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A man who has an interesting take on curing his Afib naturally

Newtoit profile image
63 Replies

For those who may not have heard or read anything about this man, a link to a man Steve Carr from Australia who cured his afib by diet and one supplement.

carrafibdietinfo.com/

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Newtoit profile image
Newtoit
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63 Replies
PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim

Thanks for this! I'm saving it.

Newtoit profile image
Newtoit in reply to PlanetaryKim

Though new and full of anxiety I am fascinated by those who have the courage to take afib on without drugs or procedures. I have already been in contact with a few. This gentleman I haven't yet and I have some questions about Vitamin D which in higher doses is suppose to pull Calcium into the bloodstream which in his argument is to keep calcium at low level. The strange thing was orginally I ran out and got sardines and salmon thinking this would be best for me and each time I ate them I had episodes. Of course outside dairy both are some of the highest foods with Calcium.

I have seen some responses to him and don't think it works for some people but he also experimented on himself for a little while. It did also work for his 88 year old father.

Many people talk about food and tiggers so even if this is not you I think it is food (no pun intended) for thought.

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Newtoit

I am doing my best to manage my afib (and hopefully eventually eliminate it) without drugs. So I am very interested in stories like this. In the book Lone Atrial Fibrillation: Towards a Cure, there a chapter devoted to "Managing LAF Without Drugs." I found that quite useful.

As for the Vitamin D and serum calcium relationship, I believe the secret to not pull calcium out of the bones and into the blood when supplementing with Vitamin D is to also supplement with K2, which directs calcium to the bones. So that's what I do. I believe it is possible to manage Lone Atrial Fibrillation without drugs - at least in some cases. I have been pretty happy with my own progress, shortening the length of episodes, and perhaps preventing some episodes altogether by identifying triggers and then trying to avoid them.

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to PlanetaryKim

I'm getting that book! Didn't know about the calcium thing. I'm on a high calcium vit D dose for bone density. Never thought this might be a connection

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Singwell

It's a very good book, available on Amazon, and is written by Hans Larsen who founded the afibbers bulletin board and online support group many years ago - 20 years, I think. There are some excellent research papers written by members under the Resources section: afibbers.org/resources/inde...

Newtoit profile image
Newtoit in reply to PlanetaryKim

There are many on that site who have experimented with his program. But they are obssesed with Magnesium. I don't think he is interested in it at all but if I remember he does say his program had a positive effect on his Potassium.

I will reread. Are you on any meds?

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Newtoit

Yes, a lot of the people on that site who are committed to a supplements approach are obsessed with magnesium. I was too initially. But now am not so sure. I don't even take daily magnesium supplement at present.

I am on no meds for the afib - no rate control, no rhythm control, no anti-coagulant, no electro-cardioversion. My afib cycle seems to be one episode every 21 days (3 weeks). Next one due tomorrow, so will let you know! lol!

Before I gained any control over it (ie, before I started reading and searching for triggers and conversion strategies and prevention strategies) , each episode would last 3-4 days and then convert on its own. Now these episodes last 3-4 hours and then convert to NSR. I am always fine-tuning and re-evaluating my protocol, always dialing it in better and better (or so I like to think).

Currently, my rescue cocktail is: 1 can low-sodium V8 (500 mg potassium in 5 oz can) + 400 mg magnsium gylcinate + 2-3 cups water, all consumed within first 5 minutes of detecting arrhythmia. Sometimes I take a full size crushed up aspirin as well. Lately my cocktail has been converting me in 1-4 hours instead of my previous 3-4 days when I did nothing. I keep drinking water over that time while waiting to convert since dehydration can be significant afib trigger. And we tend to get dehydrated without realizing it.

I never know for sure if my runs of arrhythmia are afib or simply non-stop ectopics because I have no device at home to determine that. But I think it is afib in most cases. It's been afib when I have gone to ER and gotten hooked up to EKG,.

Recently I had a situation where my rescue cocktail was not working. Afib would halt but then resume. That lasted for 2-3 days. Then I started looking at my health diary where I log everything and noticed that I was becoming arrhythmic 30-60 minutes after each Allegra antihistamine (fexofenadine). I googled it, and sure enough there is a connection between fexofenadine and arrhythmia/afib. So I threw out a lot of Allegra and now just use Claritin (loratadine) which is not as good of an antihistamine but doesn't seem to affect heart rhythm.

