Curious about lowering blood pressure to “optimal” levels for longevity reasons (not a current health concern)

science
(Eric) #1

I’ve heard/read in a few places that a lower blood pressure is better for longevity. I’m not worried I have an issue here, but my blood pressure is normally around (110-120) / (high-60’s to mid-80’s) — not something to be worried about but not exactly in the range discussed by some longevity biochemists who suggest blood pressure in the 100/60 range is more optimal. I’m really just curious if there is something that could contribute to my health/longevity without me becoming a monk. The general suggestions for lowering blood pressure seem to come down to:

  1. reducing salt: but I’m keto/carnivore so seems a bad idea and I already eat almost entirely whole foods (no processed)
  2. more exercise: I get a LOT of exercise with both cardio (60+ flights of stairs per day) and heavy weights throughout the week (deadlifts, squats, pull-ups, etc.) so not sure I can increase exercise without quitting my job.
  3. less stress: thanks for the suggestion — should I also move into a sensory deprivation tank? Or a massive yacht?
  4. pharma: I’m reticent about taking any medication at all (I don’t currently) as I worry side effects are worse than the cure, and am also less enthusiastic about a supplement that messed with my heart
  5. Wim Hof’s breathing method and cold plunges/showers: I’m not quite ready to try this, although it seems interesting.
  6. meditation: I don’t think I have the mindset for this, although for others I’m happy it works.
  7. stop drinking coffee: I’ve considered this and have quit before. My biochem research advisor believed every 10-15 years coffee was vilified and then vindicated, and then the cycle started again.
  8. stop drinking alcohol: I don’t drink often, maybe 3-4x per week and mostly always wine, and mostly only a larger single (reasonable) glass of red wine. It’s one of my only vices
  9. quit smoking: I’ve never smoked.
  10. quit drugs. I’m not into that.

Any ideas that may be appropriate for a keto/carnivore in relatively good health/shape? — no rush here.

Thank you.

(Michael) #2

The only time my blood pressure is 90/55 recently is when I have been fasting a lot (last year it was in this range a lot). Probably due to very low insulin at those times. Currently I am the 110/75 range with T2D with TRE but no longer fasts.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

Try reducing insulin, instead. Which you are doing. So ignore this one, and be sure to get enough salt.

My BP is 112/70, solely from keto. And I eat plenty of salt.

Exercise is good, but if you are already doing as much as you can handle, then don’t worry about it.

DON’T GET STRESSED, GOSH DARN IT! RELAX! (Did that help? I didn’t think so, lol!)

If you are already eating right, then why would you need a drug?

Not for me, either.

Can be helpful. There is the staring at a candle flame or at an icon type, the mindfulness/breathing type, and the mantra type. Not to mention a gazillion books on how to do each type.

I am a mantra person and find the Hail Mary and the Jesus Prayer very helpful. Also the Serenity Prayer. Your religious tradition probably has something similar, and there are plenty of secular affirmations you can use, as well.

Well, you can, but I’m not gonna. Coffee mug, cold, dead hands, and all that.

As I’ve learned from these forums: (1) Coffee is terrible on a keto diet, because it interferes with ketosis, and (2) coffee is wonderful on a keto diet, because it enhances ketosis.

The hard stuff has the least carbs; avoid wine and beer. Alcohol in quantity can damage the liver, just bear that in mind.

Good for the lungs. Don’t ever start!

Again, better not to start, than get into trouble. Also, cutting the carbs usually allows us to reduce or eliminate prescriptions.

(KM) #4

Biofeedback? I’ve heard people can gain some control over involuntary body processes. Might want to check out training that talent … while meditating on your yacht … enjoying a fine glass of …ice water … or preferably submerged in it … or maybe just put in a funny movie and stop worrying. Laughter is, after all, … :laughing::pill:

#5

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to promote your health. He’s right.

It’s not over yet.

#6

And get a dog…

(Robin) #7

Absolutely.

(Eric) #8

Got one. Add the additional responsibility to the “increased stress” column.

(Karen) #9

Apparently weight lifting increases BP … Cardio brings it down. I have read lots into this as i have had high BP all my life. Never worried about it as i didn’t understand signicance before. Was put on meds to lower it after declining for some years and then had a Stroke, even though i kept myself very fit doing weights and cardio. (Consultant said that was my saving grace) the Stroke was from years of high BP causing atril fibrillation. So yes keeping it low will help longevity.

I am on 3 meds for the BP which on there own w/o exercising lowers my BP to around 138-154/68-75 however i have lowered it further with my stair running and i take a reading straight after 100 flights each morning and its down to 97-121/54-64. A good reason for me to keep stair running. I do other exercising too such as CrossFit, walking and dancing but it is essentially the stair running that does the trick. Always had a low heart rate … between 45 and 57 which i’ve been told is due to my level of fitness.

I am a zero carber.

Your BP sounds okay however you don’t mention how old you are and i believe it vsries with age… not a one size fits all. I don’t think you would even be offered meds here in uk with your readings… but i guess in US it may be different cos they just want your hard earned dosh!

(Susan) #10

I love the Wim Hof breathing exercises. With his YouTube guided breathing, he got me to the 2.5 minute breath hold. I prefer the 1.5 minute breath hold due to the ease, my bad. It is during these breath holds I meditate to reach a higher level. I feel healthy. Cold showers? Not for this gal.

(Eric) #11

Thanks, @Karen18. I’m 52 and healthy (as far as I know). I’m not being offered meds for BP or nothing else and don’t think I have an issue, but just trying to do my best to keep healthy longterm: that’s why I’m trying to put in muscle so when I’m 90 I’ll have easier movement and functionality.

As an example, I just took my BP yesterday after two cups of coffee (with 6g of glycine) on Day Two of a fast and it was 134/82 — a bit higher than normal for me.

I’m sorry to hear about your past health challenges (mine was kidney cancer and now one kidney) but glad to hear about you doing 100 flights of stairs per day. I generally do 64 flights per day and sometimes 128 flights, and then a normal day involves heavy lifting every two days (and less-heavy lifting the other days). The heavy lifting and carnivore has been since the beginning of January and I’ve put on noticeable muscle on my upper body, and I feel myself standing differently with a much stronger core. I’m enjoying it, having never really built upper body muscle outside of backpacking muscles (also watching the 20-30 year olds at the gym watch me lifting much heavier weight than them wondering “how the hell does that old 50-year-old guy DO that?!?!”, and then being even more surprised when they find out how old I actually am). Assuming I don’t injure myself I’ll continue.

(Eric) #12

Thanks, @Blueberries: 150 seconds holding your breath is impressive. I’m super curious about doing this, but haven’t really tried. It takes me a while to psych myself up to change my lifestyle to incorporate something (like keto, and then carnivore, and then heavy weightlifting) but then I stick to it. I’ll eventually get to it. But meditation has never really been my thing.

(Karen) #13

Keep doing what you are doing sounds like you are doing great … if you take on board one thing, that would be to regularly track your BP. High BP rarely gives out any signals until its too late. Take a rest day if it is high… listen to your body. :heart: