May isn’t only for mothers

You may not know it, but May is American Stroke Month (Admittedly, that may not be the best name. I would have added “prevention” or “awareness.”) Anyway, as a result, there’s been a flurry of new stroke-related research announced. We’ve heard about people’s perceptions about their risk of stroke, and their knowledge (or lack thereof) about the warning signs. But I’m most interested in a new study published this month that recommends an easy, natural way to reduce your risk of stroke – coincidently, an approach we’ve been talking about here at HSI for years.
Cut risk of stroke up to 20 percent

I’m talking about homocysteine, the amino acid that’s now considered the leading marker of heart health. We’ve been writing about homocysteine’s link to cardiovascular health for nearly six years now. And brought the news out a full year before it got picked up by the mainstream medical journals. Now it’s widely considered a critical marker for heart health – but until now, research had not established a specific connection between homocysteine levels and stroke.

This new study comes out of Tulane University and was published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers set out to determine the association between a diet high in folate, and the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The scientists used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS). At the beginning of that study, in 1971, none of the 9,764 participants showed any symptoms of CVD.

The Tulane team collected dietary data to track the participants’ intake of folate. They then recorded all incidences of CVD and stroke by examining hospital and nursing home records, pathology reports, EKGs, and death certificates. In addition, their research adjusted for mitigating factors.

The research concludes that participants with a higher folate intake were less likely to suffer strokes and cardiovascular disease. Specifically, researchers advised that 300 micrograms (mcg) of folate per day can cut the risk of stroke by 20 percent. (The RDA is 400 mcg.)

So how does this all relate to homocysteine? If you’re a long-time HSI member, you know that folate and homocysteine are inversely related – roughly, the higher your folate intake, the lower your homocysteine level, and vice versa. While this study didn’t measure the participants’ homocysteine levels directly, its authors acknowledge that the decrease in stroke risk seen at higher levels of folate consumption is likely due to the nutrient’s impact on controlling homocysteine.
A recipe for good health

Through the Members Alert and the e-Alerts, we’ve repeatedly encouraged you to have your homocysteine level assessed. Now this new study reinforces the importance of that step for preventing stroke – and a safe, easy way to address it if it’s deemed too high (most doctors recommend keeping levels below 12 micromoles per liter). Fortunately the dietary sources of folate are very easy to find: citrus fruits; tomatoes; leafy green vegetables; and pinto, navy and kidney beans are all excellent sources of folate.

If you’re not a vegetable lover, supplementing with a high quality B-complex that contains ample amounts of B6, B12, and folate will also help control your homocysteine levels. You can find B vitamins at any health food or your grocery store.

As I said above, we’ve been talking about homocysteine’s role in heart disease for years. Now we know it plays a critical role in stroke, as well. And, while it may not come as a big surprise to you, it’s a perfect time to get the word out to friends and family members. You can forward this e-mail to let them know that the key to cutting their risk of stroke by as much as 20 percent is probably already in their kitchen. What better way to celebrate American Stroke Month?

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

Sources:
Stroke 2002 May;33(5):1183-9
National Center For Health Statistics: cdc.gov
“Elevated homocysteine may make you vulnerable to Parkinson’s disease”
IntelliHealth

Copyright 1997-2002 by Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C.