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to PlanetaryKim

Really interesting Kim! Thanks for sharing these details. I'm currently following The Dr's Kitchen podcast and finding his advice on eating for your heart very helpful. I too I'm waiting for my 'next' but I'm feeling so well in-between that it's bothering me less. Coming up to my first anniversary so to speak.

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Singwell

I will look for that podcast!

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Singwell

If you are taking high calcium supplements with vit D it is very important to take vit K2. There was some research a while back that suggested that women on this regime were getting more heart attacks due to artery calcification. K2 directs calcium to where it should go.

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to Auriculaire

That's useful to know. Interestingly my cardiologist put me on a Calcium channel blocker for my BP in tandem with my Flecainide which is a sodium channel blocker. Re vitamin K - what's the potential danger here though for blood clotting. I'm on apixiban for that. One wonders why it's us who have to join the dots up...

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Singwell

It is only Warfarin users that need to adjust their meds.

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Singwell

The vitamin K to use with D3 and calcium supplement to direct calcium to bones and not arteries is K2, not K1. While K2 does have some minimal coagulating properties, it is quite small compared to K1, which is the type of K used in hospital to coagulate people who are bleeding out. But even there, K1 will not stop apixiban bleeding, only warfarin. The 2 anticoagulants work by different strategies. Only warfarin can be counteracted with K1.

I to ohave been diagnosed with borderline osteoporosis from dexa scan. And doctor would like me on calcium supplement and osteoporosis drug (no thank you!).

But everything I am reading on health-oriented forums and books about osteoporosis suggests that is not a good idea... Calcium is not really the missing link. Nearly everyone gets enough calcium from daily diet. The Holy trinity for bone building is actually: D3, K2 and magnesium. No calcium. So I am going that route (although not even taking magnesium at this point). It's impossible to have this conversation with any doctor. They just have no knowledge of vitamins, minerals, diet, supplements, etc.

The single most important thing you can do to rebuild bone density or hold the line on further bone loss is daily weight-bearing exercise - more important than supplements, diet, or anything else. Walking daily is good. I also have a small inexpensive home gym set up in my living room - mainly dumbbells, a weight bench and a doorway chin-up bar. (I am 66-year-old female).

If you are interested in these approaches, there is a very active and informative Facebook group called Osteoporosis Natural Remedies. Many success stories of women who have reversed their numbers/increased their bone density without pharmaceuticals.

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to Auriculaire

Just thought I'd share this. Haven't read the original research but it gives a perspective. I will check out the Vit K connection however health.harvard.edu/blog

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to Singwell

This link is a blog index list to many articles. which article were you talking about?

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to PlanetaryKim

Apologies. I had an issue with privacy. There's an article from year reviewing the earlier finding on calcium supplements, implying that this was a one-off study and not confirmed elsewhere. I'll try the find it again.

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to PlanetaryKim

Dear Kim. I originally saw the "Steve Carr" post and did not follow up.But, I reconnected and found lots more on the vitamin D3 + K2 and Nattokinase on affibers.org. Did you ever try Steve's method?

I am on it now ! Two weeks and no episodes - down from every three days.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply to saulger

🤔 very interesting. Glad it’s working for you Saulger. I’ve only just come across this post but it’s a very inspirational read. Mainly for his pure dedication to rid af in the face of most people/medical staff probably telling him he couldn’t do it. Much like it still is now. I was already pretty determined but this has given me a further boost💪

Wish I’d seen this sooner to be honest but it is what it is. I’ve already gone down the ablation route but I don’t see how this can’t help me maintain NSR even after ablation. I would assume same rules apply. Soon as I’ve completed my weaning off all meds I’m going to increase vit d intake and get even stricter with my diet 💪💪💪 onwards and upwards!

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Elli86

Thank you, Eli, for taking the time and your wishes.

I am on the roller coaster and hoping for the best.

What have we got to lose? Vitamin D3, K2 (MK7), Nattokinase, plus 400mg magnesium a day. Nothing controversial !

After reading Steve Carr's posts, I had my vitamin D3 (OH-25) tested and I am low (31.1 ng/mL), according to him and others who manage to stave off the episodes.

