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My Top 5 Picks: Steve’s A-Fib Survival Kit for the Newly Diagnosed
By Steve S. Ryan, PhD. This post was originally published July 15, 2016.
Your first experiences with Atrial Fibrillation have changed your life in a number of ways. As a former A-Fib patient (cured since 1998) I highly recommend these items when first diagnosed with this beast called ‘Atrial Fibrillation’.
My Top 5 Recommendations for the Newly Diagnosed
These are the products I recommend (and use) along with a Bonus: a good medical dictionary. These items are available from many online sources, but I’ve made them easy to order the entire list by making a ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com: Steve Ryan’s A-Fib Survival Kit for the Newly Diagnosed,(Note: Use our Amazon portal link, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
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More of My Amazon.com Lists
Besides Steve Ryan’s A-Fib Survival Kit for the Newly Diagnosed, see my other Amazon.com lists for supplements, recommended books and DIY heart rate monitors:
♥ By a Former A-Fib Patient: My Recommended Products
♥ For A-Fib Patients: 7 Supplements for a Healthy Heart
♥ For A-Fib Patients: A-Fib Reference Books and Guides
♥ For A-Fib Patients: Recommended Magnesium and Potassium Supplements
♥ Steve’s Top Picks: DIY Heart Rate Monitors for A-Fib Patients
Note: Use the A-Fib.com Amazon portal link and your purchases help support A-Fib.com (http://tinyurl.com/Shop-Amazon-for-A-Fib). Learn more at: Use our Portal Link When you Shop at Amazon.com.
Click image to read Steve Ryan’s personal experience story.
Super-Loading: How A-Fib Patients can Correct a Severe Magnesium Deficiency
The mineral Magnesium (Mg) is needed for proper muscle (including the heart), nerve, and enzyme function. A deficiency in Magnesium (along with potassium) can cause palpitations and force the heart into fatal arrhythmias including Atrial Fibrillation.
Magnesium (Mg) is one of the main components of heart cell functioning, but is chronically lacking in most diets. Magnesium deficiencies in general populations range from 65% to 80%, creating a substantial cumulative deficiency over months and years.
A deficiency in magnesium (along with potassium) can force the heart into fatal arrhythmias including Atrial Fibrillation.
Magnesium used to be plentiful in fruits, vegetable and grains, but decades of industrial-scale farming have stripped the soil of minerals like magnesium. One study found that the nutrient content of crops has declined by as much as 40% since the 1950s.
In addition, we no longer absorb magnesium by bathing in or drinking natural mineral-rich water that is high in magnesium—instead, we’re drinking and bathing in tap water that’s devoid of magnesium.
So it’s now almost impossible for A-Fib patients to get adequate amounts of Magnesium from a healthy diet.
To correct a severe Magnesium deficiency and restore levels, it’s often necessary to take a Magnesium supplement over several months.
Not All Magnesium Supplements are Created Equal
Magnesium: Element #12 on the Periodic Table
Confused by the various forms of Magnesium supplements? There are so many different types. Sadly, many of the available magnesium supplements aren’t even absorbable by your digestive tract and will not do anything beneficial for your health. And a low-quality magnesium supplement can cause diarrhea.
Fortunately for A-Fib patients, there are many magnesium forms that are absorbed well by your body.
OrAL Magnesium (Tablets)
• Magnesium Glycinate: (such as Doctor’s Best High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Lysinate 100% Chelated). One of the most commonly used form of magnesium is both highly absorbed, inexpensive, and easy to use. Magnesium glycinate is absorbed in a different part of the gut compared to other magnesium types, so it’s a good option if other supplements give you digestive stress.
• Magnesium Gluconate: Has very good absorption rate; a good alternative if you have had digestive trouble with other types of magnesium supplements.
• Magnesium Threonate: (such as Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate). Magnesium threonate is a newer form of Magnesium supplement that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier with potentially neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer’s disease. Pricier but doesn’t have the laxative effect. Contains very low elemental magnesium per dose which suggests it would not be a good choice for correcting a magnesium deficiency.
Topical/Liquid forms
• Sublingual Angstrom Magnesium: (such as Mother Earth Minerals Angstrom Minerals, Magnesium-8 ozs.) A quickly absorbed liquid that’s 99% pure Magnesium, it’s applied under the tongue, then after one minute, swallowed. Angstrom Magnesium has the best magnesium absorption and generally the fewest digestive side effects. It’s especially good for those who are severely magnesium deficient and need a lot of magnesium in order to replenish their levels.
Magnesium chloride bath salts.
• Magnesium Chloride flakes: (such as Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes of Pure Chloride). Similar to Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate), the molecular structure of Magnesium Chloride is different and is much more easily absorbed into the body. Add Magnesium Chloride flakes to a weekly soaking bath or a foot bath. Can be used in conjunction with magnesium tablets.
• Magnesium Oil: (such as Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil Spray – Magnesium Chloride). Apply Magnesium oil once a day to arms or legs; after 20-30 minutes, wash off. Can be used in conjunction with magnesium tablets.
Inferior Forms of Magnesium
Some oral forms of magnesium (often cheap) offer relatively low bioavailability (the degree and rate at which it enters the body’s circulatory system). These forms of magnesium do not absorb well and tend to offer little benefit beyond laxative or antacid properties.
When super-loading to replenish your Magnesium, it’s best to avoid Magnesium oxide, Magnesium dihydroxide (milk of magnesia), Magnesium sulfate, Magnesium aspartate, and Magnesium carbonate.
In particular, be sure to avoid any supplement containing magnesium stearate, a common but potentially hazardous additive.
Before You Buy: Seek Brand Quality and Consistency
There are many forms and brands of magnesium supplements. Before you buy, be sure to check the label to ensure they only contain the one type of magnesium and no fillers.
Proper levels of Magnesium can improve by 34% your chances of living a long, healthy life!
