The Gut Connection to Afib - Revisited

Review of Digestion, GERD, Food Sensitivities, Gut/Adrenal issues… many Influences for AF.

INTRODUCTION

It’s estimated that 100 million people in the US suffer from some form of digestive dysfunction.

Digestive and gastro-intestinal ailments have strong connections to systemic imbalances, many of which are commonly recognized as triggers for atrial fibrillation and have been discussed previously in numerous posts.

This review is an elaboration of a few important connections that may be overlooked or ignored when addressing GI ailments.. As you read, keep in mind the overall impact on the heart via the various mechanisms that are likely contributors to irritation, inflammation and interferences with electrical synchronization.

Digestive dysfunction has “many faces” and often involves several interconnected groups of associated abnormalities or imbalances that manifest in various ways with multiple symptoms… meaning that addressing indigestion or irritable bowel is not usually as simplistic as just taking Tums or Imodium or PPIs and H2 blockers. Identifying and addressing underlying, contributing factors is the only sure path to achieving any meaningful progress. Some digestive ailments are easily reversed and others can be serious and complicated.

Numerous, well-written books by experts in the field of Gastroenterology cover the details thoroughly. My goal here is to touch on or highlight some of the most common yet important points in this extensive topic so afib readers dealing with digestive complaints can use as a guide.

A Functional Medicine approach that examines all the underlying potential contributors offers the most effective treatment plan. “Functional Gastroenterology is an emerging field of ‘new’ medicine being formally integrated into practice in some areas of the country. The focus is to get back to the basics originally fostered by Hippocrates, the first holistic physician, who looked at Mind, Body, and Spirit in the individual’s well-being and care compared to the Reductionist approach of current medicine today.” [Quoted source: Interview with Gerard Mullin, Integrative Gastroenterologist…see References].

Functional Gastroenterologists remind us that all organ systems function together as a web. Addressing one system without the others typically does not resolve the entire problem…. this would include the brain and the electrical system and since atrial fibrillation is a disturbance of the heart’s electrical conduction system, it is important to keep in mind that this report merely covers a few factors that help weaken total-body electrical energy status (otherwise known as voltage); and, that by design, the body functions electrically. If it did not, then lifesaving efforts would not include the jump-start by defibrillator, electro-cardioversion to reset arrhythmias to NSR or pacemakers.

This connection relative to digestive ailments, reactions to food sensitivities, toxic accumulations, the impact of unremitting stress on adrenal function and digestive impairment all contribute to a lowering of energy production and transmission. Identifying and eliminating interferences is an important step in optimizing the functionality of the body and for afibbers, normal heart conductivity. While this report does not address the energy/voltage aspect, it would be incomplete and erroneous not to mention it lest it be ignored, dismissed or forgotten. Past posts have discussed the energy factor extensively and should be included in total health overview. [Resources]

Neurotransmitters for Brain Function are a factor. Food cravings or food reactions are often imbalance indicators and relate to adrenal and other dysfunctions that directly influence GI function.

Tissue pH is an important element in overall assessment and is most always overlooked…other than to assume mistakenly that a person with digestive complaints has too much stomach acid and requires a remedy to prevent acid production. The importance of tissue pH is far reaching. Acidic tissue pH supports many chronic disease conditions and fosters multiple GI problems. This is not to be confused with blood pH or even the pH required in the stomach during digestion. It’s important to understand what this means for your particular situation.
Stress factors are extremely significant and a fundamental contributor to digestive and intestinal disturbances. Continual, unremitting stress is a huge consideration that is not only contributory to various imbalances but often, directly causal.

Vagus nerve irritation caused by digestive irritation/inflammation is a major consideration and important to address early in the sleuthing process since calming down the Vagus is a big step toward a peaceful heart.

Nutritionists and physicians practicing Functional Medicine (FM) indicate that as high as 80% of patients’ complaints can be traced to gastro-intestinal origins and include

• inadequate digestion
• food sensitivities and antigen responses
• dysbiosis
• leaky gut syndrome
• intestinal pathogens
• IBS
• brain fog
• stress
• adrenal burnout or fatigue
• pH
• ANS imbalances affecting Heart Rate Variability
• Symptoms of autoimmune disorders and aches and pains from arthritis.
• The pathogen, H. pylori, is known to contribute to arrhythmia.

Today, unfortunately, large medical centers have moved away from looking for core causes and no longer use diagnostic tests that used to be common. Rather, the quick assessment and remedy is typically prescription or OTC drugs that mask symptoms while the root cause continues to smolder behind the scenes. A comment/observation by one seminar physician/participant noted that it’s common in today’s medical practice “to prescribe PPIs for anyone with pain between the chin and groin.”

Following is a cursory review of highlights (by no means complete or all-inclusive) from many hours of interviews with Nutritional and Functional practitioners treating digestive and gut-related issues. Other important related topics such as diverticular disease, fiber, Celiac, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, pancreatic insufficiency, gall bladder function, Barrett’s Esophagitis are not included.
These comments are not presented any particular order of importance since they all focus on connections that interfere with functional harmony. Some segments are “note style” to save space and for quick reading. As it is, this just barely scratches the surface of all the good GI info I wanted to share with you.

The last section on Resources lists outstanding reference links to assist in sorting out your own digestive ailment along with important books focused specifically on the gut/digestion connection to health complaints. In complicated situations, typically, this is not a do-it-yourself project, but these resources can help readers become well-informed so they can advocate for themselves when interviewing medical professionals for treatment options.

As I frequently say, Knowledge is power… but moreover, Knowledge is Health!
Jackie


REVIEW –
DIGESTION, GERD, FOOD SENSITIVITIES, GUT/ADRENAL ISSUES … MANY INFLUENCES FOR AF

1. Adequate chewing
2. Symptoms
3. Dysbiosis
4. Food Sensitivities
5. Inadequate Stomach Acid
6. Leaky Gut Syndrome (Intestinal Hyper-permeability)
7. Candida
8. Stress
9. Stress & Adrenal Dysfunction
10. Stress/Gut Glutamine Utilization – Low Blood Sugar
11. Neurotransmitters and Brain Function
12. Remedies
13. References
14. Reading Resources


1. Adequate chewing… healthy teeth
The first rule for ensuring good digestion: Chew food thoroughly.
Often forgotten in the rush to address other steps in the digestive process, is the mechanical function of chewing food well which prepares food by grinding (mastication) into digestible particles while mixing with saliva containing enzymes to start the digestive process.
Studies show many people with digestive complaints eat fast, gulp down large chunks of food that aren’t able to be degraded completely in the stomach and they often dilute stomach acid by drinking liquids along with meal…(gulping and washing down large pieces). By swallowing chunks of food, you miss the first step of the digestive process. Eating fast or wolfing down food also allows for air swallowing--another source of gas and bloating after meals.

Chew each mouthful until it becomes a liquid slurry. The back molars are the grinding teeth and need to be in functional condition. People missing molars have digestive complications. Their food needs to be cut in tiny pieces or mashed to help chew and mix with saliva before swallowing. Edentulous people can be well nourished if meals are put in a blender.


2. Symptoms of Digestive Ailments
Includes gas, bloating, flatulence, pain, burning sensations, constipation, diarrhea, (overall irritable bowel symptoms), identifiable, undigested food in stools, brain fog, skin symptoms and often arthritic-like pain symptoms, anxiety, fluid in ears, chronic sinusitis …just a few of many. Some are obvious, many are complex and hidden.

Symptoms fairly soon after a meal…30 minutes or so… typically indicates a lack of stomach acid or if the meal or snack was starchy, sugary carbs, then suspect that yeast (Candida) overgrowth from the intestines has migrated into the stomach –a frequent culprit. These foods feed the yeast - resulting in fermentation, causing gas bubbles and much discomfort (gas, bloating, burning) which is typically thought to be GERD. The bloating also causes impingement/ irritation of the vagus nerve. Acid blockers or PPIs typically not a solution. The
Candida has to be eliminated. Candida often flourishes after a course of anti-biotic use.

Some practitioners prefer to start using a questionnaire rather than testing with questions about digestion and bowel function regularity. They say responses often provide very good clues as to how treatment should proceed.

Normalizing – for every year you’ve been out of whack, you add one month to base of 6 months… So a condition has been in place for two years, then that would be a period of 30 months to see reversal.

3. Dysbiosis. An imbalance between friendly and unfriendly gut flora. Typically, it’s too much unfriendly. Candida albicans overgrowth is an example of dysbiosis.

There are 500 species gut bacteria. About 25 have official names. Besides releasing various chemicals and cytokines that cause inflammation which then gets into the blood stream (translocation) which is typical in surgical patients who develop complications – (sepsis, toxic shock). Translocation starts in the gut. Leaky gut can be the source of autoimmune disorders.
Evaluate gut flora with Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) Genova and include parasites. Or test for Inflammatory Cytokines – Interleukin 11 in an IBD blood panel.

SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) was discussed in a post not long ago. Bacteria the colon or large intestine migrates into the small intestine where it doesn’t belong and causes significant GI problems. [See References listing]

Important – It should be noted that people who have had severe GI-related infections such as C. diff are left with what is known as Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome (PI-IBS) and this stays with them for life. They will always be highly susceptible to any type of toxin or exposure such as minor food poisoning or a gut bug. They must be mindful to keep their bowel flora optimized continually (using high-quality probiotics).

4. Food Sensitivities
Not true allergies to foods as in peanut or shellfish allergy where patient collapses in anaphylactic shock, but Sensitivities that can cause either immediate or delayed reactions which include:

….. increased pulse rate, heart palps, arrhythmia, drippy nose or sinus stuffiness, froggy throat, phlegm, headaches including migraine aura headaches, brain fog, memory, gastric reactions, lower bowel reactions, noticeable inflammatory responses in joints or silent inflammation in GI tissue… as manifested eventually in Celiac disease or Crohn’s, stomach gas, bloating, flatulence, rectal itching, vaginal itching, hives or welts,

The most commonly-reactive foods include, gluten/gliaden containing grains (wheat, rye, barley, spelt, triticale, oats) milk and dairy, dairy casein, eggs, peanuts and other nuts, corn, soy, shellfish, food additives, colorings, MSG and taste enhancers, artificial (chemical sweeteners). Sensitivity is found in wheat itself in addition to the gluten/gliaden protein molecule plus the 25-cross-reactive foods that accompany a wheat/gluten sensitivity.

Food sensitivities are typically assessed with questionnaires, testing, special diets with food rotations, total elimination permanently from diet. Testing should be by blood as delayed reactivity does not show up in typical skin testing. Important to look for genetic factors and test for HLA-DQ genotype testing with serological markers.

