Atrial Fibrillation
Lalit Kapoor is a 1971 graduate from IIT Kanpur and has done his MBA from UCLA. Lalit is a successful serial entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. With age, he developed lifestyle diseases and decided to reverse them by changing diet and lifestyle. This led him to study and research in the field of nutrition and plant-based whole food field. Eventually, he successfully got rid of all his chronic diseases and reinvented himself. Lalit became an inspiration for his IIT-K batch mates and started to guide them with his learnings. Many of them benefitted and successfully reversed their chronic diseases. He further incorporated the Nobel prize winning work by Nobel laureates Dr Yoshinori Ohsumi (2016) on autophagy, Dr Jeffery Hall (2017) on circadian rhythm and Dr Tasuko Honzo (2018) on immunotherapy into his recommendations. He has conducted over 450 course sessions which have been attended by over 150,000 people in over 50 countries with thousands of success stories. He runs over 100 active social groups and his NGO 'Plant Based Wellness Foundation' has over 40 centers worldwide. Lalit has also taught a course as a visiting faculty on Nutrition & Health at IIT Kanpur for one semester. LESS ... MORE
There is a common misconception among many young people (under 50), particularly those who are not overweight and who exercise regularly, that they are fit and healthy. Many people in their 40s become health-conscious but are misled by the popularity of low-carb diets—a trend heavily supported by the meat and dairy industries.
Let's consider someone in their 40s who follows a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb diet (such as keto), is very active, and goes to the gym regularly. This lifestyle gives them a false sense of wellness. High levels of physical activity can delay the negative effects of a diet rich in animal protein and saturated fat, temporarily masking underlying cardiovascular issues. If they also consume alcohol (which is common, though smoking is fortunately less prevalent today), they may believe, 'I'm fit and healthy because I work out and avoid carbs.'
However, physical activity can only compensate for dietary deficiencies up to a point. Eventually, the body's compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed. A common outcome is a cardiovascular event—sometimes subtle or unnoticed—that reveals the underlying damage. These events may include:
1. Silent Myocardial Infarction (SMI) which account for 45% of all heart attacks.
2. Coronary Artery Disease
3. Heart Valve Disease
4. Arrhythmia
5. Minor stroke
These are all serious conditions, and often present with no noticeable symptoms. In this post, we focus on one such condition: Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
What is AFib?
Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications, including death. In AFib, the heart's two upper chambers (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the two lower chambers (ventricles). It is the most common form of arrhythmia, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the U.S.
Symptoms of AFib:
Often unnoticeable
May include lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or palpitations
Can be episodic or persistent, sometimes requiring emergency treatment
A major concern with AFib is the formation of blood clots in the atria. These clots can travel to other organs, especially the brain, causing a stroke. People with AFib are five times more likely to suffer a stroke, which is why blood thinners are often prescribed.
How AFib Affects the Heart:
In a healthy heart, the sinoatrial (SA) node sends electrical signals that synchronize the atria and ventricles, allowing for effective blood circulation.
In AFib, these electrical signals originate from abnormal locations, causing the atria to quiver instead of contract. This leads to an irregular heart rhythm.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the most effective way to diagnose AFib.
AFib is progressive, with three stages: (1) Paroxysmal (intermittent) (2) Persistent (3) Permanent
If left untreated, AFib leads to remodeling of the heart—where the heart enlarges, works harder, and its tissues sustain damage.
Causes of AFib:
When you search for causes of AFib, you get flooded with a list like the following:
Age: With age atrial tissues become weak and diseased
High BP
Enlarged atria which can be due to high BP or lung disease or prior AFib history
Hormonal abnormality
Alcohol and Smoking
Family History
Obesity
Sleep Apnea
Heart valve Failure
Diabetes
Coronary Artery Disease
What's often ignored is the dietary root of these conditions. As discussed in my blogs on the politics of food and healthcare—and highlighted in the documentary What the Health—diet is a primary driver of all these issues.
The Cardiovascular System and Nitric Oxide:
The inner lining of the cardiovascular system—the endothelium—is made of endothelial cells. These cells release nitric oxide (NO), a gas that serves three vital functions:
Facilitates smooth blood flow Acts as the body's strongest natural vasodilator Prevents arteries from thickening and stiffening, helping to regulate blood pressure
Inflammatory foods damage the endothelium. The body responds by forming plaque (fatty deposits) in the arteries—a condition known as atherosclerosis. These deposits include cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, cellular waste, and fibrin (a clotting agent).
Atherosclerosis reduces the endothelium's ability to produce nitric oxide, impairing blood flow and flexibility. This stiffens the arteries and heart muscle, compromising their function.
Dietary nitrates—found abundantly in green leafy vegetables and beets—help restore nitric oxide levels and protect the endothelium. These foods can prevent and even reverse plaque buildup, yet are often lacking in the modern diet, especially among the younger generation.
Other Dietary Concerns:
Electrolytes, especially magnesium and potassium, are essential for healthy electrical signaling in the heart. Green leafy vegetables are rich in both.
Calcium supplements should be avoided, as they can block magnesium absorption and contribute to arterial calcification.
Vitamin D3 deficiency—common in people who work indoors—also impairs magnesium absorption.
A plant-based, whole-food diet, combined with physical activity and intermittent fasting, can halt the progression of AFib and significantly reduce stroke risk.
Treatment of AFib:
Since AFib is progressive, early dietary intervention is key to slowing or reversing the disease.
AFib treatment requires a three pronged approach: (1) Rate control (2) Rhythm maintenance and (3) Stroke Prevention.