It’s critically important to purchase from a source that tests every batch to ensure you are getting what is on the label and nothing else, like unwanted toxins, allergens, and heavy metals.
Look for brands of magnesium that are pharmaceutical grade and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. This means they are produced in strictly monitored facilities which also send batches of their product to third parties for analysis before selling to consumers (such as Nature Made).
(To learn about independent organizations that test branded supplements, see: Which Brands of Vitamins and Minerals Can I Trust?)
Bottom Line for Super-Loading Magnesium
As an A-Fib patient, you may have a severe Magnesium deficiency. To restore your level, it is often necessary to take a Magnesium supplement over several months. We recommend the following when you are “super-loading Magnesium”.
Magnesium supplements should always be taken daily with a meal or just after eating.
• Oral: Magnesium glycinate is thought to be the best type of oral supplement when correcting a severe magnesium deficiency.
• Sublingual: Angstrom Magnesium is 99% pure Magnesium that’s applied under the tongue. Especially good for those who are severely magnesium deficient.
• Topical: Magnesium oil and Magnesium chloride salts (flakes). These are absorbed directly through the skin and by-pass the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, so they can be used in conjunction with magnesium tablets. If sensitive to bowel problems, they can be used as an alternative to Magnesium tablets.
Keep in Mind: Everyone’s body reacts differently to supplements. Just because a form of Magnesium is best for one person, doesn’t mean it’s the best for YOU.
To learn more about Magnesium, see Cardiovascular Benefits of Magnesium: Insights for Atrial Fibrillation Patients.
The Dangers of Magnesium Deficiency, Especially for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Magnesium is a mineral involved in many processes in the body including normal muscle contraction (including the heart), nerve signaling and the building of healthy bones. About 350 enzymes are known to depend on magnesium.
At least 80% of Americans are deficient in Magnesium (Mg). Other Western countries today exhibit similar deficiencies.
Most US adults ingest only about 270 mg of magnesium a day, well below the modest magnesium Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 420 mg for adult males and 320 mg for adult females. (RDA is the minimum amount for a healthy person.)
This creates a substantial cumulative deficiency over months and years.
Magnesium Deficiency and Atrial Fibrillation
A deficiency in magnesium can force the heart into fatal arrhythmias and is central to creating conditions in the heart that cause Atrial Fibrillation.
A-Fib patients, in particular, are often significantly deficient in magnesium. A normal healthy diet rarely meets your need for magnesium.
Therefore, it’s often necessary to take a magnesium supplement over several months to restore levels.
Causes of Today’s Magnesium Deficiency
Why are so many of us deficient in Magnesium?
Magnesium used to be plentiful in fruits, vegetable and grains, but decades of industrial-scale farming have stripped the soil of minerals like magnesium. One study found that the nutrient content of crops has declined by as much as 40% since the 1950s. It’s now almost impossible to get adequate amounts of magnesium from food.
We’re not drinking spring or mineral water that’s high in magnesium—instead, we’re drinking tap water that’s devoid of magnesium. As a result, we ingest even less magnesium. Add to that, we’re no longer bathing in natural water that is high in magnesium. Our skin can absorb magnesium from our bathing water—which is now missing.
Prescription drugs can lower our magnesium levels, as can the stress of our modern lifestyles.
Over the years, this has caused a magnesium deficient population, especially critical for those with Atrial Fibrillation or other heart ailments.
Magnesium Deficiency and How to Restore Your Levels
What’s to do about it? Everyone with A-Fib should understand the role of magnesium in the body and its effects on the heart, and know how to detect if they are magnesium deficient, and how to increase their magnesium levels if they are. Start with these articles:
• Treatments: Mineral Deficiencies
• Cardiovascular Benefits of Magnesium: Insights for Atrial Fibrillation Patients.
Then, take a look at this video with Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of The Magnesium Miracle.
VIDEO: The Best Way to Supplement Magnesium with Dr. Carolyn Dean
For those with magnesium deficient diets, getting nutrients through food is not always possible. Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of The Magnesium Miracle, talks about the external use of magnesium oil and Epson salts and the various powder and tablets to supplement magnesium.
She covers the side effects of too much Mg, and how you can tell if you have a Mg deficiency. (3:39 min.) From iHealthTube.com. Go to video.
Updated Article: Treating Mineral Deficiencies in A-Fib Patients
When you have A-Fib, a sensible starting point may be to check for chemical imbalances or deficiencies. A deficiency in minerals like magnesium or potassium can force the heart into fatal arrhythmias.
If you haven’t recently read our Mineral Deficiencies page under Treatments, you might want to review it. We’ve updated and added some new content.
The Top Four Minerals/Vitamins
We cover the four main minerals/vitamins of special concern to patients with Atrial Fibrillation:
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Vitamin D
For each we describe the mineral’s role and function in our body. Then, we cover how to test for deficiency (or overload). We describe the food or natural sources, then the various forms and choices of each supplement and recommended dosages.
You’ll find the topics to discuss with your doctors including recommended tests and alternative choices. All backed up with our usual well researched citations. Go to our Mineral Deficiencies page.
Reliable, Unbiased Information on Vitamins and Minerals
In our search for unbiased information sources about vitamins and mineral supplements, we looked at many, many informational directories.
Three searchable databases rose to the top of our list. See Our Top 3 Sources for Reliable, Unbiased Info on Vitamins and Supplements.
How Can I Avoid Arterial Calcium Deposits When Taking Coumadin?
Holly Hannula wrote me about being on Coumadin (warfarin) for 12 years because she has a mechanical heart valve. She’s alarmed by a recent scan of her artery walls showing dangerously high calcium deposits, i.e. the amount of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Holly’s doctors recommended an angiogram (X-ray) and stents to be put in wherever needed and done very soon. She felt that was too drastic, that her quality of life was good and she was active and social. She and her husband declined those procedures.
