Improving AFib by “Supplements”

Regarding Atrial Fibrillation (AFib, A-Fib) and heart health, there is a wide range of “supplements” existing and an even bigger range of promises about their potential benefit. Basically I am open for new approaches but if you have read my blog carefully, you might have noticed that I am not the greatest fan of chemical “solutions”, artificial additives or nutrition supplements.

Further down, I will publish here nutrition supplements (artificial and non-artificial) that were (mostly) helpful for me.

(Note: Some of the “supplements” listed below are pure natural products).

Some thoughts on supplements:

In the past I have tried the one or the other “classic” supplements that were often mentioned for improving AFib like Taurine, L-Arginin, Kelp-Powder, etc. . For me this did not really help, but to be honest I also not had the guts to take those kinds of supplements for a longer time period, because of possible negative sideeffects.

At least I got to the conviction that if I want to try if a specific “substance” that might be helpful to improve or cure my AFib condition I try to find a natural given “product” (like a banana, an apple etc.) that is containing a high amount of that wanted substance(s), instead of the intake of a pill, powder, etc..

Note: Likewise acceptable to me are different forms of a natural product like oils, flakes etc., if gently processed.

While disucussing my AFib condition with different doctors and health care professionals the importance of a good balance and sufficient intake of water, different minerals (especially) potassium, magnesium and vitamins was very often mentioned. In the most blood checks when I was in AFib I was low on potassium, so I have focussed myself on that mineral topic a little bit more.

At least, in my understanding it is not enough just to top up one “thing” alone, there is a complex relation between many different substances to keep the body in balance. (Please see water-electrolyte Imbalance as a possible cause.)

The importance of various minerals like magnesium and potassium for a healthy heart function has often been described by Dr. Carolyn Dean, for example. Dr. Dean suggests that AFib may be due to a deficiency of these minerals.

For example a high ammount of magnesium can be found in natural (non salted/roasted) cashew nuts, sunflower seeds or natural (unsweetened) cocoa or magnesium oil for external use etc. .

Potassium is very much contained in bananas, apricots (dried or fresh), baked potatos (with skin), etc. .

The good thing about a natural (supplement) product is that it is mostly “packed” in a way a normal human body can process it easily. Industrial produced artificial supplements often can not be processed well by the human body and may contain (unwanted but tolerated) contaminations caused by the production process itself.

Note: Also natural (organic) products may be contaminated by pesticides, genetically manipulated etc. so the best way is to buy them from a supplier who deserves your trust (maybe someone who gives some insides to his supply chain).

I don’t want to sound cynical, but at least it is probably better to have a natural non toxic product with some pesticides on it’s shell than a toxic artificial supplement that also includes some extra “pesticides” from its production process.

Some more examples for nutrition recipies that were benefitial for me you can find under: Improving AFib by Nutrition.

Note: To be on the safe side, a change in diet (including the intake of supplements) should always be made together with a doctor or nutrition expert. Certain dietary ingredients can interact with medications and might cause dangerous unwanted sideeffects or allergic reactions. Especially products with high potassium might negatively interact with certain medication. Please also keep in mind that in many countries like the US (artificial) supplements are not regulated like medication by the government, so it needs a good research about which product is of good quality and which is not.

Please always remind the Disclaimer as a condition for the use of this blog.

Supplements for internal application:

Water

It might sound like a joke to list it here, but it isn’t, water is the most important and often underestimated natural supplement. My natural healer explained some of the important functions, among many others, of water to me.

Water …

• …keeps the blood fluid, this is supportive for the blood vessel system, can lower blood pressure, etc. .
• …helps to detoxify the body, flushing out the “trash” more easy.
• …supports vital body function, e.g. preventing a water-electrolyte imbalance.

All these points are assumed to be benefitial to the improvement or even reverse of AFib.

The recommendation I was given by my natural healer was to drink round about 2.5 litres of water a day (minus other fluids, like tea etc.) as a male guy of my height and age.

