RX FOR STROKE PREVENTION: A HEALTHY DIET AND LIFESTYLE
DENSIE WEBB, ENVIRONMENTAL NUTRITION
IF THERE EXISTED A CONDITION THAT WAS IN THE TOP FIVE CAUSES OF DEATH AND A LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY IN THE U.S., AFFECTED SOMEONE IN THE U.S. EVERY 40 SECONDS, TOTALING MORE THAN 795,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR, AND THERE WAS SOMETHING YOU COULD DO TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF IT HAPPENING TO YOU, YOU’D DO IT WOULDN’T YOU? There is such a condition, and that condition is stroke. Studies show that you can reduce your stroke risk by 80% by eating a healthful diet and making healthy lifestyle changes. The risk for stroke increases with age, the incidence doubling with each decade after the age of 45 years and over 70% of all strokes occur above the age of 65. Making healthy choices becomes even more important with each year that passes.
20 SENIOR LIVING IN ALASKA • MARCH 2022
THE RESEARCH In the U.S. Health Professionals study and the Nurses’ Health Study, poor lifestyle choices accounted for more than half of all strokes. Study participants who adhered to the five pillars of stroke prevention — did not smoke, had a body mass index of less than 25, took part in at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity, consumed alcohol in moderation (less than 9 drinks a week for women or less than 14 for men), and scored within the top 40% of a healthy diet score — had an 80% reduction of stroke compared with participants who followed none of those healthy diet and lifestyle measures. A study out of Sweden, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found a similar benefit. An analysis of 13 studies found following a Mediterranean-style diet alone, characterized by high amounts of olive oil, nuts, fruits, vegetables and cereal; moderate amounts of fish and poultry; low consumption of dairy products, red and processed meat, and sweets; and consuming wine in moderation was associated with a 30 percent reduced risk of having a stroke.
