Keto Diet: Effective Way To Lower Blood Pressure?

The ketogenic diet has been touted as a potential way to lower blood pressure, but does it actually work? High blood pressure is a common health issue that can lead to serious conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. While medications are often needed to treat hypertension, lifestyle changes can also help lower blood pressure and improve overall health. One such lifestyle change is adopting a ketogenic diet, which involves a low-carbohydrate, high-fat approach. Some studies have shown that a ketogenic diet can be effective in lowering blood pressure, even compared to low-fat diets combined with weight-loss medication. However, it is important to note that this may not be the case for everyone, and there are potential risks and side effects associated with the diet.

Keto lowers BP more than any other diet

Blood pressure, or BP, is the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels, usually referring to the pressure on arteries. BP is typically expressed as one number over another. The top number, the systolic pressure, refers to the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, indicates the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a "standard" blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. A systolic pressure between 120-139 or a diastolic pressure above 80 is considered "elevated blood pressure". A systolic pressure between 130-139 or a diastolic pressure between 80-89 is stage 1 hypertension, and a systolic pressure over 140 or a diastolic pressure over 90 is stage 2 hypertension.

The keto diet has been shown to decrease blood pressure more than any other diet that has been studied. A 2007 study published in the Journal of American Medicine compared the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet with three other diets on blood pressure and other measures of cardiovascular fitness. The study found that the low-carbohydrate Atkins diet led to the greatest reductions in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure decreasing by 7.6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decreasing by 4.4 mm Hg. In comparison, the Zone diet, the LEARN diet, and the Ornish diet led to smaller reductions in blood pressure.

Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2010 compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet with a low-fat diet combined with the weight-loss drug Orlistat. The study found that the ketogenic diet was more effective in lowering blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure decreasing by 5.9 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decreasing by 4.5 mm Hg. In contrast, the low-fat diet led to a slight increase in blood pressure.

A Mediterranean twist on the ketogenic diet has also been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. A 2008 study found that a diet high in healthy fats, such as olive oil, and fatty fish, along with vegetables as the primary source of carbohydrates, led to significant reductions in blood pressure. The average systolic blood pressure decreased by 13.25% and the average diastolic blood pressure decreased by 10.98%.

In addition to the direct effects of the keto diet on blood pressure, the diet can also help to address some of the root causes of hypertension, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. A low-carbohydrate diet can help to improve metabolic syndrome and hypertension by reducing sugars and starches in the diet.

Recommendations

If you are interested in lowering your blood pressure, consider adopting a ketogenic diet or a Mediterranean ketogenic diet. Consult with your doctor and dietitian to see if this is a suitable choice based on your medical history.

Keto may lower BP better than medication

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health issue that affects many people. While medications are often needed to treat hypertension, lifestyle changes can also play a crucial role in lowering blood pressure. In particular, dietary modifications such as adopting a ketogenic diet may be an effective approach to managing hypertension.

The Impact of Keto on Blood Pressure

The ketogenic diet, also known as the keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years. Recent research suggests that this type of diet may be a useful tool in maintaining healthy blood pressure.

One study found that individuals who followed a ketogenic diet for 12 weeks experienced significant reductions in blood pressure, with some participants even seeing their blood pressure normalize completely. Additionally, a large 2015 study showed that people over the age of 50 with hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors reduced their risk of heart disease and lived longer when they lowered their systolic blood pressure to 120.

Keto vs. Medication

While medications can be effective in managing hypertension, they may also come with side effects such as kidney injury, fainting, and electrolyte abnormalities. In contrast, the keto diet has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure without the same risks associated with medication.

A 2010 study compared the impact of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet with a low-fat diet combined with the weight-loss drug Orlistat. The results showed that the ketogenic diet group experienced a greater reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the low-fat group. This suggests that the keto diet may be more effective than medication in lowering blood pressure.

A Mediterranean Twist on Keto

In addition to the standard keto diet, a Mediterranean twist on the diet has also been studied for its impact on blood pressure. This variation includes healthy fats such as olive oil, fatty fish, and vegetables as the primary source of carbohydrates.

A 2008 study found that obese subjects who followed the Spanish Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet (SMKD) for 12 weeks experienced significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, their average blood pressure decreased substantially, with systolic blood pressure dropping by 13.25% and diastolic blood pressure by 10.98%.

The keto diet has been shown to be an effective tool in managing hypertension and may even be more beneficial than medication for some individuals. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes. While keto may be a powerful tool for lowering blood pressure, it should be approached with caution and under medical supervision.