Her emailed continued:
“The doctors won’t or can’t change me to a different blood thinner. If I have to take Coumadin for the rest of my life, can I reduce the calcification with vitamin K2 (MK-7)?”
Holly’s coronary artery calcium score is 800 which is dangerously high.
A score between 100 and 399 is classified as increased calcification, and any score over 400 signifies extensive calcium deposits. If your score is over 1,000, you have a 20 percent chance of having a serious or fatal cardiac episode within one year of testing. (See table below for all scores.)
A score over 1,000 equals a 20% chance of a serious or fatal cardiac event within one year.
A score over 1,000 equals a 20% chance of a serious or fatal cardiac event within one year.
No wonder Holly is worried!
What are Her Options?
Because she has a mechanical heart valve, Holly doesn’t have a lot of options. Treatment Guidelines by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) only include warfarin (Vitamin K Antagonist) therapy and perhaps aspirin. None of the newer anticoagulants are included.
One might think that a newer anticoagulant like Eliquis would work as well as Coumadin if one has a mechanical valve. But right now, this isn’t a recommended treatment. (For example, the maker of Eliquis states that it isn’t for patients with artificial heart valves.)
My Best Effort for Holly: In my return email, I promised Holly that I would get in touch with Bristol-Myers Squibb, the maker of Eliquis, to see if it could possibly be used in her case.
Tragic Dangers of Warfarin Not Recognized
It’s tragic that Holly has such extensive calcium deposits due to having to take warfarin (Coumadin) which works by blocking Vitamin K.
Vitamin K is essential for heart and bone health. Without enough K-2, osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bone, doesn’t function. Instead the calcium ends up clogging arteries. See Arterial Calcification From Warfarin: Vitamin K May Reverse it.
What’s equally tragic is how few doctors and their patients are aware of this side effect of taking warfarin (Coumadin).
Vitamin K2 Reverses Arterial Calcification!
But, as Holly has already researched and as I described in my article, Arterial Calcification From Warfarin, high doses of Vitamin K2 MK-7 reversed arterial calcification in recent preliminary studies. (MK-7 means the Vitamin K2 also has a Natto component. Natto[kinase] is a known natural blood thinner.)
But what K2 MK-7 dosage should Holly consider? We don’t have enough human research yet to give a definitive answer, but we do have some indications.
Animal research: In an animal study, rats were initially fed a six-week diet of warfarin to induce calcium buildup in blood vessels. Some rats were then fed high dose Vitamin K1 or K2 (MK-4) for six weeks. They not only had no further arterial calcium accumulation but, more importantly, had a 37% reduction of previously accumulated arterial calcification. After 12 weeks, there was an astounding 53% reduction.
Doses: Note the distinction between mg and mcg. 1 mg = 1000 mcg
Doses: Note the distinction between mg and mcg. 1 mg = 1000 mcg
Mega dose or RDA? In the above study of rats, the human equivalent of the vitamin K2 dose is in the range of 52,000 mcg (52 mg) to 97,000 mcg (97 mg) per day.
Admittedly, these are high doses compared to the standard daily recommend dosages (90 mcg [0.09 mg] for females and 120 mcg [0.12 mg] for males).
Already approved: In Japan, a 45,000 mcg (45 mg) daily dose of the MK-4 form of vitamin K2 is approved as a drug to treat osteoporosis.
Vitamin K and Dosages
Forms of Vitamin K: Consider a high quality MK-7 form of Vitamin K2. Plus, as they are inexpensive, include vitamin K1 and MK-4 to help inhibit and possibly reverse vascular calcification.
Remember to always take your Vitamin K supplement with fatty foods since it is fat-soluble and won’t be absorbed without it.
Remember to always take your Vitamin K supplement with fatty foods since it is fat-soluble and won’t be absorbed without it.
to avoid arterial calcification
Although the exact dosage of Vitamin K is yet to be determined, one of the world’s top Vitamin K researchers, Dr. Cees Vermeer recommends between 45 mcg and 185 mcg daily for normally healthy adults. LifeExtension magazine recommends 180 mcg.
To Reverse Arterial calcification
To reverse or reduce calcium plaque, you might consider the ultra high doses of 45-50 mg (45,000 mcg) daily, which is based on the research with rats. But only under your doctor’s supervision!
It’s most important that Holly should NOT make any changes to her treatment plan without consulting with her doctor first.
No Overdosing on Vitamin K
You need not worry about overdosing on K2—people who have been given a thousand-fold increase over the recommended dose over the course of three years have shown no adverse reactions (i.e. no increased clotting tendencies).
Advice for Warfarin Users
If you are taking warfarin, your goal should be to maintain the highest healthy levels of Vitamin K to counteract the effects of warfarin on your arterial and bone health.
If you change from warfarin to a NOAC, your goal should be to restore your arterial and bone health from the effects of warfarin by maintaining the highest healthy levels of Vitamin K.
Additional reading about Vitamin K To learn more about the types of Vitamin K, see our article, Vitamin K―Protection Against Arterial Calcification & Cardiovascular Disease.
On a personal note: I’ve had a CT scan which revealed calcium deposits in my heart’s arteries, especially in the “widow maker”, the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD).
After writing this article, I’ve decided to take 45 mg (45,000 mcg) of Vitamin K2 daily.
Vitamin K―Protection Against Arterial Calcification & Cardiovascular Disease
Most people get just enough Vitamin K from their diets to maintain adequate blood clotting.
But NOT enough Vitamin K to offer protection against health problems including arterial calcification, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, various cancers and brain health problems, including dementia.
The name Vitamin K comes from the German word “Koagulationsvitamin” where its role in blood coagulation was first discovered.
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin. It is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins, along with vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. It’s found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Vitamin K and Vitamin K supplements come in several forms and can be confusing. To increase your levels of Vitamin K, it’s important to understand the differences.
Vitamin K Can be Classified as Either K1 or K2
Vitamin K1: Found in green vegetables, K1 goes directly to your liver and helps you maintain a healthy blood clotting system; keeps your own blood vessels from calcifying, and helps your bones retain calcium.
