The Heart Attack Diet

The Heart Attack Diet Substack explores dietary theories, focusing on the impacts of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), animal fats, and protein on health, metabolism, and weight management. It incorporates personal experimentation, critiques modern dietary advice, and discusses historical perspectives on obesity and dietary habits.

Diet and Nutrition Metabolic Health Weight Management Historical Diets and Obesity Dietary Fats and Health Risks Thyroid and Hormonal Health Food Chemistry and Toxicology Diet Experiments and Personal Observations

The hottest Substack posts of The Heart Attack Diet

And their main takeaways

Two Different Ways to Fuck Your Van

119 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness Natural remedies Mental health Healthy living
  1. Using the wrong fuel in an engine can lead to inefficiencies and damage, requiring adjustments or repairs to restore normal function.
  2. Polyunsaturated fats may not be ideal for human metabolism, potentially impacting mitochondrial membranes and energy generation.
  3. Avoiding excess polyunsaturated fats might help alleviate conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome by potentially restoring proper metabolism and reducing the need for medication adjustments.

Thyroid Trouble

119 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Fatigue Medical Research Supplements Personal Health
  1. Thyroid issues can often be misdiagnosed or overlooked, leading to years of suffering without a clear answer.
  2. Alternative treatments or supplements may be worth considering for chronic conditions, even if traditional medical tests show normal results.
  3. Questioning traditional medical approaches and being open to unconventional solutions can sometimes lead to unexpected positive outcomes.

Scientific Honesty

79 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🔬 Science Research Integrity Replication Crisis Honesty
  1. Scientific honesty requires complete transparency and openness in reporting findings, including potential flaws and conflicting data.
  2. Soft sciences are facing a replication crisis, prompting a reevaluation of their methods and credibility.
  3. Striving for scientific integrity involves challenging one's own beliefs and being open to critique and correction.

Nothing to See Here

79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness Health Conditions
  1. The author has been experimenting with their diet, including enjoying lasagne and even getting drunk during Christmas.
  2. Despite the dietary changes, the author observed a drop in weight but also experienced hypometabolic symptoms like feeling sad, cold, and tired, possibly linked to thyroid issues.
  3. The author remains puzzled by the unexpected changes in their thyroid dose and the resulting effects on their body.
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Accidentally Testing the Lipostat Idea

59 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight management Nutrition Metabolism
  1. Weight stability around 95kg for 8 months indicates a possible fixed fat level homeostat, suggesting weight may not rise above 95kg if left undisturbed.
  2. Following a diet based on whole foods suitable for English-Irish ancestry may align with natural metabolism processes and ancestral diets.
  3. Unexpected weight fluctuations due to excessive alcohol and overeating might be temporary noise and may return to normal levels in a few days, shedding light on conflicting theories about weight management.

On Incomprehensible Mystery

79 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Medical Science Research
  1. Understanding complex mysteries often involves asking the right questions and breaking down the problem into simpler elements. Once the core questions are identified, solutions become clearer.
  2. History shows that even the most intricate scientific challenges eventually yield to persistent inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. What may seem incomprehensible at first can become simple with the right approach.
  3. Science is not just about conducting studies and publishing results, but about finding answers through experimentation and continual questioning. The key lies in identifying the right questions and trusting in replicable, well-designed studies.

Xmas Mom Test: Week Three

59 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight management Emotional Well-being
  1. The author is feeling energetic despite a brief illness and adjustments in their thyroid medication.
  2. The author suspects they may have gained weight, but they don't feel like they've been overeating.
  3. The author has been taking melatonin to adjust their sleep schedule and is now heading to bed and waking up at more normal times.

ex150ish-4: Second Week

79 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Metabolism Diet Well-being
  1. Experiencing a rapid and noticeable weight loss during illness can be linked to the body's innate mechanisms prioritizing burning stored energy reserves over intake.
  2. The interplay between Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) may impact metabolism and fat burning, potentially influencing appetite and weight.
  3. Consistent adjustments in diet composition, such as controlling BCAA levels and PUFA consumption, can play a role in weight management and overall well-being.

