I’m reading a lot about the benefits of a plant based, low sugar diet on Afib. I’m not overweight but I’ll admit my 5 a day has only been a pipe dream most days. Since I was diagnosed a fortnight ago, I’ve cut out all sugar, all caffeine and any artificial sweeteners. Anything with an E number has gone in the bin, I’m eating mainly plant based but with some salmon and Dr Day’s book is on order.
So, my question is, has anybody seen a marked improvement in their Afib with lifestyle changes?
I notice Dr Day seems to say you can reverse Afib in some cases? Has anyone found that to be true?
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AnnaMill
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I am convinced that I benefit from a plant based diet. I do have fish once a week and organic chicken about once a month. Caffein definitely sets my AF going and also preserved meats such as pastrami and strong cheeses. I’m OK with cottage cheese and goats and sheep’s cheese. I haven’t “cured” my AF but I have reduced the load and intensity of the episodes. Hope this helps your deliberations.
You are definitely on the right track and you will need to try many variations (as long as there is no downside) until you find what works for you. I cut down (but not completely) on red meat voluntarily as I realised I just didn't fancy steak anymore and now literally couldn't eat one. Most of us have got out of the habit of recognising & reacting to how we feel after eating something.
I believe Lifestyle changes are so important and not just for AF. I have made many but can't tell you which or indeed whether any are effective as I also take 200mgs Flecainide. I can say I don't get AF and I feel great.
Thanks, secondtry. I think a review of my diet was long overdue anyway and as you say, lifestyle changes aren’t just for AF. I’m so pleased you’re keeping well. Thanks again and take care.
I do eat veg and fresh proteins but these days, as I get older, I tend to favour 'protein leverage' to maintain my general fitness and weight. That means I do eat more natural proteins than veg. (fish, fresh meats, eggs, shellfish)
By calories I'd say 90% of my intake are the fresh proteins and around 10% fresh 'above ground' (ie non root) veggies. Too much veg, especially fibrous, I find tends to block me up.
I don't eat fruit often, perhaps a few pieces in the autumn, whatever local fruit is naturally 'in season'. Living in the UK I try not to 'confuse my body' by eating tropical fruits, bananas, oranges, pineapple, etc. I strongly feel that what i put in my body should signal my local latitude and season ! After all my body is a complex system, evolved long before modern transport enabled me to eat mangoes on Christmas day. I have a northern European ancestry; blues eyes, lactose tolerant, well adapted to meat. I feel better when I acknowledge my heritage by what and when I eat.
That’s so interesting, thanks localad. I’ve taken it all onboard 😊
Hi AnnaMill,
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in Jan 2010, aged 65. By September 2011 I had got over ( or rather my body and my mind had) the initial impact and I was settled into my drug protocol for the rest of my life. During this time period it occurred to me that food and my digestive system were a triggers for my AF to kick off.
My initial issues were diahorrea, burping, intestinal gurgling and very violent and very painful bloating. These issues always occurred at random and behaved randomly but the one that would trip me into AF was the bloating. At times I was able to watch my tummy inflate like a flat tyre being pumped up with an airline at a garage. My GP had bloods done to check for IBS and Coeliac Disease but they came through clear. At that point I refused other investigations ( as I did at the beginning with thoughts of ablation) and consulted a Nutritionist. Now that was a life changer.
She started me on a course of Probiotics, and then a Gluten free, Wheat free and Oats free diet. She also introduced me to FODMAPS. Over the months I widened the diet which covered a range of stuff from Yoghurt to beans and baked beans, to soft cheese and a range of veggies. Eggs too. There is now no added sugar in my diet either ! I cut out added salt about 2 decades ago.
Since those early days I have had two major AF events, 15 April 2015 and February 2018. I get frequent palpitations, and occasionally I do trip into mild AF lasting maybe an hour or so and this might happen two or three times a year. Apart from that I am free. I have an annual medical in order for me to retain my PCV ( bus drivers) licence and still drive buses 3 days a week.
The key to it all for me has been the vagal nerve ( suggest you Google it). Keep the vagal nerve calm and the heart stays calm too.
