Keto Diet

[cat133]

I need to loose alot of weight and I have joined a slimming plan. I have, however, been reading that a keto diet is not recommended for AF. Has anyone experienced this?

[CDreamer]

I understand the theory but it’s a plan I avoid because I’m pretty sure it’s not good for my Af. Try putting into search engine as it is mentioned quite frequently.

[Blearyeyed]

There are various reasons that a Keto , or very extreme low carb diet can trigger AF and isn't suitable for people with various health conditions.Mainly , it's because of the way ketosis affects your insulin levels. The low insulin level causes the body to excrete more water and sodium. This can cause internal dehydration but also affect your salt balance in the kidneys which can trigger AF.

Unfortunately any diet that brings quick results usually doesn't reduce the weight long term. Extreme fad diets usually have fast weight loss because of a reduction in water weight and fat loss from the wrong stores. If you return to eating a normal , healthy diet even with smaller portions the weight quickly returns.

Basically, it's better to choose a diet which contains less sugar, high saturated fats , avoid fried and ultra processed foods , and reduced carbs , but make better carbohydrate food choices.

Avoid the white carbs , white bread, white rice , peeled potatoes, cakes, biscuits and pastries, white pasta.

Choose smaller portions of skin on potatoes ( eat the skin) , reduced sugar wholegrain, wholewheat and seeded bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta or noodles, and substitute these regularly for protein rich grains , pulses or beans instead.

Eat more vegetables and sensible portions of fruit.

You need the soluble fibre when reducing your weight to help your digestion , metabolism and to feel fuller for longer.

Eat more lean proteins , eggs , dairy or dairy free products.

Avoid artificial sweeteners which cause insulin spikes and make you feel more hungry.

Simply speaking , what you want to create is a nutrient rich , Mediterranean diet style ,"Diet for Life", including foods you enjoy , or find you like if you've not tried them before that you will eat for life to keep healthy. This stops you getting fed up and falling off the wagon into old habits and putting the weight on again.

All weight loss diets work by you eating less calories each day than you use up for energy in what you do, no matter what combination of foods they involve.

It always takes the three P's.

Portion Control , Persistence and Patience.

If you need to lose some weight on a "Diet for Life" it's the same. Portion control and physical activities or exercises within your Comfort zone. Once you hit your ideal weight you can increase your portion sizes to being equal to what you require for energy each day , have the odd treat day guilt free, and then have less calories in the following days to keep the weight managed.

Look up the DASH diet, free Moseley diet and recipe ideas, and take a look at DiabetesUK for weight loss options, recipes etc.

If you think you require a boosted beginning or would do better with eating programmes, support and supervision.

Check online if you are eligible for the NHS Path to Remission Programme , or ask your GP about getting on to a local NHS programme.

This is a free programme originally created for people with Type 2 Diabetes or whom are at risk of Type 2 or cardiac issues because of their BMI.

It's open to anyone over 18.

It involves an initial shake, porridge , soup and smoothie programme which is delivered to you free from the local supplier, an app to help with advice and tracking your progress and phone line , plus blood testing as you go to check that your health is improving.

It continues for up to a year with a transitional diet plan and diet choice education and then ongoing weight loss plan without the supplement foods.

Some local groups also have regular face to face meetings so you can make diet buddies.

It's based on the medically researched Newcastle Plan created by Diabetes Clinics with Diabetes UK.

It has shown really good results for people in reducing their BMI , reversing their Type 2 status and reducing cardiac risks so you might find it could work well for you.

If you aren't eligible for the free programme you can ask for similar support for the GP or get referred to the NHS Dietitian for it.

Various companies used in the programme also sell online and have their own apps and support services.

Habitual is one of the companies that also provide their products to the NHS programme.

