To recover from stroke, vitamins and supplements are the foremost factors for brain health, but remember that no single capsule suits all patients. Supplements that enhance one person’s recovery from a stroke can be dangerous for someone else. To avoid this mistake, learn why you should be cautious enough about the supplements. Then, I’ll share a list of the best vitamins to enhance stroke recovery.
Be Cautious About Supplements for Stroke Recovery
Before we dive deep into the pool of science-backed vitamins and the best brain supplements for stroke recovery, you need to proceed with caution. You must consult with your doctor before adding supplements to your routine. Some supplements can interfere with your health status and cause complications. For instance, Ginko Biloba is an herb that is used to help prevent ischemic stroke (stroke caused by a clot) because it’s a natural blood thinner however, it can also put people with a history of hemorrhagic stroke (stroke caused by a bleed) at an increased risk of suffering a second stroke. Furthermore, you can problems if you’re already intaking medication to thin your blood. Other supplements containing natural blood thinning properties include ginger, turmeric, vitamin E, garlic, cassia cinnamon, grape seed extract, and omega 3.
Now, let’s dive deep into the pool of supplements and vitamins for stroke recovery.
Best Supplements and Vitamins for Stroke Recovery
Based on relevant clinical research, these are considered the best supplements and vitamins for recovery from stroke. Research studies result that vitamin D is one of the best to recover from a stroke. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with worse outcomes after ischemic stroke, which account for 87% of all strokes in America. Moreover, a deficiency of vitamin D is associated with the risk factors of stroke like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Fortunately, after supplementing with vitamin D, “there is a significant improvement in stroke outcomes after 3 months.” Getting enough amount of vitamin D can also provide neuroprotective, neuromuscular, and osteoprotective benefits which can reduce cognitive and functional impairments in ones after a stroke. By getting your daily dose of vitamin D, you can reduce your risk of another stroke while aiding your brain’s recovery.
Vitamin D
Research studies result that vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for recovery from stroke. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with worse outcomes after ischemic stroke. Moreover, a deficiency of vitamin D is associated with the risk factors of stroke like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Fortunately, after supplementing with vitamin D, there’s a significant improvement in stroke outcomes after 3 months. Getting enough vitamin D can also provide neuroprotective, neuromuscular, and osteoprotective benefits which can reduce cognitive and functional impairments in individuals after a stroke. By getting your daily dose of vitamin D, you can reduce your risk of another stroke while aiding your brain’s recovery.
How to get vitamin D naturally
Your body can produce Vitamin D or the sunshine vitamin, from daily amounts of sun exposure but be cautious about your exposure during peak hours (generally 10 am-4 pm) when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
If you can’t get sun exposure due to medical restrictions (like the heightened risk of skin cancer), then consume it via foods that are rich in Vitamin D, fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolks.
Probiotics
Probiotics are neither a vitamin nor mineral but probiotics are a kind of “good” bacteria that comprise your microbiome, the 100 trillion microbes that live inside your gut. The bacteria living inside your body play an important role – they even have a nervous system called the enteric nervous system. By this internal ecosystem, the bacteria in your gut communicate with your brain via the gut-brain axis and it goes vice versa. Since gut health plays a vital role in brain health, probiotics make the list of supplements for stroke recovery.
How To Get Probiotics Naturally
Great sources of probiotics include fermented foods like; curd, kefir, tempeh, kimchi, and miso.
Vitamin B12:
A deficiency of vitamin B12 is associated with a type of inflammation that damages the blood vessels. When vessels become damaged, excess deposits can develop and interrupt blood flow. If this happens to an artery in the brain, it can lead to a stroke. consuming vitamin B12 can enhance stroke recovery by boosting the function and development of the brain and nerve cells. It encourages neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, create new neural pathways, and rearrange existing ones.
How To Get Vitamin B12 Naturally:
Vitamin B12 is found in the products like fish, poultry, meat, milk, and eggs. If you have a history of stroke risk factors like cholesterol or atherosclerosis, consume sources of protein such as poultry or fish.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 can encourage recovery of brain function after stroke for two main reasons: Firstly, niacin directly affects neuroplasticity and secondly, niacin improves “good” cholesterol levels, which are statistically low in stroke survivors. Although experts have yet to link “good” cholesterol levels with stroke recovery, reducing one’s risk of a second stroke is a significant accomplishment.
How To Get Niacin Naturally:
Vitamin B3 or niacin has been proven to be found in tuna, chicken, turkey, and salmon. Options other than meat are peanuts and brown rice.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is critical for healthy brains. While omega-3s are not vitamins, they still made the list for their positive effects on stroke recovery. DHA is essential for brain growth in the maintenance of normal brain function in adults. Some studies suggest that DHA can reduce stroke risk factors like hypertension and atherosclerosis. Be aware that fish oil is contraindicated for some blood thinners, such as Warfarin. Consult your doctor to get to know whether the supplement is safe for you or not.
How to get DHA naturally:
DHA is an essential fatty acid, meaning your body cannot produce it on its own – you must get it from your supplements. Fish like salmon contains high amounts of DHA. If you follow a strictly heart-healthy diet, then consider consuming fish oil supplements to maintain your daily amount of DHA.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 is most famous for improving heart health – but it holds incredible benefits for your brain, too. This is why CoQ10 made the list of top vitamins for stroke recovery, even though it’s a nutrient and not a vitamin. CoQ10 protects from free radicals, which are toxic molecules associated with the disease. Free radicals are believed to play a role in cardiovascular disease, which is a precursor to a stroke. By supplementing with CoQ10, you can improve your heart health and, therefore, reduce your risk of a second stroke. Also, low CoQ10 levels can cause tissue damage to the brain during a stroke.
How to get CoQ10 naturally:
CoQ10 can be found in liver organ meats like the heart, liver, and kidney. However, these meats also contain high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats that aggravate cardiovascular disease. Small amounts of CoQ10 can be found in spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower. Due to this, supplementation may be more suitable for the ones recovering from a stroke.
1. Vitamin C
A deficiency of vitamin C may be a stroke risk factor, especially in individuals with a history of hemorrhagic strokes (stroke caused by a burst artery in the brain). In a study from the American Academy of Neurology 65 survivors of hemorrhagic stroke were compared to 65 healthy people. On average, those who suffered a stroke had depleted levels of vitamin C while healthy people did not.
How to get vitamin C naturally:
Although oranges are well-known for their nutritional benefits, other fruits and vegetables, like papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries, contain higher amounts of vitamin C. Dr. Stephane Vannier does not recommend supplementing vitamin C if you are not deficient.
How to get these supplements without breaking your budget:
Consider consuming these supplements through your diet rather than pay for costly pills and herbal remedies. Eat a variety of whole foods every day, especially foods that help stroke recovery, in order to avoid a nutritional deficiency. Prioritize meals with minimal processing, which can strip foods of essential vitamins and minerals. If you are unable to consume these vitamins and minerals through your diet, then consult with your physician prior to adding supplements to your medication regimen.