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Understanding the Medication Challenge
Your blood pressure medication may be controlling your numbers—but research shows that some of the most commonly prescribed drugs may be worsening the underlying metabolic condition that contributes to hypertension in the first place. This isn’t about blaming doctors or medications. It’s about understanding that while blood pressure control is important, addressing the root cause offers a path to genuine health restoration. Research demonstrates an important paradox: certain widely-used antihypertensive medications can reduce blood pressure readings while simultaneously worsening insulin resistance—a key metabolic factor that contributes to hypertension.Key Findings:
- 60-70% of hypertension patients take medications that may worsen insulin resistance
- Low-carb diet + fasting: reduces insulin resistance & arterial stiffening without drugs)
- Insulin resistance develops 5-20 years before hypertension diagnosis
- It’s completely reversible with dietary intervention
Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, MD
In his lecture “Treat High Blood Pressure’s Root Cause” (July 13, 2021), Dr. Jamnadas explains the connection between insulin resistance and arterial changes:
“The most common reason for hypertension is metabolic syndrome—insulin resistance. High insulin causes the kidneys to retain salt, which increases blood volume. But more importantly, insulin is a growth factor. It causes the smooth muscle cells in your artery walls to grow, making the arteries stiff and narrow. This inflammation and stiffening is what leads to high blood pressure.”
Dr. William Davis, MD
From his blog post “Reverse INSULIN RESISTANCE” (November 21, 2020):“Insulin resistance leads to cognitive impairment/dementia, coronary disease, fatty liver, hypertension and cancer.” “Visceral fat surrounding abdominal organs and heart is a huge driver of hypertension, cultivated by insulin resistance resulting from grain and sugar consumption.”
Source: His blog “The Pharmaceuticalisation of Americans: Blood Pressure” Date: November 14, 2017
The Time Gap That Hides the Connection
Because insulin resistance typically develops years or even decades before diagnosable disease emerges, the connection between cause and effect often goes unrecognised. For example:
The Root Cause Solution
Low-Carbohydrate Diet and Intermittent Fasting
A very low-carbohydrate diet combined with intermittent fasting directly addresses the root cause by lowering insulin levels and reversing insulin resistance.The Research:
A systematic review found that low-carbohydrate diets produced significant reductions in blood pressure. BMJ Case Report: Ketogenic diet plus intermittent fasting reversed type 2 diabetes in 4 months, while eliminating hypertension medications within weeks—demonstrating rapid metabolic restoration addressing both conditions simultaneously. Most importantly: These improvements occurred while improving metabolic health—the opposite of what happens with some medications that lower blood pressure while worsening insulin resistance. Here are studies that show hypertension and other diseases directly linked to insulin resistance studies.How It Works:
- Reduced carbohydrate intake lowers insulin secretion
- Intermittent fasting enhances insulin sensitivity & cleans the cells through autophagy
- Together they reduce visceral fat—directly reversing the insulin resistance that contributes to arterial stiffening and hypertension