September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Atrial fibrillation (also called Afib or AF), is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that can cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and weakness. It is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, and is the most commonly seen form of cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. Atrial fibrillation affects an estimated 2.7 million Americans or more, and can lead to serious complications such as blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases, which may be fatal. Since some people have no apparent symptoms, it often goes un-diagnosed.

Magnesium plays several functional roles within cardiac muscle to regulate heart rate and contractions. It helps control the sodium-potassium pump within the cell membranes that causes the muscles of the heart to pump. It has been shown to extend the refractory period of the heart muscle, which is the relaxation time after the heart muscle pumps. In some studies, it has even been more effective at restoring the heart’s rhythm than standard pharmaceutical treatments.

Several studies have linked magnesium to the incidence and development of AF. An analysis by Khan et al. used data from the Framingham Offspring Study, which involved more than two decades of data from a total of 3,530 participants, to look at the link between serum magnesium and the development of AF in those without existing cardiovascular disease. Over the time of the analysis, 5% of participants developed AF. The incidence of AF was highest in the quartile with the lowest magnesium level (P=0.02); no additional improvement was shown as serum magnesium rose beyond the level of the second quartile, suggesting there is a threshold serum magnesium level at which no further effect on AF can be seen.

The measurement for magnesium used in this study was the serum magnesium level, which is different than the RBC magnesium measurement in the Elements Panel, offered by GrassrootsHealth. Also note that the RBC magnesium test is a more accurate measurement of magnesium status than serum magnesium.

A meta-analysis published by Liu et al. looked at 13 studies with 6519 cases of AF among 74,885 participants in total. The goal of the analysis was to identify a dose-specific relationship between vitamin D level and the risk of AF or postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

The findings can be summarized as follows:

As is clearly illustrated in the chart above, the relative risk of AF goes down as vitamin D levels go up.

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Choose which additional nutrients to measure, such as your omega-3s and essential minerals including magnesium and zinc, by creating your custom home test kit today. Take steps to improve the status of each of these measurements to benefit your overall health. With measurement you can then determine how much is needed and take steps to achieve your goals. You can also track your own intakes, symptoms and results to see what works best for YOU.

The eBook, Vitamin D & COVID-19, A Summary of Published Research, is a condensed and concise compilation of much of the published research on vitamin D and COVID-19, easy to read and share as a downloadable, printable PDF. Your purchase helps to further public knowledge and education of this invaluable research! Be sure to educate yourself on the benefits and importance of vitamin D for immune health, and take steps to ensure you and your loved ones are getting enough.

Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.

Have a beautiful and HEALTHY day.

Onwards,