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

Mom Test: Mixed Results

39 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Metabolism Diet Nutrition
  1. Recent weight gain of over 2kg in three weeks was the fastest rate ever, mostly due to overfeeding at home.
  2. The author's metabolism is slowly repairing itself, with normal thyroid health and potential impact from avoiding processed food.
  3. The author highlights the complex relationship between appetite, body fat percentage, and weight fluctuations based on different dietary approaches.

Mom Test: Weeks Two and Three

39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Wellbeing
  1. The individual experienced tiredness which was possibly caused by consuming cherries with high sulphite content. This led to slight hot flashes and adjustments in medication.
  2. Despite feeling overfed due to increased carbohydrate intake, weight gain was observed. This challenges the idea of homeostasis fixing itself as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) clear from the system.
  3. The person plans to monitor weight changes over a week to draw conclusions about the observed weight gain and its relationship to diet changes.

Results Graph

39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Diet Metabolism Nutrition
  1. The author created a graph displaying their weight fluctuations over time, highlighting a period of weight gain and subsequent weight loss.
  2. The data suggests that changes in diet rules, like eliminating sulphites and participating in specific exercises, influenced the author's weight trends.
  3. The graph analysis led the author to question the impact of different diet components, metabolic changes, and adjustments in medication on their weight and overall health.

LiveBlogging a Pizza in the Cause of n=1 Science

39 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Food Science Experiment Personal Experience
  1. The author conducted an experiment by live-blogging the process of eating a pizza to observe its effects on their energy levels.
  2. Eating pizza seemed to cause temporary effects like eye strain and mental fatigue, but overall, the author felt energetic and productive after the meal.
  3. The author concluded that their experience with carbs causing drowsiness was likely a transient issue, noting that pizza served as good fuel for their writing.

Heart Attack Keto: Rebound

39 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Energy Carbohydrates Ketosis
  1. Refeeding syndrome can occur after a period of no carbs, causing symptoms like exhaustion and lethargy.
  2. Unexpected weight fluctuations can happen when transitioning from a low-carb diet, often involving regaining and losing water weight.
  3. Maintaining ketosis may not always result in the same energy boost for everyone, as energy levels can vary based on individual reactions to carbohydrate intake.
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A Farewell to Oars

39 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Fatigue Exercise Diet Medical Literature
  1. In 2010, the author experienced a significant change in health after giving up smoking, shifting to nicotine pills, and reducing cigar consumption. This change led to the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a shift in physical abilities.
  2. The author's tiredness resurfaced during the pandemic, but this time thyroid medication was not as effective in addressing it, highlighting a new challenge in managing health.
  3. After moving away from rowing and adopting different eating habits, such as cutting out carbohydrates and trying the Shangri-La Diet, the author noticed fluctuations in energy levels and overall health.
  4. In retrospect, some lifestyle changes made, like moving onto a narrowboat and altering food choices, may have influenced the author's health, even though the exact cause remains unclear.

Three Different Kinds of Obesity

39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Eating Disorders
  1. There are three different kinds of obesity: one where the body's hunger regulation is slightly off, one with constant intense hunger, and one where the body thinks it's already at a high fat level.
  2. Some individuals may experience obesity due to an overactive hunger signal that causes them to always feel hungry, leading to constant cravings and overeating.
  3. Another type may involve a skewed perception of body fat, leading to extreme efforts to avoid eating and maintain a lower weight, even to the point of severe thinness and health risks.

Heart Attack Keto

39 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Physical health Weight Loss Dieting
  1. The author experienced different physical and mental effects while trying the Heart Attack Keto diet, such as running out of mental energy and experiencing 'the ghost of a headache,' indicating possible signs of going into ketosis.
  2. Despite some changes in weight and energy levels, the author did not notice the same spectacular water-weight loss or enhanced mood and energy as with a previous diet, leading to mixed feelings about the effectiveness of the Heart Attack Keto diet.
  3. The author is unsure about the impact of the diet on actual fat loss and is considering returning to their previous diet to observe any changes, highlighting the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the outcomes of following the Heart Attack Keto plan.

Mom Test: Week One

39 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Fatigue Metabolism Thyroid Health
  1. Experiencing chronic fatigue can make everyday tasks feel like a challenge, and it can be influenced by factors like diet and metabolism.
  2. Monitoring thyroid levels and adjusting medication can help manage symptoms like feeling excessively hot or cold.
  3. Changes in diet, especially a shift towards more carbohydrates, can impact energy levels and overall well-being.

My Script

39 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Open Source Data Analysis Programming
  1. Open source is a development methodology, while free software is a social movement.
  2. The content includes code for weight graphing using Python tools like matplotlib.
  3. The post showcases historical weight data and visualizes it using color-coded regions in the graph.

