Lower Blood Pressure?

[Spearhead]

Hi guys,
I'm now on my fifth day of all raw and my blood pressure has dropped 10 points from 125-65 to 115-65. Is this normal? I'm guessing this is from less work involved in digestion?

Also, is there any risk of bacterial infection in the blood leading to sepsis from eating raw meat? My guess is this is anatomically impossible.

Sorry if my questions seem really basic but the changes have come quickly and I've not adapted that well yet.

[PaleoPhil]

Since hunter gatherers are the only populations eating Paleo-type diets examined in significant numbers for stats like blood pressure, their health stats are the closest thing we have to a natural "norm" to compare our own health stats to (it would be a better comparison if the HGs were all-raw dieters, of course, but most of them do eat more raw foods than modern populations) and are far more appropriate standards than the US averages that most labs use for "normal" ranges.

Combined ranges of Yamomamo and Greenland Inuit:

Blood Pressure Numerator (Systolic) 100-117
Blood Pressure Denominator (Diastolic) 64-72

My own blood pressure stats are not statistically significant, but they fell on a Paleo diet and tend to be below yours and the nurses who take them are generally pleased with them. One commented that I had the "best" blood pressure stats of any patient seen that day. So I see your drop as a good sign. If you're concerned that your blood pressure has fallen too low, I don't think you need to be. Of course, I'm just some amateur dude posting on the Internet, so beware.

[Spearhead]

Thanks Phil,

By no means do I think a systolic of 115 is too low of a drop, but at the same time it has come on very abruptly and it is the quick change that has me a bit surprised. Although it makes sense, all the energy expended on digestion is now no longer needed. Also my diastolic remains exactly the same so this would indicate it is not a systemic pressure drop, at least from what I gather.

[TylerDurden]

Your concerns re sepsis/infection are needless. We simply don't get such issues when eating raw meat.

[Michael]

Hi guys,
I'm now on my fifth day of all raw and my blood pressure has dropped 10 points from 125-65 to 115-65. Is this normal? I'm guessing this is from less work involved in digestion?

Also, is there any risk of bacterial infection in the blood leading to sepsis from eating raw meat? My guess is this is anatomically impossible.

Sorry if my questions seem really basic but the changes have come quickly and I've not adapted that well yet.

Those figures certainly seem quite low to me Spearhead but, taking your diet into consideration, it's not necessarily a bad thing.  It may be a good idea to ask yourself the question - how do I feel?  I suffered for years with low blood pressure (frequently as low as 90/45!) when I had adrenal problems.  My blood pressure would also drop upon standing.  Of course, it should rise.  This is indicative of a negative adrenal reaction.  I was always dizzy, fatigued, weak, etc. 

It's no longer an issue after my many years eating RAF.  I've never thought to check my BP but I'd expect it's ok as I no longer have any symptoms.

I'm not sure we can rely on expected values with such standard tests anymore when we're eating such a radically different diet.  Paleo Phil's suggestions of comparing your BP to other such groups rather than the medical 'norm' would be a wise decision.

[RawZi]

I suffered for years with low blood pressure (frequently as low as 90/45!) when I had adrenal problems.  My blood pressure would also drop upon standing.  ... 

It's no longer an issue after my many years eating RAF.  I've never thought to check my BP but I'd expect it's ok as I no longer have any symptoms.

I'm not sure we can rely on expected values with such standard tests anymore when we're eating such a radically different diet...

    My blood pressure was always 90/50.  When I was second trimester pregnant it was like 50/20.  Dehydration?  Idk.  I've never fainted in my life.  I'm sure I had adrenal problems.  A number of years ago I did some prolonged fasts on water alone.  My blood pressure has had more normal numbers since. 

    The groups thing does sound better than lumping everyone.

[Michael]

    My blood pressure was always 90/50.  When I was second trimester pregnant it was like 50/20.  Dehydration?  Idk.  I've never fainted in my life.  I'm sure I had adrenal problems.  A number of years ago I did some prolonged fasts on water alone.  My blood pressure has had more normal numbers since. 

    The groups thing does sound better than lumping everyone.

Perhaps values in the region of 90/50 are common place for vegans/vegetarians?  You were vegan too weren't you RawZi?  Were the medics not pulling their hair out when your BP bottomed out at 50/20 during your pregnancy?!  My God that IS low!  Dehydration could've been a factor but more related to a vegan diet and, possibly, adrenal problems IMO.  Did your figures 'normalise' as a result of the fasts?  That's interesting as my 60 day fast in 1998 was the stimulus to the normalisation of my own BP!  If I recall correctly though, my BP was presenting as low again and indicative of adrenal problems within weeks of the end of the fast.  It's only RAF that has normalised it for the long-term.