Stroke – a global epidemic

Global statistics show that in 2013 there were 6.5 million deaths from stroke. This means that strokes kill more people each year than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria added together. Such is the size of this epidemic that about every 2 seconds, someone in the world will suffer a stroke. Until recently, however, the root cause of this major public health concern was not properly understood. But based on Dr. Rath’s Cellular Medicine discoveries, we now know that the primary cause of strokes is a deficiency of vitamin C and other essential micronutrients. This means that, through ensuring an optimum intake of these essential dietary substances, strokes can now largely be prevented.

What are strokes?

CT scan of middle cerebral artery stroke, taken three days after onset.

There are three basic types of strokes. Ischemic strokes, the most common type, occur when an artery supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked. Another type, known as hemorrhagic strokes, are caused by bleeding in or around the brain. The third type of stroke is known as a ‘transient ischemic attack’ (TIA). Sometimes referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’, a TIA happens when a blockage temporarily cuts off the blood supply to part of the brain. TIAs are a warning sign indicating that major lifestyle changes and nutritional support should be implemented immediately!

All three of these different types of stroke deprive the brain of essential nutrients and oxygen. Research shows patients typically lose 1.9 million neurons during each minute that a stroke is untreated. For each hour in which treatment fails to be given, the brain loses as many neurons as it does in almost 3.6 years of normal ageing.

Prevention is better than cure

For prevention of strokes, eating a healthy diet is vital. This means consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other foods rich in essential micronutrients. It also means avoiding junk foods, fast foods, processed foods, sugary soft drinks, and trans fats. And whatever you do, don’t smoke. To defend itself against the numerous toxic substances found in smoke, the body uses up its supplies of vitamin C and other essential antioxidants. This explains why smoking dramatically increases the risk for coronary artery disease.

For additional protection, engaging in regular physical activity will also help improve blood flow and keep the arteries elastic. Research has found an inverse association between physical activity and stroke risk, with estimates suggesting exercise may potentially be associated with a 25-30 percent reduction in risk for stroke.

For people recovering from a stroke, the best outcomes occur when the rehabilitation program combines physical activity with an optimum intake of micronutrients. If a comprehensive program of rehabilitation is started early enough, including speech and occupational therapy if necessary, both physical and cognitive disabilities alike can be significantly reduced – and sometimes even eliminated completely.

Neuroscientists used to believe that the brain cells you were born with are the only ones you will ever have. Today, however, we know that everyone has the capacity to develop new cells that can help enhance cognitive functions. Crucially, this applies even after a stroke has occurred. In recent years research has described how nutritional approaches can aid brain recovery after stroke. This makes sense, of course, as micronutrients have important effects on brain function.

Research shows micronutrients are key in overcoming stroke

In addition to his Basic Cellular Health Recommendations, Dr. Rath recommends that patients with existing coronary artery disease or an increased risk of stroke take higher doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, folic acid, biotin, copper, proline, lysine, chondroitin sulfate, N-acetylglucosamine, and Pycnogenol. In his book, Why Animals Don’t Get Heart Attacks…But People Do!, Dr. Rath summarizes studies demonstrating the importance of these and other micronutrients in promoting optimum coronary artery health and prevention of stroke. Examples include:

• A multicenter study with more than 1,500 patients showed that higher blood levels of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid are important in lowering levels of homocysteine – a risk factor for atherosclerosis – and decreasing the risk of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and coronary heart disease.
• A 10-year study in Finland with more than 2,400 patients who were overweight and suffering from high blood pressure found that low levels of vitamin C increased the risk of stroke by almost threefold.
• A 20-year study in Japan showed that optimum vitamin C intake is the single most important factor for preventing all forms of strokes in men and women

As always, if you have any questions about the use of Dr. Rath’s Cellular Medicine approach for preventing and overcoming stroke, please feel free to contact us.

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Mirja Holtrop

Mirja Holtrop was born and raised in Germany, where she studied Computer Science and Public Relations. After working as a Marketing Assistant for a couple of years she joined the Dr. Rath Health Foundation. In the early 2000s she moved to South Africa where she studied Education at the University of Cape Town. Her first book, ‘The Secret of Cells’, was published in 2004.

Since then, after spending 13 years in South Africa, Mirja has published five more books and moved back to Germany. Today, in addition to writing books, she works on the Dr. Rath Health Foundation’s international Movement of Life project.

Mirja loves organic gardening, cooking, and animals. She lives with her nine-year old son near Düsseldorf in Germany.

Mirja Holtrop wuchs in Aachen auf und studierte Informatik und Public Relations. Nachdem sie einige Jahre als Marketing Assistentin gearbeitet hatte, schloss sie sich der Rath Foundation an und ging nach Südafrika. Dort absolvierte sie an der Universität von Kapstadt ein Pädagogikstudium und publizierte 2004 ihr erstes Buch, “Das Geheimnis der Zellen.”

Nach 13 Jahren Südafrika und fünf weiteren publizierten Büchern - die sich alle mit dem Thema Gesundheit für Kinder und Jugendliche befassen – kehrte sie nach Deutschland zurück. Sie arbeitet immer noch für die Rath Foundation und engagiert sich für „Movement of Life“, deren Tochterorganisation.

Sie lebt mit ihrem 9-Jährigen Sohn nahe Düsseldorf, züchtet Biogemüse und setzt sich für den Tierschutz ein.

Latest posts by Mirja Holtrop (see all)

• Spinach, nuts, and carrots – Why micronutrients are so important for healthy vision - September 16, 2022
• The importance of resveratrol and a healthy diet for the gut - September 5, 2022
• Cellular Medicine Recipe Book - August 9, 2021
• Acne: A Common Skin Problem That Can Be Prevented And Treated Naturally - June 4, 2021
• Understanding The Difference Between Clinical And Sub-Clinical Micronutrient Deficiencies - October 24, 2019