Vitamin K2: Bacteria produce this type of Vitamin K; it goes straight to vessel walls, bones and tissues other than your liver. It is present in fermented foods, particularly cheese and the Japanese food natto (the richest source of K2).
Different Forms of Vitamin K2
Making matters even more complex, there are several different forms of Vitamin K2. MK-4 and MK-7 are the two most significant forms of K2 and act very differently in your body.
MK-4 is a synthetic product, very similar to Vitamin K1, and your body is capable of converting K1 into MK4. It has a very short biological half-life of about one hour, making it a poor candidate as a dietary supplement. It remains mostly in your liver where it is useful in synthesizing blood-clotting factors.
MK-7 is a newer agent with more practical applications because it stays in your body longer; its half-life is three days, meaning you have a much better chance of building up a consistent blood level, compared to MK-4 or K1. It slows down cardiovascular aging and osteoporosis, and prevents inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers produced by white blood cells.
Food Sources of Vitamin K and MK-7
Photo by Like_The_Grand_Canyon on Flickr licensed CC-BY
MK-7 is extracted from the Japanese fermented soy product called ‘natto’. You get loads of MK-7 from natto. However, natto is generally not appealing to a Westerner’s palate (can’t tolerate its smell and slimy texture).
You can also find Vitamin K2, including MK-7, in other fermented foods including some fermented vegetables.
Certain types of fermented cheeses (Jarlsberg) are high in K2 but others are not. It really depends on the specific bacteria. You can’t assume that any fermented food will be high in K2.
Besides broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leafy green vegetables (kale, mustard greens, collard greens, raw Swiss chard, spinach), other foods high in Vitamin K include beef liver, pork chops and chicken, prunes and Kiwi fruit, soybean and canola oil.
Vitamin K Supplements
Choosing a K2 supplement: When supplementing your Vitamin K food sources, consider a high quality MK-7 form of vitamin K2. (Plus, as they are inexpensive, include Vitamin K1 and MK-4 to help inhibit and possibly reverse vascular calcification.)
Relentless Improvement
Dosage: Although the exact dosage of Vitamin K is yet to be determined, one of the world’s top Vitamin K researchers, Dr. Cees Vermeer recommends between 45 mcg and 185 mcg daily for normally healthy adults.
My choice: I’m taking Relentless Improvement Vitamin K2 MK4 Plus MK7; Read about it on Amazon.com. David Holzman writes that he uses Whole Foods Vitamin K2 which is less expensive. (Use our portal link to Amazon.com and support A-Fib.com)
(If you have a K2 supplement recommendation, email me.)
Remember!
Always take your Vitamin K supplement with food that contains fat
since it is fat-soluble and won’t be absorbed without it.
Read more about mineral deficiencies and Atrial Fibrillation, see FAQs: Mineral Deficiencies & Supplements for a Healthy Heart
This article is based on Dr. Mercola’s article, New Study Shows Evidence That Vitamin K2 Positively Impacts Inflammation.
For Your A-Fib—Try Magnesium Oil to Raise Your Level
A deficiency in the mineral Magnesium is central to creating conditions in the heart that cause Atrial Fibrillation. Therefore, anyone in A-Fib is almost certainly Magnesium deficient. (See our recent post, Got A-Fib? You’re Almost Certainly Magnesium Deficient.)
Tips for Increasing Absorption of Magnesium
One of the easiest ways to increase your level of Magnesium is by applying topical Magnesium Oil. One benefit is it doesn’t cause loose bowels or diarrhea like oral tablets can. And it’s handy. It comes in a spray bottle.
We ran across this advice on the website of LL’s Magnetic Clay, the company that makes Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil ($18). To increase absorption of magnesium oil through the skin:
• Increase the area of application
• Increase the amount of time the application is left on the skin (at least 20 min.)
• Increase the frequency of application
• Varying the location of application, with areas such as the scalp and armpits exhibiting higher rates of absorption
• Increasing temperature of the area of application
• Applying to well-hydrated skin
Practical Use of Magnesium Oil
This advice comes from Patti, who prefers Magnesium Oil to oral tablets. She uses it for muscle twitching. When that happens, she starts her nightly application routine. She uses four sprays of Life-Flo Pure Magnesium Oil ($10) on each lower leg and massages it in. This ensures a large area for absorption.
A total of eight sprays is equal to about 100 mg of topical magnesium. You can wipe off in 20 minutes, but she just showers it off in the morning. (She continues this for 6 weeks or more to rebuild her magnesium levels). A 8 oz. bottle lasts 3–6 months.
To read more about the importance of Magnesium to A-Fib patients, go to our pages:
♥ Mineral Deficiencies
♥ ‘Natural’ Supplements for a Healthy Heart.
♥ My Top 5 Picks: When You’re Deficient in Magnesium & Potassium
Got A-Fib? You’re Almost Certainly Magnesium Deficient
Magnesium deficiency is central to creating conditions in the heart that cause Atrial Fibrillation. Therefore, anyone in A-Fib is almost certainly magnesium deficient.
Why? It’s now almost impossible to get adequate amounts of magnesium from our diets.
Magnesium used to be plentiful in fruits, vegetable and grains, but decades of industrial-scale farming have stripped the soil of minerals like magnesium. One study found that the nutrient content of crops has declined by as much as 40% since the 1950s.
How to Increase your Magnesium Level
To learn how to supplement your Magnesium go to our pages:
♥ Mineral Deficiencies
♥ ‘Natural’ Supplements for a Healthy Heart.
For recommended products and brands see Steve’s Shopping Guide for a Healthy Heart (and all of Steve’s Shopping Guides on our sister site, BeatYourA-Fib.com)
Use Every Tool Possible: Combine Ablation With Heart Healthy Nutrients and Life-Style Changes
The trap for those who work hard at improving nutrition and supplements is they feel like a failure if they can’t stop their A-Fib with natural means alone. They keep trying one thing after another for years while avoiding an expert’s opinion about an ablation procedure.