Allergy testing by skin tests doesn’t address the delayed reaction responses. Need to do the new formal testing that is now highly sophisticated such as from Cyrex, ImmunoSciences and Entero Labs. Metametrix has a Blood Spot test for 30 + allergies and can go to 90 on a serum draw.

If you suspect food sensitivity, eliminate that item strictly and completely for a month or six weeks and keep a log of symptoms and then reintroduce … keep a log of symptoms and status as a result of reintroducing. If you do this and eat commercially-prepared or packaged food, you have to question and screen every single mouthful and know the hidden sources of gluten, for instance. Even very tiny amounts cause reactions.

If Celiac or Crohn’s is in the family history, it’s important to be tested by knowledgeable people who offer current, new testing modalities… as old methods and tissue sampling often miss the early diagnosis.

Note:
Lactose intolerance is the inability to breakdown milk sugar (lactose) because the body can’t produce the enzyme, Lactase. Thus, symptoms include gas, bloating, flatulence, sometimes pain.

Dairy Sensitivity is to the casein protein molecule found in milk and dairy products that causes an antigen response.

Soy and adverse effects

Because soy is so very damaging to the gut and plays a role in food sensitivities, I’m taking extra time and space to point out the risks of soy…. mostly because soy proteins are found to increase the incidence of arrhythmias. If you eat soy and have afib…note well.

These quotes are nearly verbatim from a recent discussion with top soy expert and researcher, Kaayla Daniel, PhD, CCN… “Soy Revisited” …adding to the facts presented in a previous post on The Whole Soy Story… The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food.

Since this post topic emphasizes gut damage…this info on soy is particularly important. .

…”So many gluten-intolerant patients rush to substitute gluten-free packaged and processed foods but fail to realize that soy is often a component in those foods.. People don’t understand that sometimes gluten-intolerant people never recover from that insult and the accompanying sensitivities and health problems that result unless they also go off soy.

Soy products are a risk to the thyroid supported by more than 70 years of studies. (mostly hypo-thyroid and autoimmune thyroid disease - currently very prevalent in the population).

People who have consumed high-soy diets for a long time..vegans and those who were raised on soy formula and then have consumed soy for decades, are the most difficult to treat because the soy may have adversely affected the developing brain and body causing many problems to correct. People who decide to become vegan as adults, have a bit of an advantage in that they were already ‘grown up’ and thus prevented much of the early soy damage.

As with any toxins, the soy situation needs to consider dosing loads and time of exposure and also the fact that the initial reason for switching to soy was likely due to health problems… so now dealing with not only problems caused by soy, but whatever was underlying the initial condition as well.

Elimination is obviously the first step…but soy is in at least 60% of processed and packaged foods and 100% of fast foods. People who don’t cook from scratch with whole, real foods are significantly challenged to make these changes. The frustration comes because soy apparently is not always indicated on labels so the obvious remedy is to buy and consume only whole, fresh foods and be highly selective with food you don’t cook yourself from scratch. People who have true allergies to soy have even greater risks because of cross-contamination of packaged and prepared foods.

With soy, there is so much damage to the gut…and recovering from soy requires healing that damage. Dr. Daniel recommends lots of soups and stews of genuine bone broths to recapture gelatin, collagen and good, absorbable, important minerals which are life enhancing and healing. A staple would be a bone-broth soup much of the time.

No matter what the ailment… the first principle is heal the gut. Soy people tend to have multiple allergies and may have started soy because of a dairy allergy. Some need a lot of healing.

People with peanut allergies should avoid soy at all costs. The associated anaphylactic reactions have caused multiple deaths. Odwalla power drinks recently in the news… people with peanut and other nut allergies had severe reactions to the chocolate protein drinks but no nut contamination was found… yet the drinks do contain soy. It’s been known from mid-to-late 90’s that many people with peanut allergies react to soy as well. Others, who have consumed soy for years, suddenly become allergic to soy…so it’s not predictable. In ’99, the Swedish food administration warned that children with peanut allergies should avoid soy…particularly children with peanut allergies and asthma, imperative to avoid soy. In Sweden, they had soy deaths because of miniscule amounts of soy in a hamburger. Similar cases in U.S. and in increasing numbers from hidden soy as in hamburger, burrito, deli meat. Culprit is Genetically Modified soy that created an allergen that is 41% similar to peanut allergy.

Coconut milk is a good substitute for soy milk. Others such as almond milk, rice, hemp all have ingredient problems…. too many carbs, sweeteners or too sweet naturally. Dr. Daniel says coconut milk supports thyroid and immune system. Anyone who has had too much soy is going to need help with both systems.

The FDA allows health claims for soy… that it’s useful for heart health. This is the same FDA that has given us Vioxx and all those other “safe, healthy drugs with health claims, etc.” First passed into law in ’99 and was a big bonanza for the soy industry. Prior to the health claim… soy industry revenues were under $1 billion/year in soy protein products. Once the health claim was on all soy product labels, sales increased to $4 billion/year. The science to back the claim was inconsistent and even the Heart Association later announced that the soy claims are not justified, are bogus and should be retracted… which hasn’t yet happened… but a retraction statement for the claims by petition to the FDA has been presented… 65 pages of all the science and arguments.. [see Weston Price Foundation website… www.westonprice.org/soy.alert]

Among the arguments is that soy doesn’t reliably lower cholesterol…and low cholesterol isn’t a guarantee of no heart attacks since people with low cholesterol still have heart attacks. Soy raises homocysteine and that’s bad for the brain, a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, senility… and more. Soy can accelerate the incidence of cancers, especially breast. [The problem with soy phyto-estrogens is another huge topic.]

There are studies showing that Soy can increase incidence of heart arrhythmias and increase cardiomyopathy and cause blood vessel damage, particularly in women. …”



5. Inadequate stomach acid

Zinc Deficiency
People lose the ability to make adequate hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) required to digest proteins… common in many and particularly with aging. This stems from zinc deficiency and is very common in those who avoid eating red meat (best source of zinc) or who eat vegan/vegetarian diets. It’s easy to test for zinc deficiency by using a screening test liquid -- Zinc Status (Ethical Nutrients) or Zinc Tally (Metagenics). An amount of the test liquid is held in the mouth and “no taste” indicates a zinc deficiency; a strong taste reaction indicates adequate zinc. Since it’s just a screening evaluation, formal follow-up testing is in order for those who have no taste response. Most FM practitioners have patients test as an initial screening evaluation, especially if their major complaint is digestive related. [Side benefit… this zinc solution is good for sore throats….often knocks out immediately.]

Production of stomach acid requires vitamin B1, iodine and zinc. But if you don’t have stomach acid then you can’t absorb zinc so you have to take something like betaine hydrochloric acid along with the zinc to facilitate absorption.

B Vitamins
B vitamins need stomach acid for absorption in the terminal ileum of the small intestine.
B12 closely linked to neurological dysfunction/disorders, paresthesias, psychosis, vision disturbances. Alcoholism affects Thiamine and B12. Medications, stress, all due to elevated cortisol are linked to leaky gut syndrome (LGS) and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) imbalance because the gut/brain axis is off.

Always check B12 levels. (This gets into the extensive topic of Methylation).

People with GERD symptoms are often diagnosed as having too much stomach acid and are subsequently treated with acid blockers and PPIs which then means food really doesn’t break down well. These drugs cause long-term imbalances including dysbiosis. The problem in GERD patients is almost always lack of stomach acid causing food to stagnate in the stomach due to inability to be broken down quickly and efficiently. That causes the gas, bloating, reflux etc because the food just lies there and putrifies; what happens next to that undigested food causes even more problems.

Most important to afibbers, PPIs interfere with the sodium/potassium pump function which affects each of the 70 trillion cells in the body. In the reference section, the link to Na/K function interference is listed as CR 72. Critically important reading for every afibber … Read at least the Introduction and Summary. Otherwise, your progress will be limited. Those who have had ablations are not exempt as ablations don’t address these fundamental requisites for cellular function.

Stomach acid is the first-line of defense for protecting against, bacteria, viruses, pathogens from the food supply and if the stomach is continually alkaline (from acid blockers), then all can pass through and cause intestinal and immune system problems and the tendency to develop pneumonia…especially in the elderly. When stomach acid production is blocked by drugs, the risk of osteoporosis rises from lack of mineral assimilation.

6. Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS)
Medically identified as “Intestinal Hyper-permeability” - A highly-prevalent and very common problem.

Pore-like structures become damaged, open too wide, toxins get in like undigested food particles, bacteria from the gut, accumulate and cause immunological disorders, antigen reactions, cytokines activated and it’s all downhill from there. Toxins stimulate inflammation in joints and cause skin reactions.

Causes:
Aging, anything that causes an infection, parasites, bacteria, viruses, yeast (Candida), diarrhea, “tourista”, food poisoning, toxins that cause infections- E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staph, Strep, Cancer, treatment for cancer/chemo. Celiac disease, Crohn’s, anything that denudes the intestinal mucosa – cystic fibrosis, malnutrition, hepatitis …Anything that damages the tight junctions and lets invaders into the blood stream.

Post infectious IBS (PI-IBS) – has consequences for life. People who had severe infections such as C. diff will always have IBS symptoms.

1. Lack of stomach acid - Undigested food particles pass out of stomach into intestine…lie there and ferment… Cause holes or weak spots in intestinal lining that then allows access of all sorts of foreign molecules into blood stream where they become reactive or antigenic to the host (you). Puts immune system on constant alert.

2. Overuse of antibiotics…(promotes Candida overgrowth)...Useful to add probiotics away from a/b dosing to prevent dysbiosis

3. Heavy use steroids or NSAIDs, aspirin, chemicals, alcohol – breaks down gut mucosa and increases permeability.

4. Chronically low levels of protein consumption causes cannibalizing of gut lining

Leaky gut -> food sensitivities->arthritis symptoms->predisposition to the ‘auto-immune’ gene which triggers T cells and antigens which attach to synovium in joints. The whole inflammatory process is sustained by LGS and the normal mechanisms to turn off the inflammatory response doesn’t work.

Rather than steroids as anti-inflammatory, high-count probiotics are found to be useful. Often the strong types like VSL#3 (with 450 billion cultures/dose) are much too strong and people react negatively. Lower doses of 50 billion/dose away from meals seem to be better tolerated and effective. Healthy Trinity by Natren seems to work fairly well. All are pricey but cheaper versions aren’t effective so put money where efficacy lies. Low-count probiotics are fine if you have no problems but you really must use high count until gut is healed.

The probiotic content in yogurt is not enough for therapeutic measures… regardless of what the advertising hype claims.

Leaky gut principle is the same thing with the Blood Brain Barrier ..Classic source of brain fog and food/brain hyperactivity, sometimes resembles autism. A lot of autistic children really have hyper-intestinal permeability and gluten/casein sensitivities. The BBB becomes permeable and allows toxins in. The connection to gut issues and autism syndromes is extensive with amazing results once detected and addressed.

