Dana White, American businessman and CEO of mixed-martial-arts organisation the UFC, managed to lower his cholesterol and reduce his blood pressure in part thanks to adopting a ketogenic diet.
The 55-year-old has long been involved in combat sports and, in 2001, became president of the UFC, which he now reportedly owns nine per cent of. White has made millions from the venture, but he was told, thanks to worrying blood tests, he only had 10 years to live in 2022.
A biologist wrote White up a plan of action – a strict ketogenic diet – alongside balancing his hormones and controlling his blood fat levels. Just months on, the CEO noticed a major difference, and it is thought that these changes helped drop his cholesterol significantly, all while increasing his life expectancy.
Biologist Gary Brecka has given tips to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in the past, and it was with his help that White managed to shed the weight.
Speaking on The Diary Of A CEO, Brecka touched on White’s journey, saying: “Triglycerides are a measure of blood fat and shouldn’t be over 149 – two or three hundred is a ‘cataclysmic level,’ but his was at 768.
“I told Dana: ‘I’m surprised you can sleep at night without waking up choking and gagging’,” admitted Brecka, also revealing that White had “skyrocketing levels” of cholesterol.
“‘I’m surprised it’s not painful to bend down and tie your shoes. Your level of brain fog and fatigue has got to be at a crushing level – I’m surprised you can remember anything’,” he stated.
(Image: Getty Images)
Brecka insisted that White strictly stick to the ketogenic diet written up for him, and results were rapid. According to BBC Good Food, a ‘keto’ diet is a regimen that involves consuming very few carbohydrates.
When following this diet, carbs are replaced by fat for energy, promoting the body’s fat-burning process, ideally resulting in weight loss and control of blood sugar.
Typical foods consumed as part of the regime include high-fat meats, processed meats, fish, oils, lard, butter, nuts, cheeses, and low-carb vegetables.
In order to keep the amount of carbs consumed down, food products such as all breads, pasta, rice, cereals, and baked goods are avoided when the diet is being stuck to.
“In 10 weeks, [he] lost 28 to 30 pounds and he’s over 40 pounds [down] now,” Brecka continued, touching on White’s incredible transformation.
“By the end of the fifth month, he was off every prescription medication. He is no longer pre-diabetic, he has normal triglycerides, and his kidney and liver function improved.
“He feels like a 35-year-old man again. His blood pressure has returned to normal, and he’s on no meds. He’s almost tripled life expectancy – just under 30 years.”