Gluten free diet: I have been trying to... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,306 members38,577 posts

Gluten free diet

Profound15 profile image
23 Replies

I have been trying to lose some weight since my last afib event two weeks ago. I’ve adopted a gluten free (ish) diet and I’ve managed to lose some weight which is great. However there’s been an unexpected benefit in that my ectopics have reduced significantly. Yes I guess not eating as much helps but I’ve read that gluten can cause arrhythmias. Has anyone experienced anything similar please

Written by
Profound15 profile image
Profound15
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

I i have coeliac disease as diagnosed by the hospital but was never told about any Afib and coeliac connections.

Profound15 profile image
Profound15 in reply to10gingercats

I read today in a medical journal it was the case. I’ll try and find it again and post

Profound15 profile image
Profound15 in reply to10gingercats

gluten.lovetoknow.com/palpi...

This is one of the sites I visited which suggested a link.

10gingercats profile image
10gingercats in reply toProfound15

Thank you for the link.However, I do not feel I want to pursue this for myself as I was quite satisfied with the consultant who diagnosed me .

Jalia profile image
Jalia

Sounds interesting !

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I would cut out 90% gluten and sugar as a first step and keep a diary on the results.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

Next step I suggest you cut out 50% of processed food and look at increasing animal fats (sic) in your diet westonaprice.org

secondtry profile image
secondtry

Lastly, do two 1 mile brisk walks every day early am before breakfast and late afternoon

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb

I have a gluten intolerance so follow a strict gluten free diet. Personally, I don’t think stopping gluten is a good, or healthy way to lose weight. Gluten free products contain more sugar than normal products and, for me, sugar is a trigger for AF.

Bucerias profile image
Bucerias in reply toMrsvemb

Yes, unless you are diagnosed with celiac or have an actual gluten intolerance you need gluten in your diet.

goldey profile image
goldey

Maybe you have the same problems that I have with gluten. I have had non-celiac gluten sensitivity since the 80s. I try to stay clear of it, but it's very difficult for me. I can go a month or two with no gluten, or just a little bit here and there, but then I have a binge that sometimes lasts a month or two, etc. When I have gluten for more than 2 days in a row, my body starts retaining a lot of water. My feet and legs swell right up -- and along with that, I start having some breathing problems, probably fluid retaining in my lungs and heart too This goes completely away when I am gluten-free. When fluid builds up, I believe it can cause more irregular breathing and heartbeats. Try completely giving up all gluten for 1 month, and see if your afib gets better -- it takes a whole month for your body to complete get rid of ll the deep water it is retaining.

Adasian profile image
Adasian

Very interesting to note as I am Gluten intolerant and also lactose intolerant. I also notice a sensitivity to sugar. As a result I try to eat gluten free, drink almond milk and don’t eat sugar though I occasionally have dessert. I do cheat sometimes. Gluten triggers my psoriasis also. This is the first time I have heard about celiac and Afib, but not surprised as I also have Afib. Thanks for this info.

Joy1970 profile image
Joy1970

Although I have not been diagnosed with afib, I do notice that eating/drinking definitely creates erratic heart activity. One of the things I have found that affects me the most is lemon/lime water!! Seems so strange to me, but it definitely does! I also believe that foods/supplements with ascorbic acid also create problems for me. I recently tried a diet of only fresh fruits and veggies and noticed a lot of great results. I have fallen off track, but fully intend to get back to it as it makes me feel way better. Wheat is a problem for me (don't know if it's the gluten or the wheat itself as I have a stronger reaction to whole wheat), but it's so hard to give up!!! I am definitely going to pay more attention to what I eat and how it affects me. I really do believe that it affects us more than we realize because it can be so delayed and can also take a long time to leave our system. Best of wishes to you in the management of your heart condition! :)

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply toJoy1970

It sounds like you're reacting to the acidic content of these foods. Have you considered that you get acid reflux? It can be silent, not always as heartburn, but it's still damaging.

Joy1970 profile image
Joy1970 in reply toSingwell

I haven’t thought about it in those terms. I will definitely explore that! Thank you for bringing it to my attention. 🙂

Profound15 profile image
Profound15 in reply toSingwell

I have suffered from acid reflux for 45 years or so. I used to take all the various indigestion remedies. However, since going teetotal a couple of years ago and taking apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning before food I have stopped having any symptoms. I can’t believe it but it certainly works for me. I haven’t taken any rennies, gaviscon etc for a long time.

Wannna40 profile image
Wannna40 in reply toProfound15

It does i had it for years too. I was diagnosed with H pylori took forever to go away then after i was cured it left me to serious indigestion problems started drinking lemon and apple cider thank God its all gone

Profound15 profile image
Profound15 in reply toJoy1970

Thank you joy. There’s more to gluten side effects than meets the eye I think. I’ll continue meantime not ingesting gluten and see how it pans out over the next few weeks

Joy1970 profile image
Joy1970 in reply toProfound15

would love to hear your results! :)

Wannna40 profile image
Wannna40

Very true that the major advice they give you stay away from gluten food. Its difficult but its the best. I wish i knew how dangerous gluten was. I started to notice funny symptoms everytime i eat Chinese food then was diagnose with high blood pressure and kept my blood pressure normal until i mistakenly went and ate the same Chinese food that very day i was rushed to emergency only to find out i had Afib so pls every additives that will cause harm to your health stay away.

Yep .............. no surprise there then. If you click on my username and search through past posts of mine you'll see stuff I've experienced and the link between food - diet- vagal nerve and AF.

John

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to

I must do that too because I'm pretty certain this is my main issue - vagus, digestion, AF. The acid reflux diet I chose to address my unhappy digestion has made a phenomenal difference and I eat hardly any gluten now though I'm in the 'reintroduce' phase. I'm the same weight I was 30 years ago, I suspect my hypothyroidism is improved and I've more energy. Also, no AF although it's only just over two months since my last episode. So much of the wheat we eat these days us heavily processed that I'm guessing this is causing the issue but whatever it is I'm going to keep on doing it. You might already know or be interested to know that like the gut our heart also has its own neural system, that acts like a brain.

in reply toSingwell

Hiya Singwell,

Your last two sentences hit it right on ................ in my view since the population explosion that followed the advent of the Industrial Revolution farmers have had to do things to protect their young growing crops that nature itself did itself for centuries prior. The advent and use of chemicals to protect crops, and change the way crops grow has done nothing for the human digestive system.

Of course they do it to maximise crop volumes, to satisfy an insatiable human market demand and to maximise their profits too.

Its no surprise what you say about the neural system of the body, digestive system, heart ..... but I suspect much more too, perhaps any major organ has its own neural system and western medicine seems to focus on the object rather than the system of the object itself.

John

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Diet & AF

Hi ,I’ve got a question on a specific diet ,,, I’ve got AF ,,,angina , and Asthma, been told I need...

Diet for AF sufferers

Good Morning all, has anyone any diet suggestions for losing weight for us AF sufferers. I have cut...

AF AND DIET

After having AF on and off for a week I have decided I am going to lose a stone in weight. I...

Ketogenic diet and AF

Hi guys. I used to eat a ketogenic diet for around 2 years (preAF)and am thinking of trying it...
Equish profile image

Low-carb diet and AF

There was a recent posting about research that indicated an increased risk of AF with low-carb...
Franny50 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.