Chiptune

I like take things on a case by case basis. I don't like to abide to generalization. By this I mean, just because one of the studies the AHA uses is flawed I don't think this means they're all flawed. Also, it's not only the AHA reporting these numbers to begin with. We all agree here that AHA's guidelines on LDL are flawed. The reason for this is we can trace back the sources and see the research backing it up are only talking about "correlation". It's a strong correlation (~95%), but there's still plenty of room for exceptions. None of these studies take metabolic state into account, and the percentage of people in ketosis is probably like 0.5% of the population; this fits easily into that 5% of exceptions. On top of this, there's also the LEM (Liquid Energy Model) that's been challenged multiple times but yet to be debunked, that supports that higher LDL in ketosis is "normal". There's also a study on LMHR (Lean Mass Hyper-Responders) that also supports this. If we agree that their findings on LDL can potentially not apply to people in ketosis, this also extends to the diet they recommend. Since their only reason to restrict fat intake is yet another correlative study about fats raising LDL. Blood pressure however, is different. We're seeing Harvard, China and Korea reporting similar numbers. I cannot find potential counter-arguments to support higher blood pressures while in ketosis (like with the LEM / LMHR), and this is despite my extremely biased diggings hoping to find something to support me not having to change anything. I agree that where I'm at now isn't worth panicking about. But also think now's the time to start experimenting and trying things out pre-emptively before things actually get bad. I do have a bit more cause of concern than most, considering the rate of CVD in my dad's side of the tree is very high and not particularly due to unhealthy lifestyles. If there's not really any direct recommendations to lowering BP on carnivore, I think I might try lowering my salt intake. The link between sodium and blood pressure hasn't been entirely debunked, as there is a subset of sodium sensitive people that has objectively seen a direct response. I had this "4g a day" in mind since Koreans have one of the lowest rate of CVD and they average 4g a day. But I'm not Korean so maybe genetics are at play and the 3g recommended by the AHA was more appropriate for me.

I was going by the recommendations of the AHA (which are backed by a Harvard study), where "120" is precisely the turning point between "normal" and "elevated" which wouldn't have me worried yet on it's own. But the "80" is considered stage 1 blood pressure hypertension and is treated as a risk factor that requires attention. But following your replies I looked around a bit trying to find sources for alternative opinions but the only thing I could find is a recent Chinese study that recommends even lower, and the KHS (Korean AHA) mirroring the exact same results as the Harvard study in a separate study 😅 When you guys say "normal", do you mean it in the sense of "normal for carnivores", or, "generally normal"?

So I've been carnivore for about 4 years now. It's done wonders to my sleep, neck and wrist pains, brain fog and physical performance. But the whole time my BP slowly rised, I used to be about 100/65, 2 years ago 110/72, and now last week i hit 120/80 so I'm starting to get a bit worried. It's a bit confusing since I see everyone reporting the opposite, so I'm wondering if I've been doing something wrong. Despite this, my resting heart rate hasn't budged, still 59-64. I'm 32. My diet consists of no supplements, beef (daily), turkey (1/3 days), salmon (1/3 days), bacon (daily), eggs (daily), butter (daily), cheese (1/2 days) and about 3-4g of pink salt (daily), macros balanced at about 50/50 protein/fat by weight (so like 25/75 by calorie). I usually do a small fast on Sundays (skip breakfast and lunch). I do about 4hrs cycling a week (roughly 30min commute to work a day) and 3000-4000 steps a day (I like going on an evening walk with an audiobook). I still "feel" really good so I'm very reluctant to change my diet, but if I can't turn this trend around I might not have a choice. So I'm posting this here hoping maybe some people in the community might have some insight on what's up. Any ideas?