Xmas Mom Test: Week One

59 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Physical health
  1. During the holiday season, it's common to encounter tempting foods that may not be the healthiest choices. Being mindful of what you eat and how it affects you is important.
  2. Sulphites can be found in many Christmas foods like sherry, mince pies, and Christmas cake. These ingredients can have an impact on health, contributing to symptoms like headaches.
  3. Keeping track of your health, such as monitoring thyroid levels and paying attention to how your body feels, is crucial during times of indulgence and festivities.

More Sugary Questions

79 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Dental Health Research History Diet
  1. Sucrose combined with streptococcus mutans can damage teeth by creating plaque that leads to acid buildup.
  2. Most animals have enzymes that break down sucrose, indicating it's been a common part of diets for a long time.
  3. Questions remain about why fruit-eating animals don't get tooth decay, the impact of high-fructose corn syrup, and the historical evolution of sucrose consumption and dental health.

What We Can Learn from Sports

79 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Coaching Weight Loss Advice Teaching
  1. Don't take weight loss advice from people who have always been in good shape or those who have never had weight issues; listen to those who have successfully gone from fat to thin.
  2. Just like in sports coaching, the best weight loss coaches are often individuals who had to work hard to achieve their own success and can relate to the challenges others face.
  3. When receiving advice for weight loss or sports, trying harder is not always the solution; focus on building the right form and understanding the essence of the guidance provided.

ex150ish-4-sour-cream-and-crème-fraîche-lowish-protein-recarb

59 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Recipes Weight management
  1. The author experimented with a diet high in sour cream, crème fraîche, bread, and potatoes while keeping protein intake low.
  2. Despite the expectation of weight loss after altering the diet, the author experienced fluctuations and uncertainties in weight changes.
  3. The author concluded that the impact of low protein and specific food restrictions may not be straightforward and requires further observation.

Peanut Butter

59 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Ingredients Recipes Health
  1. During the pandemic, the author's diet change to less processed food led to stable weight and good health, but going back to old eating habits resulted in weight gain and fatigue.
  2. Giving up polyunsaturated fats improved the author's overall well-being, but the high fat and protein content in peanut butter may have contributed to weight issues.
  3. The author found Whole Earth Peanut Butter to be a staple during the pandemic stockpiling, but later discovered its high fat and protein content could have been counterproductive to their health goals.

What Does the Old Theory Get Wrong?

59 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Medical Literature Thyroid
  1. The author questions why certain weight loss methods worked or didn't work for them, highlighting the complexities of weight management.
  2. Observations around the effects of different diets on energy levels and weight gain in individuals raise doubts about conventional theories and practices.
  3. The post explores discrepancies between personal experiences and mainstream medical advice, prompting readers to reflect on their own health beliefs and experiences.

Natural Trans Fats

59 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Fitness Biology Research
  1. Trans-fats in dairy products from ruminants are naturally occurring and include conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid, produced by bacterial action in the rumen.
  2. Putting seed oils in cow food can lead to the transformation of fats into trans-fats as a detoxifying defense mechanism by gut bacteria.
  3. Vaccenic acid found in human orbitofrontal cortex of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia raises questions about its role in these conditions.

Metabolic Healing?

59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Metabolic health Nutrition Weight management
  1. The author has observed a positive change in their metabolism over time, with improvements in temperature regulation and hypo-metabolic symptoms.
  2. Decreasing thyroid medication was associated with a rise in temperature, suggesting a potential link between thyroid dose and metabolic function.
  3. The author suspects that removing PUFAs from fat stores may have contributed to the improvement in metabolism, although uncertainties remain about the exact causes.

Paradox of the Horse

59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🔬 Science Evolutionary biology Animal Behavior
  1. Paradoxically, horses need high-calorie foods like oats to survive even though they're known for being unable to properly self-regulate their food intake.
  2. Horses, as we know them today, are not naturally evolved animals but products of long-term selective breeding by humans.
  3. The existence of wild horse herds in North America raises intriguing questions about their history and the role of humans in their evolution.