Of all the 90+ personal A-Fib stories we’ve published on A-Fib.com, we only have one who states she was cured by natural supplements. (She takes much more than just magnesium and started when she first developed A-Fib.)
But trying natural remedies for A-Fib shouldn’t be an ‘either/or’ decision.
We should use every tool possible to put the ‘A-Fib genie back in the bottle’.
We should use every tool possible to put the ‘A-Fib genie back in the bottle’. The best approach is to combine an expert ablation procedure with permanent dietary improvements (including heart healthy nutrients and supplements) while also addressing any appropriate life-style changes (i.e., for high-blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes and obesity).
For someone who has just developed A-Fib, try to get out of A-Fib ASAP. It goes without saying that it’s not healthy and feels terrible to have A-Fib attacks.
To learn more about combining ‘tools’: go to our Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ Mineral Deficiencies and Supplements and my two articles ‘Natural’ Supplements for a Healthy Heart and Reader With A-Flutter Advises Two Lifestyle Changes.
The Warfarin Myth: A Quiz About Foods and Vitamin K
Taking warfarin to manage your increased risk of clots and A-Fib stroke? Have you been told to avoid foods with vitamin K to prevent excess clotting? To separate the facts from the myths about warfarin and vitamin K, take our 5 question quiz.
A 5 Question Quiz about Warfarin and Vitamin K
1. True or False: Warfarin and vitamin K actually work against each other in your body.
True. Vitamin K helps your blood clot. Warfarin makes your blood clot more slowly. Your INR level is monitored to keep them in balance.
2. True or False: When taking warfarin, you should limit foods with high levels of vitamin K like dark, leafy greens.
False. You don’t need to avoid foods with vitamin K. The key is to consistently maintain your daily level of vitamin K.
Don’t confuse vitamin K with the K on the periodic table for potassium. One’s a vitamin, the other is a mineral.
3. True or False: Vitamin K information is not included on most packaged food nutritional labels.
True. So it’s often hard to determine the amount of vitamin K in your food.
4. True or False: To be safe, it’s better to maintain a low level of vitamin K in your diet.
False. Don’t avoid vitamin K foods. Vitamin K is an important nutrient especially for bone strength, brain function and cardiovascular health.
5. True or False: A vitamin K supplement may actually help stabilize your INR levels.
True. Some experts suggest that a low-dose vitamin K supplement (50-150 mcg/day) may help stabilize fluctuations in INR.
The Facts About Warfarin and Vitamin K
Vitamin K Finder at ptinr.com
Well, how’d you do on the quiz? Did you learn something? So, if you’re on warfarin, you now know the facts from the myths:
• You can eat dark, leafy greens rich with vitamin K
• You need to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K
• Most nutritional labels won’t help when checking for the amount of vitamin K
• Vitamin K is important for bone strength, brain function and cardiovascular health
• A low-dose vitamin K supplement may help stabilize your INR
Misinformation Surrounding Warfarin
Prolific A-Fib blogger Dr John Mandrola (Dr. John M.), posted about misinformation surrounding warfarin patients and vitamin K. He wrote:
“I am so utterly tired of correcting this mistake….Patients on warfarin can indeed eat green vegetables; they should just eat them consistently. I have vegetarians who do beautifully on warfarin. The problem comes when people vary the weekly dose of vegetables.”
Reclaim the Benefits of Vitamin K
Safety first. When on warfarin, don’t make any changes to your vitamin K intake without first talking to your doctor.
If you and your doctor decide that you can increase your vitamin K intake, the key is to be consistent on a daily schedule. If consumption of vitamin K does affect your INR, your doctor can always adjust the warfarin dosage.
For a practical reference about foods with vitamin K, check out the online ‘Vitamin K Finder’ at the ptinr.com website.
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s App of Herbs, Vitamins, and Dietary Supplements
Determining whether herbs, vitamins, and other over-the-counter dietary supplements can be helpful or harmful to you can be challenging.
Our favorite resource is the About Herbs database at the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) website.
Web-based ‘About Herbs’ app
The database is continually updated and managed by a pharmacist and a botanicals expert with assistance from other MSK Integrative Medicine Service experts.
You can search by product or by medical condition to find objective and evidence-based information about:
• traditional and proven uses
• potential benefits
• possible adverse effects
• interactions with other herbs or medicines
Download App or Use Web Version
iTunes Store
Use the web-based service, or the About Herbs app that’s compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices and other mobile devices.
♥ Download the free About Herbs app from the iTunes App Store or
♥ Or go to the web-based version.
Your Doctor Needs to Know
If you are using a dietary supplement, keep your doctor or other healthcare professional informed. Why? The active ingredient in the product could interact with—increase or lessen—the effect of other medicines you’re taking.
A ‘Magic Pill’ to Improve Your Chances of a Long, Healthy Life
It’s not a pill, nor a medication. Magnesium is the ‘magic’ pill that improves by 34% your chances of living a long, healthy life—a mineral naturally present in many foods. Magnesium is important for anyone with a high cardiovascular risk (including patients with Atrial Fibrillation).
Insights come from researchers in Spain who carefully monitored the diets of 7,216 men and women between the ages of 55-80 (an age range more likely to develop A-Fib). 
The people in the highest third of magnesium intake (442 mg/day) were 34% less likely to have died from any cause over a five-year period. And they had a 59% reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, plus a 37% reduction in cancer mortality.
Why was the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) lowered by ingesting more magnesium? …Continue reading…
Taking Supplements? How to Time Your Daily Doses
Updated November, 10, 2016
If you take several supplements (like I do), you may wonder:
“Should I take them at the same time each day? Or should I spread doses throughout the day? Should I take with meals? Or on an empty stomach?”
