|  | Conditions Treatments | Stroke

Vitamins That Aid in Stroke Recovery

People who have suffered from a stroke are at an increased risk of having another stroke. Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs or “mini-strokes,” can occur frequently after a first stroke and can be a sign that another stroke is going to occur. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 50 percent of TIAs occurred within a year before a stroke. Providing the best vitamin supplementation can help prevent recurrences of strokes and help in recovery.

  1. Vitamin A

    • According to Phyllis Balch C.N.C. in her book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” vitamin A acts as an antioxidant. It helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels, and aids in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. Vitamin A in the emulsion form is better assimilated.

    Vitamin B

    • The B vitamins, specifically folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, have been associated with breaking down the amino acid homocysteine and converting it into methionine. Patients with elevated homocysteine levels are 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. Even slightly elevated homocysteine that is still in the normal range has been linked to a higher risk of stroke. According to the article “Three of the Bs: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12,” from the Harvard School of Public Health, higher intake of folate has been observed to create a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a study done at Tufts University found that people with higher homocysteine levels scored only 30 percent as well on memory tests compared to people with low homocysteine levels.

    Vitamin C

    • Supplementing vitamin C may help in improving damaged cognitive functions after a stroke. It is also an important vitamin to prevent atherosclerosis, blood vessel degradation and strokes. It acts as an antioxidant and enhances the actions of vitamin E.

    Vitamin E

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, foods rich in vitamin E can help reduce your risk for a stroke. Taking vitamin E supplementation with alpha lipoic acid before a stroke occurs may help prevent some brain damage. It may also be important in preventing the risk of dementia that can occur after a stroke. Its antioxidant actions can be renewed by vitamin C, giving it more time to destroy free radicals. Additionally, it is helpful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, normalizes blood clotting and helps to reduce blood pressure. Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E since it may interfere with blood clotting medications.

Stroke - Related Articles