One wish I (& maybe you) wanted!
Do you wonder about the one thing you wished you would have known before you had your stroke? When I was reeling in the first week after the strokes had happened, I wished I knew more than I do now. I wished I knew how to heal my brain even one or two years after the strokes. If I knew this one idea I would feel certain that I was doing something to help my brain and myself.
After I began my rehabilitation, I learned more information. Inflammation in my brain (and your brain) plays an important role in the process of stroke recovery. I needed to calm down the swelling, the fatigue, and the brain fog that was going in my brain and my body. There are numerous strategies you can start to heal your brain and your body even now. Today, you can start with just one. This one.
The first tactic is making sure you have adequate vitamin D on board. I needed to protect my brain and my body with vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are found with worse results of an ischemic stroke. Remember, ischemic strokes account for 70-87% (depends on the study you read) of all strokes in America. It is similar worldwide. Also, vitamin D deficiency is associated with the stroke risk factors like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. (Source: Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care)
Thank goodness, after taking enough vitamin D, “there is a significant improvement in stroke outcomes after 3 months.” (Source: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research) Getting enough vitamin D can also provide neuroprotective, neuromuscular, and osteoprotective benefits which reduce the cognitive and functional impairments in you after a stroke. (Source: Current Drug Targets) By getting your daily dose of vitamin D, you reduce your risk of another stroke while aiding your brain’s recovery.
You ask, how can I get vitamin D naturally? Your body can produce Vitamin D with about 10-15 minutes of sun exposure to parts of your body. It is known as the sunshine vitamin. Other ways you can get it is by consuming it through foods that are high in Vitamin D, like fatty fish (sardines or salmon), cheese, and egg yolks. For example, an average serving of two eggs providing 82% of your daily recommended vitamin D. (Thanks to www.flintrehab.com.)
The United States National Institutes of Health recommends adults take between 600 and 800 IU (International Units) or 15 – 20 mcg (micrograms). I take a supplement of 2000 IU or 125 (mcg) of vitamin D3. Please ask your doctor what amount you should use. Get your supplement from a reputable source. It is fat-soluble. You can help your body absorb it by taking some good fats (a topic in a future blog). It is very important that the source and how you take your vitamin D properly. You can do this step!!!
Give me a “high five” if this tip is valuable to you. I’d love your feedback. Please leave your comments!
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