A considerable number of afibbers have been able eliminate the occurrence of atrial fibrillation while observing the plan set forth in Louis Cordain's book, "The Paleo Diet". The basic premise of Paleo eating involves the elimination of all grains and other foods not found in their natural state. It's really more than that but for now, let's focus on this one facet.
I propose that the key element to this success is the grain-elimination factor, pecifically, grains containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut, triticale). A discussion on oats, rice and corn and other suspect foods follows later. Quite possibly, it may not matter what healthy-eating dietary strategy is followed as long as it is one that is gluten free.
While listening to a series of nutritional teleconferences, I had an 'ah ha' moment and would like to share my hypothesis for your consideration. This requires a multifactorial, stepwise educational approach, so bear with me while I lay the groundwork.
One of the benefits of grain elimination, more specifically gluten-containing grains, is an almost automatic guarantee of associated weight loss which can be attributed to simply less carbohydrate caloric intake but more significantly, to gluten sensitivity. Once the chemistry that holds on to stubborn extra pounds in the gluten-sensitive individual is normalized, weight falls off almost effortlessly and stays off. Afibbers carrying extra abdominal weight - especially if fat accumulation crowds stomach and diaphragm and pushes up into the heart area - often report less arrhythmia with weight loss.
