Column #146

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is one of the more common of all heart conditions. It’s essentially a quivering or fluttering heartbeat caused by the abnormal firing of electrical impulses that cause the atria (the top chambers in the heart) to quiver (or fibrillate). The “Rotterdam Study” by Jan Heeringa, et al. states that AFib is “associated with substantial mortality and morbidity from thrombo-embolism, heart failure, and impaired cognitive function.”

The study also indicates that as a general population gets older, AFib will become a greater financial health burden. That’s because the incidence rate increases from 0.7% in the 55–59 age group to 17.8% for those 85 and older. At 55 years of age the lifetime risk to develop AFib is 23.8% in men and 22.2% in women.

The causes of AFib span the whole gamut of possibilities and the list of natural solutions is meager at best. Even Omega-3 supplement studies show little promise in subduing AFib. With virtually no one solution fitting everyone, that in itself indicates AFib may require a very broad-based approach.

For certain, AFib is associated with inflammation which begs the question: “Is AFib triggered by inflammation or does it cause inflammation?” My bet it’s mostly caused by inflammation. Chronic inflammatory diseases of unknown causes are often a sign of environmental sensitivity or overload. That covers many bases including diet, exercise, sleep, state of mind, stress, pollution, fungus, injury, alcohol, and more. Therefore AFib sufferers need to address a very broad cross section of issues when attempting to keep AFib under control.

Diet is straightforward. We all require nutrient dense and diverse, low glycemic foods that have 1:1 balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). These foods are primarily the green leafy vegetables, grass-fed meats, Omega-3 meats, and wild-caught seafood.

Diets high in Omega-6 EFAs, sugar and sugary foods, and carbohydrates are unquestionably inflammatory. High glycemic foods feed fungal infestations (candida, etc.) which produce mycotoxins that can have very serious inflammatory consequences. Alcohol is also a mycotoxin. Although, one glass of red wine, which is loaded with polyphenols, is actually considered constructive for heart health. Excessive alcohol consumption (more than one standard drink per day for women and one to two drinks per day for men) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and many additional social problems. This is why many people have AFib issues following an evening with too many cocktails.

Regular exercise is of paramount importance for longevity and lower inflammation. After 25–30 years of age muscle mass usually starts to decline. On average 40% of muscle mass is lost by 80 years. You can imagine what that means for your body if you weigh the same now as you did in your prime. Walking is less effective at preventing muscle loss while weight training is most effective. Moderate weight training and aerobic exercise (with recovery periods between sessions) are both associated with lower inflammation levels.

Sleep is essential for health. Just one night’s loss of sleep causes inflammation. Sleep helps to remove potentially neurotoxic waste products that accumulate in the awake brain and central nervous system. For this reason good sleep habits are mandatory. Our bodies march to the beat of the circadian rhythm at even the cellular level. This is why going to bed and getting up at the same times are so important. Sporadic sleeping habits with daytime naps to make up for a poor night’s sleep only exacerbates the problem because it interrupts the body’s circadian clock. Adults (26-64) need 7-9 hours and older adults (65+) need 7-8 hours.

Mental attitudes, depression, anger (fight), and especially anxiety (flight) and stress cause inflammation. There are steps people can practice to reduce their anxiety and stress.
●    Always recall that the negative feelings of the moment will pass.
●    The fight or flight response helps us to escape life threatening emergencies. However, we must learn that when the fight/flight response is unnecessary we can tell ourselves it’s not life threatening.
●    Practice deep breathing techniques when anxiety strikes.
●    Tell yourself positive thoughts.
●    Make a conscience effort to relax your muscles.
●    Avoid caffeine and keep alcohol consumption low.
●    Use proper exercise and sleep to help combat these mental issues.

When injuries, infections, and even medical operations occur, the body naturally launches it’s defensive mechanisms which includes inflammation. Often these events just occur “out of the blue” and as such are out of our personal control. But because they can cause considerable inflammation we must be aware that they are associated with AFib issues.

Pollution comes in many forms that can be highly inflammatory. Particulate matter in the air such as soot, traffic-related air pollutants, cigarette smoke, silica, pollen, and soluble antigens are irritants. Some chemical spills release toxins into the air and fungi release mycotoxins and both are inflammatory. Bad water is another source for inflammatory irritants.

All or any one of the inflammatory conditions mentioned above can be conducive to AFib. This is why AFib sufferers must do more than just eat a proper diet or exercise. They must work hard across the board in lowering sources of inflammation in all quadrants. If they can’t control it then the current answers range from drugs and chiropractic adjustments to ablation. AFib is not an easy “monkey on your back” to deal with.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

Don't miss these links for additional reading:

Prevalence, Incidence and Lifetime Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: the Rotterdam Study by Jan Heeringa, et al.

Omega 3 and Atrial Fibrillation: Where Are We? by Annamaria Martino et al.

What Primary Physicians Should Know about Environmental Causes of Illness by William J. Rea, MD

Effects of Wine, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Evidences from Human Studies by Gemma Chiva-Blanch et al.

Wine, Beer, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer by Sara Arranz, et al.

Health Effects of Wine from Wikipedia

Tremor Syndrome Associated with a Fungal Toxin: Sequelae of Food Contamination by Peter R Lewis, et al.

Exercise Attenuates the Major Hallmarks of Aging by Nuria Garatachea, et al.

Loss Of Sleep, Even For A Single Night, Increases Inflammation In The Body

Sleep Loss and Inflammation by Janet M. Mullington, et al.

Our Circadian Clock Sets the Rhythm for Our Cells’ Powerhouses

How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?

Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from the Adult Brain by Lulu Xie, et al.

Anxiety, Not Anger, Induces Inflammatory Activity: an Avoidance/approach Model of Immune System Activation by Moons WG, et al.

Inflammation 101 from Massachusetts General Hospital

Perspective: Ambient Air Pollution: Inflammatory Response and Effects on the Lung’s Vasculature by Gabriele Grunig, et al.

Can Atrial Fibrillation Be Cured? from StopAfib.org