LGS puts a toxic load on the body and requires detoxification protocols. The classic 4-R protocol is highly effective. (Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate, Repair) [Resources]

There is a formal lab test to rule out Leaky Gut Syndrome. Genova Lab’s Intestinal Permeability Assessment analyzes urine for the clearance of two non-metabolized sugars There is also the Lactulose/mannitol breath test for Leaky Gut.

5. Candida albicans (yeast)
It is impossible to eliminate all traces of the Candida fungus; rather, the goal should be to reduce levels to such an extent it’s no longer considered pathogenic yet reside symbiotically in the alimentary tract …. not causing overgrowth or dysbiosis and not contributing to digestive reactions, discomfort or leaky gut.

Symptoms of yeast/fungal overgrowth include
Anxiety, depression, feeling spacey, bloating, gas, poor memory, chronic diarrhea. If in the sinus region, often post-nasal drip, itchy ears, and sore throat and sinus pressure/congestion headaches and symptoms stimulated in damp weather. If in lower intestine, can cause rectal itching. In females, vaginal itching, discharge and discomfort. Candida live in sinus cavity, mouth, throat, ear canal and the entire alimentary canal to the anus without pathlogy…it’s the overgrowth that causes the symptoms.

Diets that include an abundance of high-carb foods… starch or sugar … support and feed the yeast. Alcohol feeds yeast. When the yeast is fed, the cells expand, cause gas and bloating and discomfort wherever they reside… for afibbers, often this is a trigger because of pressure/irritation of the vagus nerve from bloating. .

Remedy for depopulation besides antifungal drugs and many herbal, natural and highly effective products… including the strong Oil of Oregano product (.p73)… Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), Candex, the special garlic compound with 3X allicillin or ajoene, Olive Leaf, the authentic nanoparticle silver, MesoSilver along with high-population probiotics to encourage healthy balance. Probiotic use continually insures healthy gut flora balance.

People with Candia are highly reactive to household mold – (environmental)- often severely reactive.

6. Stress

Eating while stressed

• Interferes with stomach acid production.

• When the body is in the state of ‘fight or flight’…sympathetic tone is in overdrive. Eating when stressed prevents the release of stomach acid. Today, many people are in stress/overdrive 24/7. Same is true with arguing or being in a state of turmoil while eating. Food won’t be broken down and will lie in the stomach and ferment causing gas, pain, bloating …GERD symptoms.

• Inadequate stomach-acid production sets us up for leaky gut syndrome, food sensitivities and autoimmune reactions caused by undigested food particles in the intestinal tract.

7. Stress & Adrenal Dysfunction

Stress not only affects digestive function but later on also causes adrenal dysfunction.

Stress-> Weak Adrenals-> Low potassium (Weepy also equates to low potassium and low K is from weak adrenals) Low potassium -> Afib

Signs of Weak or Adrenal Dysfunction

• Are you waking up in the middle of the night?
• Have low blood pressure?
• If bend over to pick up item off floor, light-headed when stand upright?
• Salt craving?
• Afternoon yawning?
• Weakness and dizziness?
• Not being able to maintain a chiropractic adjustment – low adrenals cause ligament laxity
• Vertical nail ridges
• Excess perspiration
• Do you wake up refreshed?

[The Standard American Diet (SAD) with high salt content actually is helping some people with adrenal burnout remain functional and yet they go undiagnosed… they manage to stay afloat, but in the long run, overall bad news]

Emotional Stress lowers progesterone levels. Hormonal evaluations are useful… Supplementing with DHEA helps repair adrenals. Some like to use Pregnenolone as it is a hormone precursor as it replenishes only what’s low.

Cortisone…Some use all-natural adrenal support rather than cortisone. Typical components of adrenal support and rejuvenation include B vitamins B2, B6, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin C, Adaptogenic herbals such as Eleuthrococcus, American Ginseng, Ashwaganda, Rhodiola, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and licorice root. Some use adrenal glandulars.

When adrenals are weak, some doctors like to use and monitor closely low-dose cortisone to help boost and regulate the body’s natural stores of cortisol which is the body’s natural anti-inflammatory. [Extensive topic for separate post.]

Lifestyle changes are required and daily help from relaxation and techniques recommended; absolute must is to remove reactive foods (stressors) from diet completely and permanently.

Yeast overgrowth is a common problem with adrenal issues so important to test and control.
B-vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and magnesium are nutrients very vulnerable to depletion by stress. Most all afibbers are deficient in magnesium and undoubtedly, other nutrients as well.

Stress Reduction:
Of specific value are the Guided Imagery and Affirmation CDs for specific health conditions offered by Belleruth Naparstek at Healthy Journeys . One CD especially effective for insomnia and adrenal burnout. (Resources]

Low adrenal function most often also indicates low thyroid function.

Visual Symptoms of low thyroid
Outer third eyebrows missing,
Wake up with headache and sluggish,
Dry skin, cuticles, toes,
Brittle nails, vertical ridges –
[Use Broda Barnes’ Thyroid/Temperature test to evaluate]

Lifestyle changes for Adrenal Health
Adrenal fatigue and burnout took a long time to manifest and when trying to develop a plan for healing, changes need to be made…permanent lifestyle changes…or you’ll crash again. Includes reassessing demands made on you by others.

Stress plus Anxiety is prevalent.
When you have to make more cortisol, the body produces less serotonin (the brain’s pleasure messenger).Cortisol up, adrenaline up, serotonin down. Drugs like SSRIs manipulate what little serotonin you have left. Nutritional interventions increase amount of serotonin available… 5HTP, glutamine, glycine, GABA increase serotonin. Using drugs such as Prozac doesn’t add serotonin, just re-circulates until there is not much left at all… that’s why people find it impossible to get off Prozac because they feel so bady. Have to restore serotonin.

Assessing Adrenal Function
Many FM MDs like the Adrenal Salivary Stress Profile (Genova) as an initial screening to evaluate if cortisol is being produced at inappropriate times or if at all. Others prefer the urine collection test as more definitive. In any event, you can’t guess… must test.

Stress/Gut Glutamine Utilization – Low Blood Sugar

To handle stress, body pulls glutamine from gut lining for a quick fix for low blood sugar (LBS)

Essential amino acid, Glutamine, gets completely and continually pulled out and causes problems with the intestinal villi where nutrients transfer to blood stream. Adding glutamine helps protect and rebuild. Good source of glutamine is un-denatured whey protein if you aren’t reactive to that. Restoring gut lining is a silent process but people note improved energy when blood sugar is balanced and if healthy enough, helps also to build lean muscle mass.

Suggestions – glutamine as bedtime snack to help prevent night-time awakening when blood sugar plummets and to preserve muscle mass. By the time people have sleep problems, they have lost their hunger mechanism and don’t realize the culprit is LBS. [Use tip for afibbers who experience events during sleep caused by LBS.]

Sometimes the only symptoms are very tired, very irritable, can’t focus, weepy… all low glucose.

Neurotransmitters & Brain Function.
[Another critical segment that requires a separate report]

Take the Brain Deficiency Survey from the Eric Braverman, MD, link [Resources] Results can indicate areas needing attention.
When the blood brain barrier becomes hyper-permeable (just like leaky gut syndrome) you get an over-expression of neurotransmitters, inflammation, circulatory problems, imbalances as in ANS imbalance…no good ways to measure other than what some chiropractors use.
Autonomic dysfunction is common but not always detected by cardiologists.

Remedies
Not intended be all-encompassing… rather a brief list of a few popular FM considerations for treatment.
There are many treatment plans and options by which to accomplish healing. These are just a few examples offered in these presentations.

Caveat
If you take medications, always research interactions before adding any new products.

• Keep your tissue pH alkaline… this relates directly to energy production and keeping your heart voltage/energy on an even keel. Eat an alkaline forming diet. Make and consume daily the original Waller Water recipe that does not add lemon juice.

• All of the chemical reactions in your body depend on the movement of electrons (voltage)… Every cell has its own battery pack – the cell membrane- that stores voltage and provides it to the cell as needed to keep it working. (Healing is Voltage- Tennant).

• When your tissues consistently run acidic, then you are unable to repair and make new cells. This affects every organ in the body and affects energy production.

• Take immediate steps to reduce stress levels… and include relaxation techniques such as meditation and non-stimulating exercises such as yoga, stretching.

• Eliminate, reduce or control exposure to EMFs and EMRs that disrupt body energy

• Focus on Sodium/Potassium intake ratios to ensure energy production and sustain voltage (Ref CR 72) … Especially critical for adrenal fatigue and adrenal function.

• Identify culprit foods (reactive) and eliminate completely forever

• Eliminate harmful levels of Candida (yeast)

• Detoxification protocols – Follow the classic 4R Protocol for Gut Repair and Health
with consideration to detoxing for heavy metals

• Eliminate or reduce significantly, environmental toxins…air, water, home, office, car

• Add digestive enzymes and betaine hydrochloride with meals; using organic apple cider vinegar with meals often resolves digestive problems quickly.

• Test if possible to refine targeted protocols

• Heal gut lining – Gut repair nutrients include among many options, L-glutamine, Aloe Vera Extract, N-Acetyl Glucosamine, Slippery Elm, Mucin, Marshmallow root, Okra Extract, Cat’s Claw, MSM, Quercetin, Zinc Carnosine

• Probiotics of high population and high quality to balance bowel flora. Also use Saccharomyces boulardii as general gut healer and specific to H.pylori eradication.

• Botanicals popularly used as natural antimicrobials – Tribulus Extract, Sweet Wormwood Extract, Berberine Sulfate, Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) Barberry Extract, Bearberry Extract, Black walnut Extract

•Nutrients known to assist with gut healing and health, immune response-- MSM, Glutamine, Vitamin D3, polyphenols (green tea), Resveratrol, Curcumin, Fish Oils, probiotics. High dose Curcumin highly anti-inflammatory and healing to gut.

• Specific Adrenal/Gut healing: use Tegricel Colostrum [Resources]

• Supplement with B vitamins, especially B12 – including B12 injections

• Obviously, adding the core nutrients for heart rhythm support

• Adrenal Support supplements - test when possible to determine targets

•Night-time awakening… Balanced snack two-hours before bedtime… with protein, complex carb and healthy fat and 1–2 grams glutamine if under 150 pounds, higher if weigh more. Eat consistently. Small mini-meals of protein, complex carb and healthy fat…Never go longer than 4 hours between meals so you can re-build adrenal function w/o causing more stress due to low blood glucose.

