I have been diagnosed with idiopatic paroxymal atrial fibrillation. Within a year, it progressed from once a month attacks, to daily attacks. These attacks came every evening and kept me awake from about 11PM until 5 AM in the morning. I was miserable, exhausted, depressed, and finally so sick I could barely walk from my apartment to my car to go to the doctor without loosing my breath completely. Sometimes I would also get atrial fibrillation in the morning if I had been able to "fight it off" at night by walking around and moving all the time. Other times, I would get it from walking up a hill or I would get constant irregular heart beats throughout the day. So, in some ways, my issue was mixed, but primarily vagally induced. I also had multiple digestive problems, with many bizarre symptoms. But here is the kicker and solution, but it is pretty radical.

I began the Raw Food diet 8 days ago. With it, I drink a green smoothie (whole blender full) every morning (see below for more info). Within two days, my afib periods were reduced to 15 and 20 minutes, and they were "lighter" (i.e. not as deep and pounding). Currently, I have not had any afib since Thursday (which is HUGE for me) and I have more energy than I ever had in my life. I still get a few irregular heartbeats at night, but it is managable and still improving.

I am absolutely flabbergasted at how fast this worked and it is solving not only my afib, but also my digestive issues. Please, please try this for yourselves. Give it just one week and see how fast you improve.

My doctors wanted to give me Flecainide, and I don't want it. It scares me to "death" and I think it is like putting a "band aid" on something which really isn't causing the problem in the first place. Look, it's all biochemistry. All of us vagal afibbers have digestive problems, and even if we didn't, it only makes common sense that if we are having some electrical pathways that are overactive that they are overactive because of a chemical imbalance. It is finding out what chemicals that we need, that is so darn difficult. But I found it and it is the Raw Food diet (Thanks to a lot of praying, I believe the universe heard me and I ran got to know w person who suggested this diet for me).


I tried for months to figure out what the chemical imbalance was, I have taken every herb, mineral, and dietary supplement you can think of. The only thing that truly made a HUGE difference, is this diet. PLEASE try this, you will not regret it.

If nothing else, begin drinking an entire blender full of green smoothies every day. Basic principle is this:

Leafy greens (40 %)
1 x 16 oz bottle fo water
Fruit of your choice (60%)
Blend till smooth. I start with the greens and water because I find the greens are cut better that way.

You can use any leafy green you want, like spinach, kale and more. Kale is amazing. It has 92% of the essential amino acids that you need to build protein, so most of the time, I use some of that. But here is a nice recipe:
Spinach, peaches, kiwi, banana, water. Is very yummy.
As you drink these smoothies, you will discover that you get more energy, and that you will crave other foods less and less. This is so, because your body is finally getting almost all of what it needs. Again, please try this and let me know how you fare. By the way, the first week was sort of like a "detox" week. I had many bowel movements each day...and it is green, but it is OK, don't worry. I also had a few irritable stomach issues, where I had to "rush" to the bathroom, but that has been resolved now.
Love to you all and good luck,
Ulla
P/S Please feel free to ask me any question you wnat and visit the website of Victoria Boutenko who has written books on Raw Food diet and how it cured her family from: arthritis, heart arrythmia, diabetes l (insulin dependent), and asthma
[www.rawfamily.com]

Ulla,
Glad your affib is less. Very intersting post. It encourages one to keep trying reasonable diet combinations. Good Luck!

Hi Ulla,
Are you eating anything else in 24 hours as well as the smoothie?
Joyce

Raw is indeed the way, however a quick look at the website shows that this is vegetarian.
While raw veggies do work for many, they are not a long term solution.
Here is one wise view: [www.beyondveg.com]

