Treating Atrial Fibrillation Naturally A Fib -Pritikin (5/1/2021)
Here is a link to an article form Pritikin on treating A-fib with McDougall style diet. Link
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""Lifestyle-based solutions
In both human1,2 and animal studies3,4 researchers have found that treating the lifestyle-related issues that often lead to Afib – like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose – not only reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation but also improve the structure of the heart.
Weight loss appears especially beneficial. In a 5-year study1 following 355 overweight patients with Afib, those who had lost at least 10% of their body weight were six times more likely to be free of arrhythmias – and free of the need for anti-arrhythmic medications – compared to those who hadn’t.
This is not to say that drugs and surgeries like ablation have no role, qualifies Dr. Mandrola. “They do. But their (much smaller) role now is similar to stents or beta-blockers in patients with coronary artery disease: to stabilize an acute situation…”
No longer does this specialist in Afib treatment think of drugs as long-term therapy. Instead, he cardioverts and medicates “so that patients can feel well enough to exercise every day,” lose weight by adopting a heart-healthy diet, and address other lifestyle issues like quitting smoking, limiting or avoiding alcohol, controlling sleep disorders, and reducing stress.
Drugs no longer needed
This lifestyle-focused treatment, asserts Dr. Mandrola, “improves glucose handling, lowers blood pressure, and relieves inflammation. People start to feel better. When they come back for follow-up, I discuss stopping the rhythm drugs – they have served their adjunctive purpose.”
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