Are complementary therapies helpful for AF?

[WendyWu20]

Hi all, has anyone found anything helpful for their AF, based on natural or complementary therapies or dietary supplements? I've been meditating daily for years, and feel quite disappointed that I haven't managed to 'Zen' my way to a sinus rhythm haha! I've also tried magnesium oil (as a spray onto skin), and Hawthorn Extract pills - neither of which had any effect. Just wondering if anyone's found anything useful?

[Slattery]

I take 250 mg of magnesium taurate daily. My doctor took me off all medication last week. So far the magnesium seems to keep my heart rate down. Time will tell

[Mo-ararat]

Wouldn't it be nice if we could find some magic for AF in complimentary therapies. The ones that I have tried don't seem to have any impact on my heart but do help give me more energy.

[CDreamer]

Find one you enjoy and it may help you cope with the everyday living with AF - but don't ever expect a cure. Lifestyle changes, treating any underlying condition(s), balanced diet, exercise and meditation may do more.

[Hidden]

My Naturopath says he treats a number of AF patients with a Mg compound and CoQ10. I have to mention the Mg compound brand name, Nutri MegaMag Muscleze as I have found no other with such a collection of ingredients appropriate to AF/heart; I actually take half of the recommended dose.

Whether these supplements and any lifestyle changes work for you is probably very dependent on your individual circumstances. I think it has helped me, I am 63 with vagally mediated Lone PAF, no other co morbidities and a lot of lifestyle changes but I still take 200mgs Fleacinide per day.

[WendyWu20]

Thanks for the comments. I've just read this nutritional article and it seems quite sensible...

knowledgeofhealth.com/contr....

By Bill Sardi - Controlling Atrial Fibrillation Without Drugs.

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to WendyWu20]

Hi Wendy

I wish you well, but with a statement in the fourth paragraph like "The medical literature points to elevated blood sugar levels as the primary CAUSE of Atrial Fibrillation" I could not describe the article as "sensible"

Your choice of course

Be well

Ian

[WendyWu20 in reply to Beancounter]

I do agree... Sardi does does not provide the lit refs to the 'facts' he offers. Meta analyses elicit the association between AF and diabetes mellitus; this has been shown in both epidemiology and experimental studies, although these do not reveal causal or correlation relationships. While some studies do show a direct link between glucose intolerance/insulin resistance and risk of developing AF (especially in women), confounding factors such as obesity and inflammatory responses complicate the matter. Following my first hosp admission this year, I recall every doctor asking me if i was diabetic, and was thoroughly tested for this, so there seems to be a general awareness of the link with diabetes, even if we don't know the exact physiological mechanisms. But I'm not even pre-diabetic and even after putting myself on a low-carb/sugar diet, there's no reduction in the frequency of my AF episodes! :o)

[Ianc2]

Have l look at careuny's post on eating certain foods (fodmap). I agree with many of his comments. I believe they were posted on the 'AGE - how old were you when you first had afib.' thread.

Ian

[EricR]

When I was in the hospital after heart stoppage from asymptomatic afib that became ventricular tachycardia and stopped my heart, my cardiologists started me on CoQ10, 300 mg per day, which I continue to take. I also take flax oil and eat lots of fish. After reading posts on to this website, I switched from calcium supplements to Magnesium Taurate, which is thought to be better for heart health than calcium. I don't take any supplements that have anticoagulant properties because I am taking Eliquis. I have read where Lutein and Zeaxanthin are beneficial. I have found that a good diet and exercise allow me to enjoy wine, caffeine and sweet treats in moderation. All of my checkups since my heart failure occurred have been very good, but I was fit when my heart stopped. My doctors told me that being fit saved my life because only 5% of those who suffer full cardiac arrest survive.

[Flaka]

I have just started a new protocol that I got from Dr Bruce West a natural doctor I read about that includes whole food supplements made by Standard Process. Only been taking them for less than two weeks so too early to tell. I was advised to stay on the protocol for 4 months and report back my symptoms to see if any changes need to be made. I read reviews from people that had A Fib that were very pleased as it seemed to have cured them. Sure hope it works.