The best answer may depend on whether you are taking medication, on the specific supplement and/or on your personal life style.
Medication Inventory form
Start with the ‘Suggested Use’
Read the supplement label. Some are fairly specific, i.e., “with or without food”, or “with food” or “on an empty stomach”; or specific time (morning or bedtime) or in divided dosages. Make notes for each supplement. Download and use this FREE form to help you keep track of everything.
Do you Have Other Medical Conditions?
If you have diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, first talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Combining supplements with prescription medications, can produce unexpected or life-threatening results.
They may offer advice specific to the combinations of your meds and supplements.
Do Some Reading, Take Some Notes
The best time to take a specific vitamin or supplement may depend on the specific supplement. Do some reading on each at the library or at a reputable website or two. Make notes of the information you find. A few examples:
• Taking a single dose multi-vitamin? It’s best to take it in the morning when nutrients are depleted and with or near breakfast so it’s broken down, then digested with the food.
• Vitamin D is best absorbed after your biggest meal, usually dinner, averaging 56 percent greater boost than those who take it without food.
• Calcium supplement, don’t take along with a multivitamin containing iron. The calcium may interfere with the iron’s absorption.
• Magnesium may be best taken in the evening, since Magnesium may support sound sleep.
Healthy Directions, Dr. David Williams
On the website Healthy Directions, Dr. David Williams offers advice about the best times to take vitamins. He lists specific vitamins and supplements and organized them into three groups, those that should be taken before meals, with meals, or in-between meals. See his article for specifics, The Best Times to Take Your Vitamins.
[Healthy Directions offers advanced nutritional supplements and guidance from highly respected integrative and alternative health doctors including Julian Whitaker, MD, Dr. David Williams, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, MD and others.]
My favorite independent research sites
For reliable, unbiased research and information on specific vitamins and supplements, we recommend these three sites (in order or preference). None of the three sell supplements (or anything else). They just offer information on vitamins, herbs, natural products and supplements.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute/Integrative Medicine: “About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products”
2. Drugs.com: ‘MedFacts Natural Products Professional database’
3. The ‘Dietary Supplement Label Database’ at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Adjust for Your Life Style
You may need to adjust your supplement taking to accommodate work or school demands, family schedules, etc. For example, if you work the swing shift, your “morning” dose may need to be 1 pm, and your ‘evening’ doze may need to be at 2 am.
Or, if you often skip meals during your work day, taking equally divided doses may become erratic. So, it may be better taking your doses before you go to work.
EZY Dose-4-times a day organizer
Bottom Line: Try to be Consistent
For optimum benefit, it may take some effort to work up your supplement schedule. But you don’t have to obsess about it. Since these are ‘natural’ substances (vs. prescription drugs), you usually don’t have to be overly careful about when you take them. What’s important is do try to be consistent from day to day.
After you work out your schedule, consider using a vitamin/supplement organizer. Check out My Search for the Best 7-Day Medicine/Vitamin Organizer.
For more answers to your questions about mineral deficiencies, see our: FAQ Minerals & Supplements
For more on where to research specific vitamins and supplements see, FAQ Minerals Deficiencies: Reliable Research.
Can You Suppress Your PVCs and PACs?
Are you one of the many A-Fib patients who also have PACs and PVCs? Are your PACs more than just annoying? Do your PACs become more frequent and trigger an A-Fib attack?
Perhaps you’re thinking if you reduce these extra beats and palpitations, you may be able to reduce your A-Fib episodes. So, what can you do?
PAC and PVC stands for Premature Ventricle Contractions and Premature Atrial Contractions.
Catheter Ablation Option
In extreme cases where the extra beats are very disturbing and damage one’s quality of life, Electrophysiologists (EPs) can perform an ablation for them similar to an ablation for A-Fib. But this is a specialized procedure that not all EPs perform or are willing to perform.
Suppress PACs and PVCs with the “Awesome Foursome” Cocktail
Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra in his book, The Sinatra Solution—Metabolic Cardiology, recommends the following natural “cocktail” for suppressing PACs and PVCs, what he calls the “awesome foursome”:
• L-carnitine: A derivative of the amino acid lysine which helps to turn fat into energy. It promotes energy metabolism and enhances cardiac function. Some consider it the single most important nutrient in cardiac health. It reduces PVCs.
Dosage: Daily: 750-2000 mg of L-Carnitine Fumerate (250 to 500 mg three to four times a day).
• Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): A naturally occurring enzyme, part of the quinone chemical group, that is found in every cell in the body. It produces energy in the mitochondria and energizes the heart. 95% of the body’s energy is generated by CoQ10, which generates energy in the form of ATP. It prolongs the action potential and helps maintain sinus rhythm. It improves heart rhythm problems.
Dosage: 100-300 mg daily in divided doses with meals.
• D-ribose: A five-carbon sugar that is a regulator in the production of ATP. The only compound used by the body to replenish depleted energy stores. Ribose increases tolerance to cardiac stress, improves exercise tolerance and physical function, provides cardiac energy needed to maintain normal heart function, increases cardiac efficiency, lowers stress during exercise, and maintains healthy energy levels in heart and muscle.
Dosage: Daily: 7-10 grams of Ribose powder. Take in divided doses with meals or just before and after exercise.
• Magnesium: A vital mineral used by the enzymes that make energy synthesis and recycling possible. Adequate intracellular magnesium is essential to normal tissue and organ function. Low magnesium is associated with cardiac abnormalities, fibrillation, and vascular and muscle spasms, and is seen in cardiac failure.
Dosage: A recommended goal is a minimum 600 mg/day, preferably 800 mg. (For example, 200mg three times a day and 200 mg at bedtime.)
To Learn More About PACs and PVCs
Read the research in my article, Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) Predict A-Fib.
Read John’s personal A-Fib story, PVC-Free After Successful Ablation at Mayo Clinic.