I'm Confused About Sugar

59 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Wellbeing Fitness
  1. People in history had terrible dental health due to sugar, which was driven by British people's desire for cheap sugar, leading to dental problems and health issues.
  2. Tooth decay might not have always been a problem caused by sugar, which raises questions about ancestral populations' exposure to sugar and the evolution of taste preferences.
  3. The idea that sugar causes tooth decay and people like the taste of sugar might not align over evolutionary timescales, leading to a need for further exploration and explanations.

ex150ish-4

59 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Ketosis
  1. Mysterious pizza cravings were fixed by a pizza, and the aching legs might have been connected.
  2. Experimenting with different types of cream and predicting water-weight loss and ketosis for weight management.
  3. The author plans to start a new iteration of their diet, hoping for successful weight loss despite challenges and setbacks.

Mom Test : Confusion

59 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Metabolism Weight Appetite Symptoms
  1. Weight changes can be confusing, especially when appetite and metabolism seem to be inconsistent.
  2. Cravings, like for baked potatoes, may not align with typical hunger or calorie needs, suggesting complex relationships between food and body signals.
  3. Health symptoms and weight fluctuations can puzzle, leaving individuals uncertain about their body's needs and responses.

Xmas Mom Test: Week Two

39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Nutrition Fitness
  1. Author is generally feeling well and energetic after holiday indulgences.
  2. Author experienced chocolate cravings and indulged, following a 'no-willpower' approach.
  3. Author's waking temperature is high, thyroid dose stable, no weight fluctuations noticed.

Back to the Heart Attack Diet

59 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Weight Loss Metabolism Carbohydrates Alcohol
  1. The author experimented with different diets and observed a notable difference in how their body reacted to various types of food, indicating a potential issue with carbohydrate metabolism.
  2. Avoiding certain substances like PUFAs and sulphites, while consuming normal foods ad lib, seemed to aid in weight loss and maintenance effortlessly.
  3. The author's experience suggests that certain dietary restrictions and nutritional adjustments can have a significant impact on overall well-being, showcasing the importance of investigating individual metabolic responses to food.

Calories In, Calories Out

59 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight management Obesity Metabolism Appetite
  1. Calories In, Calories Out concept is often misunderstood. It's about the balance of calories consumed and calories burned.
  2. Obesity can be a complex issue influenced by various factors like appetite and metabolism. Some individuals struggle with constant hunger which leads to overeating.
  3. Understanding the reasons behind abnormal eating patterns and appetite can help in addressing obesity and finding solutions.

Cargo Culting ex150: Whipped Cream

59 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Recipes Opinion
  1. The u/ex150 diet focuses on simplifying variables by consuming whipped cream as a primary component alongside a controlled lunch of meat and low-carb vegetables.
  2. Drinking double cream straight from the pot can lead to rapid consumption of excess calories, resulting in a feeling of satiety or not wanting to eat further.
  3. The idea of 'cement-truck satiety' suggests that overconsumption of cream can lead to a loss of appetite, indicating that the act of whipping the cream may not be essential in this diet approach.

On the Quality of the Chips in Matlock Bath

59 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Quality Nutrition Health Impact
  1. The quality of chips in a chip shop can vary, with issues like old fryer oil potentially affecting taste and health.
  2. The use of vegetable oils in fryers can be concerning, as they can degrade into harmful substances when used for extended periods.
  3. The history of dietary recommendations regarding fats, like animal fats, raises questions about the impact on human health over time.

ex150ish Redux : Headache City

59 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Mental health Fitness Diet
  1. Following a strict diet like ex150ish can have different effects on energy levels and health.
  2. Headaches and other symptoms can occur when transitioning to a new diet, like ex150ish, but they may not always be related to the diet itself.
  3. Sharing personal experiences and documenting progress can be helpful for oneself and potentially for others who might be on a similar journey.

Another Go

59 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Wellness Energy Levels
  1. The author is trying a new diet called heart-attack-keto that focuses on low carb intake and avoiding certain foods.
  2. They are monitoring aspects like water-weight loss, energy levels, and actual body fat weight loss to see the diet's effectiveness.
  3. The author is committed to sticking with the heart-attack-keto diet for as long as it makes sense, but is open to switching back to their previous diet if needed.

How Much Protein?

