Sharing my fortunate experience to hopefully benefit others…about a year ago I was a frequent reader of this blog.
My first AF episode was 20 years ago in my mid 30’s. It occurred every few years thereafter and would convert with rest and Diltiazem after a day or two. Then a couple of years ago the rate and duration increased greatly, with some episodes lasting over a month. The trigger was usually a cold drink. Typically when in one of the prolonged episodes there would be an irregular heart beat every 10 to 30 beats. After a meal the irregular frequency was much higher. I lost 20 lbs!
My cardiologist is the best and tried to help by recommending stronger and regular prescriptions but I suspected the root cause was some physiological imbalance. I am active and exercise regularly (though not when in AF – a flight of stairs was all I could manage).
I researched on the Internet and probably read hundreds of articles and blogs. The best find was “Naturopathic Medicine for a Common Condition” by Dr. Paul R. Saunders. Based on the research I started on a daily dose of supplements (Fish Oil, Multivitamin, CoQ10, Potassium Iodide, Low dose aspirin, Taurine, Magnesium, L-arginine). I greatly reduced hard liquor consumption, though still drink beer and wine regularly. I avoid cold drinks of course though still have in some social situations, but take it slow with small sips.
It has been a year since my last episode. After starting the new regiment it took about a month for that episode to clear, and I had one short reoccurrence shortly after that. I am now healthy, and have put most of those 20 lbs back on unfortunately. I recently completed my first triathlon and am looking forward to the next. Perhaps I am not cured but have at least delayed any pharmaceutical or surgical approaches.
Bonjour. Je viens de lire votre commentaire et j'ai vérifié l'auteur mentionné. Très intéressante recherche et résultats. Merci d'avoir posté.
hi Ruzam,
From my own experience and stuff I've read, and following advice from my Nutritionist I would say you are almost describing an almost classic 'Vagal Nerve' cause of your AF. I am not taking the full range of stuff you are and cold drinks are not an issue for me, but, masses of types of food are. I take Arctic Cod Liver oil daily and also the CoQ10 and have substantially changed my diet over the last 6 years or so. I still take, however, my prescribed meds, i.e. Warfarin, bisoprolol statins and a BP med. My last AF event was in April 2015. Like you, I don't regard my AF as cured but it sure as hell is well and truly neutralised. I have had no surgical intervention either.
John
Very interesting John. I want to go down the supplement route as I feel it would help me, but I'm worred in case the nutritionist know what clashes with the meds, are most of them knowledgeable enough in your opinion? When I asked my cardiologist about taking magnesium, he said not to. All the best, keep up the good work,
Bonjour Pauline, a-t-il dit pourquoi ne pas prendre de magnésium ? Je viens de commencer à en prendre 😊
Bonjour, je suis si heureuse de lire ce post, merci et je vais chercher l'auteur maintenant 😊 Je suis si heureuse que tu ailles bien. J'ai été diagnostiquée il y a 2 ans, mais j'ai perdu les pédales, cela a pris le dessus sur ma vie. Je vivais de saumon, de raisins et de bananes. J'ai perdu 2 pierres, mais j'avais l'air si malade. J'essaie de suivre le régime FODMAP maintenant et de boire beaucoup d'eau tiède. Le chocolat, l'alcool et le fromage, ainsi que les aliments épicés, me donnent des battements sautés, etc. Donc le mien est clairement aggravé par certains aliments, mais ce post a illuminé ma journée 😊👍
Le magnésium est exceptionnellement important pour tout ce qui bouge dans le corps. Il s'agit d'une statine naturelle et il complète également le calcium dans plusieurs processus, comme la coagulation sanguine.
Le magnésium agit également comme un fluidifiant sanguin, en concurrence avec le calcium, donc si vous prenez un fluidifiant sanguin, le magnésium pourrait poser problème - un sang trop fluide pourrait entraîner des problèmes de saignements excessifs.
Prenez-vous un fluidifiant sanguin ? Si c'est le cas, c'est pour cela que votre cardiologue ne veut pas que vous preniez du magnésium supplémentaire.
Ma recommandation est d'arrêter le fluidifiant sanguin et de prendre du magnésium - mais soyez prudent avec cette suggestion puisque vous ne savez pas qui je suis.... en général, les fluidifiants sanguins aident, mais pas autant que les moyens naturels, comme des quantités adéquates de magnésium.
Frank
Hi Bea, no they didn't, but if you read Frank's reply to me below it's to do with being on blood thinners, which I am, so that's prob the reason, good luck with the magnesium, are you on anti coagulant? all the best.
Thank you Frank, makes sense. Keep well.
Hi Pauline,
My Nutritionist is a member of B.A.N.T - now I am of course assuming you are in Britain - British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy. do suggest you look up B.A.N.T online and read up and form your own opinions. There is a bit on the website that can help you locate one in your area. My experience was that my Nutritionist was qualified and skilled and if they lack knowledge on any matter they would say so. Of course as a precaution you could always go online and run a check yourself on the compatibility of 'alternative therapies' on drugs you are prescribed. Or have a face to face meeting with your Pharmacist. Most large pharmacies these days have a small private 'consulting room' where you can have a good conversation on such matters.
I have never been prescribed - and nor has it been suggested I take - magnesium. In the case of the Arctic Cod Liver Oil and the coQ10 both were prescribed by my Nutritionist - now I do stress I pay top money for these products because they are NOT 'Off the shelf' products. nothing wrong with off the shelf stuff - so long as you know about and understand the ingredients bit on the label.
Hope this helps.
John
Hi bea,
Yeah, well I found FODMAPS too, but, it is a bit severe for me - nevertheless - I do pick bits and pieces out if it. I combine that with going gluten and Wheat free and I've also gone added sugar free too. 'every little helps' so to speak.
I also kept a 'food diary' embracing food eaten, date eaten and the body response. Over a long time I was able to identify offending foods and cut them out. My last AF event now was in April 2015. Gluten,. Wheat, Oats, fruit and veg were the worst offenders. If i ate according to the mantra '5 or 7 fruit and veg a day' I'd be in the bathroom for half a day at least - and quite ill with it !
John
Bonjour Pauline, oui je suis sous warfarine. Je suis tellement contente d'avoir vu votre commentaire, je ne savais pas que cela pouvait affecter mon INR. Je pensais que c'était plus facile que de manger des régimes de bananes 😊. Merci, j'arrête de les prendre maintenant. Cordialement, Bea x
Thanks so much for that John, I will do my research, and if it makes you feel better it's got to be worth every penny. Keep well. Pauline
Hi Bea, pleased advice helping you, but funnily enough I found eating a banana once when I was in Spain caused me to have a blip, not serious, but scary. I haven't eaten a whole banana since then, may try a few slices of my hubbies on my b,fast. Interesting about magnesium tho, I always used to take cod liver oil, but scared now to take anything, in case! Keep strong Bea X
Ruzam - ace to read a positve outcome, thanks!
Folks, in your experience or knowledge, which foods are most rich in Magnesium and did increased consumption help you? Ditto Taurine?
Liz
Beaucoup d'entre nous aux États-Unis pensons que nous ne pouvons pas compter sur le web pour fournir des chiffres précis sur la teneur en magnésium des plantes ; la dégradation du sol peut expliquer cela. Donc, même si l'épinard est répertorié (il y a 10 ans) comme étant riche en magnésium, les chiffres réels sont beaucoup plus bas.
Les amandes sont répertoriées comme étant riches en magnésium, et elles le sont peut-être, mais...
Frank