Treatments for AFib may include medications and other interventions to try to alter the heart's electrical system. If medication does not help, there are other invasive procedures like Cardioversion, Catheter or Surgical Ablation and Atrial Pacemaker.
Watch the following videos linked below for more information.
Dr. Esselstyn on How to Reverse Heart Disease
https://youtu.be/27gNVnxN_pw
Are Keto Diets Safe?
https://youtu.be/nEjuZsP8o7g
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Atrial Fibrillation
Lalit Kapoor is a 1971 graduate from IIT Kanpur and has done his MBA from UCLA. Lalit is a successful serial entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. With age, he developed lifestyle diseases and decided to reverse them by changing diet and lifestyle. This led him to study and research in the field of nutrition and plant-based whole food field. Eventually, he successfully got rid of all his chronic diseases and reinvented himself. Lalit became an inspiration for his IIT-K batch mates and started to guide them with his learnings. Many of them benefitted and successfully reversed their chronic diseases. He further incorporated the Nobel prize winning work by Nobel laureates Dr Yoshinori Ohsumi (2016) on autophagy, Dr Jeffery Hall (2017) on circadian rhythm and Dr Tasuko Honzo (2018) on immunotherapy into his recommendations. He has conducted over 450 course sessions which have been attended by over 150,000 people in over 50 countries with thousands of success stories. He runs over 100 active social groups and his NGO 'Plant Based Wellness Foundation' has over 40 centers worldwide. Lalit has also taught a course as a visiting faculty on Nutrition & Health at IIT Kanpur for one semester. LESS ... MORE There is a common misconception among many young people (under 50), particularly those who are not overweight and who exercise regularly, that they are fit and healthy. Many people in their 40s become health-conscious but are misled by the popularity of low-carb diets—a trend heavily supported by the meat and dairy industries. Let's consider someone in their 40s who follows a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb diet (such as keto), is very active, and goes to the gym regularly. This lifestyle gives them a false sense of wellness. High levels of physical activity can delay the negative effects of a diet rich in animal protein and saturated fat, temporarily masking underlying cardiovascular issues. If they also consume alcohol (which is common, though smoking is fortunately less prevalent today), they may believe, 'I'm fit and healthy because I work out and avoid carbs.' However, physical activity can only compensate for dietary deficiencies up to a point. Eventually, the body's compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed. A common outcome is a cardiovascular event—sometimes subtle or unnoticed—that reveals the underlying damage. These events may include: 1. Silent Myocardial Infarction (SMI) which account for 45% of all heart attacks. 2. Coronary Artery Disease 3. Heart Valve Disease 4. Arrhythmia 5. Minor stroke These are all serious conditions, and often present with no noticeable symptoms. In this post, we focus on one such condition: Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). What is AFib? Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications, including death. In AFib, the heart's two upper chambers (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the two lower chambers (ventricles). It is the most common form of arrhythmia, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. Symptoms of AFib: Often unnoticeable May include lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or palpitations Can be episodic or persistent, sometimes requiring emergency treatment A major concern with AFib is the formation of blood clots in the atria. These clots can travel to other organs, especially the brain, causing a stroke. People with AFib are five times more likely to suffer a stroke, which is why blood thinners are often prescribed. How AFib Affects the Heart: In a healthy heart, the sinoatrial (SA) node sends electrical signals that synchronize the atria and ventricles, allowing for effective blood circulation. In AFib, these electrical signals originate from abnormal locations, causing the atria to quiver instead of contract. This leads to an irregular heart rhythm. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the most effective way to diagnose AFib. AFib is progressive, with three stages: (1) Paroxysmal (intermittent) (2) Persistent (3) Permanent If left untreated, AFib leads to remodeling of the heart—where the heart enlarges, works harder, and its tissues sustain damage. Causes of AFib: When you search for causes of AFib, you get flooded with a list like the following: Age: With age atrial tissues become weak and diseased High BP Enlarged atria which can be due to high BP or lung disease or prior AFib history Hormonal abnormality Alcohol and Smoking Family History Obesity Sleep Apnea Heart valve Failure Diabetes Coronary Artery Disease What's often ignored is the dietary root of these conditions. As discussed in my blogs on the politics of food and healthcare—and highlighted in the documentary What the Health—diet is a primary driver of all these issues. The Cardiovascular System and Nitric Oxide: The inner lining of the cardiovascular system—the endothelium—is made of endothelial cells. These cells release nitric oxide (NO), a gas that serves three vital functions: Facilitates smooth blood flow Acts as the body's strongest natural vasodilator Prevents arteries from thickening and stiffening, helping to regulate blood pressure Inflammatory foods damage the endothelium. The body responds by forming plaque (fatty deposits) in the arteries—a condition known as atherosclerosis. These deposits include cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, cellular waste, and fibrin (a clotting agent). Atherosclerosis reduces the endothelium's ability to produce nitric oxide, impairing blood flow and flexibility. This stiffens the arteries and heart muscle, compromising their function. Dietary nitrates—found abundantly in green leafy vegetables and beets—help restore nitric oxide levels and protect the endothelium. 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Treatments for AFib may include medications and other interventions to try to alter the heart's electrical system. If medication does not help, there are other invasive procedures like Cardioversion, Catheter or Surgical Ablation and Atrial Pacemaker. Watch the following videos linked below for more information. Dr. Esselstyn on How to Reverse Heart Disease Are Keto Diets Safe? Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
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Thereafter, more studies will be carried out with the collaboration of IIT Kanpur.