59 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness Medical
  1. Getting adequate protein is crucial for preventing deficiency diseases and maintaining overall health
  2. The recommended daily protein intake is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight to prevent deficiency
  3. Symptoms of protein deficiency include muscle loss, fatigue, cravings, bone issues, slow healing, weight gain, and hair/nail problems

The Test of the Mom Jabbar

59 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Physical health Mental health
  1. The author is visiting family and indulging in delicious home-cooked food without worrying about weight or strict diets.
  2. The author is experimenting with tracking body temperature and thyroid dose instead of weight to see how it affects energy levels and weight.
  3. There is a sense of curiosity and openness to different outcomes regarding weight and health, with a mix of expectation and uncertainty.

ex150ish-3

59 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Ketosis Weight Loss Energy
  1. The author is experimenting with a diet called ex150ish-3, which involves low protein, very low carb, and high fat intake. This diet seems to induce ketosis and is leading to rapid weight loss.
  2. During the first week of ex150ish-3, the author experienced mild headaches and some episodes of listlessness, but overall felt energetic. Despite rapid weight loss, the author noted a lack of hunger and difficulty eating.
  3. The author is considering a new hypothesis that ex150-type diets help regulate fat stores, while heart-attack-keto diets may disrupt this balance and lead to weight gain. The five constant diet rules the author follows are no-PUFAs, no-sulphites, no-willpower, no-goodharting, and don't-be-a-psycho.

A Sudden Reversal of Fortune

59 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Diet Energy Levels
  1. Sudden and unexplained changes in weight can be perplexing and may not have straightforward explanations.
  2. Health improvements from dietary changes can have unexpected side effects, like sudden fatigue or sensitivity to substances like coffee.
  3. It's important to observe trends in health changes over time and not jump to immediate conclusions based on short-term fluctuations.

Explicitly Trying to Lose Weight

59 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Diet Fitness
  1. The author is experimenting with a diet to improve health, though weight loss has been a challenge.
  2. The author is intrigued by an individual who tests various unconventional diets for weight loss.
  3. The author is curious to try the experimental diet, not expecting guaranteed success but driven by curiosity.

ex150ish-4-sour-cream-lowish-protein-recarb

39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Recipes Health
  1. The experiment with ex150ish-4-sour-cream-lowish-protein-recarb was successful with a weight loss of 2.5kg in roughly four weeks.
  2. Eating sour cream and crème fraîche seemed to work the same as double cream for the author.
  3. Switching from Mom Test to ex150ish was able to undo rapid weight gain from eating normally, providing a successful weight loss strategy.

Washington's Dream

39 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Inspirational
  1. The post is about 'Washington's Dream' shared on theheartattackdiet.substack.com.
  2. The post includes a link to John Lawrence Aspden's profile on Substack.
  3. The post was shared multiple times on different platforms.

ex150ish-4: Week One

39 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Well-being Illness
  1. The author's weight loss journey with ex150ish-4 started well but faced challenges like a sudden illness during a choir performance.
  2. Despite feeling unwell, the author managed to push through the choir concert successfully by buying medication to alleviate symptoms temporarily.
  3. The author reflects on the impact of the diet amidst challenges like illness and social events, pondering its effects on well-being.

Mysterious Pizza Cravings

39 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Eating Habits
  1. Strong cravings can signify a deeper need beyond just calories, listen to your body's signals.
  2. Eating food that you truly desire can impact your mental and physical well-being positively.
  3. Sometimes indulging in a food craving may provide unexpected benefits, like increased mental alertness.

A Secret Post For Paid Subscribers Only

19 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mindfulness Well-being
  1. The post contains secret information for paid subscribers only, promising insights into perfect health, success, and spiritual growth.
  2. The author expresses gratitude for the support of subscribers and hints at a desire to maintain authenticity in their content creation process.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to the Heart Attack Diet newsletter for a 7-day free trial to access more exclusive posts and archives.

Mom Test: Rebound?

39 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Weight Loss COVID-19 Recovery Nutrition
  1. The author discusses weight fluctuations and possible reasons for a sudden weight drop after experiencing COVID.
  2. The author mentions feeling lethargic and sad after going through a mild case of COVID.
  3. In uncertain situations, the author considers taking a cautious approach and 'dithering' until the situation becomes clearer.