Is low carb diet a risk for AF?

[Singingbunty]

I’d really appreciate hearing advice from you as I know you have a vast amount of knowledge. A friend has sent me the link below regarding low carb diets causing AF. I’ve changed my diet to low carb: moderate amounts of fat, beans, nuts, seeds, chicken, fish, colourful vegetables, some fruits, and kefir. I’ve done this after posting on here last week about being newly diagnosed with AF. I was advised to read as much as I could. So I’ve been reading lots of info on here and subsequent links, and other sites, books etc. I want to lose half a stone but more importantly I want to nourish my body with real whole food. I’ve ditched sugar, processed foods, flour, alcohol, artificially sweetened foods, caffeine, rice and pasta. I’d be pleased to hear what you think about this. I’m meeting my cardiologist for the first time in 5 weeks and would like to be making good choices before then, for the right reasons. Thank you. Here’s the link dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[Singingbunty]

Thanks for the reply. I agree. I have been on a low fat diet for a very long time and realise that fat is replaced with sugar or sweeteners in processed food. But after lots of reading about new thoughts on heart health and healthy eating, I have now changed to whole milk, and using olive oil in cooking. I’m just concerned that cutting right down on carbs might aggravate my heart condition. There’s so much conflicting advice out there!

[Singingbunty]

Ah that makes sense thank you. That’s probably the difference with what I’m doing. Cheers

[MikePollard]

Epidemiological study.

Not worth the paper it's printed on.

This is a direct quote from the author of the study:

"Zhuang said that while the research shows an association, it cannot prove cause and effect. A randomized controlled trial would be needed to confirm the relationship between carbohydrate intake and AFib and assess the effect in a more ethnically diverse population. In addition, the study did not track participants with asymptomatic AFib or those who had AFib but were never admitted to a hospital, nor did it investigate different subtypes of AFib, so it is unknown whether patients were more likely to have occasional episodes of arrhythmia or persistent AFib. The study did not account for any changes in diet that participants may have experienced after completing the questionnaire."

[Singingbunty in reply to MikePollard]

Thank you for your detailed reply. Much appreciated.

[Singingbunty in reply to Singingbunty]

I was sent this which supports your opinion. dietdoctor.com/inaccurate-n...

[TheAwfulToad Ambassador in reply to MikePollard]

I will also add that that study doesn't even look at LCHF. The lowest quartile was 44.8% carbs. LCHF would be no more than 15%. Also, the range of carbs covered was so small (upper quartile: 54%?) that any clinically significant effect on disease would be incredibly surprising. The result is either statistical noise, or related to some other aspect of the diet.

As usual, it's the press generating clickbait. Otherwise known as "telling lies".

EDIT: I just noticed the dietdoctor link says the same thing.

[Singingbunty in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Very helpful thank you

[yankeegirl]

My husband also has been diagnosed with AF and follows the Keto diet. We are waiting to see what the cardiologist recommends.

[Singingbunty in reply to yankeegirl]

Hi yankeegirl I too shall ask the cardiologist for her opinion when we meet. It’s so useful learning from other people’s experience on this site.