How to Fix Your House

39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
  1. Check the thermostat and sensor before making drastic changes to fix issues in your house.
  2. Understanding the function of different devices in your house, like thermostats and sensors, can help you make smart adjustments.
  3. Sometimes a simple fix, like closing an open window, can solve seemingly complex heating problems in your house.

ex150ish: Aftershocks

39 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Thyroid Diet Symptoms
  1. The author experienced unexpected changes in weight and body temperature, leading to adjustments in thyroid medication dosage.
  2. Experiencing symptoms like feeling too hot and jittery led to the author reducing their medication dosage, but without the expected depressive crash.
  3. The author reflects on the impact of returning to their prescribed diet, feeling uncertain about the decision and missing the mental clarity of their previous dietary regimen.

ex150ish definition

39 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Vitamins
  1. Don't duplicate someone else's work. It's a waste of time to do the same thing twice.
  2. Create your own unique diet plan, like the 'ex150ish' diet mentioned, by using a specific recipe and approach.
  3. Consider taking vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure you're getting essential nutrients when following a specialized diet.

Sulphites, Sulphates, Sulphur, Eggs

39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Enzymes Minerals Biochemistry
  1. Sulphur is a crucial element in compounds like sulphates and sulphites, often used as preservatives in food.
  2. While sulphites are meant to be harmless to humans due to an enzyme that breaks them down, some people still react poorly to them.
  3. Eggs contain sulphur, but possibly not sulphites. If eggs cause illness, it might be best to avoid them and investigate the cause.

In which I visit my parents

39 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Exercise Mental health Well-being
  1. Visiting parents can lead to overeating due to their efforts to provide favorite foods and plentiful meals
  2. Weight fluctuations can happen after a visit home, but the effects may not be long-lasting
  3. It was surprising for the author to observe rapid weight gain with a specific diet and the potential for permanent weight increase due to deliberate overeating

Sloth And Gluttony

39 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Exercise Weight Loss Body Image
  1. Obesity is a worldwide problem linked to modern diets and lifestyles.
  2. The common solution of 'Eat Less, Exercise More' may not be effective for everyone.
  3. The concept of 'Calories In, Calories Out' is a valid principle, but 'Eat Less, Exercise More' oversimplifies the complex factors influencing weight.

ex150ish-3

39 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Exercise Weight Loss Energy Mental health
  1. The author shares their experience of regaining appetite and energy after a period of almost no appetite and significant weight loss.
  2. Engaging in activities like cold showers and swimming in cold water helps the author manage overheating and boosts their energy levels.
  3. Despite focusing on fixing the boat and feeling energetic, the author reflects on their weight loss journey and the impact of reintroducing carbohydrates to their diet.

Ancestral PUFAs?

39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Obesity Evolution Diseases
  1. Southern Europeans have traditionally consumed large quantities of olive oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fats.
  2. Southern European cultures have potentially evolved over time to metabolize polyunsaturated fats better than other populations.
  3. Descendants of Southern Europeans in America may have inherited a resistance to the obesity epidemic due to a long history of consuming olive oil.

On Hibernation

39 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical health
  1. Humans do not hibernate, unlike some animals.
  2. The ability to survive in cold climates is attributed to human 'magic' not hibernation.
  3. Hibernation is unlikely to have played a role in human evolution and metabolic issues affect various populations.

Four Types of Cream

19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Nutrition Dairy Supermarkets
  1. There are four main types of cream: single cream, double cream, crème fraîche, and soured cream, each with unique nutritional breakdowns.
  2. Double cream is concentrated single cream with high fat content, while soured cream is essentially off single cream.
  3. Crème fraîche is like a mix of single and double cream that has soured. Mixing these creams can lead to delicious results!

Maraschino Cherries Are a Lie

19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Ingredients Recommendations
  1. Maraschino cherries labeled as such may actually be cocktail cherries flavored with chemicals and heavy in sulphites, potentially causing adverse reactions for those with allergies or intolerances.
  2. Fake maraschino cherries contain sulfur dioxide, chemical dyes, and other additives, making them significantly different from genuine maraschino cherries preserved in sugar syrup.
  3. Authentic maraschino cherries preserved in sugar syrup are recommended as a healthier alternative to the chemically treated cocktail cherries, despite being a bit pricier.

Golden Syrup: An Apology

19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food
  1. Golden Syrup contains only small amounts of sulphites, making it fairly harmless even for those intolerant or allergic to sulphites.
  2. Detailed analysis of Golden Syrup's composition showed it has minimal sulphites, hence not a major concern for health.
  3. Even if someone is sulphite intolerant, consuming Golden Syrup in moderation may not lead to any ill effects.

Bumps Week

19 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Lifestyle Nutrition Mental health Weight Loss
  1. The author reminisces about a rowing event called Bumps Week, known for its chaotic and dangerous nature, where rowing boats race each other closely along a narrow river.
  2. Despite heavy drinking and indulging in unhealthy foods during Bumps Week, the author notices a surprising downward trend in body weight, leading to concerns about possible underlying health issues.
  3. The author reflects on the importance of taking care of health, considering the impact of alcohol consumption and the need to address potential weight loss with medical advice.