[Comment about Trace Minerals… An opinion by one of the speakers was that in many liquid “trace” mineral products, quite often obscure and toxic minerals are included and are said to be needed. … Arsenic is one that is commonly found in trace mineral products… There is no proof that minor, minor, minor trace amounts of minerals such as arsenic or aluminum belong in the body or are needed as daily supplements. To be optimally absorbed, minerals need to be in the chelated form which avoids breaking down in the stomach and forming other compounds that may not be easily absorbed or eliminated.]


References
Notes gleaned from 12 teleconferences related to digestive issues. I’m only listing three in the interest of space just to give an idea of the expertise and credentials of the participants – not listed in order of importance, authority or relevancy.


Monica Montag, MA, HHP, CN founder of Be Well Associates, is a Holistic Health Practitioner and a certified, licensed nutritionist and Process Acupressurist. For over 17 years, Monica has helped clients achieve optimal health through her practical and energetic approach to teaching lifestyle skills and providing therapies that guide her clients to better health and internal harmony. Pine Tree. She is Registered and Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition. The ‘HHP’ stands for Holistic Health Practitioner and the ‘CN’ for Certified Nutritionist. "Registered" and "Board Certified" mean that she has documented and demonstrated exceptional knowledge in the field of holistic nutrition through peer review and through passing rigorous examinations. Also, continuing education is an ongoing requirement of these designations. She is currently the instructor for a number of Employee Wellness Programs at the Pennsylvania State University and is on the faculty of the Mt. Nittany School of Natural Health, State College, PA.

Trent w. Nichols, M.D. is a board certified internist, nutritionist and gastroenterologist who is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Nutrition, and the American College of Gastroenterology. He additionally is an active physician/ scientist involved in pharmaceutical and nutritional research . He is a graduate of the University of Denver with a BS in Chemistry and the Northwestern University Medical School. His residency in internal medicine and gastroenterology fellowship was also at Northwestern University. He is a member of Jeffrey Blands' Health Comm Research Council. He has been in private practice in Hanover for over 20 years. He is also a coeditor and author of Optimal Digestion (currently out of print, but will be republished in a second edition), a Prescription for Inner Health, a new book published by Hearsh Publications.

Gerard E. Mullin, MD, MHS, CNSP, FACN is an internist, gastroenterologist and nutritionist who is the only physician in the USA board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for Gastroenterology, American Society of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, American College of Nutrition and the American Board of Nutrition Physician Specialist. He is presently director of Integrative Nutrition Services at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Mullin has become renowned nationally and internationally for his work on Integrative Gastroenterology and Nutrition. He has accumulated over 15 years of clinical experience in the field of Integrative Gastroenterology and has earned a master's degree in nutrition while in practice.

Dr. Mullin is an associate editor for the journal, Integrative Medicine: a Clinicians Journal. He is also recently been selected by Dr. Andrew Weil to serve as a senior editor for the first book for physicians on Integrative Gastroenterology by Oxford Press. He is President-Elect of the Maryland Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. His biography has been included in Marquis Who's Who in the World and in Marquis Who's Who in America numerous times. His contributions and discoveries have led to numerous awards and his continued selection as one of America's top physicians by Consumer's Research Council of America since 2004.


Resources

Anyone with Afib and GI problems should read these books. The Amazon website feature, Look Inside, allows a good preview of contents and often, quite large segments of text. Great way to become acquainted with the contents.

Healing is Voltage by Jerry Tennant, MD, © 2011 is the foundational reference to any and all digestive and energy complications and directly relates to all the problems and complaints mentioned by afibbers. This is your manual to understanding how to reverse your atrial fibrillation. Make it a priority to own, read and implement to restore your energy source.

Optimal Digestion – The Complete Guide by Trent Nichols, MD, who is not only an internist and nutritionist, but also an Integrative Gastroenterologist. My notes include many of his interview comments. The book is a collection of contributions from highly-respected experts in the field of Integrative Medicine. Choose the latest edition (2005) which reviewers say will still be current 50 years from now…it’s that progressive. You can order a used copy online for a few dollars plus shipping. I highly recommend owning this book if you have any of these digestive symptoms.

The Inside Tract – Your Good Gut Guide to Great Digestive Health by Gerard E. Mullin, MD (Jan 2011) Current and cutting edge, impressive information. Another must own a must-own reference for anyone suffering with GI problems. Dr. Mullen was asked to do a chapter in Andrew Weil’s book and the result is another book Integrative Gastroenterology by Gerard E. Mullin, MD.(July, 2011). outstanding source of contributions of various recognized experts. Be sure to view the contents online.

The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestine Michael D. Gershon, MD.(1998) The Gut has a mind of its own. From the back cover: The Second Brain represents a quantum leap in medical knowledge and is already benefiting patients whose symptoms were previously dismissed as neurotic or “it’s all in your head.”

Adrenal Fatigue –the 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James L Wilson, ND, DC, PhD
Forward by Jonathan V. Wright, MD. (C 2001) Often referenced by those working with adrenal fatigue patients as ‘reader friendly’ as an intro to adrenal problems.” Hormones secreted by adrenal glands influence all of the major physiological processes in your body.”

Patient Heal Thyself, Jordan S. Rubin, NMD, CNC, PhD
This extraordinary story about Dr. Rubin’s recovery from an incurable intestinal illness is “one of the most dramatic natural healing stories ever told.” Published 2003, this easy-to-read book covers a variety of ailments that have origins in GI dysfunction and is still highly informative ten years later. Great reader feedback on Amazon.com. www.patienthealthyself.net/

Following are must-read links for anyone with digestive complaints:

Alkalinity, Healing, pH and Voltage - The Inside Story
[www.afibbers.org]

Potassium/Sodium Ratios in Atrial Fibrillation
[www.afibbers.org]

The Importance of Stomach Acid
[www.afibbers.org]

Nutrient Absorption, GI Interference, SIBO, Biofilm & Atrial Fibrillation
[www.afibbers.org]

LAF, GERD & Diaphragm Displacement
[www.afibbers.org]

No More Heartburn
[www.afibbers.org]

GERD, Heartburn, Immunity – importance of zinc
[www.afibbers.org]

Dangerous Grains - The Gluten Sensitivity Conundrum
[www.afibbers.org]

Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allergies & chronic illness
[www.afibbers.org]

H.pylori & AF
[www.afibbers.org]

H.pylori eradicated by natural means
[www.afibbers.org]

Soy and AF
Mentioned in a post December, 2012… Soy May Cause AF
[www.afibbers.org]

The Whole Soy Story by Kaayla Daniel, PhD, CCN
[www.thewholesoystory.com]

This link says 60 years of studies relate soy to thyroid problems including Hashimotos.
[www.westonaprice.org]

Nutrient Absorption, GI Interference, SIBO, Biofilm & Atrial Fibrillation
[www.afibbers.org]

Probiotics & Wheat Sensitivities
[www.afibbers.org]

Brain Deficiency Survey – Eric Braverman, MD.
[www.healthilluminationproducts.com]
(It’s the center page column)

Guided Imagery CDs Belleruth Naperstack.
[www.healthjourneys.com]

Tegricel Colostrum – Writeup
[www.rockwellnutrition.com]

Probiotics – Steve Farber – Guide to Use of Probiotics
[www.gastroendonews.com]
[www.probioticsvideo.com]

4-R GI Health Program
[www.huffingtonpost.com]

Digestive Disorders affect 100 million people
[www.lef.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2013 09:57AM by Jackie.

Thank you for this brilliant effort, Jackie. As usual keeping us well informed.

I read somewhere that Ayurvedic medicine functions on the basis that the majority of ailments originate from digestive issues.

Warmest,
Po Ra

Thank you for this posting. I have always believed my afib was gut related. This gives me reason to think my thoughts are correct.

Thank you Jackie. Wonderful information!

Wow, Thank You Jackie. I printed it and will study.

Thank you Jackie for another of your amazing reports, representing months of research and work. It gives us all much to ponder over, and important information to use in our ongoing efforts to understand what leads to Afib.

Louise

Jackie,
Louise is spot on in recognizing how much you give to help others be informed. Thank you.

Ditto that.

PeggyM

Jackie, what would we do without you? I have had GERD for 9 months since my ablation on April 4th. Your information is much appreciated.

Jim

Jackie,

Thanks so much for this extensive report. So much information--it makes my head spin. Where to start in applying it for my own stomach/esophagus burning???

Regarding glutamate, Dr. Russell Blaylock in his October 2005 newsletter says, "Insomnia is a growing problem and I think it is due to many factors — mainly the widespread use of fluoride, aspartame and glutamate-containing foods such as MSG. All three of these inhibit the pineal
gland’s release of melatonin, which is the “sleep hormone” released at bedtime." In other newsletters, he explains that glutamate is an excitotoxin that overstimulates the brain causing disease, and that all forms of it should be avoided, including protein drinks. My nutritionist agrees and told me to stop taking Glutagenics, a product to heal leaky gut, because it contains glutamine. So there are many different opinions on some of these topics. Who to believe???

Dr. Blaylock also says that liquids should be drunk at meals to help form saliva to break down food into smaller pieces while chewing. My nutritionist disagrees, so I've stopped all liquids 20 minutes before a meal and one-half hour after. So far, stopping the liquids hasn't helped my stomach burning.

To heal gastritis and ulcers and prevent cancer due to acid reflux, Blaylock recommends 250 mgs. quercetin, hespiridin, and curcumin dissolved in 1 tps. olive oil and 1/4 tsp. vitamin E. He also recommends 2 DGL capsules 20 minutes before each meal and 2 at bedtime.

My nutritionist recently found two research studies showing that melatonin can reduce acid reflux. In one study, participants took 3 mgs. of melatonin at bedtime. In another study, participants took 6mgs. of melatonin, some trytophan, and some B vitamins. The studies lasted 4-6 weeks but didn't say how long it took for results to be seen. So I'm trying the 3 mgs. at bedtime. Will let you know if it helps.

Nancy M.

I was very surprised to read that one may never fully recover from a c.diff. infection, and may continue to have what is described as a PI-IBS state thereafter, making one susceptible to other gut infections, I hope you don't mind that I posted a link to here on our celiac forum, because many celiacs (and I count myself among them) have developed a very healthy skepticism to the IBS diagnosis in any shape or form, having been told (incorrectly) for so long that what we had was IBS rather than celiac disease. Some of us have been postulating we could have both. But the MD's are way behind us on this. Many celiacs continue to suffer from gut dysbiosis despite their best efforts to recover and this may well be the reason, as so many of us have been treated for c.diff..

There has never been any doubt in my mind that my afib came from my gut and the vagus nerve.

Mailman...Jim... let me know after you've studied this report, if I can help steer you to some refinements... just send me an email.
Happy to help.

Jackie

Thanks Nancy - I wish you success. There is a lot to the glutamine issue that is not included. Glutamine is essential as indicated... but the glutamate factor is dicey when it comes to excitotoxicity and is another issue entirely.

