5 essential micronutrients to correct an irregular heartbeat

(NaturalHealth365) Cardiac arrhythmia (also known as cardiac dysrhythmia) refers to a group of conditions which cause an irregular heartbeat.  These conditions can make the heart beat too fast or too slow.  And, in many cases, this can be quite dangerous for your overall health.

To be clear, for the millions of Americans living with this condition, proper treatment is essential.

Unfortunately, conventional approaches to arrhythmia treatment include a long roster of heavily-marketed medications – many which come with unpleasant or even harmful side effects, not to mention the hefty price tag.  In addition, doctors often opt for the surgical route – implanting pacemaker devices or cauterizing damaged heart tissue, as an example of their suggested ‘solutions.’

But could something as simple as micronutrients from our food be an effective natural approach and help a person avoid these more drastic interventions?  Research from the Dr. Rath Health Foundation says ‘yes.’

Take action: Find out how to avoid an irregular heartbeat with these 5 essential micronutrients

Normally, a person’s heart will beat with a fairly consistent pace. It may increase or decrease depending on things like physical exertion, meditation, stress, or caffeine intake, but in general it follows a nice steady “lub-dub” pattern.

What do cardiac arrhythmias feel like?  The heart may feel like it’s racing or skipping a beat. A person may also notice things like shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness.  If left unaddressed, cardiac arrhythmias can lead to serious or even fatal health consequences.

While many factors and underlying conditions can lead to a cardiac arrhythmia – including genetics, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure – a leading theory points to a chronic deficiency of certain micronutrients, especially the following five:

1. Coenzyme Q10: found in organ meats, fatty fish, broccoli and cauliflower
2. Carnitine: found predominantly in red meat but also present in fish, chicken and beans
3. Vitamin C: found in citrus fruits, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green or red peppers and leafy greens
4. Magnesium and calcium: listed together because of their synergistic effect on heart muscle contraction – these minerals can be found in seeds, nuts and fish
5. B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and biotin): found in eggs, seeds and nuts, leafy greens, meat and beans

Simply put, these micronutrients help the heart create and conduct electrical impulses.  Without them, the heart is at risk for misfiring.

So, in order to help correct an irregular heartbeat and prevent it from getting worse, correcting these micronutrient deficiencies should be a top priority!

Want to support basic cellular health? Here’s your micronutrient dosage ‘cheat sheet’

If you have atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or any other type of cardiac arrhythmia, or if you have a family history of heart health issues, be sure you’re eating plenty of the above mentioned foods. This way, you’ll increase your chances of getting enough of the heart-healthy micronutrients you need.

How much is enough? Check out the suggested daily minimum doses for each (although you and your physician may decide you need more):

• Coenzyme Q10: 5-30 milligrams
• Vitamin C: 600-3,000 milligrams
• B vitamins: as little as 20-100 micrograms for B12 and as much as 40-200 milligrams for B3 and B5
• Magnesium and calcium: 40-200 or 30-150 milligrams, respectively
• Carnitine: 30-150 milligrams

Editor’s note: In terms of calcium supplementation, use caution and be sure to listen to this podcast with Dr. Thomas Levy, a board-certified cardiologist.  If you’re interested in high quality, nutritional supplements – click here to visit the NaturalHealth365 Store.

Sources for this article include:

Dr-Rath-Foundation.org
MayoClinic.org
NIH.gov