# Is Taking Supplements OK When You Have AFib? - Author: **Teresa Dumain** - Document Tags: [[Ventricular Tachycardia]] - [URL link](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/afib-supplements#1-1)  ## Highlights Magnesium This mineral helps keep your [heart](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/cm/rm-quiz-know-heart) rhythm steady. When you don't have enough of it in your body, you may have an [irregular heartbeat](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-causes-heart-palpitations). — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdwnwvstjz86pw7r6cv5b8)) ^6956ca --- Other research has shown that getting magnesium through an IV may help control [AFib](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/ss/slideshow-af-overview) for some people in the hospital. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdxj58v8ak1e7k575rht1g)) ^2abb74 --- But if you take digoxin to help control your [heart rate](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/pulse-measurement), magnesium supplements may interfere with how it gets absorbed by your body so the medicine won't work as well. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdx8q00n2rdwrj29df30hs)) ^24b6cd --- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) It's an [antioxidant](https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health) that your body makes, and your cells won't work properly without it. CoQ10 levels go down as you get older. It may be low in people with heart problems. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdy8rc0rrhagqa7ckvwxx7)) ^067902 --- In one Chinese study, people with [heart failure](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/understanding-heart-failure-basics) who took CoQ10 along with their regular meds had fewer episodes of AFib after 12 months. There's also science that suggests taking CoQ10 may help people with heart failure feel better. It may also help lower [high blood pressure](https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm). — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdyd6kmvay61zj1pq7tfxk)) ^b450b1 --- Even though CoQ10 supplements are safe for most people, it can make the [blood thinner](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-tips-for-taking-blood-thinners) [warfarin](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3949/warfarin+oral/details) (Coumadin, [Jantoven](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-77321-jantoven+oral.aspx)) less effective, which could raise the risk of getting clots. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdytndz5aemx8tgjfh35k1)) ^912bd8 --- Still, a 2021 study found that fish oil may have an effect on irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and specifically AFib.  At lower doses, the risk of developing AFib was slight, but the risk was greater in the higher dose groups. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqe0pc58qyx5em42cpwm29p)) - Note: so don't take??? ^ac0942 --- Fiber [Psyllium](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-797-psyllium+oral.aspx), a form of fiber in many supplements, can help lower both "bad" [LDL cholesterol](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ldl-cholesterol-the-bad-cholesterol) and your total [cholesterol levels](https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/understanding-numbers). Controlling your cholesterol can help you avoid other health problems related to AFib. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqe560xqdnnytx0rg2bhg2m)) ^0bce99 --- men should aim for 38 grams. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqe58ahqbeq3nptx38g7fe6)) ^1daca2 --- Phytosterols Because these plant compounds are similar to [cholesterol](https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/ss/slideshow-cholesterol-overview), they compete with it so your body doesn't absorb as much from food. Experts recommend getting 2 grams of phytosterols every day to help lower "bad" cholesterol levels in your [blood](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cm/rm-quiz-blood-basics). High levels of [LDL cholesterol](https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/ss/slideshow-cholesterol-lowering-foods) make strokes more likely. You can find small amounts of phytosterols in nuts and legumes, whole grains, and vegetables and fruits. They're added to some brands of margarine spreads and orange juice. Or you can get plant sterols and stanols in a supplement. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqe81byjrbw3dr4zae0xnma)) ^0049b0 ---