Atrial Fibrillation & Friedreich's Ataxia

Atrial Fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia(rapid/irregular heart beat) which can sometimes accompany Friedreich's Ataxia. Atrial fibrillation (usually referred to as A-Fib) is a rapid, irregular, and incomplete "fluttering" of the atria (the two, smaller, upper chambers of the heart).

One of the key issues with A-Fib is: the atrial contractions are incomplete meaning the atria do not fully contract to the point where blood is being pumped - this is what leads to the sudden drop in blood pressure, chills, and a pale complexion. Basically, the atria are in spasm and just quivering without completely contracting - and this is why blood thinners are usually given to people who are prone to A-Fib - it is just a precaution due to the risk of blood clots developing in the atria while the blood is pooling there. I was given coumadin for this but I have determined that the negatives outweigh the positives so I stopped taking it. I prefer natural blood thinners like Ginkgo Biloba, Hawthorn, natural Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol is natural - dl-alpha is chemically manufactured), Co-Enzyme Q10, and Omega 3 fatty acids like Krill Oil or Fish Oil.

Some natural A-Fib preventatives include:

1. Co Q10

2. Omega 3 EFAs

3. Magnesium

4. Hawthorn

5. Water - A-Fib can be caused by dehydration

6. Meditation - A-fib can be caused by mental and emotional stress

Yours in Natural Health,

Vin D'Errico

Gene Expression, Antioxidants, & Friedreich's Ataxia

Many people are under the impression that if they are born with a particular defective gene for a particular disease, like Friedreich's Ataxia or cancer, they will develop this condition sometime in their life.

This is simply not true!

Although one may have a defective gene which can make that person vulnerable to specific diseases, these genes must be activated by free radicals before they can be expressed. Everyone is born with these `bad genes`, but not everyone develops diseases because not everyone adopts a lifestyle which exposes them to high levels of free radicals and low levels of antioxidants which have the ability to deactivate these genes.

Introduction

My goal here is to provide information that I have gathered over the years pertaining to natural healing/alternative medicine and Friedreich's Ataxia. If someone can learn something from one of my posts which improves their own condition or stops and reverses the progression, then the time I have invested here will be well worth it. I encourage you to leave a comment and share your own story and opinions here.

I'd like to now introduce myself before I go any further:

I was diagnosed with FA in 2004 when I was in the tenth grade. My dad had always been interested in natural medicine and it was around that time I began to read Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau.

A year later, I started seeing a naturopath who told me about the school he went to for his natural health education: Clayton College of Natural Health. After receiving a small scholarship the following year, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Natural Health/Doctor of Naturopathy program and I received my Bachelor's Degree in January 2010.

So, that is the short version of my story...I'd love to here yours.

Yours in Natural Health,

Viny D'Errico