Those of you familiar with my blog are probably already aware that I suffer from atrial fibrillation. It is quite literally a subject near and dear to my heart.
One of the best things someone suffering from atrial fibrillation can do for their heart is to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and decrease their intake of omega-6's this is mainly through their ability to regulate eicosanoids.
Among other things, Eicosanoids regulate blood thinness and inflammation. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to not flow out of the atria properly, where it can pool and form clots. Most people with atrial fibrillation are put on a blood thinner to keep these clots from forming and possibly moving out of the heart causing stroke or embolism. Omega-3's have a blood thinning effect that can be used to combat this.
I take about ten grams of fish oil a day. I take three 1200 mg capsules three times a day, with breakfast lunch and dinner. Taking them with meals helps absorption, though I sometimes take my morning dose awhile before breakfast. I also try to eat foods high in natural omega-3's like fish, grass fed beef, and walnuts.
Inflammation's role in a-fib is not very well known, but managing inflammation seems to help with it. Eicosanoids have alot to do with inflammation. The ones formed from omega-3's tend to stop inflammation, while the eicosanoids formed from omega-6's tend to cause inflammation.
Increasing our intake of omega-3' and balancing our fatty acid ratios is yet another way to use traditional foods to manage a-fib.
Zeke, Thanks for your support of my dipping oil recipe in NK's contest. Also, this post is really interesting to me. I don't have a-fib, but do have rheumatoid arthritis- so I'd be interested in hearing about anything else you know about managing inflammation through diet.
ReplyDeleteMy post about eicosanoids is a good start. The other thing you need to do is take vitamins and eat high vitamin foods. Vitamins are generally good at helping inflammation. I remember an a-fib study that showed vitamin C's ability to combat inflammation helped a group of a-fib patients.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I just read the eicosanoids post and will now go see what I can learn about/from Udo Erasmus and Mary G. Enig. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHi Zeke,
ReplyDeleteMy company is hosting a panel on atrial fibrillation next week if you are interested in participating. Please email me at caitlinc@wegohealth.com for more details!
Caitlin