I disagree with Dr. Blaylock on the adding liquids to chewing... if you each bite long enough, the natural production of saliva provides all the liquid one needs to swallow. Diluting foods with liquids is counterproductive and enables people to swallow larger chunks than they should.

Please let us know your progress and what works for you. Everyone is different and everyone benefits when we share our experiences.

Best to you,
Jackie

Neroli.B - I don't mind at all that you posted about the PI-IBS.... the information is on the internet... but this specific comment came from Dr. Nichols who says he has it himself and related his eperiences. There have been a few afibbers who have not been able to manage their ongoing IBS successfully so I definitely 'perked up' when I heard his comment. I

On Celiac... if you haven't read the post on Dangerous Grains - The Gluten Conundrum listed in References... be sure you do because the info came from one of the celiac experts, Tom O'Bryan who lectures across the US on the reasons why Celiac's don't make progress and often it is associated with the cross-reactive foods mentioned along with the definitive testing that needs to be done for Celiac's. Also do a Google search on Tom OBryan Gluten Conundrum... there are some presentations there that should be informative.

I agree with your assessment on AF and GI association... and it's so unfortunate that people seeking AF help are seldom evaluated for that potential as a connection unless they see a practitioner who has the extended education dealing with functional or holistic approaches to healing.

Be well,
Jackie

Jackie:
Thank you for that piece; my gut has not been happy for some time now. It is going to the printer and then onto the nightstand.

Murray L

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tikosyn uptake Dec 2011 500ug b.i.d. NSR since!
Herein lies opinion, not professional advice, which all are well advised to seek.

Thanks Jackie! I just started on the super enzymes you suggested. Most of my meals have protein and fat, so they should help me digest my food better. I eat way too fast, so I am trying to slow down and chew more. I am trying to cut out caffeine and milk also. My wife won't cook without cheese, so I can't cut all dairy. Also, read an article on TODAY.com by Leo Galland, M.D. (a leader of nutritional medicine). For GERD patients to tighten the LES valve, he recommended calcium citrate powder and digestive enzymes. I have ordered the calcium citrate powder also, but am currently going back to drinking water with lemon for meals. I am trying to do all this gradually, to see what works and what doesn't. I got off to a bad start on the super enzymes yesterday. One got lodged in my esophagus and before I could flush it down with water it dissolved. Talk about a burn! I made sure after that to drink plenty of water to wash it down into the stomach quickly. It has already cut down on a lot of the bloating I was getting after meals.

To get back on topic (AFI, I never had heartburn/acid reflux before my ablation. Immediately after, I had heartburn and thought it would go away. It didn't. My EP blamed it on the Pradaxa that I was taking prior to the ablation. I don't think so, since I had taken it for 3 months prior to the ablation, with no problem. My guess is that when he did the PVI, he got a little too close to the esophagus. I have been over 9 months AFIB free, so I can't complain, but it is a pain, pun intended. I took nexium and zantac for quite a while with only short term results. I was afraid to continue on them long term. Finally, went to a Gastroenterologist to see if I had an ulcer. He could not find one and I was negative for h. pylori, so I am back to square one. Appreciate your help.

Jim



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2013 07:26PM by mailman52.

Jackie,
Not sure if this link has ever been posted re article on heartburn in WSJ. I just saw this story for the first time. Interesting that it references the role of stress.

[online.wsj.com]

Thanks, Tibbar... that report just points out the conundrum that so many GI doctors face... and why the Functional Medicine GI docs are really on the cutting edge of treatment plans that go beyond the typical array of drugs.

The book I referenced by Dr. Nichols (Optimal Digestion) is a collection of treatment options contributed by experts coming from a variety of backgrounds but all treating with an eye for what's going on overall in the patient's body... especially with enzymes, digestion, food intake, food sensitivities. We don't don't often see any of that mentioned in articles such as that in the WSJ but that piece does point out the magnitude of the Gut Ailment problem that is even affecting young children.

Dr. Nichols' book has 52 chapters with a special segment devoted to treatment options for specific conditions. Each contribution offers the clinicians' insights and experiences in going about treating the variety of digestive complaints that seem to be so prevalent today. (614 pages).

Jackie

Jackie,
Yes, I found Nichol's book in your resources/references section of your report. Ordering it from Amazon tonight. Your other referenced look very helpful as well.
THANK YOU!

Just rereading this topic and came across an area that I am having problems with, and maybe others are too--"Eat an alkaline forming diet." How does one do this while staying low carb and eating animal protein at each meal? Just eating veggies and animal protein doesn't seem to fill me up unless I eat a large amount of animal protein, which tilts the scale to acidic. My doctor has me on a four day rotation diet using chicken, turkey, salmon, and beef. I can substitute eggs when I want. To this I add one or two veggies at each meal (these are rotated too--things like kale, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, celery, carrot, zucchini, cucumber, romaine, arugula, etc.) Then I add 1/2 c of cooked quinoa, amaranth, millet, or rice at each meal. For a snack I have 1/2 of a granny smith apple (good for preventing candida) and a handful of nuts--walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, or almonds or a slice of yogurt cheese. I was allowed 150 carbs per day but now I am supposed to try to stay closer to 100 carbs. That means eating even more animal protein, which means being even more acidic, esp. when I eat beef???

I'd appreciate suggestions for low carb/high protein diets that work for others which are alkaline forming.

Thanks much,
Nancy M.

Nancy - those insulin experts indicate that their eating plans.. (I dislike the word "diet".).. focus on an abundance of healthy fat to control the insulin surge that causes hunger not long after eating. I recall that my own FM MD said in a presentation that she advises adding olive oil to vegetables to help slow down the carb metabolism and also lend to satiety.

Do a search in past posts relating to the work of Ron Rosedale, MD, one of the best known Metabolic Docs . He refers to his eating plan as a high (healthy) fat diet. You'll note that he would say that your plan is way too high in carbs... since the body has no requirement for adding them. The focus of healthy eating according to Dr. Rosedale is to get the body to burn fat a fuel thereby eliminating the risk of causing metabolic problems with glucose, insulin and the threat of diabetes.

The chart I have indicates olive oil is just slightly alkaline at 4.5.
Other oils are neutral at 4.0.
Organic butter is neutral at 4.0
Ripe olives are 5.0 - just get the low salt version

Jackie

Thanks, Jackie. I will look at the Ron Rosedale, MD past posts. I know I have read some of them and thought he was rather extreme, esp. after reading endocrinologist Diana Schwarzbein's book where she says, "Putting your body into ketosis is never a good thing", p.95 of The Schwarzbein Principle II. She believes that 1/3 of your plate should be protein, 1/3 a real carb (fruit, whole grain, legume, or starchy vegetable), and 1/3 nonstarchy vegetable. She says to never eat a protein alone (which my doctor tells me to do for a snack) without a carb as "eating a protein alone triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol; ironically this will cause you to use up your biochemicals instead of rebuild them." p. 228. This makes sense to me and is what I have been trying to do in my eating plan, but my fasting glucose level is too high.

I do use olive oil on my veggies and coconut oil on my grains at every meal. Sometimes I add organic butter instead. In fact, I thought maybe my indigestion was stemming from the fact that I am eating too much oil!

I recently read a research article that said that diabetics who have insomnia have higher glucose levels than those who get good sleep. Since I have insomnia, I'm wondering if my glucose will continue to be a problem until I can begin to sleep better. I know when I only get 3 hrs. sleep I am much hungrier during the day than if I can get 5 hrs. sleep.

Thanks much.
Nancy M.

Nancy - if there is one thing I've learned in a saga of over 20 years trying to find solutions to health issues that were not solved by mainstream medicine is that for every book or idea or instructions... there are other opinions that are directly contradictory. Because of my battle with Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance along with Adrenal Burnout and hypothryroidism, I've learned to glean out the most useful tips from the various experts... The Schwarzbein book describes the overall dilemma that comes from the unremitting stress factor... but her diet did not fit with what my body needed for recovery. I relied more on Rosedale for that and it worked supremely well.. both for the glucose issue and the adrenal burnout reversal. The thyroid is still a work in progress but I'm making significant strides with some important changes in that area as well.

Low glucose is typically what drives insomnia because low blood glucose activates adrenaline ...the body's job is to protect the brain at all costs... and the brain needs glucose to function... therefore when the blood levels get too low, it sets off an alarm or alert to do something to protect the brain and get glucose into cells... therefore... if you're sleeping, the adrenaline surge or alert...keeps you awake. Diabetics with uncontrolled glucose levels have a myriad of other problems that could contribute to sleep issues but typically, they are sluggish and sleepy with too much serum glucose.

I hope that soon you are able to land on an eating plan that keeps you in an even metabolic state so you can start to see real progress. Unfortunately, sometimes the road to reach that status is bumpy. As for digestion, the emphasis needs to be what digestive enzymes are present to handle whatever food combination is coming in... when you add more fat to the diet, then you have to be sure you can produce lipase or else add it. That's why a really complete multi type digestive enzyme is important to use with every meal and snack. Bile production is often a culprit; therefore a supplement that contains bile can be very useful for some individuals.

One combo that I found most effective was from iHerb... Source Naturals... Daily Essential Enzymes... to which I added the NOW brand Super Enzymes with all protein-containing snacks or meals. I had tried many of the professional grade products that were more costly but none worked as well as the combo from iHerb.

Jackie

"He refers to his eating plan as a high (healthy) fat diet." I don't recall what Dr. Rosedale thought was healthy, but in my case it is almost all naturally saturated fat from meats, coconut & MCT oil, ghee or butter. A little mono saturated and some omega 3's. I try to severely limit omega 6's as they are pro-inflammatory. I strive for about 80% of my calories from fat and 15% from protein. I personally think Schwarzbein's comment about never being in ketosis is very far off base. Ketones are a preferred fuel for the brain and heart. I spend most of my time in ketosis and have for years.

As to performance, being keto-adapted allows me access to an almost unlimited energy source - the fat/ketone combination. It relieves me of the need to eat at any particular time, even if exercising heavily.

For many years, I tried the current dogma eating plan - low fat, high carb and vegetable sources of protein. The difference in performance now is startling. So much so that my 26 year old friend says none of his age-peers can match my performance (I'm 57) and that I am the only one of his friends that can keep up. That being said, being sensitive to chronic endurance exercise being correlated with afib, I avoid endurance training and activities (for example, I alpine ski the steeps vs. cross country skiing).

