Supplement Protocol

[Txellen]

I am 57 and in otherwise pretty good health except for needing to lose 40 pounds to be at my ideal weight. I found out about 2 years ago that I have Afib when my heart got up to 150 BMP and wouldn’t come down. After 6 hours in the ER it finally came down with iv meds. I had had palpitations a lot over the years but many doctors said it was nothing to worry about and no one ever suggested it could be Afib. I didn’t want to take medicine so I had an ablation in July 2018. I am in normal sinus rhythm most of the time but I do have episodes multiple times a week where it starts feeling weird and I use my cardia device that shows if I am in Afib or not. It usually comes down after 15 minutes or so. I can go many days or weeks at a time with no episodes if I am not stressed. But there is something about my heart that just doesn’t feel right. If I get nervous, overeat, don’t sleep well, eat junk food, drink wine, etc, it makes my heart start feeling like it’s jumping around again. Is this what it means when they say you never really cure Afib? I know in my experience that most of the time I am “aware” of my heart even though cardia shows it’s in normal sinus rhythm. I know the difference because when it’s beating smoothly and calmly I’m not aware of it. Does that make sense? I am always just a little breathless and I know that ablation wasn’t a quick fix like I hopped it would be. I am working toward a healthier lifestyle and have been consistently exercising for about 3 months by walking 3 miles 3 times per week. I am trying to find out if there is a good book I can read about Afib which also explains a good supplement protocol that is recommended by anyone? My doctors don’t have a clue about it except for the most basic information. I do take magnesium supplements twice a day which help a lot. Anything else you recommend? I have also found that certain food additives like msg make my heart jittery so I try to read labels. I went to a football game the other night and ate a sausage wrap. My heart immediately started pumping faster. I googled the brand and sure enough it contains msg. Any other foods that act on the heart cells as an excitotoxin other than coffee and alcohol (maybe taramine). Thanks for your help!

[Hidden]

Hi Txellen,

Well, I have a personal view, its mine only, although there are many on this forum who have similar experiences ........... its down to your statement ..... "If I get nervous, overeat, don’t sleep well, eat junk food, drink wine, etc".

To me this could well be indicative of a dysfunctional vagal nerve, which basically is a nerve in the central nervous system like an information superhighway connecting the brain and a variety of organs, most notably the heart and the digestive system.

The performance/behaviour of this nerve can be influenced by just about all of what you discuss.

There is much online written about the Vagal Nerve (VN) and you could read up, there is also quite good schematic diagrams show where the VN fits in the body.

I worked on the basis calm the VN and calm the heart. Taken some years but I have only had one AF event (that I was able to identify and record) since April 2015 ( which occurred sleeping on my left side in Feb 2018 - nothing since).

Back in the day, I consulted a Nutritionist ( and still do from time to time to ensure I am still on track) and as a result have really cross examined my diet and made considerable changes to it. Yep, I am still on my originally prescribed medication but the fact is I'm fine.

John

[Txellen in reply to Hidden]

Hi John and thank you for your reply. I do think that I have the vagal nerve/Afib connection. I wish I could find reading materials that specifically discuss how to keep the VN happy and calm. I have read articles that discuss this nerve but until you replied I never thought to dig in deeper to find out if this could be the source of my problem. I can’t believe I’ve never even heard of it until I started researching Afib. I will start looking for more information as it really does seem to connect the dots for me. Btw, I am feeling much better since I upped my magnesium potassium level, walking, started CPAP and eating a low carb diet.

[Tapanac]

Join the club of those needing to lose weight. Not easy if you like food and have grandchildren visiting!!!!! Firstly losing weight is important, eating sensibly and cutting down or out alcohol. However we all want to have fun. We’ve just been on holiday and I ate and drank in holiday mode and since then well I’ve realised I perhaps shouldn’t have done. Everything in moderation. We all know this, but if you (and we) try to stick to the guidelines you will feel better. If it’s any help it took me about 18 months before I saw any benefits of my ablation although I still get bouts of heart acrobats!!! Good luck.

[Txellen in reply to Tapanac]

Thank you Tapanac for your encouragement. I am happy to hear that benefits don’t show up right away for some but that they will eventually come. I am also familiar with the “holiday heart” syndrome unfortunately reminding me of how important it is to stick with a healthy lifestyle. It reminds me of what my friend tells me: “If we keep doing what we did we’ll keep getting what we got!” Take care! ❤️