I am aiming for 62-64 ng/mL and am currently taking 7,000 IU units per day.

Steve Carr also recommends restricting calcium intake to under 500mg/day and I am attempting to adjust.

Will keep everyone on the forum posted if I can hit one month and beyond.

It's like a magic spell for me. I feel as if a burden has been lifted.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply to saulger

Good stuff mate 👍 hope it works out! Keep us informed! I’ll be joining you soon 😁👍

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to saulger

Hi saulger! What is the link to the Steve Carr post? I have forgotten the details on that. But I think D3+K2_Nattokinase sounds like a good protocol. I have only occasionally used nattokinase, not daily. But there are members on the afibbers(dot)org forum who swear by daily nattokinase (or the food source natto). Great that you have gone 2 weeks with no espisode, when your pattern was every 3 days. Please keep us posted! :)

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to PlanetaryKim

Hello Kim. This is the link: carrafibdietinfo.com/

You will find all his findings there. It is based around raising the vitamin D3 level to 62-64 ng/mL, reducing calcium, taking magnesium, etc.

Nattokinase is made from fermented soya beans, with a unique bacterium.

Natto is a Japanese breakfast food that is rich in vitamin K (stops heart tissue and blood vessels calcifying) and consumed every day since childhood in Japan; the Japanese have the longest longevity and active in ageing of all nations.

What is important for us AFib sufferers is that statistically just 0.56% of people with AFib in Japan, whereas it is estimated to be 2.5% in the UK.

Also, follow Steve Carr and GeorgeN on the forum of Afibbers.org.

There, you will also come across a good bunch of people who have been successful at staving off episodes.

All the best. saul

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to PlanetaryKim

Hello Kim.

Following Steve Carr's posts, I had a vitamin D3 (25-OH) which showed that I had 31.1 ng/mL when I should be twice that to stave off episodes.

At the moment I feel reborn and hope that it lasts.

I will certainly report if and when I reach 30 days AFib free.

I should add that I am still on 50mg Flecainide twice a day, but was on the same dose before, when the frequency was every three days. Should all be well, I will reduce that dosage to nothing, over time.

Here is an article by Hans Larsen, the founder of afibbers.org.There are patterns to episodes and visible blood markers before and after, that suggest that specific hormones are involved and contribute to events:

afibbers.org/resources/aldo...

All the best, Saul

PlanetaryKim profile image
PlanetaryKim in reply to saulger

Thanks for all this Saul! Will check out the Steve Carr link. Yes, I have gotten a lot of information from afibber(dot)org. I am a big believer in getting one's D3 levels up. Have been working on that myself. I have problems supplementing with D3 unfortunately because it has an agitating effect on my and will keep me awake at night even if I take it in morning.

Boiler62 profile image
Boiler62 in reply to saulger

Hi Saul, I've also been attempting to follow the Steve Carr diet/supplement recommendation. Been at 65 ng/ml for about a month and it doesn't seem to be working. What are your results so far?

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Boiler62

Hello Boiler62. Are you on Flecainide or other antiarrhythmic maintenance dose? I was on daily Flecainide (50mg x 2) for six months and it was hardly helping. I stopped it about two months ago and taking nothing daily now.The first week after I stopped I was getting ectopic beats that would normally progress to AFib (when on Flecainide) but did not.

I am still taking 5,000-7,000 IU D3 daily and if I don't exert I don't experience AFib - but cannot say how long it would last because I have to exercise.

My latest ploy is to exercise moderately and if an episode just starts with irregular beats I take one pill 100mg Flecainide and 1.25mg Bisoprolol and the AFib (at lower than previous heat rate, now around 80-90) will stop in under an hour and the next few days I'm immune to attacks.

It's not the answer that I was looking for but I feel better and mentally stronger because it feels less severe and resolves so much quicker (3-5 hours previously).

Please let me know your medication regimen and if yours is a lone AFib (no other co-morbidities). All the best, Saul.

Boiler62 profile image
Boiler62 in reply to saulger

Saul,

I do have lone afib and take Flecainide as needed when I experience an afib episode (roughly once a week). Afib usually goes away within 1-2 hours. During the time that I was increasing my Vitamin D level from 24.5 ng/ml, the intervals between afib episodes continued to decrease so I reduced my level of exercise to compensate. At this point, I have reduced exercise to roughly one 30 minute walk per day. Last summer, I could do several hour-long bicycle rides a week.

