Debbie - As you know, I am a strong proponent of nutritional supplements as an adjunct to healthy lifestyle practices...on a continual basis; not just occasionally.
Supplements don't do any good if a person doesn't eat clean, whole food regularly and eliminate junk food/added chemicals and really take responsibility for what goes into their body
and what doesnt. The body was designed to work on nutrients. Doctors seem to either have forgotten that basic biochemical fact, or they are now young enough that they were never taught that in the first place, which seems to be the norm over the last 30 or so years. They seem to be taught that drugs and surgery are the only treatment options. There isnt much money in supplements; cure a patient with nutrients and you lose a regular customer.
Its both disappointing and frustrating to read comments posted by patients who are told by cardiologists or EPs that supplements dont work. That really scares me because its a fact that the majority of people are deficient in magnesium. Just one important example.... We know that afibbers are almost always deficient in magnesium.... just a basic nutrient required for
well, you know the story
over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body
some of which are heart-related; specifically afib related. Basic science.
In all my years of seeing cardiologists and EPs
not one ever was concerned with my magnesium status
potassium or sodium as an example. No one every wondered if my low level of vitamin D had any influence on my afib. Turns out, the vitamin D expert, John Cannell MD reports on a woman with sick sinus syndrome that disappeared after optimizing vitamin D and another case where the person had trigeminy resolve after vitamin D supplementing. Imagine that! Had I optimized my vitamin D levels in time, might I have avoided ablation? Maybe
Ill never know because no one checked. But it makes sense. I live in NE Ohio
not much sun for about six months. Hmmmm. Why isnt it routine to check every afibbers vitamin D level, and so on
you get the idea.
I have corrected numerous 'ailments' with nutritional supplements whereas Rx drugs initially tried did nothing but flatten my wallet and cause side effects. Even after ablation, when I began having breakthrough events, I could have gone back on drugs but chose, instead, to follow what we have learned here...that the balance of nutrients required for cellular energy production ...in this case-- heart cells... is all-important to stabilize NSR. Erling says
to remain in NSR, I have to keep my voltage up and this depends on these key electrolytes in proper balance and ratio. I am tested periodically for the basic nutrient levels and am comfortable with that approach rather than opting for drugs or another procedure. It's helpful to have the support and guidance of a physician that understands the need for sound nutrition as a basis for health. I own my problem. But I've done a huge amount of reading and research and I am fortunate to have access to a doctor who uses nutrition as a basis for wellness in her practice.
Further, there are just mountains of scientific evidence supporting the therapeutic value of nutritional supplements. You can do a Pub Med search on just about any nutrient and confirm that. Its just that there is no money going into the coffers of Big Pharma so information that the public needs to know is continually suppressed for fear that someone might think for themselves and opt to use nutrition to get well versus taking a drug hat doesnt get to the core problem; just masks the symptoms. Worse, doctors seem to be clueless on nutrition unless they become specialists or take the functional medicine certification courses. We arent being served well at all when it comes to chronic illness care. Acute trauma care is outstanding and if I have an accident, Im going to rely on that expertise, but when it comes to maintaining the basic biochemistry, Ill rely on my own due diligence and supplements.
As far as placebo effect
I seriously doubt that
maybe in a few minor instances.
A few of my many experiences:
For years I doctored with Rosacea
some red splotches on my otherwise clear skin. Annoying.
Saw dermatologist every 2 months for 2 years. $$ Tried tetracycline and a variety of topicals that did nothing.
Changed specialists. He said everything the first Derm instructed was wrong
more try this; try that. In another year - nothing changed.
I attended one of my first health fairs, asked a number of vitamin people giving talks and exhibits about my Rosacea. Same collective answer. Lack of stomach acid. Try betaine hydrochloride. I did. Shazam!
No more Rosacea. Inexpensive, effective, and definitely not placebo effect.
Developed a swelling under my jawbone
an enlarged submandibular gland. I consulted with my own dentist and two oral surgeons and a maxillofacial specialist. The treatment was surgically remove the gland. By then, I had lost enough body parts from misdiagnosis that I wasnt willing to sacrifice another so coincidentally, I became a patient of a new holistic MD just setting up shop in my area. He referred me to a chiropractor who had experience treating these enlargements. I was given potassium iodide drops. Within a month, the swelling subsided and never returned. This was not PE.
When I first began my AF journey, I was often unable to see the patients in my schedule. That caused a great deal of stress for me and I made the decision to retire early (unhappy and more stress). The first thing I did was consult about a very sore, splotchy tongue along with an open lesion on the underside. Both dentists in my office said to see an oral surgeon. I saw several oral surgeons and had biopsies; I consulted with a periodontist, and then I learned of a dermatologist who had an interest in diseases of the oral mucosa. Based on the biopsy, I had Oral Lichen Planuscyclical and caused by stress. I was given systemic and topical drugs; nothing worked. The appearance and severity waxed and waned for several years. Since my holistic MD had moved, all I had was my Primary Care who was no help
until I began with my current Functional Medicine MD. She tested. I was found to be very low in all of the critical B vitamins
I took supplements, IM injections and in a few months, the lesions had resolved; the redness and pain
all gone
that was over 10 years ago. Not returned. The B vitamin regimen was the answer; Results not PE.
There are more war stories but you get the idea. Nutritional deficiencies do occur and supplements are the answer.
Based on all the success stories in CR #61, it is difficult to ignore the potential to cure afib nutritionally
and we are learning more every day about how to do this. See the current conference room now in session. Erlings Theory for the potassium/sodium ratio in atrial fibrillation is brilliant and a must-read as it drives home the point about the key nutrients we need to maintain voltage and, therefore, NSR.
Jackie