Get yours at Amazon.com
Dr. Sinatra’s Book on Amazon.com
Use our A-Fib.com portal link to Amazon.com to get your copy of Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra book, The Sinatra Solution—Metabolic Cardiology.
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My Top 7 Picks: Natural Supplements for a Healthy Heart
By Steve S. Ryan, PhD
While not considered “A-Fib specific” like your medications, these minerals and supplements may improve overall heart health and thereby help your Atrial Fibrillation.
Recommendations for Heart Health
For a detailed discussion of these minerals and supplements along with recommended dosages, see our article, ‘Natural’ Supplements for a Healthy Heart. Our seven recommendations are:
For a detailed discussion of these seven nutritional supplements, see our article ‘Natural’ Supplements for a Healthy Heart.
• Taurine
• Coenzyme Q10
• L-Carnitine
• Omega-3 Fish Oils
• Ribose (D-Ribose)
• Hawthorne Berry
• BCAA+G
Many Sources and My Amazon.com List
These minerals and supplements are available from many reputable retail and online sources. To make shopping easy for you, see my ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use any of these Amazon portal links, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
To get you started choosing brands, tablet size and forms of each supplement, we offer you 2 brands that meets our requirements.
1. 
Taurine, 1000 Mg
Taurine, along with Magnesium and Potassium, have been described as “the essential trio” for treating nutritional deficiencies relating to A-Fib. Taurine protects potassium levels inside the heart, regulates cellular calcium, and improves heart muscle contraction. Suggested products:
Now Foods Taurine 1000Mg, 100-Capsules; Source Naturals Taurine 1000mg, 240 Capsules
2. 
Ubiquinol CoQ10 (coenzyme) 100 Mg
Coenzyme’s ability to energize the heart is perhaps its chief attribute; improves heart functions and heart rhythm problems. Coenzyme is a naturally occurring enzyme and plays a key role in producing energy in the mitochondria. “Ubiquinol” is a more readily absorbed form.
Source Naturals Ubiquinol CoQ10 100mg, 90 Softgels; Jarrow Formulas Ubiquinol QH-Absorb, High Absorption/Enhanced Stability, 100 mg, 120 Softgels
3. GPL-Carnitine dosage: 500 -1000 Mg
L-Carnitine is a vitamin-like nutrient; a derivative of the amino acid lysine which helps to turn fat into energy. Considered by some to be the single most important nutrient in cardiac health. It reduces the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
Swanson Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine Hcl Gplc 840 mg 60 Caps; Vitacost GPLC Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine HCl-GlycoCarn 1000 mg PLC per serving – 60 Capsules
4. Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 Mg 
Essential fatty acids like EPA and DHA are considered by some to be natural defibrillators, lessening the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and A-Fib. Krill Fish Oil 1000 Mg; Essential Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) make blood platelets less sticky, less likely to form clots (cause of strokes). Some prefer Krill oil to fish oil as it’s exacted from organisms living in pristine deep-water seas.
Source Naturals Omega EPA Fish Oil, 1000mg, 100 Softgels; MegaRed Extra Strength Omega 3 Krill Oil 500mg Supplement, 60 Count
5. Ribose/D-Ribose Powder 
Ribose increases tolerance to cardiac stress, lowers stress during exercise, and maintains healthy energy levels in heart and muscle. The heart’s ability to maintain energy is limited by one thing—-the availability of Ribose.
Now Foods D-Ribose Powder, 8-Ounce; Doctor’s Best Best D-Ribose Featuring Bioenergy Ribose, 250-Gram
6. Hawthorne Extract 
Hawthorne Berry reduces tachycardias and palpitations and prevents premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Hawthorne Berry can energize the heart without prompting arrhythmias. It has a normalizing effect upon the heartbeat. Dosage 300 to 510 Mg
Now Foods Hawthorn Extractract 300mg, Veg-capsules, 90-Count; Nature’s Way Hawthorn Berries , 510 mg., 180 Veg-capsules
7. 
BCAA with L-Glutamine, 1000 Mg
‘Branched Chain Amino Acids’ (BCAA) are critical to the repair and maintenance of strong heart muscle and function. Be sure to get BCCA in combination with L-Glutamine (though challenging to find). We like the powder form. Suggested products:
MRM BCAA+G, Lemonade, 35.2-Ounce (1000g) Plastic Jar; BodyTech BCAA and Glutamine (13.8 Oz Powder)
Note: Mineral supplements may interfere or interact with your prescription medications, so always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your treatment plan.
Many Physicians are Not Well Versed in Nutritional Support
Always discuss with your doctor
Don’t expect a lot of support from your doctor. Unfortunately, a great number of doctors are not well versed in recommending or supervising nutritional support. Quite often, they may dismiss your inquiries about nutritional supplements.
You may need to work with (or educate) your doctor to determine the benefit of supplements for your A-Fib health.
Learn about Mineral Deficiencies and Atrial Fibrillation
For an extensive discussion about mineral deficiencies, see our Treatments page: Minerals Deficiencies.
My Top 5 Picks: Steve’s A-Fib Survival Kit for the Newly Diagnosed
By Steve S. Ryan, PhD
Your first experiences with Atrial Fibrillation have changed your life in a number of ways. As a former A-Fib patient (cured since 1998) I highly recommend these items when first diagnosed with this beast called ‘Atrial Fibrillation’.
My Top 5 Recommendations for the Newly Diagnosed
These are the products I recommend (and use) along with a Bonus: a good medical dictionary. These items are available from many online sources, but I’ve made them easy to order by making a ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use our Amazon portal link, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
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Learn More about…
For more suggestions, see my Amazon.com ‘Wish List’ By a Former A-Fib Patient: My Recommended Products.
Learn about our A-Fib Support Volunteers
Our A-Fib Support Volunteers: Just an Email Away
After being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, it’s helpful to talk with someone who knows what you are going through, someone you can turn to for advice, emotional support, and a sense of hope that you can be cured. That’s the role of our A-Fib Support Volunteers.
