What effect does Keto have on someone with Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia?

(Karen Barkley) #1

Does anyone know what effect Keto would have on someone with Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia?

(Jody) #2

I have Paroxysmal aFib (the irregular heartbeat just without the tachycardia) and I don’t really notice any difference … for better or worst.

If you pinned me down and MADE me choose one or the other … I would say, reluctantly, that it MIGHT have helped a little. The only reason I am reluctant in that statement is I can’t say whether it is actually the medicine (Diltiazem), the weight loss or the diet.

The plus, I guess, is that it didn’t affect me negatively so I can do this WOE :slight_smile:

(Rob) #3

Search the forum for afib - there are several threads showing people improving their conditions (and CHF, CVD, etc.) but I don’t know about your specific brand of afib.

This thread might be a place to start…
https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/atrial-fibrillation-magnesium-ketogenic-eating-yoga/36218

#4

Hi Karen. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is an uncomfortable concern if it impacts anyone’s health. A key is to understand it, explore it and, if possible, identify a root cause to treat.

The potential benefits of a ketogenic diet for reducing the potential causes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation include:

  • mental clarity with which to pursue research
  • for some the clearer thinking also reduces anxiety involved in paroxysmal AF
  • people who are used to monitoring and recording (diarising) their nutritional health e.g. blood glucose, blood ketones, food diary, are more likely to track the episodes of paroxysmal AF to identify the cause(s)
  • the ketogenic diet is high fat. The heart muscle’s main fuel is free fatty acids. The keto diet provides the preferred fuel for normal heart function
  • the ketogenic diet lowers blood glucose. High blood glucose and subsequent high insulin is pro-inflammatory to blood vessels, including the heart blood supply vessels. Inflammation is excitatory and irritant a potential AF cause
  • a serious ketogenic diet explorer is more likely to be a self experimenter (n=1). They will get lab tests done and repeated over time tracking their health markers. With the help of a medical professional, they may be able to identify lab test changes over time, that when acted upon (e.g. taking supplements to correct depletions), may resolve mysterious health problems like paroxysmal AF
  • somewhere in the stories of the subpopulation of ketogenic eaters who have experienced paroxysmal AF may be a helpful anecdote that leads to an improvement in the condition

A potential RISK regarding ketogenic eating and paroxysmal AF, is ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE. A person with AF starting out on a ketogenic diet must be very careful with their body salts, their electrolytes. Many unhealthy people can already have depleted or deficient mineral states, depleted electrolytes, from a standard diet. The minerals are ingested, bound, exchanged and metabolised as salts in the body. Electrolyte balance is essential for proper heart electrical function. Electrolyte imbalance is a common cause of heart rhythm irregularities such as paroxysmal AF. A ketogenic diet can initially cause changes to electrolytes that can exacerbate electrolyte imbalances.