A high-protein diet can be a cause of higher levels of ketones in the body. The body can use these ketones as fuel for working of some of the body organs but the brain and nervous system, run only on glucose. In such cases, the body tries to get glucose by breaking down the protein within the body which is there in the form of food and muscle. This again increases the level of ketones in the body, giving rise to a condition called ketosis. To reduce the irritation caused due to increased levels of ketones, the kidneys will increase urinary output, resulting in frequent urination. It is therefore necessary that individuals with kidney disease should consult a physician before opting for a high-protein diet.
Read more at Buzzle: [www.buzzle.com]

Ketosis can also cause heart palpatations.

Liz

George - I agree. with your comments about Schwarzbein...Many doctors are paranoid about Ketosis and there is a lot of misinformation casually posted on the internet about Ketosis that is not based on metabolic science. I use Dr. Schwarzbein's book as a reference and overview about what contributes to adrenal burnout and how to repair... her eating plan may work for some but your plan and the Rosedale plan have excellent results. As you point out, the Omega 6's intake is out of control and contributory to many health ailments. Nothing speaks more for success than a testimonial such as yours and others with similar diets that eliminate carbs almost completely. The main concern with high acid-ash dietary intake is making sure the tissue pH remains alkaline otherwise, an acidic body eventually becomes a sick body.

Liz - Be sure you go back and review GeorgeN's many posts on his success in managing his AF by the ketosis method... He references the protocols in the book by Richard Bernstein, MD..... The focus is to get the body to burn fat as a fuel for the brain instead of glucose and when that's accomplished, it's highly effective...AND healthy... assuming one can maintain an alkaline tissue pH.

Jackie

Liz,

Actually a high protein diet will not cause ketosis, in fact, the reverse - it will prevent it. Excess protein is converted to glucose and will keep someone out of ketosis. A ketotic diet is high fat with sufficient, not excess protein. Adding protein to a ketotic diet will stop the ketosis. I've proved it myself and is well documented in others. Calorically, a ketotic diet is generally around 15% protein, but it is the lack of carbs that triggers ketosis. Of course this is individual, but generally lower than 50 g carbs/day will be ketotic. Ketones are actually a product of fat metabolism and exist only in a low insulin environment (and you don't get low insulin in a carby environment).

As to increased urinary output, this is also false. In fact the reverse is true. When I'm in ketosis, I require much less water and also excrete much less water. This is also well documented in others. In my case I can ski hard all day at 12,000' (generally considered dehydrating) and not consume water and not urinate (nor stop nor eat). At the end of the day, my urine color is a very pale yellow, indicating I'm not dehydrated. My ski patroller friends tell me if they get a patient that is hypothermic and they want to feed them glucose, they must first feed them water or they won't process the glucose.

I've never had ketosis cause heart palpitations. I have had low blood sugar, as an aftereffect of eating carbs, cause palpitations.

Most of the negative you read on ketosis is really about ketoacidosis. This is a condition that can occur in an insulin dependent diabetic. It is caused by a lack of insulin and is generally characterized by high levels of serum glucose and high levels of ketones. The situation is caused because even though there is glucose in the system, it can't get into the cells without insulin, therefore the body makes ketones to survive. From the cell's perspective, it is a starvation situation, even though there is plenty of glucose around. Ketoacidosis does not occur in someone with a normal pancreas.

George:

We can find many articles and doctors on the net to bolster our beliefs, there are all kinds of books and experts out there as well, which are used as gospel here. Since my brothers death, I have gotten his mail and I am shocked at the amount of mail coming from vitamin companies, doctors pictured with their white coats boasting of their many vitamins and elixers promising a cure for everything, I get about 6 such mailings a day. I have come to doubt all of these experts with their books and this diet and that diet, afterall they are making money, aren't they.

There is a local health food store that I have gone to for many, many years, I have known the father and then the son running the store, I am sure the son (Don), lived as healthy a life style as he thought possible with all of the supplements he was taking etc., yet he died 2 weeks ago of cancer at the age of 61, what good did it do him.

I have come to the conclusion that a diet consisting of lots of vegetable, fruits, some carbs, and good protein (not lots of fat), lots of exercise, growing as much of your food as possible is the way to go. I believe you are on a fad diet, that is my opinion and others can form their own,

Liz

Liz,

I would not throw darts at a real food diet, such as you are eating.

I ate such a diet for many years. It was testing with a glucometer after eating different foods that convinced me it was not optimal for me. I found that many "healthy" foods of vegetable origin caused what I considered an unacceptable spike in blood sugar. It was difficult to eat that way and not cause a blood sugar spike. My spikes would not be considered "bad" by standard medical protocol. I am of the opinion that standard protocol is way too generous on what is allowable in terms of serum glucose and that even modest hyperglycemia and the associated levels of insulin are behind much of aging.

In simple terms, if you look at the risks for chronic disease, they all increase markedly for type II diabetics. It is my opinion that we are all on the same path for these diseases only that the diabetics are on a faster version. If you look at metrics for HbA1C scores, you'll note that heart disease starts increasing at levels starting at 5 (diabetes is considered at a level of 7). An A1C level of 4.6 is estimated to be an average serum glucose level of 85 mg/dl. A level of 5 is an average of 97 mg/dl, an 7 is an average of 154 mg/dl. If you had a test result of an A1C level of 5, I'm sure your doc would say you are very healthy.

When I eat a diet that is primarily non-starchy veggies, naturally saturated fat and modest protein, my blood sugar metrics are stellar. In addition I have more energy than most I know of any age. It is insulin that is the culprit and keeping insulin levels low has many benefits. Obviously we can't live without it, but an environment where we are very sensitive to insulin is optimal, in my opinion. This doesn't mean I think a keto diet is optimal for everyone, but one that is modestly low in carbs and devoid of processed ones has benefits. I'm guessing the diet you describe is not that carby as compared to the SAD eating plan.

George

Jackie,

In regard to "Low glucose is typically what drives insomnia because low blood glucose activates adrenaline ...the body's job is to protect the brain at all costs... and the brain needs glucose to function... therefore when the blood levels get too low, it sets off an alarm or alert to do something to protect the brain and get glucose into cells... therefore... if you're sleeping, the adrenaline surge or alert...keeps you awake." What would a low glucose level range be? My fasting glucose level at 8AM was 96, which is high, so wouldn't that show I wasn't hypoglycemic?

I went to an endocrinologist who had me do glucose testing whenever I felt light-headed during the day or woke up at night. After looking at my readings, he said I was not hypoglycemic despite the fact that I woke up hungry at 2AM or so. I would usually have a snack of 1/2 cup low sodium v-8 juice and a handful of almonds around 9:30PM to try to prevent waking up at 2AM, but it didn't work. Maybe I was eating the wrong thing. Since I've been on Dr. E's eating plan, where she does not allow me to eat anything after dinner, I have slept better most nights. I finish dinner around 7:30PM and go to bed by 10:30PM and normally fall asleep by 11PM or before (with lots of help from melatonin, Mirtazapine, and progesterone). Then I wake up usually between 3 or 4AM and can't get back to sleep though I don't feel hungry until 6AM or later and often don't eat until 7:30 or so. Perhaps it's that the melatonin, Mirtazapine, and progesterone effects have worn off. Also, my body tissue is not absorbing my minerals even though I have plenty in my blood. That's why I'm using transdermal magnesium at night to try to get past my digestion problem that seems to be preventing me from absorbing correctly.

A couple nights ago, I ate a light dinner at 6PM to get to a Bible study at 7PM. By 9:30PM I was hungry so I had my old v-8 juice and almonds snack. That was a disaster!! I didn't fall asleep until after 1AM and woke up at 4AM so I only got 3 hrs. sleep! Again, maybe this was the wrong snack but I've tried eating turkey or yogurt and that didn't work either. I have daily food charts that I keep and have tried finding some rhyme or reason to when I sleep a rare 6 hrs. and when I get only 3 hrs. and haven't found a connection. I can work out in the fresh air in the garden for several hours and think that I'll surely sleep well that night and only get 3 hrs. sleep.

A fellow insomniac said one's vitamin D level and K2 were the key to sleeping. He suggested only taking 3 drops (3000) of liquid vit D at breakfast and 1 drop (1000IU)vit D with 120 mcg of K2 at dinner. I did this and then got a cold, so upped my vit. D to 10000IU and didn't sleep well. I reduced it again and now am getting a cold again, so upped it to 10000 again. Can't seem to win this one!!

Thanks all for your eating plan discussions.

George and Jackie, would it be possible to ask you for some samples of your daily eating plan, including meals and snacks? Or could you recommend a book that has some sample plans that match yours?

I made some WW yesterday and started drinking it last night. I also decided to start taking some Buffer pH capsules to bring my pH up until I adjust my diet to do a better job of alkalizing.

Thanks much,
Nancy M.

Nancy:

Why don't you try some protein and a carb, maybe a sandwhich made from either dark rye or gluetin free bread, you might sleep better--tomato juice and a few nuts don't cut it. I think in todays world a lot of us have sleeping problems sometimes. My husband was a diabetic, didn't always eat right, but when he hit the pillow he was out, he had no sleeping problems. I believe some of us have problems turning our minds off when we go to bed.

Also, we all have different Bio-makeup what works for one doesn't always work for the other person--

Liz

Nancy:

If the PH of the body gets too low (below 7.4) a condition know as acidosis results--if the PH drops below 6.8 or rises above 7.8, death may occur. Fortunately, we have buffers in the blood to protect against large changes in PH.

Homeostatis--In order to maintain the proper chemical composition inside the cell, the composition of the fluids outside the cells must be kept relatively constant, this consitancy is known in biology as homeostasis.

The body has a wide array of mechanisms to maintain homeostasis in the blood and extracellular fluid, the kidneys and lungs work together to maintain a blood PH of 7.4. PH levels remain constant by Homeostasis, if a drop in PH occurs you would be dead.

Liz

Refocusing on the topic of this thread.. The Gut Connection to AF.

Interferences in the digestion or metabolism of foods result in a variety of adverse health effects…not the least of which can be AF… and for a number of reasons.

Every clinician treating gut issues acknowledges this is a highly-individualized diagnostic and treatment process which typically requires testing to identify nutrient deficiencies, metabolic imbalances and other common gut pathogens.

One could have an ideal diet but if nutrients aren’t made available or can’t access the blood stream or enter the inside target cells because of interferences, then that diet does nothing to ensure health. Thus, the common and fundamental reminder…. “Heal the gut; heal the patient.” (So it makes sense to look there first.)

As initially indicated in the Introduction, there are many, many factors that influence gut health and cause gut disturbances. The sleuthing out of the “what and why” is often fairly straight-forward; other times, it’s much more involved but until those influences are identified and resolved, many other symptoms will persist… certainly not limited to, but including, arrhythmia.

The bottom line on food intake and the metabolic result is whether it leaves body tissues in an alkaline or acidic status. Alkaline, supporting energy production, ability to make new cells and keep the body in a state of health. Acidic, produces a decreased ability to energize the system and supports disease states. When we have too much acidic waste in the body, that supports a variety of adverse health conditions.

