Master of Science

In an earlier post, I talked about the salt shaker and why I stopped fearing it. That post, like many others here, challenges the conventional wisdom we’ve been fed for decades.

When you buck the trend—especially as a person with a history of five heart attacks—people get nervous. They assume you are following some internet fad or "bro-science" trend.

But in my role as a Manager of Program Quality & Compliance. I don't gamble on hunches. I rely on data.

Recently, I came across a review published in January 2024 titled "Ketogenic Diet in the Management of Ischemic Heart Disease." It didn't just catch my eye; it validated the entire physiological foundation of my clean ketogenic lifestyle.

Today, I want to break down why this science supports the protocol I’m living. But before I do, I also want to talk about how to read a study like this—because in the world of nutrition science, the "source" is just as important as the "finding."

Part 1: The "Compliance Audit" on Science (Read Before You Believe)

Before we get to the good news, we have to talk about media literacy.

Every week, a new headline screams: "Eggs Will Kill You!" or "Coffee Cures Cancer!" or "Keto Causes Cardiac Arrest!"

If you want to take control of your health, you have to stop reading the headlines and start reading the fine print. As a Compliance Manager, here is my checklist for auditing a study:

Follow the Money (Funding Bias): Who paid for the study? If a study concludes that "sugar isn't the problem, fat is," scroll to the bottom. Was it funded by a beverage company? If a study demonizes meat, was it funded by a plant-based interest group? Bias doesn't always mean the data is fake, but it certainly dictates how the data is spun.
Mice are Not Humans (The Model): Did the study happen in humans, or in mice? Mice are not perfect metabolic proxies for humans. If a mouse gets fat on a high-fat diet, was it a clean keto diet, or was it "high fat" chow loaded with sugar and soybean oil? (Spoiler: It's usually the latter).
Epidemiology vs. Clinical Trials:
- Epidemiology (Survey): "We asked 10,000 people what they ate last year." This is weak data. It relies on memory and cannot prove cause and effect (the "Healthy User Bias").
- Clinical Trial (Intervention): "We put Group A on Keto and Group B on Low-Fat and measured their blood." This is strong data.
Absolute vs. Relative Risk: This is the media's favorite trick. "Risk doubles!" sounds scary. But if the risk went from 0.01% to 0.02%, your actual risk is still negligible. Always look for the raw numbers.

The review I'm discussing today is a Review Article—it analyzes multiple mechanisms and studies to synthesize a conclusion. It passes my audit because it focuses on the mechanisms of the heart, independent of funding bias.

Part 2: The "Super-Fuel" Argument (Why My Heart Loves Ketones)

The study highlights something I discussed in my "Tale of Two Engines" post: Efficiency.

The heart is a metabolic omnivore. It can burn fat or glucose. But when a heart is failing or stressed (ischemic), it struggles to process energy. It becomes "starved" for fuel.

The Finding: The review confirms that Ketone Bodies (BHB) act as a "Super-Fuel." They are more oxygen-efficient than either fatty acids or glucose. The Translation: By being fat-adapted, I am providing my heart with a fuel source that yields more ATP (energy) per molecule of oxygen. I am upgrading my heart's fuel efficiency from "regular unleaded" to "premium rocket fuel." For a heart with a history of damage, this efficiency is critical.

Part 3: The Fire Extinguisher (Inflammation & The NLRP3)

I’ve talked about Inflammation as the "silent fire" that damages arteries.

The Finding: The review emphasizes that chronic inflammation—specifically a pathway called the NLRP3 (Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, Leucine-rich Repeat and Pyrin domain) inflammasome—is a key driver of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) and heart failure. The Translation: Here is the kicker: BHB (the main ketone) directly inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome. My diet isn't just avoiding inflammatory foods; the ketones I produce are acting as an internal medication, turning off the specific inflammatory switch that damages blood vessels.

Part 4: Fixing the Pipes (Endothelial Repair)

High blood pressure isn't just about salt volume; it's about Endothelial Dysfunction—the stiffening and damage of the inner lining of your arteries.

The Finding: The review discusses how the ketogenic diet reduces Oxidative Stress (Reactive Oxygen Species). The Translation: By lowering the "rust" (oxidation) in my blood vessels, I allow my endothelium to relax and function properly. This explains why my blood pressure is a healthy 127/66 despite my liberal salt use. My pipes aren't stiff and inflamed; they are flexible and healing.

The Takeaway

This study concludes that the ketogenic diet is a promising therapeutic intervention for ischemic heart disease because it addresses the root causes: mitochondrial inefficiency, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

This validates my clean keto lifestyle. I am not following a diet because it's trendy. I am following it because the science shows it is the most effective way to:

Fuel my heart efficiently.
Extinguish the inflammation that caused my attacks.
Repair the metabolic damage of the last decade.

Science is a tool. Use it to audit your life, but ensure you audit the science first.

The Path is Too Deep

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