Since my Vitamin D level has exceeded 50 ng/ml (about a month ago), I've noticed that I can go somewhat longer without afib episodes, but more intense exercise (shoveling snow, bicycle rides) still triggers them. Like you, I have noticed that my afib episodes now involve a lower heart rate (80-90 vs 120-130). For me, however, they still resolve in the same amount of time after taking flecainide.

An additional concern for me is high blood pressure. I've never had systolic blood pressure consistently over 140, but I do now. I believe this is due to a slightly increased serum calcium level. I have done detailed audits of calcium in my diet and I'm confident I'm less than 400 mg per day. My monthly blood tests (Vitamin D and calcium) do indicate that my calcium level is within normal limits although perhaps varying a little more than usual. I'm also concerned about the potential for developing kidney stones although I have not experienced any since taking Vitamin D so far.

My conclusion is the same as yours. This is not the answer I was looking for. Last week I stopped taking my Vitamin D supplements. I will continue with my monthly blood tests to track the decrease of Vitamin D level and confirm that my calcium level is still within normal limits. I will continue with the low-calcium diet until my Vitamin D level is at least below 50 ng/ml. Long-term I will try to maintain a level around 40 ng/ml for my general health. I plan to schedule my ablation the next time I see my cardiologist in April.

I noticed one potentially important difference between our health histories and Steve Carr's. You and I both tried this approach after we had been taking flecainide for some time (months/years). Steve Carr reported that he had never taken an anti-arrhythmic medication.

Best Regards,

Dave

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Boiler62

Hello Dave. Thank you.

Very similar to me except my episodes tend to be every 3 days, whereas I could go 7-10 days without, before (on Flecainide but not exercising).Still, the total volume of drug now is less than before (I was on 100g Flecainide daily and the conversion from AFib is swifter and less dramatic, so QOL is better overall and mentally less stressful because I know after exertion that an episode might start and the way to deal with it.

I assume that you are also taking vitamin K2 (MK7)?

My vitamin D3 combined pill is just 100 μg vitamin K2 and I was advised by a doctor to up it to 200μg. This is to absorb the calcium so it doesn't get to the heart.

Let's continue to compare notes and let each other know of anything helpful.

All the best, Dave. Saul

Boiler62 profile image
Boiler62 in reply to saulger

Saul,

I don't take any Vitamin K2. My cardiologist was concerned about potential interactions with anti-coagulants that would be used during an ablation so I decided not to take any during my experiment. I believe calcium absorption by the heart is something that occurs over a lifetime so was not too concerned about increasing my Vitamin D level for several months. If the high Vitamin D-low calcium diet had been effective, I would have started taking Vitamin K2 for long-term protection.

Dave

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Boiler62

Hi Dave, I am not taking AC as I was low risk until I got to 75 (four months ago), with a lone AFib. I am on the fence regarding an ablation as it appears to be only 50% successful after a few years and requiring re-ablating.I also read that AC and antiarrhythmic medications may be recommended even after an ablation? When is your ablation scheduled for?

Saul

Boiler62 profile image
Boiler62 in reply to saulger

Saul,

I am not taking ACs currently but will need to take them in preparation for the ablation. I agree with your assessment of the success rate, but success rate seems to be higher when administered to those who have less history with AF. I turned 60 a month ago so am willing to try it (and multiple times, if necessary). For me atrial fibrillation is highly symptomatic. I experience shortness of breath and it significantly impacts my quality of life. I have not scheduled ablation yet but expect to schedule it in late spring/early summer here in US.

Dave

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Boiler62

Very interesting, Dave. I am sorry that yours is highly symptomatic. Mine is "sort of" tolerable with the heart also "jumping out of my chest" and some breathlessness, with a feeling of tightness in the chest. It's definitely not nice, but if I take the PIP as soon as I feel the ectopic beats (that precede the vent), it resolves quicker and the heart rate is not as high.

I, for the moment, am shunning catheter ablation because I have been following the WMM procedure (Wolf Mini Maze), and patients with failed CA do less well with the WMM.