Good luck, you'll get there, Bee

[Desertflowerchild]

Several years ago, I lost a significant amount of weight when I switched to a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet and have largely kept the weight off. I regained about 1/4 when I was on simvastatin, but have lost that since I switched to pitavastatin. Further over time, with WFPB vegan eating my hsCRP reduced from a high risk level to a nice low level. I've never been much of a meat eater so that part of the switch was super easy for me, but yogurt and cheese were staples so that was more difficult. Plant based is very easy when at home but, I admit, it becomes rather difficult during extended visits with family whether in another state or in France, but perfection is not required to see benefits.

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Desertflowerchild]

A predominantly plant based diet works for me but I don’t go full on 100% WFPB as it wouldn’t be sustainable (for me). I’m around 85-95% WFPB, the remainder being a small amount of fermented dairy and the occasional portion of oily fish. As I’ve followed a plant predominant diet for my entire adult life, I can’t say what “changes” it may bring about but as my BP, cholesterol and hbA1c are all good and I’m at the low end of the normal BMI scale, perhaps it’s fairer to say that it works me and it’s sustainable. It didn’t prevent AF. I don’t think any diet can make you immortal and immune from all human maladies. As you say, perfection isn’t required. I don’t think having rigid food rules is going to be sustainable for many people. At our time of life and with our health challenges it’s always important to keep your eye on the numbers. I’ve just had my blood test results and they’re good, including CRP. It’s great you’ve managed to reduce your hs-CRP on WFBP. So glad you’ve found what works for you!

[Desertflowerchild in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Actually all the numbers were reduced with WFPB, but because my lipoprotein(a) was elevated, the target for the ldl cholesterol was set lower than I was able to reach through lifestyle alone (I gave it a year). After the year, I started on simvastatin. Then I noticed that simvastatin was raising the Lp(a) not just a little, but a lot, so I asked to try pitavastatin. Pitavastatin has been quite amazing for me in several ways including not raising my Lp(a) from my unmedicated level (as simvastatin did) but actually reducing my Lp(a) slightly . The downside is that insurance won't pay for pitavastatin.

Oh, and you reminded me, I do miss seafood!

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Desertflowerchild]

So far I’ve not had my Lp(a) or lipoprotein B measured. I’m just going on non-HDL and LDL numbers and they’re pretty good, but I think genetics also plays a role too. I think in time these newer measurements will become the standard tests. Diet can only achieve so much. For some it’s a lot, for others it’s not much at all. I try to incorporate a lot of the portfolio diet ideas too. It’s so much more do-able on a more plant forward diet, but for anyone who wants to avoid statins or try to see if they can reduce their numbers before trying statins, I think it’s worth making the effort, but long term changes you can stick with will get the best results over time.

[Desertflowerchild in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Despite the elevated Lp(a), my CAC score was zero before starting the statin.

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Desertflowerchild]

Excellent

[Jafib]

I make a 64 ounce smoothie that is 40% kale greens, 40% collard greens, 10% berries and 10% mango. I also add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup chia seeds to the brew and then mix it all up in my vitamix (don’t waste your time or money on any other blender). The 64 ounce pitcher lasts 2 to 2-1/2 days max. This is a super high fiber, high nutrition recipe that supplies much of what your body requires. Check out Dr. Goldner’s smoothie protocols for a deeper understanding of why this recipe is so healing. ZDNext up is protein, which is usually venison that I personally obtained and processed, wild Alaska salmon or free range chicken from a local source. That is the core of my diet now. I do eat other foods but in small portions. Focus on nourishing your body fully with everything it needs to fight disease, promote healing and thrive. Oh, and drink plenty of water!

[CDreamer in reply to Jafib]

Ditto the Vitamix and the recipe! I often add avacado and/or spoonful of yogurt.

[Ppiman]

I have written on this a few times. Some years ago, my wife's late aunt became something of a local celebrity when her diet club became to talk of local media. All of the national local clubs struggled because of this success, as I recall.

Her mantra was to avoid all fad diets (as she called them) and to eat your normal diet but as regular meals with no snacking, and in a smaller quantity. She even suggested people get a smaller plate if need be. Her view was that exercise, whilst clearly healthy, did little or nothing for weight control.

