Re: Heart Palpitations/Flutters - was (no subject)

June 30, 2006

>Since just a little while into this diet program I have

>had irregular heartbeats and shortness of breath....<snip>

>

>Marge

Hi Marge,

I don't know if this applies to you, but it is certainly something to

think about. It's what Dr. Bruce Fife recently posted to a coconut oil group:

>I would like to comment on the experience some people have had with a

>racing heart after taking coconut oil. This happens occasionally and let

>me tell you why. Most of the energy in the body comes from glucose.

>However, the heart is different. It gets up to 80% of its energy from

>fat, preferably saturated fat. An enzyme called CD36 is required for the

>utilization of fat in the heart. If a person does not consume adequate

>amounts of fat or has a CD36 deficiency their hearts must rely more on

>glucose for its energy needs. Glucose is a less efficient form of energy

>for the heart muscle, therefore, if it is forced to get most of its

>energy from glucose the heart will be constantly under powered and weak.

>If this is chronic you probably don't realize it or feel anything except

>that your heart in not functioning at an optimal level. It is like

>running a car a poor grade of gasoline.

>

>When you start adding coconut oil into your diet two things happen. One,

>you are supplying more fat (i.e. fuel) for the heart to utilize. Two,

>the heart can use the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil without

>the need of CD36. So if your diet has been fat deficient or you are

>lacking the enzymes for your heart to properly utilize fats, then eating

>coconut oil will be like putting a high grade gasoline into your car.

>You will notice a difference in performance, the engine will race

>faster, perhaps even sputter as energy performance improves. This is not

>a sign of trouble but an indication of improved performance and energy

>utilization. It is also a sign that your heart has been under nourished

>and you need to eat an adequate amount of healthy fats. I don't

>recommend that you back off from eating coconut oil, your heart is in

>desperate need for it so make sure you get enough every single day.

>

>Dr. Bruce Fife

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