They offer you support and encouragement through exchanging emails and sharing their stories. (Not all Support Volunteers are ‘cured’ of their A-Fib, but have found the best outcome for their situation.) Learn about our world-wide network and how to contact one or more of our volunteers.
My Top 5 Picks: When You’re Deficient in Magnesium & Potassium
♥ Last updated: January 28, 2019
A deficiency in Magnesium and Potassium can force the heart into fatal arrhythmias. Most A-Fib patients are lacking in both minerals.
Magnesium & Potassium Deficiencies are Common
Magnesium (Mg) is needed for proper muscle, nerve, and enzyme function. Lacking in most diets, it’s often necessary to take a magnesium supplement over several months to restore levels.
A-Fib patients are often deficient in Potassium (K), as well In fact, a deficiency of magnesium can lead to potassium depletion. Potassium is essential for normal nerve impulses and muscle function and maintaining normal cardiac function.
A Wish List: My Top 5 Recommendations
These are the Mg and K products I recommend (and use) along with a great book on magnesium. I’ve also added two Bonus Videos. These products are available from many online sources. You can see this ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use our Amazon portal link, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.) For recommended dosages, go to Treatments/Mineral Deficiencies.
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Learn More about Mineral Deficiencies
To read more about mineral deficiencies and how to use these products and recommended dosages, go to Treatments section on Mineral Deficiencies.
Caution: Consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your treatment plan.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Monday, January 28, 2019
Back to: Treatments/Mineral Deficiencies
Success with Dr. Dean’s Liquid Magnesium Supplement ‘ReMag’
Dianne T. from Mesquite, Nevada, wrote me about how magnesium supplementation has mostly eliminated her A-Fib symptoms and restored her to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). She recommends liquid magnesium:
“I was diagnosed with A-Fib about 18 months ago, but as it turned out, I have PAC’s. Of course I was told that these PACs will eventually turn into A-Fib. But I believe that irregular heartbeats, even A-Fib, can often be caused by a magnesium deficiency. After about a year on ReMag, my heart is mostly in NSR. It works!
Dianne T.
Dr. Carolyn Dean has written an eBook about A-Fib and the magnesium connection: Atrial Fibrillation: Remineralize Your Heart [July 2015]. The good thing about her liquid magnesium product, REMAG™, is that you can take a therapeutic dose without the laxative effect. I was taking 900 mg daily but now I need less. I take about 600-750 daily.
I have heard many testimonials from others suffering from A-Fib and other arrhythmia disorders who have had the same experience as I have had. But it does take time. It took me about 6-8 months before I really noticed a big difference. It doesn’t work over night, and it can get complicated when taking meds. I wasn’t on any meds, so I didn’t have that issue.”
I’m thankful to Dianne for sharing her A-Fib success story of replenishing her Magnesium levels. Magnesium is useful for many muscle-related ailments and has rightfully been called the ‘miracle’ supplement.
Considering a Magnesium Supplement?
While Dianne is using Dr. Dean’s Remag product (about $18/month), I recommend you first try these less costly magnesium supplements. I take and recommend:
Email us what’s working for you.
• Doctor’s Best High Absorption Magnesium (200 Mg Elemental), 240-Count (2-4 tablets a day). On Amazon.com that’s $13.84 for a 2–4 month supply (includes Free shipping for Prime Members). About $3.50 to $7 a month.
If sensitive to the laxative effect of Magnesium, I recommend:
• Magnesium oil; Spray and rub into the skin; examples: Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil and Life-flo Pure Magnesium Oil; 8 oz spray bottle lasts about 4 months. About: $2 to $4 a month.
• Epson salt (magnesium sulfate); Any brand in bulk. $1.50 to $4.50 a pound. Less than $1 a bath. Dissolve 1 to 3 cups (or three handfuls) in full tub bath and soak for 30 minutes.
These Magnesium products can be used in tandem to maximize your Mg absorption. Read more about Atrial Fibrillation and Mineral Deficiencies in our Treatments section.
‘Doctor Health’ Radio: A-Fib Patients & Common Mineral Deficiencies
INTERVIEW: Dr David Snow, host of Doctor Health Radio, talks with Steve S. Ryan, PhD, publisher of A-Fib.com, about magnesium and potassium deficiencies, both common among A-Fib patients; how ‘calcium overload’ can actually bring on Atrial Fibrillation; other supplements to promote a healthy heart; and a few warnings for A-Fib patients.
Video Format: radio interview with lower third graphic titles.
Length: 5:27 min. Click to listen in.
VIDEO LIBRARY: We have loads of A-Fib-related videos in our Video Library. For the reader who learns visually through motion graphics, audio, and personal interviews, these videos are organized loosely into three levels: introductory/basic, intermediate and in-depth/advanced.
See our video library for more videos featuring Steve S. Ryan, PhD.
Taking Warfarin? The Myth about Foods with Vitamin K
Are you taking the blood thinner warfarin to manage your risk of clots and A-Fib stroke? Have you been told to avoid foods with vitamin K to prevent excess clotting? Want to know the facts about warfarin and vitamin K? Take our 5 question quiz to separate the facts from the myths.
A 5 Question Quiz about Warfarin and Vitamin K
1. True or False: Warfarin and vitamin K actually work against each other in your body.
True. Vitamin K helps your blood clot. Warfarin makes your blood clot more slowly. Your INR level is monitored to keep them in balance.
2. True or False: When taking warfarin, you should limit foods with high levels of vitamin K like dark, leafy greens.
False. You don’t need to avoid foods with vitamin K. The key is to consistently maintain your daily level of vitamin K.
Don’t confuse vitamin K with the K on the periodic table for potassium. One’s a vitamin, the other is a mineral.
3. True or False: Vitamin K information is not included on most packaged food nutritional labels.
True. So it’s often hard to determine the amount of vitamin K in your food.
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