Jackie

Nancy,

First, let me address your fasting blood sugar. Your fasting blood sugar can be fairly high and you could still have had a drop during the night. There is a phenomena known as the "dawn effect." Early in the morning, say 4 or 5 AM, your liver starts producing glycogen (glucose) to get your body ready for the day. Your fasting blood sugar is indicative as to how well your pancreas handles this glycogen increase. When I first started sampling my blood sugar, I'd notice that many times my fasting blood sugar was higher than the reading before bed. Since I hadn't eaten since dinner, this was puzzling to me.

Later I learned that if I ate very strictly low carb the day before, my fasting blood sugar would be very normal (below 85). However if I ate a carby diet the day before, my fasting blood sugar would be higher. In fact, I found I could make read like I was pre-diabetic like 115 mg/dl or normal like 80 mg/dl or someplace in between, depending upon how I ate the day before.

This was very curious to me. My explanation is this: my pancreas is not functioning perfectly. It does not have enough ongoing insulin making capacity to handle the dawn effect perfectly. However, if I eat a very low carb diet, not much insulin is required during the day. The excess is stored and is available for use to handle the dawn effect. There is a two phase insulin response - the first is using stored insulin.

Being keto adapted gives me an extra energy source and makes eating at any particular time optional. I can easily fast for 24 or 36 hours without effort or discomfort and can also exercise heavily during the fast without any diminution of performance. That being said, if I eat carby, I can still get night-time hypoglycemia. For example, I was traveling with my girlfriend and she was habitually snacking on tortilla chips. I started in on those and noticed I'd wake up hot and sweating in the middle of the night (a sign of hypoglycemia). In CR 73 [www.afibbers.org] , I describe the case of a friend who gets adrenergic PAC's when she exercises, if she eats too many carbs. In fact, a low (normal) fasting blood sugar will predict few PAC's during exercise and a high fasting blood sugar many PAC's during exercise. Her PAC's are numerous enough to impact her ability to exercise. This effect continues till now.

My diet is pretty simple. I generally only eat twice a day - no lunch since becoming keto-adapted. I also will do 24 hour fasts fairly often. In the evening, I usually eat a half pound of fatty meat, with a lot of added fat, such as butter, coconut oil or ghee. I eat non-starchy veggies with this. In the morning, I'll eat six eggs, again with a lot of added fat. Today it was 1/2 stick of butter. Looking quantitatively, you'd like to get at least 1 gm protein for every kg of body weight, but no more than 1.25 gm/kg (there are 2.2 pounds per kg, so divide your weight by 2.2 to get weight in kg). I try to keep carbs below 50 gm/day and make fat 80% of my diet calorically. This diet will freak out most docs as it goes completely against the grain of the high carb/low fat prescription of the day. I will sometimes add more carbs in, like greek yogurt with cinnamon, vanilla and some whey protein powder and blueberries, for a sweet treat. Also, sometimes some nuts. Compared to normal, I'm still pretty low carb, just not in ketosis. I make sure I am very strict enough that I don't un-keto adapt. It generally takes a few weeks of strict low carb to get keto-adapted. I'm not sure how long it would take to un-adapt and I don't really want to find out. I've been adapted for a number of years now.

A note. Low levels of insulin signal the kidney to excrete sodium. The state of the art advice is that if you eat less than 50 gm carbs/day, you should supplement with 2g/sodium/day. Jackie and Erling refer to Dr. Richard Moore's book on blood pressure [www.amazon.com] In it, he prescribes a diet with a 4:1 ratio of potassium to sodium on intake as this signals the kidney to excrete sodium. He also mentions throughout the book how high insulin levels signal the kidney to conserve (store) sodium. Curiously, his diet recommendations are those that promote high insulin levels as they are about 70% carbs. In any case, I do not recommend being on a restricted sodium diet if you drop your carbs below 50gm/day. Your system will not be happy.

For background on low carb diets and ketosis, here are some references:

This doctor's blog is worth reading through
[eatingacademy.com]

[www.amazon.com]
[www.amazon.com]
The shorter version of the above book: [www.amazon.com]

Bernstein's approach to diabetes: [www.diabetes-book.com]
Rosedale's site & book: [drrosedale.com] [www.amazon.com]
Latest Atkins [www.amazon.com]
Old Atkins [www.amazon.com]
This link is to an interview with Stephen D. Phinney MD, PhD on Ketogenic diets & exercise, below is a link to one of Dr. Phinney's paper's on the same topic. This was done a few years ago. Phinney is a co-author of the new Atkins book above. The you can listen to or download the interview here:
[hoe.kgnu.net]
The paper is here:
[www.nutritionandmetabolism.com]
An old, but interesting paper on ketone metabolism is here: [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] This includes an observation that hibernating bears are in ketosis and conserve nitrogen, therefore urinating very little.
[www.ajcn.org]
[www.proteinpower.com]
[www.proteinpower.com] <[www.proteinpower.com]; <[www.proteinpower.com] [www.bodyrecomposition.com];

George

Jackie,

In response to "As for digestion, the emphasis needs to be what digestive enzymes are present to handle whatever food combination is coming in... when you add more fat to the diet, then you have to be sure you can produce lipase or else add it. That's why a really complete multi type digestive enzyme is important to use with every meal and snack. Bile production is often a culprit; therefore a supplement that contains bile can be very useful for some individuals.

One combo that I found most effective was from iHerb... Source Naturals... Daily Essential Enzymes... to which I added the NOW brand Super Enzymes with all protein-containing snacks or meals. I had tried many of the professional grade products that were more costly but none worked as well as the combo from iHerb.",

I went to my nutritionist's office on Thursday and bought Betaine HCL 496 mgs. I am using one of these and two Digestzyme at every meal and one Digestzyme at every snack. The Ortho Digestzyme does contain 120 mgs. of Ox Bile Extract (along with a bunch of other ingredients listed in an above post). So far, the burning is much better but not completely gone, esp. after my snacks so maybe I need a second Digestzyme. I will try this for a few more days before deciding whether to buy the Source Naturals and NOW enzymes above.

Thanks again for all your help.

Nancy M.

George,

In response to "First, let me address your fasting blood sugar. Your fasting blood sugar can be fairly high and you could still have had a drop during the night. There is a phenomena known as the "dawn effect." Early in the morning, say 4 or 5 AM, your liver starts producing glycogen (glucose) to get your body ready for the day. Your fasting blood sugar is indicative as to how well your pancreas handles this glycogen increase. When I first started sampling my blood sugar, I'd notice that many times my fasting blood sugar was higher than the reading before bed. Since I hadn't eaten since dinner, this was puzzling to me.", this really helped me understand what is happening to me when I wake up at 3 or 4AM and can't get back to sleep (which is usually). My nutritionist told me to eat a snack at bedtime that contains carb, fat, and protein, like apple and peanut butter, but this seems to just wake me up and I can't fall asleep for a couple hours and then I still wake up at 3 or 4AM. Maybe my pancrease is weak and just can't handle this.

Thank you for all the follow-up websites on this topic. I obviously have much to learn. It will take me some time to plow through these, so will most likely have some further questions later.

Nancy M.

Nancy - Good that the enzymes are helping ...as advertised. You'll have to experiment as to how much of the betaine you need and typically, that depends on how much protein and fat you consume. I think the ox bile helps significantly as well.

The topic of your blood glucose management deserves a separate thread... this information is important for other afibbers to understand and it will get burried here in the Gut thread. I'd like to see you bring that forward along with George's input in a separate thread so we others can follow there.

In those who have consumed high carb diets for many years, the tendency to have glucose handling impairment is highly prevalent. and many stages of prediabetes exist. Now there is Type 3 diabetes that the FM clinicians are addressing... and the testing for other markers including adeponectin are often not used which are important in early screenings. Once the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin, or if insulin resistance is present, then there are specific protocols to help reverse that so the person doesn't progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes. Diet and exercise are the fundamentals but appropriate testing tells you the areas that most need immediate focus.

Jackie

Nancy,

I also don't recommend a "hard start" to a very low carb diet for an afibber. Because low insulin levels can signal the kidney to excrete sodium, sodium supplementation is necessary as well as potassium and magnesium. For an afibber wanting to try this approach, I'd suggest slowly lowering carb levels and letting the body adjust.

George

What you may not know about stomach acid

Observations by Dr. Baroody (Alkalize or Die)

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
* Is essential for life
* Is the only acid our body produces – other acids are by-products of metabolic processes and are eliminated quickly
* The decline of HCl begins around age 40 – sometimes sooner – even seen in infants

* Keeps us alive by maintaining proper acid/alkaline balance
* Without adequate HCl, vitamin B 12 and folic acid from food sources can’t be absorbed

* When HCl is balanced in the stomach, the alkaline hormone (secretin) is released from the pancreas in precise amounts. Secretin causes the pancreas to produce abundant amounts of highly-concentrated (alkaline) bicarbonate fluid required for appropriate pH to assist pancreatic enzyme function.

*Low HCl lowers production of cholecystokinin, the hormone produced in the small intestine. which signals the gall bladder to release bile which disperses fat globules. Without proper bile output, there is dramatic interference in nutrient absorption, assimilation and distribution.

*Low hydrochloric acid causes mineral imbalances and critical for afibbers,
Potassium deficiency – critical for heartbeat and function of posterior spinal nerves.
Posterior spinal nerves are seen in cancerous growths associated with low potassium levels.

Dr. Baroody says…”Potassium chloride in the gastric cells of the stomach appear to be the major source of hydrochloric acid formation in the gastric juice. Therefore, it is my opinion, a lack of potassium signals a direct insufficiency of HCl formation with all of its debilitating symptoms.”

Alkalize or Die – Superior Health Through Proper Alkaline-Acid Balance
Theodore Baroody, MA, ND, DC, PhD Nutrition, CNC, Dipl. Acupuncture (I.A.M.A.), Fellow (A.S.A.)
(C1991)
Website [www.holographichealth.com]

Jackie,

In reference to, "Low hydrochloric acid causes mineral imbalances and critical for afibbers,
Potassium deficiency – critical for heartbeat and function of posterior spinal nerves.
Posterior spinal nerves are seen in cancerous growths associated with low potassium levels.

