Because the symptoms our bodies signal us with do not exist in isolation, it’s important to emphasize that conditions such as stroke and many others have related causes. Many health conditions can be improved by simply improving diet, lifestyle, reducing stress, inflammation and toxicity in the body. Conventional medical care typically prescribes drugs and / or surgery for treating symptoms of stroke.
Avoiding prescription medication is highlight since these products have dangerous side-effects and fail to address underlying causes of disease processes, such as stroke. Disease conditions typically arise as a result of inflammation and toxicity in the body, lack of oxygen and blood to cells and specifically brain tissue, and nutritional deficiencies which deplete the body’s ability to maintain wellness.
What is a stroke?
A stroke affects arteries leading into the brain. When this occurs, one area of the brain suddenly begins to experience a lack of oxygen and blood flow. A lack of oxygen and blood flow happens when an artery transporting blood to that region ruptures or is completely blocked.
Permanent damage can occur when one region of the brain is depleted of blood and oxygen, leading to impaired speech, movement, memory and various functions in the body after the event.
Symptoms of stroke
Symptoms can occur over a period of days, weeks, or months. Typically, however, there are no symptoms until the stroke actually occurs:
- Numbness or weakness in facial areas, arm or leg, and usually on one side of the body
- Interruption or challenges in speech
- Difficulty in walking
- Confusion or challenges in understanding
- Dizziness or severe brain “fog”
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden and / or severe headache
Factors that increase risk for stroke
- Excess weight
- Diet of regular processed and packaged foods
- Stress
- Metabolic syndrome markers – cardiovascular disease, diabetes (insulin-resitance or blood sugar imbalance), high blood pressure
- Chronic depression and/or anxiety
- Chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic sleep deprivation
- Sedentary lifestyle – lack of exercise/movement
- Regular tobacco or alcohol use
Causes of stroke
- Blood clots
- Blocked arteries
- Broken and ruptured blood vessels
- Inflammation
- Toxicity
Different stroke types
- Ischemic – blockage of blood and oxygen to the brain
- Hemmoraghic – caused when bleeding starts to occur into brain tissue due to a burst or ruptured blood vessel (can occur spontaneously or during an accident or injury)
- Transcient ischemic attack – caused by a small blood clot that temporarily causes blockage to an artery. Symptoms can range from a few minutes to less than an hour.
Natural ways to prevent stroke
- Eliminate processed and packaged foods which contribute to disease and inflammation
- Avoid sugar consumption, also a major contributor of chronic health issues
- Consume real, organic, traditional foods. See this article on the healing power of nutrient-dense foods optimal wellness and health restoration
- Include fermented, probiotic foods in your diet, which restore balance in the digestive tract as well as immune system and contribute to optimal health
- Consider the critical role of minerals in your diet for wellness and recovery from disease and why nutrient-dense, real foods replete in minerals are so essential
- In addition to diet, use other safe and gentle ways to detoxify regularly – epsom salt and magnesium salt baths, stress relief, use bentonite clay in baths and in capsules (away from food to help detox such as a.m., 1/2 hour before eating a meal or at night 3 hours after last consumption of food
- Obtain adequate sleep nightly – develop a calming routine before bed and retire no later than 10 p.m. in a dark room with no electronic appliances / Wifi or EMF exposure
- Ensure regular exercise, relaxation and stress relief – engage in walking or hiking outdoors (or some other activity you enjoy, rain or shine), prayer, meditation, stretching, weight-bearing exercises, etc.
- Ensure regular, moderate sun exposure to receive adequate levels of safe UVB via the skin, the most efficient and potent form of Vitamin D, critical to optimal health. Read more here on why Vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic levels in first-world, industrialized nations and is a major culprit of chronic disease.
- Detoxify your living and working environments of toxic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, plastics, commercial cleaners, detergents / personal care / beauty products, cleaning and other harmful products
Holistic approach treatment for stroke recovery
As stated in the beginning of this article, prescription drugs have side-effects, so prevention of stroke and other chronic health conditions is not only preferable but possible. For those who have already experienced stroke, there are studies showing success of herbal treatments:
In a meta-analysis published in the December 2017 issue of the journal Medicine, researchers found after evaluation of 28 trials with 2000+ patients, some patented Chinese herbal supplements Buchang Naoxintong, Shuxuetong, Xuesaitong and Shuxuetong can show improvement of neurological function and a return to daily activities function in those who have already experienced stroke. Evaluation of 28 trials
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5728860/
For those with more lasting and serious effects of stoke, Dr. Dexin Yan developed Herbal Boost for approved use in Chinese hospitals as a treatment for those who have experienced stroke and cardiac arrest. The product contains a powerful ‘tonifying’ herb, Cordyceps (mushroom). Included in this product is a selection of traditional herbs known in China as “the three pillars of healthy aging” which possess the ability to support immune function, energy production, immune function and circulation.
In addition, he added additional herbs known for their ability to recondition circulation such as salvia, Angelica, Plantycodon, Tienchi ginseng and Achyranthes roots to improve quality of blood components (white and red cells, platelets, and plasma), increase the speed of healing and enhance circulation.
Herbs in this formula also specifically support recovery from neurological (psychogenic) conditions and restore microcirculatory system to prevent recurrence of a stroke or cardiac event, which restores balance to major organ systems.
Source: https://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/herbal-support-speedy-recovery-stroke-heart-attack-surgery/
Cover image: https://unsplash.com/photos/mZV0Z2KmC2A Iga Palacz