William

To Joyce;
Besides the smoothie is am also on the Raw Food Diet. You can go to the weblink I provided (The Raw Food Family), and see what it is about.
Also, to William: Like Victoria Boutenko (Author of Raw Food Family and more books), I have researched nutrition extensively...for months on end. I know there are various nutirents that we need, but the thing is, you do get those if you eat a very varied diet (even if raw) and educate yourself. I am still in the process of educating myself, but I am definitely not going to let myself be affected by "someone's" suggestion that it isn't a long term solution if it works for me. People have been cured of a variety of illnesses from the raw food diet, including, asthma, insulin dependent diabetes, cancer, and more (long term).
Also, what is important to keep in mind is that while the raw food diet initially was incomplete, adding the green smooothie (Especially with Kale), has solved the problems of mal-nutrition. Of course, you may also feel free to add various minerals and vitamins to your diet as well.
Anyway, I am a researcher by nature and education, and I am also a skeptic. Part of my education is in understanding the functioning of neurons (in the brain) and the importance of having the right chemical composition for normal functioning (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, etc.). It works much the same way with the heart...and for that matter...if we think about it, most illnesses are due to biochemical abnormalities. So, when my doctor said mine was due to some cells and pathways that were overactive, my answer was that not only is that not an adequate answer, but the overactivity surely is caused by a biochemical abnormality that needs to be adjusted.
But, let me finish by saying that the most important thing any of you can do is be your own advocates. I think it is fine if you choose to take the advice of your doctors and go on the meds they suggest. However, I always thought of the patient/doctor relationship as a therapeutic alliance where both of us decide what is the best solution for me. I listen to them, but I also fight for myself and my health and I know from research that people who are active participants in their own treatment and take responsibility for their own choices and health, fare better than those who blindly follow "authority".
On a last note, I am definitley a believer in holistic medicine. That is, while many of us have symptoms that manifest in the same way, the manner in which we arrived at those symptoms may be different. I don't believe the biomedical profession honor holistic aspects of our health enough and I will definitely do everything that I can to heal myself and tell others how it helped me. But again, educate yourselves. Try this for a week, and tell me if you don't feel better? ...and educate yourselves.

Thanks,
Ulla

Just one more thing. If any of you find that you do quite well on a diet that is mostly raw (lets say 80%), then do that. I am not trying to say that you should all go 100% raw, and I too will experiment with whether I can tolerate other foods than raw (later). But for now, I am doing 100% raw simply to detox myself and because I feel better than I have in a year. Thank God for the energy and no afibs! Yeah!
Blessings,
Ulla

I'm glad it works for you, however it is a high carbohydrate diet. I suggest you research that - a good source is Gary Taubes' book "Good Calories Bad Calories" - he presents both sides.

William

Thanks, will do.

Hi William:
Thanks for your answer, I will check out that book. I can't rever read enough. I am a curious person by nature and determined to find answers to something that works.

Complex carbohydrates is the way to go. They break down slowly and are good for folks who also suffer from hypoglycemia (myself). Also, keep in mind that I said you need to add the green smoothie daily (whole quart) and preferably with a leafy green that has most of the essentail amino acids in it (This is actually a key componenet of the diet). For example Kale has 92 percent of the essential amino acids (Building blocks of protein). So, we have to supplement with various other products to complete the amino acid "profile" so to speak, and this is of course, what we need to educate ourselves on (By the way, it is also a good idea to keep a healthy balance of foods/vegis/fruit etc. that have primarily an alkaline PH...but make sure there is a balance. Most disease can't flourish in blood that is primarily alkaline).

Also, if all essential amino acids are not present, vegetable protein cannot be used for growth or maintenance of tissues. In this case the vegetable protein is usually burned as fuel or may be converted into fat. This is important, yes, so keep this in mind. But it isn't that hard to figure out. Research it, read, and check out nutritional profile of raw kale (on line)...impressive. Also, exercise if you can...that is always important to maintain health as well.
Blessings to you all,
Ulla

It's quite ironic that in the UK farmers grew Kale in abundance just for Cattle fodder and never for human consumption.

Hi Ulla,

I have been having a green smoothie in the Am for breakfast for the last month or so. I definitely notice a difference in my energy and feeling of well being. ON those days that I have had to skip it I do not feel as well and tend to have difficulty with food.

I'm not sure about how it will impact my AF episodes. I have them roughly every month and I'm due for one now. Even if there is no change in AF freguency I'm sold on the green (mostly kale sometimes spinach + other ingredients) smoothie.

My wife got information about the green smoothie plan from a friend and doesn't recall the origional source. She thought the smoothie was advocated by a female researcher from Russia.

Dennis

Kale and other leafy greens are a great source of a multitude of nutrients including the potassium we all need. Green drinks have been popular in detoxing protocols for many years and juicing is a quick way to take in a large quantity. Detoxifying the GI tract is the first step toward health. It certainly lowers inflammation and reactions to residual toxins quickly... assuming the greens you use are organic and not adding pesticide residues.

I prefer blending to a fine liquid to take advantage of the total plant rather than discarding the cellulose/fiber. Some juicers screen out the pulp and fiber. A good blender makes short work of it. Some advocate putting in half a lemon to alkalize further and some say use the peel as well. Makes a nice change to the taste. Raw organic ginger not grown in China makes a peppy addition to a green drink too and it's very anti-inflammatory.