Dr. Baroody says…”Potassium chloride in the gastric cells of the stomach appear to be the major source of hydrochloric acid formation in the gastric juice. Therefore, it is my opinion, a lack of potassium signals a direct insufficiency of HCl formation with all of its debilitating symptoms.” ,

This may be my problem with my digestion and not making enough HCl. I am not supplementing with potassium chloride unless I know that I will be eating out and having more salt than normal. I believe you wrote in The Afib Report, not to supplement with potassium unless you knew your body's intracellular level of magnesium was sufficient. In July, when I had my intracellular level of mag tested (not an ExaTest; there is no one for 200 miles around me that knows how to do an ExaTest), it was low though my blood level was high. I was taking 800 mgs. of BlueBonnet Mag glycinate at the time. My mag hasn't been tested since. I couldn't figure out how to get the mag into my tissue so haven't used potassium. My potassium level of my last blood test in Jan. 2012 was 4.3. In the last couple weeks, I've been rubbing 200 mgs. of magnesium chloride oil on my neck and back at night, plus using ConcenTrace with 250 mgs. of mag cloride added to my drinking water. I lowered my mag glycinate to 400 mgs. in July in order to follow my doctor's orders as she said the mag wasn't getting into my tissue anyway (which makes no sense to me to stop it). I don't know how to figure this all out on my own without a doctor who is willing to keep testing all these levels until we get it right. Should I add potassium chloride to my diet? I was drinking V-8 every day to keep my potassium up, but my current doctor said to stop doing this as she wanted me rotating foods every four days . Maybe I can go back to that and use it as part of a snack and add some turkey or chicken?

Nancy M.

George,

In response to, " I also don't recommend a "hard start" to a very low carb diet for an afibber. Because low insulin levels can signal the kidney to excrete sodium, sodium supplementation is necessary as well as potassium and magnesium. For an afibber wanting to try this approach, I'd suggest slowly lowering carb levels and letting the body adjust."

I read the info. by the doctor on eatingacademy.com and went to his FAQs. He said there that it took him 20 months to go from eating 600 gms of carb down to 50 gms of carb and even then he had a terrible time adjusting for 12 weeks. My doctor had me go from my normal diet of probably 350 or more gms of carb to 100 gms overnight. I felt terrible and started losing weight. I was at 106 lbs. when I saw the doctor and went down to 102 within a couple weeks. I'm 5'5 1/2" tall and should be 112 lbs or more for my small frame. I'm now back to 106 lbs by eating 150 gms of carb, but still am skin and bones and can't seem to regain any muscle even though I'm eating all this protein. Perhaps now that I'm using more HCl, my digestion will get better and I'll be able to add muscle back that I've lost.

The doctor on the eatingacademy.com (can't remember his name now--my memory has been going downhill along with my insomnia), uses a lot of cream, cheeses, and other dairy to get his 80% fat in his diet, but he doesn't seem to eat much in the way of fresh fruits (a couple berries) or vegggies, yet he doesn't supplement with a multi-vitamin. I still can't get my mind away from eating lots of fresh veggies and fruits to get their enzymes and vitamins, but he doesn't do this. How can that be healthy in the long run? It may work to lose weight and give one energy short term???? I certainly can't afford to lose any weight, which is why I'm afraid to get started on this eating plan. But if I do start it, I will go slowly.

I'll continue reading the other web sites you've listed.

Also, Jackie asked that I start a new thread on this topic using my questions and your info. I don't know how to do this. Could you help by starting the new thread? In fact, I've noticed that when I respond to a topic, it isn't coming back up to the top of the BB screen as it had been. Don't know why.

Thanks so much,
Nancy M.

Nancy - You have many topics to address. Dr. Baroody observes that potassium chloride is the natural result of food metabolism in the stomach and the reason why potassium (and minerals and B vitamins) can be low is because stomach acid facilitates making those minerals in food available.

I'm sure you are correct that your digestive problems are rooted in not enough stomach acid but the digestive enzymes you're taking should be helping. I'm not suggesting you take potassium supplements since your test level was quite good...if you began to have more AF, then I'd recommend you try adding small amounts supplementally or really pushing high potassium-containing foods. Remember that a test for potassium is just a snapshot in time... it could change an hour later.

Potassium supplements
We don't typically recommend potassium chloride as a good form of supplemental potassium because it tends to cause stomach distress. Note that the Low Sodium V8 product that some afibbers use has added potassium chloride...and some find it's irritating to the stomach.. just FYI...and maybe part of your original gastric distress...??. I would not use the LS V8 for this reason.

The powdered form of potassium gluconate works well for afibbers. .. the NOW brand from iHerb which is sold in the bulk powder 1# jars. 1 teaspoon is equivalent to prox. 540 mg. If you decide to augment your dietary intake of potassium from food sources, you could start with a teaspoon a day. Most of us use 3 teaspoons or more... or if you are worried about the adequacy of your IC magnesium, then use only half a teaspoon to begin with, but .it's not as if you weren't getting any Mg at all. Other potassium forms... potassium citrate, potassium gluconate and potassium glycinate... all good forms.

I don't think you should lower your magnesium intake based on that reasoning by your doctor. It would be interesting to learn why your cells aren't accepting the magnesium.... typically, that's an interference at the intestinal lumen portal where nutrients access the blood stream... from there, another challenge awaits... can the magneisum pass through the cell envelope or outer layer... if not, why not. The doctors dealing with magnesium deficiency say to flood the system with magnesium...with the hope that some will get in no matter what... like flooding an irrigation ditch to overflowing... some of the water manages to saturate the surrounding ground... same with magnesium and cells....hopefully. Just push to bowel tolerance ...don't cause diarrhea.
You need magnesium for more than just stabilizing arrhythmia.

Sometimes, when dealing with doctors, we have to do what we intuitively think is best for us and not go by what they consider to be 'rules' for this or that.
Everyone is different and not everyone fits in a slot. or a cookbook approach to managing a condition.....so if I were you, I'd keep taking the magnesium and keep that to yourself. I'd not use the V8 for the reason stated...but you could definitely consider adding low-dose supplements. If you buy the tablets.. they are by law only 99 mg each unless you buy a professional grade product. The gluconate powder offers a convenient way to add higher doses without swallowing a lot of pills.

I hope this makes sense.

Jackie

Nancy,

I'll answer here for now.

I'm not sure what the answer is on fruits and veggies. When Vilhjalmur Stefansson ate nothing but meat for a year in the late 1920's, replicating the Eskimo diet, everyone thought he would get scurvy from lack of vitamin C, but he didn't.

There are data indicating the body acts very differently on a very low carb diet and may not need some of these nutrients. It is common for most to eat a significant quantity of non-starchy veggies and very limited fruit.

If you are on 100 carbs a day, you are pretty low anyway. I'd get your digestion figured out before you make other changes - just my thought.

Peter Attia managed to keep his lean mass about the same, and increased it a bit for a while: [eatingacademy.com] - see the chart near the bottom. I'm not sure this is applicable to you, as he works out a lot, and I'm guessing you do not exercise nearly as much - not many do. A high carb diet is a building one, a low carb, not so much. There is a weight lifter protocol that cycles back and forth. 5 days very low carb, 2 days very high carb, with heavy weightlifting on the high carb days. It works, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone with blood sugar issues.

Anyway, take your enzymes and digest what you are eating now, then see where you need to go...

George

A Ketogenic diet in the early 30's was given to children with epilesy. Now a lot of people go on this diet because of being overweight or diabetic. If you don't have these problems I would seriously think before subjecting your body to high fats, protein and some veggies.


Side effects

Because the 4:1 ketogenic diet is an unnatural way to obtain nutrition, it has some potential side effects. Reported adverse effects in patients using the classic ketogenic diet include:
•Growth retardation caused by protein deficiency
•Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
•Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
•Abnormally high levels of blood lipids after discontinuation of the diet
•Kidney stones or gallstones. Parents are taught to monitor the child’s urine for blood as well as ketone levels, because blood in the urine is often an early sign of kidney stone formation
•More frequent infections due to a weakened immune system
•Inflammation of the pancreas
•Dehydration
•Decreased bone density
•Menstrual irregularities (in adolescent and adult females)

Before following someones protocol, study and read all you can, you will always find some doctor or nurtitionist recommending this diet, don't be a lab rat.

Thanks, Liz, for your concern and for this information on ketonic side effects. It will take me time to read about all this so am not making that change now.

My main concern right now is figuring out how to get some sleep. I did try eating some turkey with four saltless chips a couple nights ago as a bedtime snack, and again it kept me from falling asleep for over an hour and then I still woke up at 2AM. Last night I had no snack but woke up at 2AM again, but at least I fell asleep sooner so got an additional hour sleep. This waking up at 2AM has happened off and on. Sometimes I have woken up at 3 or 4AM on good days. I have been taking 10,000 IU of vit D for my cold the last few days, so that may be a factor. Today I only took 5000 since my cold is better. But there are many other factors involved as I have been trying to lower my carbs during the day from 150 to slowly get closer to 100, which is what my doctor wants. I've also started WW and some other supplements the last few days, so my body may be getting adjusted. Today I feel awful, both from lack of sleep and lower carb intake.

Nancy M.

Nancy:

There are times when I don't get enough sleep as well and you don't feel too perky or have energy. I think a lot of people do struggle with insomnia, I have some allergies and I usually take one benadryl at night before bed and it seems to help me sleep, also, once in a while when I really need to get my sleep, I will take a small amout of ativan, really helps me, I do watch it however because you can get addicted, mine is only .05, which I believe is the lowest. I guess if you know that there is something to help, you might sleep better. Also, since you are in your sixties, perhaps bio-identical hormones might help, if you have a holistic doctor, they can prescribe it. All hormones need to be in sync. for our body to operate correctly. Suzanne Summers has quite a few books out on hormones, she claims you need the right balance to be able to sleep.

Liz

Low Carb Die Reverses GERD
For GERD improvement this useful tip might offer significant relief -- quickly and easily. A report published in Alternative Therapies (Nov/Dec 2001), noted that a low-carbohydrate diet provided GERD improvement and relief in a small case report of five examinations. “In these case reports, we describe the findings of 5 individuals who noted prompt and complete relief of heartburn and reflux symptoms after self-initiating a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss.”

Symptoms noted were the typical sub-sternal burning, gas, burping, bloating and reflux into the throat after meals and discomfort when lying in bed, interrupted sleep and each had varying dietary influences which might also have been contributory such as coffee, chocolate, potato chips, pretzels, bread, fried foods, spicy foods, tomato sauces, peppermint oil, alcohol; one drank daily red wine but still found improvement.

Most, noted complete or highly significant improvement in just one day of restricting carbohydrates to 20 grams per day. In addition to restricting carbohydrates, limiting caffeine was suggested but not all gave up coffee. One continued to drink red wine and another cut back on alcohol but both had GERD symptom relief. Chocolate was eliminated or occasional.

A Google search reveals supporting evidence that the Low-Carb diet helps reverse or reduce GERD symptoms beyond this small observation.

Reference
Improvement of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After Initiation of A Low Carbohydrate diet: Five Brief Case Reports. [www.modernhcp.com]