THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
High blood pressure essentially puts your heart into overdrive in an effort to send blood throughout the body.
This manifests itself in symptoms like headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, palpitations, and more. But if left unchecked, the issue can spiral into more serious problems, including increased risk of heart attack.
That’s why you need to take steps to correct the issue and bring your blood pressure levels down to a more acceptable level. There are many ways you can do this, one being dietary changes. So, does carnivore diet lower blood pressure?
In theory, it would only make matters worse - everything you’ve been told is that eating too much meat can increase your risk of heart complications. However, the real link between carnivore diet and blood pressure may surprise you.
Learn more about how starting the carnivore diet for high blood pressure can help you regain control of your health and other secondary carnivore diet benefits. We’ll share carnivore diet tips so you can get back on track. Set yourself up for success with our carnivore diet snacks today!
What You Need to Know About Carnivore Diet and Blood Pressure
First, let’s start with the basics of carnivore diet and blood pressure to help you gain a more clear understanding of what this nutritional regimen entails and why managing blood pressure is so important.
The Basics of Carnivore Diet
What is the carnivore diet, exactly? You can probably draw some conclusions from the name alone. It’s a restrictive approach to nutrition in which you’ll only eat animal products. So, what can you eat on the carnivore diet? Options include:
- Beef
- Poultry
- Pork
- Lamb
- Fish
- Eggs
- Organ meats
- Butter
- Cheese
That means many of the foods you’re familiar with are no longer on the menu - nuts, seeds, veggies, fruits, and grains. All plant-based foods are banned. That’s really the only carnivore diet rule.
In this sense, the diet is high in protein and fat and low in carbs. There’s no restrictions on how much you can eat or when you eat - just that you adhere to the carnivore diet foods listed above.
So, why would you follow this nutritional regimen? The belief is that modern health issues like chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders are correlated to consuming plant-based foods and carbohydrates.
Thus, you are allowing your body to function as nature intended by reverting to an all-animal diet like our ancestors would have followed. That being said, what can you expect from the carnivore diet before and after?
Advocates report significant carnivore diet weight loss, increased energy levels, improved mental clarity, and enhanced digestion. There are many other reasons to consider the diet as well, like its relationship to blood pressure - more on that in a moment.
You can learn more about the carnivore diet pros and cons in our blog, including potential carnivore diet side effects. We also have resources comparing with other diets like keto, paleo, lion diet, and more. For now, let’s look at the other half of the carnivore diet blood pressure conversation.
Overview of Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. It’s used to assess cardiovascular health, typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats). Normal blood pressure is generally considered to be around 120/80 mmHg. It can be affected by diet, physical activity, weight, genetics, and stress levels.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. On the other hand, low blood pressure, or hypotension, can cause dizziness and fainting and may signal underlying health issues.
Either way, maintaining optimal blood pressure is not something you should take lightly. Diet is one of the easiest levers you can pull that will raise or lower it.
For example, high sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium are all minerals that support blood pressure regulation. So, what’s the link between carnivore diet and blood pressure?
Does Carnivore Diet Lower Blood Pressure?
So, does carnivore diet lower blood pressure - if so, how? Can carnivore diet cause high blood pressure in some cases? We’ll fully unpack the carnivore diet blood pressure relationship below.
How Does Carnivore Diet Lower Blood Pressure?
How does carnivore does carnivore diet lower blood pressure exactly? As you now know, the carnivore diet eliminates plant-based foods that contain anti-nutrients and potential allergens that can cause inflammation.
Through this mechanism the diet may help reduce systemic inflammation, which is a major factor in high blood pressure.
Chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels and lead to hypertension among a host of other problems. Working to reduce inflammation can improve vascular health.
That’s not the only way that this dietary approach influences blood pressure, though. It also eliminates the spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels associated with high carbohydrate intake. These issues can contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, both of which are risk factors for high blood pressure.
The ability to manage weight effectively is another way in which the carnivore diet can lower blood pressure. Obesity is a major risk factor, after all. This diet promotes satiety and reduces caloric intake.
There’s one more piece to the puzzle as well - improved kidney function. Healthy kidneys are essential for regulating blood pressure, as they control the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. Eating mostly nutrient-dense animal products and avoiding carbs can help.
Does Carnivore Diet Raise Blood Pressure in Some Cases?
Now, it’s important to look at the other side of the coin as well. While the carnivore diet has potential benefits for lowering blood pressure, it may raise blood pressure in certain cases.
Consuming a high amount of processed meats or adding excessive salt to meals can increase sodium intake, which may raise blood pressure.
It's important to choose fresh, unprocessed meats and monitor salt consumption to avoid this issue. Learn about the best meat for carnivore diet in our blog to round out your shopping list.
The carnivore diet can sometimes lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients found in plant foods, such as potassium and magnesium, which influence blood pressure regulation.
A lack of these minerals can result in higher blood pressure. Ensuring a balanced intake of nutrient-dense organ meats and using carnivore diet supplements can help mitigate this risk.
It’s important to remember that individual variability will always play a role in your carnivore diet blood pressure response. Some individuals may experience an increase due to stress or a lack of adaptation to the diet.
But if you’re willing to try anything at this point, starting the carnivore diet for high blood pressure is an excellent choice. We’ll share tips on how to start carnivore diet below to point you in the right direction.
