A STROKE is a potentially fatal condition that can develop when the blood flow to a portion of the brain is interrupted. Additionally, survivors may experience severe and disabling aftereffects for years. As with many medical conditions, certain foods are believed to reduce the risk of having a stroke.
Ischemic strokes are the most prevalent type of stroke and occur when a blood clot prevents the brain from receiving enough blood and oxygen. The blood clot commonly occurs in regions where fatty deposits have restricted or obstructed the arteries over time. Even while arteries can constrict as we age, there are a few things that can accelerate this process.
These are some examples:
Smoking
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Obesity
high levels of cholesterol
Diabetes
Excessive alcohol consumption.
However, a number of research gathered by the California Walnut Commission have demonstrated that consuming walnuts can actually lower the risk of stroke as well as some of the diseases that cause strokes such diabetes, having high high blood pressure, and having high cholesterol.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a kind of omega-3 fatty acid, has “been found to have a beneficial role in the prevention of heart disease and stroke,” according to the commission.
“Walnuts are the only tree nut to contain a significant amount of omega-3 ALA – 2.7 grams out of 30g.”
Additionally, each handful of walnuts (about 30 grams) has 4.4 grams of protein and 1.4 grams of fiber.
In 2018, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that showed that a Mediterranean diet with tree nuts, especially walnuts, was linked to a 46% lower risk of stroke compared to a low-fat diet.
For the study, 7,447 people who were at high risk for heart disease but didn’t have it at the start were put on one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet with extra-virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean diet with mixed nuts, or a control diet (advised to reduce dietary fat).
Participants got free educational sessions every three months and, depending on which group they were in, extra virgin olive oil, mixed nuts, or small gifts that weren’t food.
While a report from the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2020 said that eating just half a serving of nuts like walnuts every day was linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
Participants in the study who ate just half a serving of nuts per day had a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke compared to those who did not consume nuts.
And among 708 healthy older persons who included walnuts in their diet for four years, a study published in the journal Circulation last year discovered a connection between regular daily walnut consumption and maintained reduced levels of cholesterol.
To lower your risk of stroke, the CDC recommends a low-fat, high-fiber diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains.
The word FAST can help you remember the main signs of a stroke:
Face: The person’s lips, eye, or face may have dropped to one side, preventing them from smiling.
Arms: Someone who might have had a stroke might not be able to lift both arms and keep them up because one arm is weak or numb.
Speech – Despite appearing to be awake, the individual may have trouble understanding what you’re saying to them or their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all.
Time: If you notice any of these warning signs or symptoms, you should call 911 or your doctor right away.
Source: https://www.revyuh.com/news/lifestyle