To get a senseful value for a water intake the body size, age and gender should be considered. The official recommendations might vary a little bit depending on the source consulted.

Note: Like with all other things drinking far too much or too less water over the day is both not healthy.

Warning: Don’t drink demineralized water, it is seen to be very unhealthy.

Sea Salt

Coarse sea salt, harvested through the evaporation of seawater, is a rich and flavorful alternative 
to regular table salt. Unlike refined table salt, which often contains additives and undergoes 
extensive processing, coarse sea salt retains its natural mineral content. It is composed of several 
essential minerals including:

• Sodium chloride: The primary component, around 98%.
• Magnesium chloride: 0.05-0.5g per 100g.
• Calcium chloride: 0.1-0.5g per 100g.
• Potassium chloride: 0.2-1.0g per 100g.

These minerals contribute to the specific taste and provide additional nutritional benefits. The 
presence of trace elements such as iodine, zinc, and iron further enhances its profile. Sea salt is 
often praised for its potential to balance electrolytes, improve hydration, and support proper 
muscle function. With its crunchy texture and complex flavor, coarse sea salt not only boosts 
culinary delights but also offers a more natural and health-conscious choice for seasoning.

In particular, the presence of magnesium- and potassiumchloride should be emphasized as a deficiency here can play an important role of the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Personally I add sea salt to my daily water intake to ensure a better supply of minerals, but this depends on your own constitution and may need to be checked with a doctor beforehand. Barbara O’Neil sometimes recommends 1/4 teaspoon per 1 liter of water.

Please see also Barbara O’Neil on the topic of Salt and Water.

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant which is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine.

Ginger is attributed many health-promoting properties, among others it might e.g. help to:

• … loose weight.
• … lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors.
• … lower cholesterol levels.
• … reduce infections.
• … reduce inflamation.
• … reduce bloodpressure.

Some or even all of these properties are associated with improved heart health and/or triggers of AFib.

Ginger is typically available as root, tea, powder or as capsules. It has, by the way, a very high potassium content.

There is also a very interesting Self-experience shown within “The AFib Report – Number 124 – February/March 2013” (at page 10) of someone who stayed AFib free after he stopped the prophylactic intake of Flecainide and started the intake of ginger instead.

My own experience with ginger is that since I am taking two table spoons of it resolved in water every day (morning and evening), it seems to me, that my extrasystoles have reduced significantly.

Note: Ginger, mostly when overdosed, can lead to some sideeffects, like stomach problems and because of its blood “thinning effect”, especially when “blood thinners” as medication are additionally used, it should only should be taken after a consultation with a doctor. As always please remind before trying any supplement (even if it is a pure natural product) yourself to always ask your doctor or professional health care provider first if this kind of supplement is suitable for you. As stated above some of your medication e.g. might interact negatively with it.

Vegetable Drinks

Vegetable juices can be very helpful to support a balanced diet. There are many different vegetable juices available to buy in the store. Interesting from my point of view are especially those that are as natural as possible and contain particularly high amounts of potassium and magnesium. The juices should therefore have been produced naturally and preferably not from concentrates, which unfortunately is also reflected in the price. Furthermore, they should not have been added salt or sugar.

In Germany such natural vegetable juices can be bought for example in the “Reformhaus” (health food store). In some countries they are also known as V8-Juices. (Note: V8 stands also for a brand that produces vegetable juices … and for a famous car engine type).

Another possibillity is to create your own juice out of the natural ingredients itself.
(If you like to do that there are many recipies available on the net, just leave out the extra sugar and salt.)

Note: Before trying any supplement (even if it is only a high potency vegetable juice) yourself please always ask your doctor or professional health care provider first if this kind of supplement is suitable for you. Some of your medication e.g. might interact negatively with it.

Magnesium + Potassium combined Fizzy Tablets

Magnesium + Potassium combined fizzy tablets as an artificial supplement I have been taking now for some time, whenever I have noticed that extrasystoles are becoming more frequent. My impression is that this has a positive effect on my hearts stability. I usually take one or two tablets at a time in a glass of water (200 ml) and this, it seems to me, then noticeably reduces the frequency of the extrasystoles.

