Afib and Low Carb Eating

[Jafib]

For those that have eaten low carb for a significant amount of time - how did it impact your afib, palpitations, etc? Did it impact other areas of your life like sleep, stamina, etc.? Also, what was your carb limit for each day…?

[FraserB]

It's an individual response mostly for a period of time, some it's effective other's it's not. One thing to be cautious of is electrolyte imbalances, which can trigger palpitations or AFib. Staying hydrated and getting enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium is key. Some people feel more energetic and see improvements, but exercise can be harder. It's more about balance and eating whole foods without additives/chemicals/sugars especially if you're looking at a long period of time.

[secondtry]

I think tweaking diet is definitely up there in advisable lifestyle changes. I have tried to reduce carbs with gluten by 90%...with some relapses 😖. I suspect it has helped my gut and thereby reduced (via the Vagus Nerve) the AF threat.

My personal long term approach is not to eliminate anything completely but to take common sense decisions on questionable aspects eg processed food, sugar, alcohol.

[KentAndrew]

I have been following a low carb way of life for over 4 years, and have slowly lost over 80lbs (36kg/ 6 stones) taking me from Morbidly Obese (38+ BMI) to a BMI of 26.

Coincidentally during a checkup I was diagnosed with AFib.

I always used to be breathless and struggling with mobility - whether due to my weight or undiagnosed heart condition?

This has very much improved.

My cholesterol and blood pressure are now great.

My Consultant said that my continuing weight loss has helped my heart condition.

I intend to continue with this way of eating.

I aim for about 30g carbs, less if possible.

I still drink real ales and dark rums

[Jafib in reply to KentAndrew]

How do you get enough fiber?

[KentAndrew in reply to Jafib]

Most green leafy vegetables can be eaten on Keto / low carb.

[Tomred]

Going low carb i had slightly longer breaks between afib attacks plus i didnt feel as sluggish.

[Jafib in reply to Tomred]

How do you get enough fiber?

[Tomred in reply to Jafib]

Mostly from fruit.

[Jafib in reply to Tomred]

Isn’t fruit generally higher in carbs?

[Tomred in reply to Jafib]

Maybe, but we have to eat something, im not zero carbs by any means i have just lowered carbs , with the highly processed food available today its damn hard to know what to eat thats healthy, moderation of carbs is way i go.

[Belle11]

I've been low carb (usually defined as less than 130g carb per day) and sometimes very low carb (25-30g) for a number of years, though I never seem to go into ketosis. I've had persistent AF twice, both times reversed by cardioversion - the first time kept me in normal rhythm for 3 yrs 8 months, and after the 2nd CV I'm still in NSR nearly 10 months later.

I do make sure I eat at least my 5-a-day of low carb veggies, and take a magnesium supplement. Just before both attacks of AF I had lapsed and had some ultra-processed food, which may have been a trigger. I stick to real food - mostly protein foods, veggies, a few berries, and moderate healthy fats.

[Jafib in reply to Belle11]

How do you get enough fiber?

[Belle11 in reply to Jafib]

Good question. I do take 2 teaspoons of psyllium husks in water daily - usually Lepicol, which also contains beneficial gut bacteria. I started taking it as it helped prevent attacks of diverticulitis (which started when I tried Atkins without enough fibre over 20 years ago!)

And I take magnesium - usually mag taurate, but if I show signs of getting constipated I use magnesium citrate instead.

[Belle11 in reply to Jafib]

Another thought about fibre - lots of people eat seeds, or make seed crackers for fibre. (Sorry, I didn't think to mention it before as seeds upset my gut - and for me can trigger diverticulitis.) Nuts have plenty of fibre too.

[MiniMeGreen]

You may want to look at the Legacy trial, it's about weight loss and AF. There are also several personal reports on YouTube about improving AF with low carb and /or carnivore diet. And by the way, there's no need for fiber, many videos there as well.