Michael Murray, ND, is quoted here in his juicing advice:

[www.mothernature.com]

Jackie

Ulla,

Thanks for the recipe. I just bought lots of organic greens and was worried that they would spoil before I could use them all. This will be a great way to get more leafy greans in our diet.

Debbie

Rob Law wrote:

> It's quite ironic that in the UK farmers grew Kale in abundance
> just for Cattle fodder and never for human consumption.


Look up kale poisoning!
Joyce

"Look up kale poisoning!"

[tinyurl.com]

RAPE AND KALE POISONING

Rape and Kale poisoning occurs when excessive amounts of these fodder crops are ingested by cattle and is characterised clinically by red blood stained urine.

PREVALENCE

The incidence is generally low but several cases may occur within an individual herd. Lactating cows, particularly those which are recently calved and lactating heavily, are usually affected but the condition has also been described in bullocks.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Rape and kale are used as fodder crops during the autumn and early winter and thus the disease is seen at this time. Outbreaks of poisoning have been associated with frosting of the plants but this is probably related to an increase in the toxic factor (see below) in the plant as it ages. Wet, cold weather has also been suggested as a factor influencing occurrence of the disease.

AETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Rape and kale contain a toxic compound, 5-methylcysteine sulphoxide (SMCO), which is metabolised by the rumen, absorbed and directly or indirectly causes breakdown of the blood cells. As the amount of SMCO in the plant increases with ageing, the plants are most toxic once flowering and secondary growth occurs. It should also be noted that different varieties of rape and kale contain varying amounts of SMCO.

CLINICAL SIGNS

These are very similar to the signs seen in post-parturient haemoglobinuria. There is red blood stained urine, inappetance and a marked drop in milk yield. Pallor and moderately severe jaundice develop. Other clinical signs of anaemia are evident. Diarrhoea is a common feature. Fever is rare. Deaths may occur.

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and history. Blood tests may be of use.

TREATMENT

Cease feeding of rape or kale. Where considered necessary blood transfusion may be performed on individual animals. However the donor should be selected carefully as apparently normal animals may be in the early stages of the disease. Reintroduction to the rape or kale should be gradual and intake should be restricted.

PREVENTION

Use rape and kale as fodder before flowering and secondary growth occurs when the plants are most toxic. Strip grazing of rape or kale is usual practice but should be carefully controlled as the toxic effect of these plants is directly related to the amount consumed. It has been suggested that adult cows should be limited to 15-20 kg kale per day.


[www.scib.gc.ca]

Notes on poisoning: wild cabbage
General poisoning notes:

Brassica oleracea includes common cultivated crops such as kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. All these vegetables are capable of forming toxic quantities of SMCO, a chemical that can cause hemolytic anemia in livestock. These plants also contain glucosinolates, which can cause goiter. In general, these widely used vegetables are safe for human consumption. Cases of livestock poisoning occur when they are used almost exclusively as fodder for animals (Kingsbury 1964, Smith 1980, Cheeke and Schull 1985, Benevenga et al. 1989). Glucosinolates contained in kale, cabbage, and broccoli (Brassica oleracea) can cause goiter in humans. These plants cause goiter in less than 5% of cases in humans. The chemicals cause a reduction in performance of young livestock, especially swine and poultry (Fenwick et al. 1989). It is important to note that the frequency of toxicity has dropped dramatically since a few decades ago. Researchers have changed the quantity of toxic compounds in the entire Brassica spp., creating new cultivars with lower quantities of these chemicals. The threat of poisoning from some of the plants has diminished or virtually disappeared in some cultivars. For example, the Canadian development of rapeseed into the so-called "double-zero" cultivars (low in glucosinolates and in erucic acid) has allowed rapeseed meal to be used for livestock at much higher levels without reducing performance (Cheeke and Schull 1985).

Hi everyone,
Thanks fo all of your responses, I am glad I could inspire some of you. I am still going strong, 1 week without an episode and I used to have them nightly. I will keep you updated as time goes by.

Also, you can use other leafy greens than kale, for example, one day I used the leaves of red beets. They were a little on the sour or tart side, so I added a little honey or stevia. Spinach is great though, so I have tons of that. Try to vary your smoothies, the body likes variety.
Also, the person from Russia who advocated for the smoothies is Victoria Boutenko. She has several pubslihed books and her own website (The raw food family).

Best wishes,
Ulla

Thanks George - I certainly couldn't eat a bale of kale myself on a daily basis but it's always good to know that one can overdose even on veggies.

