto diet can help burn fat and suppress appetite. This can lead to a reduction in body weight, which is often a critical factor in improving blood pressure.

In addition to weight loss, keto can also help fight hypertension risk factors by addressing other metabolic markers such as inflammation, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, blood glucose, and insulin function. A diet high in processed carbohydrates and refined sugars can lead to arterial inflammation over time, increasing blood pressure. The keto diet's low-carb and low-sugar approach can help reduce insulin levels and arterial inflammation.

Several studies have suggested that the keto diet may be beneficial for treating or preventing hypertension. For example, one study found that overweight premenopausal women on a keto diet experienced greater reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to those on other diets. Another study compared keto to a low-fat diet plus blood pressure medication and found that blood pressure fell in the keto group but rose in the low-fat group.

However, it is important to note that keto may not be suitable for everyone, and there are potential risks associated with the diet. It is always recommended to consult a medical professional before making any radical changes to your diet.

Keto may not be suitable for pregnant people

Pregnant or soon-to-be pregnant people are advised not to follow a keto diet. This is because the keto diet's basic premise—teaching the body to use ketones instead of glucose for energy—is incompatible with the needs of a growing baby. Glucose from carbohydrates is a primary energy source for a baby's growth and development.

There is scarce research on the effects of keto during pregnancy. However, studies on pregnant mice have found that a ketogenic diet caused changes to embryo development, including alterations in the growth rates of the spine, heart, and brain. These changes may be associated with organ dysfunction and potential behavioural changes in postnatal life.

In addition, keto may not be a suitable diet for pregnant people as it requires the elimination of nearly all carbohydrates, including fruits, whole grains, and some vegetables. This restriction may not provide enough variety to meet the nutritional needs of a developing baby.

For people who are pregnant and overweight, it is generally not recommended to try to lose weight during pregnancy, unless advised otherwise by a doctor. Instead, the focus should be on eating a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet and maintaining a healthy weight.

Overall, while keto may be an effective weight-loss strategy for some, it is not recommended for pregnant people due to potential risks to the developing baby.

Keto may not be suitable for people with chronic kidney disease

The ketogenic diet is generally considered safe for people with healthy kidneys. However, if you have any kidney complications or fully developed kidney disease, it is not recommended to follow the ketogenic diet without consulting a nephrologist.

The Impact of Keto on Kidney Function

Although there is a lack of long-term research on the effects of keto, current studies indicate that there is no direct link between keto and kidney disease. In fact, for individuals with healthy kidneys, keto may offer some health benefits, such as improved blood sugar control, cardiovascular function, and weight loss.

However, it is important to note that keto can cause changes in kidney function due to increased levels of ketones in the urine. Ketones carry a negative charge, which can result in the increased excretion of positively charged ions like potassium. This is a natural part of the urine filtration process.

Keto and Kidney Stones

There is some speculation that the high-protein nature of the ketogenic diet may increase the risk of kidney stones. However, this argument has two key flaws. First, keto is not a high-protein diet but a high-fat diet, with a recommended protein intake similar to that of a typical diet. Second, there is ongoing debate about whether increased animal protein consumption is a risk factor for kidney stones. A study following 78,293 women over multiple years found that while certain nutritional factors influenced kidney stone risk, animal protein consumption was not one of them.

Keto and Chronic Kidney Disease

While keto has shown promise in improving renal function, particularly in cases triggered by conditions like type 2 diabetes, it is not recommended for people with or at risk of kidney disease without the guidance of a qualified health professional.

Additionally, the strict nature of dietary recommendations for patients with kidney disease means that the best diet for an individual living with kidney disease should be personalized to their specific needs.

In summary, while keto appears to be safe and potentially beneficial for individuals with healthy kidneys, it may not be suitable for those with chronic kidney disease without careful supervision by a medical professional.

Keto may not be suitable for people with low blood pressure

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. In this state, the body breaks down stored fat, creating molecules called ketones to use as fuel. While this can be an effective way to manage weight and lower blood pressure for some people, it may not be suitable for those who already have low blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Medication

If you are taking blood pressure medication and start a low-carb diet, there is a risk that the combination will lower your blood pressure too much. This is because the keto diet can cause a rapid drop in blood pressure for some individuals. If you feel symptoms of low blood pressure, such as weakness, fatigue, or dizziness, it is important to check your blood pressure and consult your doctor about adjusting your medication dosage.

Salt and Bouillon

When starting a keto diet, it is often recommended to increase fluid and salt intake, especially in the first two weeks, to minimize side effects like headaches. However, if your blood pressure is already high despite medication, increasing salt intake is not advisable as it may raise your blood pressure further.

Kidney Health

The keto diet can put extra strain on the kidneys due to the increased processing of protein and the resulting loss of fluid and electrolytes. This can lead to low blood pressure, and in the presence of diabetes, it may even cause ketoacidosis and coma. Therefore, it is important to monitor kidney health closely while on a keto diet.

Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of the keto diet are still under study. While it has been shown to be effective for weight loss in the short term, there is limited research on its safety beyond 12 months. Some experts recommend a maximum of six months on the keto diet, depending on the individual's starting weight and overall health.

In conclusion, while the keto diet may be beneficial for some people with high blood pressure, it can also lower blood pressure too much for those who already have low blood pressure or are taking certain medications. It is important to consult your doctor before starting the keto diet and monitor your health closely, especially kidney function and blood pressure.

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