Overall, slow but sure was her way: the weight crept on slowly; and it is best lost slowly. Fast weight increase or loss will always be fluid not fat, was another point she would make.

I have recently been following her diet as I could do with losing 7lbs or so and, it is slow, but it is sure. It is working.

She is still spoken about locally such is her enduring success.

Steve

[Jillch]

Personally I've see stops for some and doesn't change for others or causes it when on keto ...best advice I could give and what I'm actually doing just try it for a mth or 2 see what happens ...for me keto cures so much I have too see what happens too my AF .

[Qualipop]

I lost over 2 stone without even trying after a heart attack. I simply followed the advice I was given on a heart healthy diet. I cut out anything ready made, then cakes biscuits, fried food and pastry and things like crisps on an evening. I never realised just how much of such foods my husband insisted on I swapped read meat for white such as chicken and fish. I didn't drink alcohol anyway or fizzy drinks and I bulked up meals with vegetables. I wasn't trying to lose weight at all, simply having a healthier diet. I didn't even notice the weight loss until I got out my summer skirts and they all fell off. IN fact my GP noticed and did a load of tests for cancer because I'd lost so much. If you concentrate on portion size and eating healthily rather than on losing weight you may have more success because it's a lifelong change.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Qualipop]

I absolutely agree with that Qualipop. We have to remain healthy and need nutritious food to keep our hearts healthy. The only way to lose weight is to eat less, and have smaller portions, and no snacking in between meals and when you are hungry eat a couple pieces of fruit. Just cut out all the junk food.

[Qualipop in reply to Cavalierrubie]

My husband was brought up by a single mum with 3 kids right after the war so food was stodgy, filling and cheap; ie pies, stews, fry ups ,baked suet, corned beef hash, chips and home made cakes. When the 60s and 70s came a long, it was cheap quick ready meals. It's very difficult to change such habits but I have almost won, using quorn instead of beef for bolognese, chopping up lots of veg to bulk out meals, luckily he likes fish but with parsley sauce, home made instead of fried. 6 years on he still doesn't know I use quorn. He won't eat anything new or "foreign", not even pasta but he has converted to wholemeal bread. I think the biggest problem now is that so many people buy ready made meals and really don't know how to cook from scratch and think it takes too long. I just made a sausage risotto that took 15 minutes. Locally made low fat sausages where I know the ingredients,, frozen mixed veg and brown rice with wild rice and lots of seasoning. It's not difficult or expensive. Husband has also lost weight. Just look seriously at what you eat, when and why. Drink instead of smacking or eat fruit and if the ingredients are not something you would have in your cupboard, don't eat it. I can't even pronounce a lot of the ingredients in ready made food

[Peacefulneedshelp]

I am doing a modified keto diet by keeping carbs under 15 grams per meal. that is not excessive but I have other reasons and that is blood sugar control. To clarify, I am also sensitive to gluten but not celiac. I also deal with Low blood sugar, not associated with diabetes. So it is natural for me to stay away from all the products that contain wheat. However, I do eat a lot of fruit and veggies, but I don't shy away from fat, good fat that is. Like olive, coconut, butter. I have no issues with AF at the moment, however it is said that we all need more Omega 3, that is what puts me into AF. I cut that out and I seem to be doing well. If I eat something with gluten I will get inflammation all over my body which happened this past weekend. I used to horrible headaches, migraines that last 3 days at a time. Inflammation in back and legs could hardly walk, that is all gone. this past weekend I had a couple pieces of pizza and ate the crust, big mistake because the next day my body was inflamed, my whole leg hurt so bad I couldn't sleep. I say all this to say enough inflammation and the heart gets inflamed also thereby putting me into AF. So, you just have to keep experimenting on yourself and figure out if keto is good for you or not. I say eat as many veggies as you want but just put some butter on them. That advise if for me, you have to know what is best for yourself. Too many of these diets, equal muscle loss, we already loose muscle as we age, we don't need to promote more muscle loss.

