Cerebrovascular disease and stroke

Cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, is the third-leading cause of death in world and a leading cause of disability. Cerebrovascular disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the brain with oxygenated blood are damaged or their function is compromised. If the blood flow is severely restricted, depriving the brain of adequate oxygen even briefly, a stroke can occur.

There are two main kinds of stroke. The most common, an ischemic stroke, occurs when an artery in the brain is blocked by a blood clot, usually because of atherosclerosis (the deposition of plaque on the inside of artery walls). Alternatively, a haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a portion of the arterial wall weakens and bursts. A stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Stroke is primarily a condition of elderly, mostly because of the cumulative effects of endothelial dysfunction, which can take decades to reach a crisis point. Nearly three quarters of all strokes occur in people who are over the age of 65. Stroke is an insidious condition because of the nature of anatomy of the brain. Heart disease is often preceeded by a characteristic pain in the chest or arm (angina) or shortness of breath. These symptoms occur when the blood supply to the heart is temporarily reduced. The brain, however, lacks pain receptors, so temporary episodes of ischemia do not cause pain. Although there may be warning signs, the first signal of atherosclerosis in the brain is often a stroke.

When blood flow to the brain is briefly disrupted, causing what is called a ministroke, the symptoms are similar to those of a stroke (vision and speech difficulty, limited paralysis) but not as severe and they usually subside within 24 hours.

Kinds of Stroke

Strokes are caused either by an arterial blockage that reduces blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke) or by a rupture in an artery that allows blood to spill into surrounding area (haemorrhagic stroke). It is extremely important that the kind of stroke be identified as quickly as possible because each is treated differently. For example, if the stroke is caused by a blood clot (an ischemic stroke), drugs should be administered to help dissolve the clot. If, however, these drugs were administered to a person suffering from a bleeding stroke, the damage could be intensified because of increased bleeding .

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is responsible for 80% of all strokes. There are two kinds of ischemic stroke. The first, a thrombotic stroke, results from a blood clot (thrombus) forming a vessel inside the brain and cutting off the blood supply to the tissues served by that vessel.

The second, an embolic stroke, occurs when a clot forms somewhere else in the body, breaks off and travels to the brain. The clot originates in a peripheral artery, in the heart itself or in the arteries in the neck or brain. Among people with an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, clots arise in the left atrium and travel through the left side of the heart and the aorta and into brain. When the clot becomes lodged in the artery, the tissue beyond blockage is starved of oxygen and begins to die.

Effects of Stroke

Common effects from stroke include the following :

Paralysis or weakness :

Paralysis, weakness, and tiredness are the most common effects from stroke. These effects involve one side of the body or just the face or an arm or leg.

Aphasia :

At least 25 % of all stroke survivors lose ability to speak, write or understand spoken or written language.

Spatial perception, thinking, and memory :

Stroke can damage areas of the brain that control memory, spatial relationships, learning and awareness.

Mental health changes :

Depression, personality changes and trouble controlling emotions are common after stroke because of the debilitating emotional effect of trauma.

Role of Noni

Homocysteine

Methionine, one essential amino acid, is highly required for our body. During the metabolic process of methionine, one byproduct is released that is called homocysteine. Our bodies normally convert homocysteine into either cysteine or back to methionine again. The enzyme needed to break down homocysteine into cysteine or back to methionine needs folic acid, VitaminB12, and Vitamin B6. If we are deficient in these nutrients, the levels of homocysteine in the blood begin to rise and it is one of the prime biosubstances responsible for heart attack and cerebral stroke. Studies show that increasing levels of homocysteine are associated with elevated stroke risk. Folic acid and other B vitamins help decrease homocysteine concentrations. The metabolism of homocysteine is linked to several vitamins but particularly folic acid (folate), B6 and B12.

Noni contains all the vitamins including Vitamin B complex and folate. The folate concentration in Noni is approx 7 to 25 mcg / 100 g. Hence Noni prevents formation and rising of homocysteine in our body and thus prevents from deadly condition of heart attack and cerebral stroke. Noni also maintains a normal blood pressure in our body as it contains many ingredients that act like vasodilator and also helps to stimulate more nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the body. Noni can help lower blood pressure, decreasing risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke.

Diet :

Multiple studies found that a diet high in fruits and vegetables lowers risk of cerebrovascular disease and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Two major reviews recommended that public health policy promotes increased dietary intake of antioxidant vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, B vitamins (including folate), potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce risk of stroke. These vital nutrients can also be obtained through a natural dietary supplement like Indian Noni in conjunction with a healthy diet.

L-arginine :

L-arginine is a basic amino acid found in Noni and is essential to growth and maintenance in all vertebrates. There is evidence that L-arginine plays a major role in maintaining blood vessel dilation and reducing blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke. L-arginine helps lower blood pressure by serving as a precursor to nitric oxide, which helps keep blood vessels dilated and blood flowing easily. While the association between L-arginine and nitric oxide is clear, a few newer studies suggested that supplemental L-arginine alone may not boost nitric oxide among patients who recently had a heart attack.

Potassium, calcium and magnesium

Potassium helps lower blood pressure, decreasing risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke. Noni is rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. Evidence has emerged that a balance of potassium, calcium and magnesium reduces platelet aggregation and improve insulin resistance. Other studies showed that combining magnesium and calcium with potassium is more effective than any one of these supplements alone in reducing blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and risk of stroke.

Essential fatty acids (EFA)

The EFA are important nutrients for stroke victims and those at risk of stroke because of their ability to reduce inflammation. Noni contains all the essential fatty acids.

Antioxidant property of Noni

Noni possesses powerful antioxidant properties as it contains all the anti-oxidant vitamins, many trace minerals and 150 and above phytochemicals. All these make Noni a powerful antioxidant. High intake of Noni reduces the risk of cerebral damage after a stroke.

Daily intake of Noni plays a protective role against atherosclerosis and decreases risk of ischemic stroke.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.