Fish oil helps prevent arrhythmias in patients with defibrillators

In a report published in the November 1 2005 issue of the American Heart Association journal Circulation, Alexander Leaf, MD of Massachusetts General Hospital and his Boston colleagues wrote that a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement may help protect against potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias.The current study adds to the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-arrhythmic action and may reduce potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. "If the present data are confirmed," the authors write, "these fatty acids may also be recommended as a less toxic alternative to usual antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent recurrent episodes of VT/VF.

There are a myriad of benefits of supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids including improving circulation, helping to preserve healthy vision, reducing "bad" cholesterol and increasing "good" cholesterol, reducing triglycerides, reducing overall inflammation to name a few. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may also help preserve vision for those with a variety of different eye conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and eye inflammatory conditions such as iritis, uveitis, optic neuritis and macular edema. Trying to get your daily amount of omega-3 oil from fish is not recommended due to the high levels of mercury and toxins being found in fish.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is used in Europe to treat cardiac arrhythmia. Calcium reduces blood pressure, acts as an antiarrhythmic, reduces iron overload, and strengthens the bone around the gingival; preventive and therapeutic doses, 1 gram or more of elemental calcium a day. Factor the amount of calcium obtained from foodstuffs into the amount required through supplementation. Coenzyme Q10 reduces angina attacks, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, periodontal disease, and heart valve irregularities; lowers blood pressure; is protective to smokers; and supplies energy to the heart; suggested dosage, 30-400 mg a day, depending upon the amount of cardiac support required. (Higher doses require physician supervision.)

Fish oil concentrates have been shown in several published studies to regulate cardiac arrhythmias at a dose of five to eight capsules a day. Studies on perilla oil show that it works as well as fish oil, without the unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. Garlic acts as a hypotensive; decreases fibrinogen; protects against LDL oxidation and arterial wall damage; inhibits platelet aggregation; thins the blood; modestly lowers blood glucose levels; and reduces damage associated with iron overload and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. Dosage suggestions are up to 1000 mg twice daily with meals.

Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and memory; reduces platelet aggregation, arrhythmias, and fibrinogen levels; has antioxidant activity; prevents capillary fragility; lessens angina attacks, dyspnea, and intermittent claudication; and decreases the area in the brain plundered by a stroke; suggested dosage, 120 mg a day (preventive dose) and 120-240 mg daily (therapeutic dose).

Note: Some clinicians routinely prescribe ginkgo for patients ages 50 and older. Magnesium reduces blood pressure; acts as a calcium antagonist and antiarrhythmic; blocks the sympathetic nervous system; and is beneficial in mitral valve prolapse. Use up to 1500 mg in divided doses throughout the day; preventive dose, about 500 mg elemental magnesium a day.