It was perfected and currently performed by Dr Randal Wolf at Debakey Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, on more than 2,000 patients over some 20 years.

It is also done in Japan and Dr Wolf seems to currently perform four procedures a week.

Dr Wolf ablates many areas outside the heart, and clamps shut the LAA where clots can form leading to a stroke, with some 95% success rate first time to be in NSR.

No AC of AR drugs are needed after the healing period of three months, with quicker healing for the PAF patients.

It is more intrusive, requiring GA and small punctures both sides of the chest between the ribs. Some patients fly through the healing (several weeks) and some take longer. Some have been skiing and bicycle riding up a mountain seven weeks after the procedure.

With your US medical insurance you may be covered. I would have to self fund.

Please have a look in case you haven't come across it before and I would appreciate your feedback. All the best, Saul

wolfminimaze.com/

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to Newtoit

You might be sensitive to fish. My IBS has improved markedly since I gave up eating fish, and as AF can be affected by bowel problems it may have reduced the AF. Fish straight out of the sea/river would probably be ok. It is something to do with a substance that develops in the fish as the flesh ages, can’t remember what, I should have looked it up before I started rambling on 🙄

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to Buffafly

PS I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that some people are helped better by a Calcium Channel Blocker such as Diltiazem? I can’t take Bisoprolol so I don’t know if that applies to me.

Lovetheoutdoors profile image
Lovetheoutdoors in reply to Buffafly

I haven't really looked into all this being a newbie to AF aged 72. However I think I had AF some time before my diagnosis after a rushed trip to A & E by ambulance where I was thought thought to have had a heart attack. Since being on diltiazem since April I've had one episode to date that I was aware of. I did have a beta blockers prescribed in hospital but apparently during the night my heart paused for several seconds so I was prescribed a calcium channel blocker instead.

jimlad2 profile image
jimlad2 in reply to Buffafly

Tyramine - a known trigger for AF (and epilepsy).

Vince1001 profile image
Vince1001

Very interesting ...Thanks!!

No mention of magnesium. Maybe a lesson here?

I am wary of anecdotal evidence re supplements. I am sure many of us are over medicated and dealing with all sorts of side effects, and I am sure some can tweak their diet / supplements and certain that being a good BMI and healthy diet, exercise etc is an essential for any health issue. But cures? Sorry, I think we have to be careful what messages we give. If a new poster has just been diagnosed I hope they look at all options including ablation and meds. (Family background of “natural healing” with some very bad outcomes).

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

An interesting read though I do get a bit twitchy when someone says that something is proven just because it works for them.

I have persistent AF when not on Amiodarone so maybe that is a different factor but I have been on Vit D supplementation with Calcium for years (due to an underactive thyroid following radioactive iodine treatment for Graves Disease and also parathyroid issues) so I know that's not a trigger for my AF....... in fact, I've not discovered a definitive trigger for my AF, except the last bout induced by exercise (not an issue before)

I did quiz my cardiologist when I spoke to him last month regarding supplementation with magnesium or Co Enzyme Q10, after reading information on here but he said there was insufficient evidence to say these supplements actually made any difference to AF.

So, the moral of the story to me is, if it works for you, whether by actual effect or placebo, hurrah!!! and carry on but one size does not fit all. Have a great week folks.😊

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

Very interesting.

I have recently been taking an increased does of Vit D (when I remember!LOL) but that is about the levels of 5000 IU per day less when I forget! I did not do it because of AFIB but because of the possibility it helped with COVID 19.

Having said that one of the main lessons I have learned from this forum is "we are all different" , what works for one does not always work for all.

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to KMRobbo

Read recently Vit D supplement should be taken with Vit K & magnesium to maximise absorption.

jostring73 profile image
jostring73

This is really interesting thank you, bed time read for me!

secondtry profile image
secondtry

Thanks for posting. I am interested in this area as I have Lone PAF. A Natural cure is quite a challenge and I am disappointed that our UK medical system does not facilitate more research. For some people with AF, I see no reason why it shouldn't work or at the least vastly improve the situation. I am working on a combination of minimum drugs and long term persistence to improve the situation with Lifestyle changes....time will tell! I would encourage all like PlanetaryKim to keep trying and reporting in.

in reply to secondtry

Has ablation been suggested?

