Many vegetables, as well as beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains, are high in nutritional value, including B vitamins. Medical experts have suggested for years that B vitamins help address many health issues, including stress, depression, and memory loss, and studies continue to uncover the important roles that this group of vitamins play in our health. Moreover, researchers now believe this natural supplement complex may be able to reduce your risk of stroke.
The Scientific Evidence –Natural Supplement and Stroke
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Scientists at Zhengzou University in China examined 14 clinical trials consisting of over fifty-thousand total participants. Each of the studies compared vitamin B use against a placebo or an extremely low-dosage of vitamin B. The participants were monitored for 6 months. During this time period, 2 471 people had a stroke, all of which showed some deficit in vitamin B. It turned out that vitamin B lowered the risk of stroke in the studies by 7 percent. However, taking the natural supplement didn’t affect the severity of strokes or risk of death caused by a stroke.
However, when researchers specifically isolated vitamin B12, they discovered that it did not reduce the risk of stroke. In addition, they uncovered that folic acid (vitamin B9) seemed to reduce the effect of vitamin B.
The research team concluded that vitamin B’s ability to reduce the risk of stroke could involve many factors. For instance, it could depend on the body’s ability to absorb the vitamin, the amount of B12 in the blood, and whether or not the person has high blood pressure or kidney disease. The team suggests that, if you are considering taking natural supplements, you should consult with your doctor or health care practitioner beforehand.
The Facts on Stroke
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every year, there are almost 130 000 deaths caused by stroke. Strokes occur when there is inadequate blood flow to the brain or a rupture of blood vessels in the brain. This can cause brain cells to die. The effects of a stroke depend on where the brain is injured. A stroke can affect a person’s ability to move, see, speak, read, write, and even remember.
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It used to be known as a condition that affected adults over the age of 65. However, studies indicate that many younger people are now at risk. A report in the journal Neurology indicates that 15 percent of the most common type of stroke occurs in young adults – between 530,000 and 852,000 people between 18 and 44 in the United States have suffered a stroke.
Medical professionals say studying stroke and preventative measures is crucial, especially when considering the huge economic impact that a stroke in younger generations creates. If a young person suffers a stroke, they are potentially disabled during what should be the most productive time of their lives.
The authors of the China study admit that in the past, there have been conflicting studies about the impact of vitamin B on stroke. Some studies have suggested that certain natural supplements may increase the risk of stroke. However, this latest study is encouraging and warrants researchers into further investigations.
