Diet on Afib

[bluepuddy1]

Could you please let me know, if possible, an ideal diet for people with AFib. I don’t have any sugar except for a biscuit in the evening with hot milk, except for Sundays when I have tinned fruit and cream for pudding and a protein yoghurt in the evening, otherwise it’s meat and veg or quiche, occasionally pasta, no pudding and trying to avoid potatoes and bread. I have Ryvita for the latter. In spite of this my weight is always the same.

[Teresa156]

Hi bluepuddy1,

I don’t think there is a magic diet as such to help or prevent AF, as we are all very different in what affects us and what doesn’t. I think the main thing is to avoid too high a carb meal and too big a meal, which is really important. Sugar isn’t really a culprit in moderation ( not for me anyway) it’s actually artificial sweeteners that you should try and avoid if possible. Pasta was always a bit of an issue for me actually and I think it bloated me, but it might not be the case for you. I don’t tend to eat pastries or quiche, but again, I’d probably limit them if I did, as they tend to be high carb, but you have to live a life 😊

Do you avoid potatoes and bread for a specific reason? Again, in moderation, I don’t find them an issue.

As long as you are eating enough of all the correct food groups, there’s no real diet recommended as such. Do try and avoid MSG though, as that is a known trigger too. It can be a bit trial and error with everything.

Also allow at least 3 hours after eating, before you go to bed.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Teresa156]

Thank you Teresa.

[Catnut in reply to Teresa156]

What’s MSG please?

[Mrverycross in reply to Catnut]

Mono sodium glutamate- a flavour enhancer.

[Catnut in reply to Mrverycross]

Thank you for your reply, and totally makes sense, because lots of food items include this enhancement!🙂

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to Teresa156]

Speaking of MSG, I learned that Wheat is almost identical to MSG in the chemical composition and the body doesn't know the difference. Once I quite wheat, and most grains, blood sugars are more even also. Less issues all around

[bassets]

I stick to my veggie diet with no caffeine and no alcohol and keep my sugar as low as possible. I try to keep my weight under control (but lost this battle at Christmas and now on a diet!) I think moderation is the key, and nothing to eat after 7 in the evening.

[Vonnegut in reply to bassets]

I thought it was nothing to eat after 8 which we do and that last meal being a light one with the main meal being at lunchtime ad again, not large (and no meat or dairy or alcohol with it or coffee afterward!)

[bassets in reply to Vonnegut]

I find I feel better if I stop eating earlier, b ut we're all different.

[Vonnegut in reply to bassets]

I finished at 7.30 this evening! And it was a very light meal.

[bassets in reply to Vonnegut]

Good for you!

[bluepuddy1 in reply to bassets]

Hello Bassets,

I lean towards a veggie diet as long as it’s not vegan, can’t do without eggs etc. However, as I cook for carnivores this is rather difficult. I have decaf coffee, two cups in the morning, don’t have alcohol, but will try to eat before 7 pm.

Thank you.

[bassets in reply to bluepuddy1]

Yo are doing all the right things! Take care x

[bluepuddy1 in reply to bassets]

Thank you Bassets 😀

[Visigoth]

A book called the AFib Cure (spoiler alert - there is no complete cure) by John Day has a lot to say about diet. I’ve read it and attempt to follow some of the basic principles but I don’t stick to it. But there’s good advice in there. I would say above all avoid refined sugar.

[Vonnegut in reply to Visigoth]

The book is by Day and Bunch! I made the mistake of buying a copy after seeing it recommended here. It assumed everyone was overweight and that one should lose a tenth of one’s weight! I have never been overweight in my life and if I lost a tenth of my weight I would be underweight! Also, it recommended doing 10,000 steps a day and I don’t think I managed that often even when was young and certainly couldn’t now as I acquired chronic fatigue along with the PAF after a virus in my 70s. As they are American perhaps that might explain it but I’m British! Fortunately, I don’t like very sweet things and have avoided refined sugar for many years.

[Visigoth in reply to Vonnegut]

Oh yes, I forgot the book was co-authored by Bunch! To be honest, although I recognised there was good advice in there I found it depressing because there were things I knew I couldn’t do. I was only slightly overweight and am not now, but that’s mainly due to cutting down on refined sugar and adopting a much more plant-based diet, although I still have fish and chicken. I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like the book! I’m sorry to hear you have chronic fatigue as well as PAF - that must be very difficult.