[cat133 in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

I have the exact same inflammatory reactions as you have, especially on my legs. It is getting worse and I can no longer eat fish now as well as gluten and sulphites . It is badly affecting my life . I'm going onto Michael Mosley's plan. Thank you for replying.

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to cat133]

I follow Dr William Davis I will check out Michael Mosley

[cat133 in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

I have the exact same inflammatory reactions as you have, especially on my legs. It is getting worse and I can no longer eat fish now as well as gluten and sulphites . It is badly affecting my life . I'm going onto Michael Mosley's plan. Thank you for replying.

[Tomred]

Hi Cat, i done keto a few years back, and felt great, i got the longest intervals in bouts of afib whilst on keto, you wont know until you try.

[jwsonoma]

I lost 10 lb. very quickly following the DR John McDougall plant based diet. I have gone from 192 to 155lb. All you can eat but not what you crave. My brother was told a heart attack was imminent with 45% blockage of his coranary artery and reversed his CVD following the DR Dean Ornish plan. He reversed his blockage and went on to complete an Iron Man at the age of 59. You can google them. Another site you can follow is Dr Gregor Nutritional facts.

Its tough because highly processed food is so addictive.

[WildIris]

I struggled with weight for most of my life. I was up to about 200 pounds, which is about 12.5 stone, I think. It's 3 years later, I've been a normal weight (122 pounds, 6.8 stone) since the first year.

What worked for me was completely giving up sugar (and other sweeteners). Sugar can be quite addictive for many people, probably most overweight people. After about 5 difficult days, I found I was more able to choose what to eat instead of craving white carbs.

I still don't eat sugar. Everybody around me respects this. They have observed how much healthier I've become. I had kidney failure, mild heart failure, PAF and lupus and was usually tired. All of these illnesses faded away. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and beans and nuts, very little of processed foods.

Also, the meat industry is bad for human hunger and the environment, mostly because so much fertile land is used to grow cheap food for livestock. Protein also stresses the kidneys.

[davephx]

I have been on Keto/Atkins diet for maybe 30 years. Went from a fat picked on kid to size 46 and now for a few decades at 36. Am almost age 78.

I love Keto. I don't cook, microwave most everything. My breakfast is Atkins Farmhouse Sausage Scramble and when to grocery twice a month usually take their entire stock. Takes 4 min to heat up. Also other Atkins foods like Cheesy Chicken Risotto also often wipe out their stock. Keto Bread with Keto Jam, Keto Honey, Keto great Breyers ice-cream and ice-cream bars. Jimmy Deans Pork, Keto (Carbmaster) Choc Milk and yogurt. Sausage Patties. Loved Atkins Chili but no longer can find it locally.

I was at cardiologist yesterday for my annual checkup. Labs all normal, perfect EKG,.

The fat makes me never hungry and of course when in Ketosis fat use used instead of carbs so doesn't go into body fat. I have did a huge amount of research mostly years ago and it just works for me and I am totally satisfied long-term. It all began when I was in College and went on a "Weiner diet' to lose weight I am almost age 78 now! Later I was on many diets like weight watchers and others but was never satisfied like I now am for decades on Keto/Atkins.

I use to have rare A fib and almost all the time PVC's but did all the tests and nothing wrong with heat, no increase on treadmill test etc.

Lately 80% of the time I am in Normal Sinus Rhythm vs prior PVCs, Now any PVCs are rare and less than 3 in 30 sec using Kardia so since less than 3 shows NSR on Kardia but I can see them on the strip and especially on the R-R interval chart.

I occasionally go off Keto for a day loving McDonalds Hot Fudge Sundae and other soft-serve like stuff and DQ. Also when travel, often for a week to off diet but easy lose the few pounds when back on Keto.

This is not for everyone but it sure works for me and fast meals mostly 4-5 minutes in microwave etc.