Jackie

KALE CAROTENOIDS REMAIN STABLE WHILE GLUCOSINOLATES AND FLAVOR COMPOUNDS RESPOND TO CHANGES IN SELENIUM AND SULFUR FERTILITY
Authors: D.A. Kopsell, C.E. Sams, C.S. Charron, W.M. Randle, D.E. Kopsell
Abstract:
Dietary intake of certain carotenoids has been associated with reduced risks of specific cancers and chronic eye diseases. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) has been reported to contain the highest levels of the carotenoids lutein and b-carotene among green leafy vegetable crops. Brassica vegetables also contain anti-carcinogenic glucosinolates (GS) and S-methyl-cysteine sulfoxide (MCSO) sulfur compounds responsible for flavor.

In several experiments, we investigated the influence of S and Se fertility on: 1) elemental accumulation; 2) GS and MCSO production; and 3) the accumulation patterns of carotenoid pigments in the leaf tissues of kale. Plants were greenhouse grown using nutrient solution culture with a range of S and Se concentrations. Increasing S fertility increased S leaf content, but decreased Mg and Ca accumulation. Levels of GS and MSCO increased in response to increasing S in nutrient solution.

However, accumulation of lutein and b-carotene were unaffected by S treatment. Decreasing S and increasing Se fertility in kale production will decreases GS and MCSO compounds without affecting carotenoid pigments levels. Understanding the combined impact of fertility on flavor compounds and carotenoid pigments may help improve consumer acceptance of phytonutritionally-enhanced vegetable crops.

I can imagine a round of golf would be fun after a bale of Kale though Jackie. :-D

Ulla, what was/is your blood serum potassium level?? (Easy to get at the Doc's office.)

I'm wondering if your problem was/is simply low blood potassium levels and you are now addressing this deficiency through your smoothies??

MF

Mike, that is exactly what i thought when i began reading this thread.
Peggy M

Your theory intrigued me so I went to fitday.com and put in his blend of spinach, peach, kiwi and banana using 40 vol% spinach, 20 vol% peach, 20 vol% kiwi and 20 vol% banana. The water just dilutes so ignored that. The potassium content is about 1700 mg for four 8oz glasses with 125 mag. Very interesting.
Cyndie

Another theory on raw veggies & fruits is what you're not eating - gluten & prepared foods with msg & etc, thought the K+ content surely has an impact, too.

George - there you go... that's the important point... eliminating gluten/gliaden and all that does to the GI system and reactions from it.

That's the focus of CR #54 - why Paleo eating is probably successful.

Jackie

Paleofood is successful because it provides all needed nutrients, and none of the anti-nutrients so common in our modern/neolithic diet.

William

Sorry for the delay in answering...all of my levels were within the "norm"...can't find anything wrong with the potassium. All I know is that this diet is working for me and I am as happy as a clam! Also, I did read about the paleolithic diet and found similarities to the vegan diet.

At this point, I am tired of trying to figure out specifically what it is my body needed. I tried oral potassium, magnesium, motherwort, Vit c, selenium, L-arginine, and blah blah blah,. In truth, folks, your body assimilates and does much better on the natural sources of nutrition than on pills, tablets, etc. So, I am staying on this diet and I am continuing to revere in this MIRACLE that happened to me.

And am I going to OD on Kale? I'm sure I won't and I am sure you can overdo anything and OD on raisins, or strawberrries for that matter. I VARY my diet and my greens, and again, that is key.
Best of luck to everyone,
Ulla

One last thing: I think most of us are making the mistake of trying to find one or two causative factors for our idiopathic AFIB, such as, low potassium, low magnesium, vitamin C etc. The thing is that our bodies are complicated biochemical "vessels" where a delicate balance amongst all of the chemicals are very important. Rarely, do we see one reason for why we have the diseases that we have, but if we have an imbalance long enough, several other may occcur as well, and so on.

I think biomedicine is amazing, but also very limited in that holistic viewpoints are not acknowledged. We may all have arrived at the same disease or diagnosis, but perhaps it took different routes to get there. Additionally, we are all different emotionally, with differnet lives, attitudes, body shapes and so on and all of those factors must also be taken into consideration.

I have tried to add any herb or pill I read about for months to resolve my issue...and nothing worked. This diet does, and I will be dam... if I am not going to continue something that works for me.

I shared all of this to hopefuly give other Afibbers hope. Just try it for a week. I was a daily (or nightly) fibber, but no more. Now THAT is powerful!
Blessings,
Ulla