This combination also seems to be helpful during atrial fibrillation episodes. My “BackToSinus”-Procedure seems to respond much more rapidly after ingestion.

The preparation pictured here is available without a prescription (over the counter) and contains 300 mg potassium, 300 mg magnesium, 4.2 mg vitamin B6, 5.0 µg vitamin B12 in one tablet.

This combination has the advantage that it is very easy to carry. If necessary, it can even be prepared in a drinking bottle. (Note: Attention the fizzy tablets develop pressure in closed bottles).

Note: Taking such a supplement must be discussed with your doctor first to prevent negative effects. The daily amount recommended by the manufacturer should not exceed one tablet. Overdoses may cause undesirable side effects.

“BackToSinus”-Booster

Combination (Artificial + Natural):

• 3 Bananas
• 1 Magnesium Fizzy Tablet (to resolve in water, OTC Stuff from Supermarket)

Rich in Magnesium, Potassium and different Vitamins.

I had found out that this “Supplement-Combination” is very helpful to stop my AFib episodes in combination with my “BackToSinus”-Procedure.

Note: Please keep in mind your doctor must agree before the intake of the magnesium fizzy tablet and adjust its dosage.

Approximately 15 minutes (based on body condition) before I start the “BackToSinus”-Procedure I take in the bananas and the magnesium fizzy tablet, because that brought up a much better result for converting my heart back to sinus.

I typically eat the bananas first slowly and then drink the resolved fizzy tablet.

The fizzy tablet should be completely resolved into water before intake. They can be also prepared in bottle of water for easy carrying, but don’t forget fizzy tablets are creating overpressure in a closed bottle while resolving, so it is necessary to let the bottle open while the tablet resolves.

There might be better sources for potassium than bananas, but they are easy to prepare and carry. The ammount of bananas taken in depends on the body condition, but should not be exaggerated to avoid digestion problems.

Note: The magnesium fizzy tablets are an artificial supplement and they are available in different “dosages”, it is important to clarify together with your doctor if and which dosage is suitable and how often they can be taken, especially against the background of taking other medications. There are fizzy tablets available that also contain some extra potassium beside of magnesium. Sometimes I use them but based on the statement of my cardiologist this might irritate the hearts electrical system and could end up dangerously when being overdosed. So asking your doctor about this topic first is mandatory if you plan to do so. For this reason I have decided to add bananas, instead of potassium tablets, because they contain higher amounts of potassium naturally and are easy to carry and to prepare without any extra “tools”.

I am still searching for something else to replace the magnesium fizzy tablets, because in my eyes it would be better to have something non artificial to go for.

Supplements for external application:

Magnesium Chlorid Oil (MgCl-Body Spray)

Another way I have found that probably might increase the magnesium level of my body, except from nutrition, is magnesium chlorid “oil” in a spray (MgCl) bottle for an external application. I got the hint to try magnesium chlorid oil from a natural healer I had consulted, because I strangely did not tolerate magnesium pills very well and was searching for another option. As he told me, the oil should be better and very easy to absorb for the body via skin. I used to take a few spray hubs a day on my chest, arms or legs in the morning after taking a shower. I am doing this now for several month and I don’t have experienced any negative sideeffects until now,except from only a slight burning on my skin after application, what is very common and harmless.

My impression is that after a few weeks of using this oil my heart gots step by step a little bit more stable and the trigger level for AFib-episodes got higher. (Note: Jay Clarke also mentioned that magnesium oil was possibly benefitial for him in curing his AFib in his book “How I cured my AFib.”, you can find it in the Library section.)

Note: Before trying any supplement yourself please always ask your doctor or professional health care provider first if this kind of supplement is suitable for you. Some of your medication e.g. might interact negatively with it.

Please always remind the Disclaimer as a condition for the use of this blog.