Olive oil may reduce the risk of stroke by protecting against conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Monounsaturated Fats
Olive Oil is one of the richest sources of monounsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats—omega-6s in the case of olive oil—are important because they help boost heart health. This is important for helping prevent health issues such as cardiovascular disease or stroke.
The polyphenols contained in extra virgin olive oil play a key role in reducing blood pressure levels and inflammation. The heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in extra virgin olive oil can also play a key role in stroke prevention.
Quick treatment not only improves your chances of survival but also may reduce complications. An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke.
If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a “clot-busting” drug) to break up blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic. tPA improves the chances of recovering from a stroke.
Consider red wine as your first choice, which some studies suggest might help prevent heart disease and stroke. Watch your portion sizes. A standard-sized drink is a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce beer, or 1.5-ounce glass of hard liquor.
The reason the first hour is golden is because stroke patients have a much greater chance of surviving and avoiding long-term brain damage if they arrive at the hospital and receive treatment with a clot-busting drug called TPA within that first hour.
Similarly, an earlier study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that antioxidants called phenols in virgin olive oil helped prevent blood clots. In the study, people who consumed virgin olive oil with a high phenol content had lower levels of a substance that promotes blood clots.
“Based on the findings of this study and previous pre-clinical studies by us and others, we can conclude that adding olive oil to our diet could maintain a healthy brain and improve memory function.”
Extra virgin olive oil has been listed as one of seven diet tips to help prevent deep vein thrombosis. According to a new report in Everydayhealth.com, could reduce the risk of blood clots forming inside the body.
Foods high in potassium, such as sweet and white potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, prunes, melon and soybeans, can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure — the leading risk factor of stroke. Magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach, are also linked to a lower risk of stroke.
Crude virgin olive oil regulates and improves circulation of blood flow, preventing the formation of varicose veins and discomfort while walking. Although it is advised that in order to have well hydrated skin, one must drink plenty of water, but olive oil helps moisturize the skin in depth, soften and revitalize it.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and is the main cause for increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes.
Foods high in fiber, potassium, or magnesium
Apples (and pears) also are rich in an antioxidant called quercetin, which can help prevent blood clots, relax arteries, and improve blood flow. They are also a source of potassium, which can further help to lower blood pressure, Bayat explains.
Acupuncture is an alternative health treatment that involves inserting thin needles into specific “acupoints” on the body. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps improve mobility after stroke, especially when it's combined with traditional physical therapy.
Ginger. Ginger lowers blood glucose levels while raising insulin levels in diabetics, and it may also protect against heart attacks and strokes by reducing the risk of blood clots. Fresh ginger can be used in stir-fry dishes, stews, and soups and can also be steeped in a cup of boiling water to make a healthy tea.
Limiting Stroke Damage
If you have a stroke, the curcumin found in turmeric may help limit the damage that sometimes occurs when the blood and oxygen return to your brain tissues after the stroke, according to a study published in "Microcirculation" in August 2013. This damage is called a repurfusion injury.
Stroke symptoms that go away on their own are still a medical emergency. Get to a hospital as fast as you can. Every stroke is a medical emergency because it means that blood flow to part of the brain has been interrupted.