Stroke is the sudden death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients from the blood. A stroke known as apoplexy or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also called a “brain attack,” is caused by the disturbance in the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells.2 Stroke can cause permanent neurologic damage, complications, and death.

Like all organs, our brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by our blood in order to function properly. When blood flow to the brain is impaired, oxygen and glucose cannot be delivered to the brain, causing brain cells to dysfunction (medically called “ischemia”). This can be due to a lack of blood supply caused by the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system (thrombosis) or due to the rupture of a blood vessel leading to dysfunction of the brain tissue in the affected area (hemorrhage).

There are many reasons why blood flow can be compromised. It can be due to a narrowing of the small arteries within the brain and blockage of a single arteriole, causing blood clots to form within the heart and bleeding to occur within the brain substance because of leak or rupture.3

Risk factors can include one or more of these following conditions.

1. High blood pressure (hypertension)

2. High cholesterol

3. Diabetes

4. Increasing age

5. Family history

6. Previous stroke attack

Symptoms of stroke appear suddenly, and the severity of the stroke depends on the area of the brain that has been affected. Common symptoms can include one or more of these combinations:

Sudden dizziness, trouble in walking, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, loss of balance and coordination, spasticity, rigidity, stiffness of muscles, painful muscle spasms, speech problems, vision problems such as blurred, blackened, or double vision; severe headache, sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding. Smaller strokes or silent strokes may not cause any symptoms, but they can still damage brain tissue. Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don’t ignore the signs of a stroke, even if they go away.4

A stroke is mainly categorized into two types. One is caused by the blockage of an artery in the brain by a clot. This is known as an ischemic stroke, which is similar to a heart attack. The other is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. This type is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic strokes begin with tiny injuries to brain arteries that have been previously narrowed due to high blood pressure, smoking, a high-fat, and/or high-cholesterol diet. In due course of time, these injured areas become covered with cholesterol-rich deposits called plaques that narrow the injured arteries. Sometimes a plaque ruptures, causing a blood clot in the artery and cutting off the blood supply to part of your brain. This is an ischemic stroke, which is now called brain attack. A clot formed in any part of the body other than the brain may travel through blood vessels and become wedged in a brain artery causing a stroke. A blood clot may form in one of the cerebral arteries, which then stays attached to the artery wall until it grows large enough to block blood flow resulting in a stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. One common cause of hemorrhage is a bleeding aneurysm, a weak or thin spot on an artery wall. Over time, these weak, thin walls of ballooning aneurysms may rupture and spill blood into the space surrounding brain cells. It may also be caused by a tangle of defective blood vessels and capillaries within the brain.

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a clinical syndrome with symptoms lasting less than twenty-four hours and which is thought to be due to inadequate blood supply.

The good news about stroke is that it is preventable. One way to prevent a stroke is to know and take notice of the symptoms and the risk factors of stroke and treating underlying risk factors. There are some risk factors that you can control by monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels, treating diabetes, and knowing if you have atrial fibrillation. The risk factors that are beyond our control are aging, gender, race, and a prior stroke.5

The Bible says, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease and stroke, but it is also your responsibility. The primary method of stroke and heart attack prevention is possible by living a healthy lifestyle. Watch what you eat and what you do. Controlling the risk factors that can be managed is the first step in preventing a stroke.

Eliminate the use of alcohol, caffeine, drugs, and tobacco. Do not eat foods with saturated fat and trans fat. Minimize the salt in your cooking, as sodium increases fluid volume in your vascular system, which affects blood pressure. Keep your cholesterol level under control because cholesterol level plays a major role in the development of carotid atherosclerosis (build up of fatty materials in the carotid arteries). Do not eat fried or processed foods. Avoid egg, meat, butter, and cream, which are high in fat and cholesterol. Eliminate most “fast food.” Do not use white flour or sugar. Throw away the saltshaker - don’t add to the problem by sprinkling more salt on top of your food.

Your diet should have high fiber from whole-grains. Eat the foods that are rich in folic acid. Folic acid can be found in spinach (the king of vegetables), asparagus, chickpeas, and beans. Eat foods that contain vitamin B6, and nutrients that are found in many green leafy vegetables and fruits. It is also essential to include almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds in your diet. Choose foods that are rich in potassium and essential fatty acids. Eat more fruits, vegetables, cereals, dried peas, and beans. Enjoy onion and garlic regularly. Onions contain protein, vitamins B1, B2, C, and potassium. Polysaccharides also are present, as are peptides, flavonoids, and essential oil. Red onions contain valuable antioxidants.6

Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity and graded exercises on a daily basis like walking, riding a bike, working in the yard, and maintaining healthy weight.

To prevent ischemic stroke, physicians try to prevent arterial blood clots by prescribing anticoagulants (blood-thinning) medications. These properties are available richly in nature. You can derive it from the food consumed or in some herbs commonly available almost everywhere.

Garlic is an anticoagulant thathelps prevent ischemic stroke in three ways. Garlic is a wonder drug for the cardiovascular system and blood pressure. It also prevents oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.

Onion,a cousin of garlic, contains essential oil that is good for lowering the blood pressure. It also contains adenosin, a blood thinner which prevents the formation of blood clots. Onion and garlic contain compounds that reduce serum cholesterol level.

Ginger is a cardiac tonic, as it decreases cholesterol and helps poor circulation. Ginger prevents blood from clotting excessively. Ginger also contains the same benefits as garlic.

Tomatoes are high in gamma butyric acid (GABA) which lowers blood pressure.

Saffron contains a compound called crocetin which also lowers blood pressure. Fennel, oregano, and basil carry most of the same benefits.

Turmeric lowers the blood cholesterol and prevents the formation of blood clots.

Cayenne pepper lowers cholesterol, dilates arteries, improves circulation and heart function without raising blood pressure and inhibits blood platelets from collecting. At the same time, it also enhances the power of other herbs taken.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Harvard University studies show that people can reduce their risk of stroke by eating foods that are rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.

Spinach, cabbage, endive, asparagus, papaya, okra, and pigweed have folate (folic acid). Studies at Tufts University in Boston and the University of Alabama in Birmingham have demonstrated that folate can help prevent both heart disease and stroke.

Legumes contain genistein, a cancer-preventive nutrient. In addition to guarding against cancer, genistein also appears to have a significant anti-clotting effect.

English pea and scurfy pea are excellent sources of genistein.

Pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain that is best known for its ability to break down proteins. It has an anti-clotting action that might help prevent ischemic stroke and heart attack.

Bilberries, blueberries, and huckleberries contain compounds known as anthocyanidins. Bilberries are also shown to maintain capillary flow.

Evening primrose oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which has potent anti-clotting and blood pressure lowering actions. It is believed to be useful in the prevention of stroke and heart disease.7

Our bodies are the temple of God, which needs to be diligently taken care of. Through the wrong use of our body temple in our lifestyle and through ignorance on this matter, we may have to face fatal consequences that are preventable with proper knowledge. Failure to care for our bodies is an insult to the Creator. “The Lord helps those who help themselves.”8 Let us all engage in careful examination of our life and make the needed reformation to prevent those ailments which can be prevented, that we may present our life for the proper administration of the Lord’s work.