All that said of course, as others have commented - that's me - we ARE ALL different and our gut and heart will behave differently in all of us. I have been fortunate.
Thanks for sharing your story, John. Lots of what you say strikes a chord with me. I’ve definitely got a lot of research to do! It’s helping me so much to hear from people who are living a full life and keeping well. It’s hard to believe that’s even possible when you’re first diagnosed. Thanks again for responding. Take care and stay well.
don't want to jinx myself lol but yes plant based (following Dr Essestyn) has definitely helped lessen my AF episodes and thnx to losing 15lbs I didn't know I needed to lose, my blood pressure is lowest its ever been for years
That’s wonderful, a win, win then! I’m definitely going to give it a try. My blood pressure coming down a bit would be a real bonus. Thanks for responding, Brit1. Take care and stay well.
yes I found that altho I had been eating a good vegetarian diet for many years I was ingesting way too much fat (oils/avocadoes/eggs/cheese etc) and when I was told I had some blockage in my carotid arteries I was shocked and knew I had to change what I was doing. I also follow Dr Michael Greger who just like Dr Esseslyten is part of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
I’ll google them both and have a look. I eat a lot of dairy and I love cheese so I’m probably ingesting way more fat than I think. I can see a blockage in an artery would be a real wake up call …
Hope you continue to find plant based food that you enjoy. Most of it I have been buying I have enjoyed, but a few weeks ago bought a plant based burger ( won't disclosed make incase I get sued 😀) I had to hold my nose and put ketchup on it to eat it. When you have to modify your eating habits it is amazing what is out there if you are made to "think outside the box" which is a good thing.
Thanks for that, I think I’ll give the burgers a miss! To be fair, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with plant based food. I even caught myself enjoying some veggies at lunch 😊 Take care and thanks again
I went on an anti inflammatory diet which essentially means no gluten , low sugar and low dairy. It seems to have helped a lot. I only get episodes about once a year-At most, twice a year and I take metoprolol and flecainide one time to get it back in.
When I was discharged from A&E for the second time this year, back in June, with a confirmed diagnosis of AF, a packet of Bisoprolol and a promise of a referral to cardiology, I felt pretty helpless and depressed with it all. Thanks to a post on this wonderful forum, I discovered Dr Day's A Fib Cure book, ordered it and read it over the course of a weekend and have been on a largely plant based diet ever since.
Like you , prior to that my five a day was rather hit and miss but now it's more like 8 -10 a day! I do still have good quality protein a couple of times a week, mainly fish or chicken and I eat nuts and avocados as I think some fats are necessary in the diet, although I appreciate others disagree. I avoid wheat and also dairy, as I have discovered I'm intolerant to lactose. Nor do I drink alcohol or have caffeine (last time I did I was in tachycardia for a good three hours after - not worth it for a cup of tea!) I can't say as I miss them, although I thought I would!
I was still getting quite a few ectopics going on so, about two weeks ago I started taking a magnesium supplement called Triple Calm. Prior to that I was on Magnesium Taurate but found that didn't make any difference to the ectopics and also started giving me heartburn for some reason. The Triple Calm does also contain Mag Taurate but a smaller amount and it is combined with Mag Glycinate and Mag Malate and the combination seems to suit me. I also eat dried apricots, spinach and tomatoes daily ( but not all at once 😊) to ensure my potassium levels are kept up.
So far, and I am touching wood here, things have been quiet in the heart department, whereas previously I was having episodes monthly. Whether it's the diet, the variable nature of the problem, or just luck I don't know but I will be continuing on this track. I've also lost 10lbs I didn't know I needed to lose and my blood pressure has gone from readings around 140/85 to 118/76 when I last checked, so an added bonus!
I'm sorry I've wittered on but I hope some of the above is of help. Good luck to you.
That’s fantastic. I’m so pleased the new eating regime is working out so well for you. Long may it continue! I’m aiming to cut right down on dairy next and I’ll certainly look into the supplements. I was a bit confused with the different types of Magnesium so I need to get to grips with that too.
Thanks again … and that definitely wasn’t wittering! Take care and stay well.
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