Rule One: No PUFAs

19 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Medical
  1. Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) from vegetable oils may not directly cause weight gain, but they can disrupt the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the body.
  2. Heating vegetable oils to high temperatures can lead to the formation of harmful compounds like aldehydes, making them potentially unhealthy choices for cooking.
  3. Modern animal fats like lard can contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fats due to livestock being fed on seed oils, which may have negative health implications.

Why the Fuck is Everyone so Fat?

19 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Diet Medical Research
  1. The article questions why obesity is widespread and suggests it may be linked to something in the environment, particularly in processed food.
  2. There is a debate between medical science attributing obesity to sloth and gluttony and alternative ideas such as poisoning by environmental contaminants.
  3. The text highlights the lack of understanding about what specifically in processed food contributes to health problems like obesity.

Four Months of the Heart Attack Diet

19 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Weight Physical health Self-experimentation Nutrition
  1. Switching to a diet without PUFAs led to feeling better and a preference for home-cooked meals over processed foods
  2. Real food tastes much better than the processed alternatives, showing that the hyper-palatability theory of obesity may be incorrect
  3. Following a specific diet may result in weight gain, so it's important to track and measure outcomes regularly

ex150ish Water Weight Loss Period: Mild Headaches

19 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Ketosis Nutrition Weight Loss
  1. During a water weight loss period when following a ketogenic diet, one might experience mild headaches due to electrolyte depletion.
  2. Ketosis, the process of burning fat for fuel and producing ketones, is a mechanism specific to humans to sustain brain function during low carbohydrate intake.
  3. Long-term ketosis may not be ideal, but it appears to be an evolutionary adaptation for humans during periods of carbohydrate scarcity.

Liveblogging a Second Pizza

19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Science
  1. In science, results need to be replicated to be considered true.
  2. Eating a second pizza resulted in increased mental clarity and energy for the author.
  3. Carbs from pizza provided a noticeable burst of energy, rather than making the author feel tired.

Cargo Culting ex150: Proper Food Once A Day?

19 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Diet Nutrition Cooking Recipes
  1. Willpower is seen as a negative when it comes to weight loss in this perspective.
  2. Proper diet includes avoiding high-carb foods like bread, potatoes, and yams, and replacing them with nutrient-filled fats like double cream.
  3. Consider supplementing with a daily multivitamin to ensure essential micronutrients are not omitted from the diet.

What it's Like to Have a Homeostat

19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight management Physical activity Healthy Eating Body Image Metabolism
  1. Weight can be maintained consistently over time with a well-functioning homeostat, regardless of lifestyle or diet changes.
  2. Consistent physical activity and high calorie consumption did not impact the author's weight due to their stable homeostat.
  3. Even drastic changes like cycling across a country and significant weight loss were corrected quickly by the homeostat to maintain a stable weight.

Appetite is the Key to the Obesity Epidemic

19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Appetite Metabolism
  1. Some individuals feel hungry constantly, spending hours resisting hunger or eating until their stomachs hurt.
  2. Feeling physically full is different from stopping wanting food. It's about reaching a point where you don't desire to eat more even if food is available.
  3. The absence of the feeling of satiety can lead people to overeat until their stomachs hurt, contributing to the mystery of the obesity epidemic.

Yes, You Have a Homeostat

19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness Physiology Well-being Weight management
  1. Animals need to maintain the right amount of stored fat for survival; too little makes them vulnerable, too much impairs movement and fighting abilities
  2. Having a homeostat helps animals regulate their fat levels and stay at their optimal weight consistently without much effort
  3. Different animals have different ideal fat percentages based on their needs and roles, and the homeostat system ensures they stay within these ranges

My Struggle

19 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight management Physical Fitness Healthy Eating Mental health General Health
  1. The writer reflects on their weight history over several periods of their life and discusses the concept of set-point/lipostat-type theories of obesity.
  2. Weight measurements can vary based on the scales used and personal weight fluctuation experiences, such as after periods of physical activity or dietary changes.
  3. The importance of historical weight data and the impact of muscle mass on weight, as illustrated through the writer's experience in rowing and the changing perceptions of weight within the sport.

What Eeez a Homeostat?

19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Physics
  1. A homeostat keeps something constant by defending a specific state, like a thermostat regulating temperature in a house.
  2. In trying to adjust homeostasis, common solutions like restricting fuel or insulation removal might not work as expected due to the complexity of the system.
  3. Sometimes, a simple adjustment like resetting the thermostat can have a more effective impact on maintaining the desired state.

Obesity in the US Army

19 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Healthy Eating Exercise Weight management
  1. Weight loss advice given to US Army servicemen often focuses on eating less and exercising more, which may not be a sustainable long-term solution.
  2. Short-term weight loss results can be achieved by simply focusing on calorie intake and expenditure.
  3. Starving oneself to lose weight may not lead to long-term health improvements and can result in cyclical weight gain.