Tips on Starting the Carnivore Diet for High Blood Pressure
The link between carnivore diet and blood pressure is promising, but the only way to know for sure if it can help you get your health in check is to take the first step and try the diet yourself. Here’s how you can make the most of this regimen.
Know Your Baseline Blood Pressure Levels
Starting with an understanding of your baseline blood pressure levels will help you gauge how well the efforts you’re taking are working. Regularly monitor and record your blood pressure readings for at least a week to establish a baseline.
You can get this done professionally or you can make life easier on yourself and invest in a home blood pressure monitor and maintain a log of your readings, noting any significant changes or patterns.
Gradual Transition to Carnivore Diet
Even though you’re excited to see what all the carnivore diet can do for you, a gradual transition will help you avoid the adverse effects of the adaptation period - known as the “carnivore flu”.
Rather than waking up one day and avoiding all plant based foods, start slowly weeding out problematic food groups. Processed foods, sugars, and grains should be the first to go.
Then, you can gradually increase your intake of beef, lamb, fish, eggs, and organ meats while weaning yourself off fruits and vegetables. Your digestive system will have an easier time adjusting and you won’t feel as much gastrointestinal discomfort along the way.
Managing Cravings and Adaptation
For many, the hardest part of following the carnivore diet blood pressure regimen is managing cravings. The old snacks you’ve come to know and love are likely not approved on the carnivore diet plan.
Prioritize fatty cuts of meat, which provide satiety and energy. Bone broth and organ meats can also help curb cravings by offering a rich source of essential nutrients.
Stay hydrated and consider drinking water or bone broth between meals to help manage hunger. You should also engage in activities that distract from food to reduce cravings during the adaptation phase.
However, there’s no getting around it - you need yummy carnivore desserts and zero carb snacks on hand for when cravings strike. This way you can indulge and maintain your sanity without compromising on the diet’s protocol.
Your search ends here at Carnivore Snax, where you’ll discover our nutrient-packed, delicious carnivore chips. These feature just two ingredients - meat and salt. Yet, they taste like a meaty pastry that you can feel good about spoiling yourself with. We source them from elite, ethical regenerative farms too!
You can keep a variety of meat chips on hand so that you don’t get bored. Here are our most popular varieties:
Don’t force yourself to eat boiled eggs and cheese on carnivore diet every time you want a snack. Keep our chips on hand and you’ll actually look forward to snacking!
Keeping Things Fresh and Fun With Meal Planning
Speaking of preventing things from getting boring, you need to maintain variety in your meal planning as well to prevent yourself from going crazy.
We have some great carnivore diet breakfast ideas, carnivore diet lunch ideas, and more in our blog. The best advice we can offer, though, is to simply switch up the spices you use, the preparation methods, and the cuts of meat.
Grill, roast, slow-cook, or pan-fry your meats to add variety to your diet. Incorporate different animal-based products, such as fish, poultry, and various organ meats, to diversify your nutrient intake.
If nothing else, you can follow a modified carnivore diet that allows you to slowly add back in certain nutrients after completely abstaining for a period of time.
The idea is that not all plant-based foods are bad. You can get your body to a new baseline, incorporate certain foods that may not necessarily align with the carnivore lifestyle, and take note of your body’s reaction.
You may find that you’re able to safely re-introduce some veggies or fruits. That being said, always rely on your blood pressure testing as a guide.
Monitoring Blood Pressure Levels With Regular Testing
In the coming weeks and months you should use your home blood pressure monitor to take note of how your body is responding to the carnivore diet and blood pressure. Record your readings to track trends and notice any significant changes.
If you notice anything concerning, consult your doctor. But if you follow our advice on how to do the carnivore diet for high blood pressure, you should notice improvements within a few months! Better yet, combine these dietary adjustments with other tactics.
More Ways to Manage Blood Pressure
Diet alone is just one piece of the puzzle. While following a carnivore diet blood pressure regimen is a great first step, include some of these adjustments as well:
- Regular Physical Activity: Exercise strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and helps lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of walking, swimming, or strength training.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress can raise high blood pressure, so incorporate meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies that you enjoy to keep cortisol levels in check.
- Consider Supplements: Magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support blood pressure regulation. You may also consider potassium supplements.
- Medications: If lifestyle changes and dietary modifications are insufficient, your healthcare provider may recommend blood pressure medications.
Integrating these strategies into your carnivore diet blood pressure regimen will improve your health in a holistic manner. So, what are you waiting for? Start this journey at Carnivore Snax today and take the first step towards bringing your blood pressure to a healthier level.
Closing Thoughts on Carnivore Diet Blood Pressure
So, does carnivore diet lower blood pressure? As we wrap up our guide to carnivore diet and blood pressure, we want to reiterate the mechanisms by which this regimen works: reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar, and promoting weight loss.
However, you still need to exercise a cautious, methodical approach to starting this diet. Maintain constant monitoring of your blood pressure and consult your doctor if you’re still in doubt or aren’t seeing improvements.
Be sure to pair these tips on carnivore diet for high blood pressure with other healthy lifestyle adjustments as well, like stress management and regular exercise.
Find additional resources in our blog like doing carnivore diet on a budget, carnivore diet constipation, carnivore diet and cholesterol, carnivore diet testosterone, or carnivore diet for women.
At this point, though, the only thing left to do is begin this journey on the right foot. Set yourself up for success managing cravings at Carnivore Snax, where you’ll discover the healthiest, tastiest meat chips online!
