Your Diet and Stroke Risk: 5 Foods to Add and 5 to Avoid

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Without blood, brain cells can’t get the oxygen and other nutrients they need, and they start to die. This can cause debilitating symptoms, lasting disability, and even death.

At Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, in Naples, Florida, board-certified neurologist Dr. Cory Lamar and our team specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating strokes. As diet can play a large role in causing or preventing strokes, the team is taking this opportunity to help you choose the healthiest diet for preventing this debilitating disease.

The types of strokes

There are three different categories of strokes, which describe the cause and the severity of the problem.

1. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Also called a ministroke, a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Symptoms last for only a short time and don’t cause lasting damage. However, a TIA is considered a “warning” stroke, an indication that you may have a major stroke down the line.

Treating a TIA involves implementing measures to prevent a future problem. This may include clot-busting medication and/or lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet.

2. Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, making up 62.4% of cases. It occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of your brain. Unlike with a TIA, the clot doesn’t go away on its own and must be treated as quickly as possible to prevent brain cell death.

The clot is most often due to atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries that supply the brain. If the clot breaks free of the artery wall, it can block blood flow through the conduit. The process is similar to a heart attack, where a clot blocks blood flow to part of your heart.

3. Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, leaking blood into the surrounding tissues. This can happen due to an aneurysm, a weak spot in the vessel ballooning outward; very high blood pressure that pushes too hard on a vessel wall; or a hemorrhagic transformation, when an ischemic stroke leads to bleeding.

Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are treated with a combination of medication and rehabilitation, which may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or other therapies that address the deficits caused by brain cell death.

Your diet and stroke risk

It’s said, “You are what you eat.” Translated to strokes, this becomes “What you eat affects your risk for stroke.”

It’s important to understand how your diet influences the way your body performs, and in the case of strokes, it’s important to understand what increases and decreases your risk for developing the clots that cause strokes to occur.

A few things to know:

Fats, primarily saturated and trans fats, are a main contributor to the plaques found in atherosclerosis, which can lead to TIAs and ischemic strokes.

High sugar content can contribute toward developing diabetes, which is a risk factor for heart disease and strokes.

High salt (sodium) content can raise blood pressure, which, as we’ve seen, can lead to hemorrhagic strokes.

5 foods to avoid

Here are five foods that can contribute to stroke risk:

1. Foods high in trans fats, such as those containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (baked goods)
2. Foods high in dietary cholesterol, such as bacon, non-lean red meat, and butter
3. Foods and beverages high in added sugars (including high fructose corn syrup), such as sweet baked goods and soft drinks
4. Foods high in salt/sodium, particularly prepared and processed foods
5. Full-fat dairy products, such as whole milk

It's best to eliminate these from your diet or consume them only in moderation.

5 foods to add

Here are five foods that can reduce your stroke risk:

1. Lean meats with no skin or added saturated and trans-fat
2. Fish, particularly oily fish (salmon and trout) that contain omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats)
3. Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
4. Low-sodium foods
5. Unprocessed foods

Combine these with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to get all the minerals and micronutrients you need to stay healthy.

Want more advice on how diet can decrease your risk for strokes? Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, can help. Call our office at 239-667-5878 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamar, or book online with us today.