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to

Yes & I decided to postpone as didn't feel confident in the level of success, the procedure and some personal minor health issues.

in reply to secondtry

I have mine on Friday. Cardiologist says early ones are most effective usually done too late, heart already stretched. If I avoid alcohol I don’t have episodes but the research is that triggers are revealing underlying problems that are unlikely to go away and in the end more and more things trigger episodes. My mother died of heart failure (her issues I nrelated) it is not nice...

I can believe that many can help themselves but I am reluctant to wait and see. I don’t want a stretched heart. I am good BMI have v good diet, take no meds apart from Apixaban, cardiologist said not (in my case) to take Bisoprolol of Flecainide, but cannot exercise due to orthopaedic problems.

Wish me luck!

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to

Sounds like the right decision, I understand from comments here you have to take it easy for 3 months whilst the heart settles down.🙏🤞

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo in reply to

Good logic and I think sound advice from the cardiologist. My AF went rapidly worse over 20 months and 12 episodes, which forced me to Uturn on ablations. I wish I had the advice you have had earlier as now I realise I could have saved an unpleasant period of my life if I had an ablation 12 months and 4 or 5 incidents of AFIB after first diagnosis.

Best wishes

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to

Good luck! For what it's worth if you don't succeed first time I specifically asked my EP about stretching of heart muscle with AF and he categorically told me 'no, not unless for very long periods of time and I'm combo with something like tachycardia when the BPM is high'.

goldey profile image
goldey

I have a cat with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. In the HCM groups, a lot of people give their cats Nattokinase to help prevent clots. (I've seen people in this group here say that they take Natto also.) But in the cat group we are told that we must only use Natto WITH THE VITAMIN K REMOVED. They say that the Vitamin K actually blocks the clot-busting properties of the Natto. So I have always felt that taking Vitamin K is dangerous. Can somebody provide more info about Vitamin K for us humans? thanks!

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to goldey

There is a difference in K1 and K2 I think. K1 affects clotting K2 directs calcium into bones and teeth. Possibly both are present in nattokinase. But K2 supplements are not dangerous.

Physalis profile image
Physalis

I read this and I'm totally with him about the benefits of Vitamin D. I take 3000IU, 75 mcg, a day, However, when it comes to the stuff about calcium I'm not so sure. I seem to be healthy and not on any meds apart from Eliquis and I drink nearly two pints of milk a day, a lot more than the half a pint I had during the war.

I also take 100mg Vit C with 15mg Zinc. It's a bit late for me to try his approach as I have been completely free from AF since my ablation in July. I might try to get my son, who has ectopics, to at least up his intake of Vit D to see if it makes a difference. My grandson who has had something like long Covid following an infection with a virus four years ago was prescribed extra Vit D a few months ago and is improving but I don't know if there is a connection.

I feel that the trouble with this article is that in pushing his opinion, he rubbishes other treatments like ablation

carrafibdietinfo.com/existi...

I found that really annoying. "A significant amount of heart tissue is burnt away." All the Mayo Clinic's possible risks and so on. "it is an extremely undesirable thing to look forward to". That's his opinion, not mine. I couldn't wait and have no regrets.

While I'm still here. I do get a bit fed up with people saying "ablation isn't a cure it's just for quality of life" or "there is no cure for AFib". It's like saying there is no cure for cancer. That may have been true when I was young but it isn't true now.

However, it wouldn't hurt for you all to try taking large doses of Vit D every day and reporting back if you see an improvement.

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo in reply to Physalis

I only decided to try the ViT D after I read that Anthony Faucci the top medical guy in the USA was taking 6000iu a day as he felt it helped with infections . There were some other atricles saying the same thing. I just thought "what to lose?".

I have seen the benefits of Vit D supplement in my 21 year old son , who was diagnosed as low vit d. 2000 IU per day have transformed him. But thats not necessarily related to any infection related issues.

Physalis profile image
Physalis in reply to KMRobbo

This persuades me

youtube.com/watch?v=V8Ks9fU...

and from the papers

"However, despite providing the guideline dose, this is too low for most UK adults. This 10 mcg figure is actually the minimum required to prevent bone problems such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults — caused by vitamin D deficiency.'

