Since May is National Stroke Awareness month, I want to take this opportunity to talk about what you can do, right now, to decrease your personal risk of stroke.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, stroke is currently the leading cause of death in the United States.  Over 800,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease and stroke combined.  The time is now to make a few possibly surprising dietary changes that can have a huge impact on your risk reduction.
Meat
Look into this article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, to learn why not all red meat is created equal.  Grass fed, organic red meat, eaten in moderation, can actually be good for you and decrease your risk of disease.  As for non-organic meat raised in confinement, it’s best to remove it from your diet, especially if you’re already at risk of stroke.  According to Dr. Mercola, these two types of meat are drastically different foods.
When selecting meat of any type, be sure to avoid smoked or processed meats that can contain chemicals like sodium nitrate, which can increase stroke risk as well.  Meats that fall into this category include certain sausages, hot dogs and cured meats like salami.
Salt
Just like other foods, this mineral comes in processed and unprocessed forms.  Table salt and salt found within processed foods is processed and you should limit your intake to reduce your stroke risk.  Unprocessed salt, such as Himalayan salt, offers many benefits according to Dr. Mercola, such as assisting the lining of your blood v

essels regulate blood pressure.  Find out more about how good salts can help you, here.
Diet Soda
At a recent American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, experts presented research showing an increase in stroke risk for diet soda drinkers.  In fact, according to this article in Prevention, the increased risk of adverse vascular events is likely attributed to artificial sweeteners.  Limit your consumption of diet soda and any other processed foods or drinks that contain artificial sweeteners.
When it comes to stroke prevention, there are many things we can do to reduce our risk.  Look to Freedom Home Care for more information on this topic in future months, including what supplements can reduce your risk and how stepping up your exercise regime can help as well.
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The information included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.