| Author | Message | ||
     Lloyd Jackson |
Are there any foods one should try and eat to help this issue of QT Syndrome? | ||
| Leocalifornia |
I've heard that foods rich in potassium (e.g. bananas) can help but are no means a cure. | ||
| Bionic Road runner |
LQTS patients should always keep their level of potassium high. It is very important since low levels of potassium can throw your heart electrical system "out of whack"... There are lists of foods high in potassium on the internet. Supplements are not recommended as too much potassium can have a negative effect. Also, lots of research with positive results is being done about Omega 3 oils, especially from fish oil sources, such as salmon (the wild king alaskan kind, lake trout, mackerel, sardines (yuk!!!)...Should you decide to take supplement if you do not like fish, make sure to tell your doctor about it. | ||
| Wendy Matt |
Are there any foods to avoid? I have always had reactins to these foods (even as a child) - but these are NOT not allergic reactions.............I tend to go into arrythmias and syncope. MY "trigger" fods are grapefruit, pine nuts (including pesto), sharp cheeses, baked potato skins (not the bag kind, fresh ones) and carmel (go figure)! Are there any others? | ||
| SheilaP |
WOW! I am ALSO interested to see if anyone else has found troublesome foods. I am allergic to MANY things, but often eat 'some' anyway. | ||
| Dr. Jorgen Kanters Username: Jorgen Registered: 08-2003 |
grapefruit sometimes inhibits the enzymes degrading pharmacetutical substances which prolong QT. | ||
| SheilaP |
Uh, Dr Kanters, does that mean grapefruits are helpful or not? (LOL) | ||
| Dr. Jorgen Kanters Username: Jorgen Registered: 08-2003 |
it means that it could worsen LQTS in combination with some drugs | ||
| Matt |
I've read that beta-blockers decrease the uptake of potassium from the blood into the cells leading to excess potassium in the blood and potentially hyperkalemia. Therefore shouldn't people on beta-blockers avoid taking potassium supplements or eating large quantities of fruit (eg. bananas) ? | ||
| Bionic Roadrunner |
Not necesarily. Taking extra potassium should be done under doctor's supervision. Mine is prescribed by the doctor and I check it regularly. Some forms of LQTs are caused by a problem with the potassium channel and patients have to make sure they have enough potassium. Taking extra potassium on your own could also lead to hypokalemia. | ||
| Rebecca Vaughan |
I am not aware that beta blockers decrease uptake of potassium. If they do, it surely is minimal. The renal system (kidneys) if healthy do a nice job of regulating the potassium in the blood and maintaining a normal level. The exception to this is if you are in the hospital and they give you IV potassium, that can cause a rapid increase in serum K level. You would have to eat lots of bananas and/or take many supplements to get a level too high. Normal people on betablockers do not have to worry about eating bananas, and unless your doctor recommends supplements and/or you have LQT2 there is no reason for K supplements. |