[Vonnegut in reply to Visigoth]

Fortunately, my husband does much of the stuff I can no longer manage and my brain still works ok without much of the “brain fog” that is supposed to come with it! We eat some oily fish as we know it’s good for us but wouldn’t think of eating chickens- when ours die, my husband buries them.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Vonnegut]

Thank you Vonnegut.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Visigoth]

Hello Visigoth,

I’ll try and find the book. Thank you.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Visigoth]

Thank you Visigoth.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Visigoth]

Thank you Visigoth 👍.

[bean_counter27]

Triggers for AF episodes vary from person to person. Even "known" triggers such as alcohol and caffeine don't trigger episodes for everyone. I have coffee every morning, seemingly without any problems. I can also drink alcohol but if I have too much it's a "potential" trigger. How much is too much? I don't know so I just avoid alcohol - as abstaining also has other health benefits.

I say "potential" because it varies. I believe this is because AF (or at least my AF) is either triggered by extreme circumstances e.g. drinking too much alcohol or severely stressed etc or by a combination of events e.g. a bit stressed and a poor night's sleep and drinking alcohol in moderation etc That's why I believe it's so difficult to identify triggers - as it's often a combination of factors - some seemingly innocuous. That's why something might appear to be a trigger but at times doesn't trigger AF.

As for the "ideal" diet - it's whatever works for you. I know that's not the answer you're looking for but it's just not that simple. So, there's plenty of info on the Internet about "known" triggers and plenty of advice from members of this forum. The latter you should consider and see whether their suggestions work for you. Don't be surprised if they don't - we're all different. If you subscribe to my theory then you should also consider your circumstances e.g. tiredness, stress, dehydration, exercise, illness, time of day, proximity to eating, meal size etc along with what you have eaten or drunk when you have an episode.

I also note from your previous posts a few issues you need to be aware of:

- you are on diuretics? You need to ensure this doesn't lead you to being dehydrated as that's a "known" trigger. I was notorious for allowing myself to get dehydrated and I actively try to avoid allowing that to happen these days. It appears to be a factor for me.

- you are on Lansoprazole. Beware of long term use of PPI's like Lansoprazole as they can lead to magnesium deficiency. Adequate magnesium levels are important for heart health and low levels can also be a trigger for AF. My cardiologist started me on magnesium supplements when I was first diagnosed with AF - and I'm still on them 5 1/2 years later

Note - any changes you make in medications, including supplements should be done in consultation with your medical professional. You should use the information you obtain from forums like this to engage with your medical professional about your treatment rather than to self-treat.

I know this is probably not the response you are looking for but you should just try and eat a healthy diet and try eliminating anything you identify as your triggers. That doesn't mean avoiding eating anything you ate in the day leading up to having an episode. Otherwise over time you'll run out of things to eat. Look for "known" triggers and potential triggers identified by others - always remembering though - we're all different.

Good luck

[bluepuddy1 in reply to bean_counter27]

Thank you Bean 👍.

[Lellibet in reply to bean_counter27]

Omg this was such an interesting post. I’ve just been diagnosed with fb and have suffered with palpations for several years. I have also been on lanzsoprazole for years as have a hiatus hernia. Never realised it lowered magnesium levels. So that answers a lot of questions. I need to find out now if I can take a supplement with all this other medication. I’m on felodopine, apixaban, Bisoprolol and atorvastatin. Think that’s my heart covered😂

[BenHall1]

TBH, I've read all these posts and unless I've missed any such reference no body has suggested you discuss your food/diet issues with a qualified Nutritionist. All those who have commented might fall into the category of "its horses for courses". I doubt any if those who have commented are speaking from any level other than their own experience.

When you talk to a Nutritionist a very detailed discussion will ensue with the aim of the Nutritionist identifying what is going on with your gut/ digestive system and it may even consider any issues with your vagal nerve.

Of course you can do anything you like ................ down to you, but the gut/heart relationship can be a delicate one where if you take the wrong path can do more damage than it does good. Remember it is not food per se - the Nutritionist will also consider the ingredients and individial make up of each food product, be it natural or processed that is the key to the problem.

I've gone down this path and so very glad I did ......... my GP was no good at all.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you Ben, I might try a nutritionist.

[WildIris]

About 4 years ago, I found out I had kidney failure and went on a kidney diet: vegan, no sweeteners, no processed foods, lots of salads, blueberries, vegetable soups, nuts, few carbs. It worked for AF too- from having several episodes a week to almost none. (The only episodes I've had in the last 3 years came when I had to take prednisone for an allergic reaction for a couple of weeks.) Like others have said, there's some trial and error involved- keep a food diary to figure out your particular sensitivities. I've also found that the foods that most appeal to me also make me feel healthier, as long as I know they are not addictive. Sweets were addictive for me, but I never felt better after eating them.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to WildIris]

Thank you WildIris for your good advice.