While the NHS recommends just 10 mcg, Aidan Goggins — like other experts — argues for higher doses. 'Studies have consistently suggested a vitamin D level of at least double that — 20 mcg — is needed for good bone health and immunity.

'A study from the University of Cork in 2016 concluded that in order for adults to maintain the optimum blood level during winter, a supplement of around 28 mcg (or 1,120IU) of vitamin D was needed.

'It's impossible to achieve this through diet alone — it would mean eating at least two portions of salmon or 16 eggs every day. So I'd recommend an oral supplement of 1,000IU to 2,000IU daily for most people."

Now, the government is giving Vit D supplements to people in care homes and vulnerable people. It's a pity that it doesn't seem to get a mention at the Downing Street briefings. We need them to say 'hands, face, space and don't forget to take your Vit D every day'!

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Physalis

There should be no set vit D dosage. The difference in absorption between individuals is so great that what will give a good blood level in some will be completely inadequate for others. I could not maintain a blood level in the normal range on 3000iu a day whereas for my husband this dosage was fine. My blood level was 24mg/ mL his was over 40mg/mL ! I spent more time in the sun and have a paler skin but still this big difference. The ideal is to test blood levels and then give adequate doses to get levels up to over 30ng/mL ( 75 nmol/l in uk measurements ). In order to get over this without testing much larger amounts would need to be advised so that those who don't absorb well are not left still deficient.

Professor Tim Spector urges caution on large doses of Vit D.

Physalis profile image
Physalis in reply to

What does he regard a large dose?

in reply to Physalis

Apologies for delay in replying. I have been reading his new book Spoonfed and noted that he started his career as a researcher in VitD and considered himself an enthusiast but he has changed his mind, and thinks we need to be wary.

P58

“Vitamin D isn’t actually a vitamin, since our body can make it naturally from chemicals in the skin on exposure to sunlight. It should be called ‘steroid hormone D’ although presumably this would make it much less popular. It is fat soluble, meaning that like vitamins A,E and K toxic levels can build up in the body as it is stored in fat tissue. While recommendations for supplements are usually modest doses, those will be overdone by many people, including those who buy high dose supplements on the internet. .... toxicity rare ... but has serious effects ... levels increasing ... due to internet sales and fortified foods. ..you can get enough vitamin D from 15 minutes of daily sunlight exposure or by a fillet of oily fish such as salmon or a handful of vitamin D rich mushrooms”

I couldn’t eat fish every day, it is dark and overcast so I supplement in winter but only a modest 400 IU x 2.

Gladstone001 profile image
Gladstone001

Hi Newtoit,

Please take a look at my story:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...............

I take one mouth spray of 3000IU (75μg) bioavailable vitamin D3 per day.

I have had some great success with supplements/vitamins.

Regards,

RoyMacDonald profile image
RoyMacDonald

Interesting article, thanks.

I suffer from SVT sometimes when I exercise, and I have noticed that taking 800 mg of calcium always results in an SVT episode whereas 400 mg does not. So I'm going to try cutting my calcium tablets in half and see what that does for my episodes of SVT on training rides. What have I got to lose? I also take a concentrated beetroot juice drink before I ride. I only take Apixaban now and I'm almost 77. Thanks again.

Newtoit profile image
Newtoit in reply to RoyMacDonald

I think the maximum is 400 for him with food only and I guess he feels it is not necessary since his thought is before dairy was introduced to people they didn't have access to that much calcium and even after-acquired a lot of Vit D from being outdoors.

RoyMacDonald profile image
RoyMacDonald

I eat a lot of fish so I'm probably up to his recommendations for calcium anyway so maybe I don't need to take a calcium supplement. It's just that when I speak to any dieticians and tell them I don't eat anything that comes from a cow they always ask where I'm getting my calcium from.

Newtoit profile image
Newtoit in reply to RoyMacDonald

Tell them about the hunter-gathers who didn't need all that calcium. I think they were considered healthier and lived longer than the future agricultural communities.

I guess with all of us there is experitmenting needed to done. I never have dairy but my calcium levels are always close to the high side and didn't eat alot of fish but alot of eggs and certain vegatables. The funny thing with him is he takes no supplements except d and k and cutting down calcium seemed raised his Potassium levels. So again maybe diiferent for him, who knows

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