Keto and BP medication can cause low BP

The keto diet is a popular choice for those looking to lose weight, but it can also be an effective way to lower blood pressure. In fact, some studies have shown that the keto diet can be even more effective at lowering blood pressure than blood pressure medication. This is because obesity is a leading cause of hypertension (high blood pressure), and the keto diet helps the body burn fat and lose weight.

However, it's important to be aware that combining the keto diet with BP medication can lead to low blood pressure. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure and start the keto diet, you may find that your blood pressure drops too low. This is because the keto diet can work a little too well in conjunction with BP medication! You may find that you become too healthy for your current dosage of medication and need to adjust it.

If you are on BP medication and are considering starting the keto diet, be sure to consult your doctor first. They may need to adjust your dosage to avoid any negative side effects of low blood pressure, such as feeling weak, tired, or dizzy.

It's also important to note that the keto diet may not be suitable for everyone. For example, those who are pregnant or have chronic kidney disease should avoid the keto diet. Additionally, if you already have low blood pressure, the keto diet could lower your BP to dangerous levels. As always, be sure to consult your doctor before making any radical changes to your diet.

High-carb diets may increase BP

High-Carb Diets May Increase Blood Pressure

High-carb diets are often associated with clinical concerns such as high blood pressure. However, a 2015 study in South Korea questions this notion. The study analysed data from 34,003 Korean adults aged 19 and older, divided into three groups based on their dietary fat intake. The first group derived less than 15% of their calories from fat, the second group between 15-25%, and the third group over 25%.

The researchers found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a set of risk factors including hypertension that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, was about 1.27 times higher in the lowest-fat group than in the highest-fat group. Interestingly, the low-fat group had higher levels of triglycerides and blood pressure than the high-fat group, despite consuming 500 kcal less per day on average.

These findings suggest that low-fat, high-carb diets (below 25% fat) may be less healthy for cardiovascular health and could increase the risk of hypertension. Therefore, it is important to consume a reasonable amount of calories from fat and not excess carbohydrates when selecting a diet for optimal blood pressure management.

Furthermore, a 2007 study published in the Journal of American Medicine compared the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet with three other diets, including the Zone Diet, the LEARN Diet, and the Ornish Diet, on blood pressure and cardiovascular fitness. The study found that the Atkins diet, which had the lowest carbohydrate intake, resulted in the greatest reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In addition to the potential direct impact of high-carb diets on blood pressure, it is worth noting that high-carb diets can also contribute to weight gain, especially around the midsection, which is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Obesity-related hormonal changes, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with high-carb diets can further increase the risk of hypertension.

While the evidence suggests an association between high-carb diets and increased blood pressure, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes.

Keto lowers BP by reducing insulin levels

Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health issue that often has no noticeable symptoms but remains one of the most critical risk factors for serious conditions like strokes and heart attacks. While medication is commonly needed to treat hypertension, it can often be lowered through simple lifestyle changes, such as a ketogenic diet.

The keto diet can be an effective tool for managing hypertension by reducing insulin levels. Insulin stimulates the kidneys to retain sodium, so when an individual lowers their insulin levels through a low-carb diet, this results in the excretion of sodium by the kidneys, leading to lower blood pressure. This is supported by clinical experience and has been unanimously agreed upon by low-carb expert panels.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of American Medicine compared the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet and three other diets on blood pressure and other measures of cardiovascular fitness. The study found that the Atkins diet, which is low in carbohydrates, resulted in the greatest decline in blood pressure. After a 12-month trial, the Atkins group decreased their systolic blood pressure by an average of 7.6 mm Hg, more than twice that of any other group.

In addition to the Atkins diet, a ketogenic Mediterranean diet has also been found to positively impact blood pressure. A 2008 study assessed how this diet, which is high in healthy fats like olive oil and fatty fish, along with vegetables as the primary source of carbohydrates, impacted cardiovascular health. The study found that the average blood pressure of the subjects decreased substantially, with the average subject going from pre-hypertension to normal, healthy blood pressure.

Furthermore, a 2010 study compared the impact of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet with a low-fat diet combined with the weight-loss drug Orlistat and regular exercise. The study found that the low-carb group experienced a much more positive health outcome in regards to blood pressure, with a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 5.9 mm Hg, while the low-fat group actually saw a slight increase in systolic blood pressure.

While the keto diet can be an effective way to lower blood pressure, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes. Additionally, maintaining a healthy but reasonable calorie deficit and participating in exercise can lead to even stronger results.

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