Stroke, an acute neurovascular disease, is not only life-threatening but also causes serious physical and mental consequences. In particular, the risk of stroke recurrence in patients can be up to 25% within 5 years of the first stroke. Hence, prevention and control of the disease are extremely important. Recent scientific studies have shown that antioxidants play an important role in neutralizing free radicals, reducing inflammation, and protecting nerve cells, thereby minimizing the risk of stroke recurrence.

1. Causes and classification of stroke

As presented in the article Stroke in the elderly (nmni-usa), posted on November 25, 2024, stroke includes two main types: cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction, also known as ischemic stroke. Of which, cerebral infarction accounts for about 85% of all cases. Notably, blood clots are the leading cause of cerebral stroke, with a rate of up to 80%. When a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, a blockage can occur, especially in the blood vessels that nourish the brain, causing cerebral ischemia, leading to cerebral infarction.

 As a result, a part of the brain is deprived of blood supply, leading to ischemic stroke.Ischemic stroke can be classified into two main types:

– Thrombotic stroke: This type of stroke occurs due to blood clots, atherosclerotic plaques inside the vessel wall that can progress to cause gradual narrowing of the vessel. These lesions can lead to abnormal aggregation of platelets at the narrowed site, causing the vessel to become completely blocked.

– Embolic stroke: An artery is blocked by a blood clot from somewhere else. This clot may be formed in the heart or from a flaking off plaque in the artery.

Blood clots – the leading cause of stroke

There are several factors that increase the risk of blood clots causing stroke, they are either controllable or not. Risks that can be controlled through daily lifestyle adjustments include: high blood pressure, smoking, being overweight, and high cholesterol. However, there are also factors that cannot be controlled such as age, family history, gender, recurrent stroke…

2. Free radicals and the role of antioxidants in preventing recurrent stroke

As mentioned above, blood clots that cause strokes may be formed due to different causes, including both controllable and uncontrollable factors. Among them, free radicals play a key role. Some studies have shown that both the formation and resolution of blood clots can be regulated by powerful oxidizing free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have lost an electron in their outer shell, so they are not electronically balanced. They are very unstable, often creating reactions to steal the missing electron from other molecules and continuously creating new chains of free radicals, disrupting the normal functioning of cells. There are many types of dangerous free radicals such as Superoxide, lipid peroxy, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical that cause a lot of damage to cells.

Mechanism of free radical formation

When the body produces too many free radicals, they attack and damage cells, thereby increasing the risk of blood clots. Studies have shown that endothelial damage caused by free radicals is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease caused by clogged arteries, which leads to stroke.

Antioxidants are natural substances that can prevent or limit cell damage caused by free radicals. These are unstable molecules produced by the body during activities or affected by external factors. Antioxidants are produced within the body (endogenous antioxidants), or supplied from the outside through food (exogenous antioxidants). Endogenous compounds in cells include enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Non-enzymatic antioxidants are also divided into metabolic antioxidants and nutritional antioxidants. Metabolic antioxidants, such as lipoic acid, glutathione, L-arginine, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, uric acid, bilirubin, metal ion scavenging proteins, transferrin, etc. While nutritional antioxidants are compounds that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied through food or supplements such as vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, trace metals (selenium, manganese, zinc), flavonoids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids…

According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, there are hundreds, even thousands of substances that can act as antioxidants. Each has its own role and function, cannot be replaced by another, and can interact with other substances to help the body function effectively. Some common antioxidants such as: vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, omega 3,6 are found in natural foods.

Antioxidants exist in nature and are abundant in foods

– Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with high antioxidant activity. Vitamin E has been suggested for the prevention of colon, prostate, breast cancer, and especially of certain cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and neurological disorders. Food sources rich in vitamin E include vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, whole grains, nuts, cereals, fruits, eggs, poultry, meat.

– Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for the formation and development of cells in the heart, lungs, kidneys, and many other organs, allowing fighting against the effects of free radicals. Direct sources of vitamin A are found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk.

– Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that can be easily transferred to tissues in the body and then quickly eliminated. Vitamin C has an immune-regulating effect, helps protect the lining of blood vessels and improves blood circulation, and can increase the antioxidant content in the blood by up to 30%, allowing to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Natural sources of vitamin C are sour fruits, green vegetables, tomatoes.

– Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water, garlic, onions, cereals, nuts, soybeans, seafood, meat, liver, yeast. At low doses, the health benefits of Se are immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer. In an analysis of 25 studies, a 50% increase in blood Selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in coronary artery disease. Additionally, a review of 16 controlled studies of more than 433,000 people with coronary heart disease showed that Selenium supplementation reduced levels of the inflammatory marker CRP (C-reactive protein). Other research has also shown that Selenium has a protective effect in the process of atherosclerosis through its antioxidant mechanism. Selenium, combined with vitamin E, has been shown to reduce vascular damage and inflammation in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

– Omega 3 and omega 6 are essential fatty acids as the human body is not able to synthesize them. They are derived from food, in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, halibut, sardines, pollock), krill, algae, walnuts, nut oils, and flaxseed. Omega-3 reduces inflammation and prevents chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, arthritis, cataracts, cancer. Omega-6 improves diabetic neuropathy, eczema, psoriasis, osteoporosis and supports cancer treatment.

Antioxidants act as brave “warriors”, enabling protection of the body from the harmful effects caused by free radicals. They generously provide electrons to stabilize free radicals without turning into electron collectors themselves, thereby neutralizing these harmful molecules. When accumulated in excess, free radicals can cause serious damage to cells, creating conditions for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes to develop. Therefore, antioxidants play an important role in protecting and minimizing cell damage, limiting the risk of developing diseases, thereby contributing to improving overall health.

Antioxidant “warriors” neutralize free radicals

Although there is still much debate about whether antioxidants can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, some studies have shown that people who eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of antioxidants, have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. In particular, a study at Can Tho University has shown that polyphenols, a group of antioxidants found in these plants, have the ability to protect cells from free radical damage. Polyphenols work through mechanisms such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer (SET-PT), and proton loss – electron transfer (SPLET), which help neutralize free radicals and minimize cell damage, thereby allowing prevention of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

According to research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the combined consumption of fruits and vegetables has a clear link with a reduced risk of stroke. Specifically, increasing fruit intake from 0-40g/day to 500g/day can reduce the risk of stroke by 28%, and if consumed 800g/day, the risk is reduced by 33%. At the same time, the study shows that some individual fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C have an inverse relationship with this disease.

Fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke

3. Remarks on antioxidants supplement

Although antioxidants are essential in protecting the body against the negative effects of free radicals, we also need to be careful when using them to avoid supplementing too much of some antioxidants. For example, high intake of beta-carotene has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Or, using high doses of vitamin E has been found to increase the risk of prostate cancer. The use of some antioxidant supplements has been linked to the risk of developing tumors and can also interact with some medications.

It can be seen that supplementing antioxidants through a diet that combines natural, healthy foods is a safer and more effective method. Antioxidants are abundant in colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, carrots, broccoli, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, ginkgo, beans, fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and spices such as turmeric, ginger, fennel, etc. In addition, the biggest advantage of supplementing antioxidants through food is that it simultaneously provides many other essential nutrients for the body. In addition to antioxidants, fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish also contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. to help strengthen the immune system, improve cardiovascular health and support the digestive process. In addition, enjoying dishes with a variety of colors and flavors from nature also brings joy and excitement to eating.

For those who have difficulty meeting their antioxidant needs through their daily diet, especially when aging causes a decline in digestive function and nutrient absorption, supplementing with nutritional products such as Nutricare Gold is a good choice for the health of the elderly. This is a Medical Nutrition product researched and produced by scientists from Nutricare and the Nutricare Medical Nutrition Institute of the United States (NMNI-USA), designed with balanced nutritional content, allowing the elderly to quickly and effectively supplement the nutrients lacked in the body. 

Nutricare Gold especially supplements Omega 3,6,9 to help regulate bad cholesterol and blood lipids, while combining a system of antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, and Selenium, supporting the neutralization of harmful free radicals, minimizing the destruction of proteins and lipids, thereby contributing to the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, especially stroke. The product also provides 56 nutrients, including easily absorbed vegetable protein and Whey protein from the US, helping to increase resistance, support recovery, and improve health quickly.

In addition, with the combination of Calcium, Glucosamine, and HMB, along with fiber, Nutricare Gold also helps improve the health of the musculoskeletal system and digestive system. With a low-sugar formula and a volume of 200ml, suitable for the nutritional needs of Vietnamese people in one use, Nutricare Gold is an ideal choice, supporting health and improving the quality of life.

In the elderly, the need for antioxidants is often higher as the body produces more free radicals, the main factor that promotes the aging process and increases the risk of chronic diseases, including stroke. However, before deciding to use any dietary supplement, the elderly should consult a doctor. In addition to antioxidant supplementation, controlling other risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids is also important to maintain overall health and prevent stroke.

Antioxidant supplements should be taken under medical advice

Conclusion: Supplementing antioxidants through a healthy diet is not only an effective stroke prevention measure but also brings many great health benefits. Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals, minimize cell damage, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even cancer. For optimal health protection, older adults should combine antioxidant supplements from natural foods with the advice of a doctor. At the same time, maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and stress management. Are you ready to change your diet to improve your health, your family’s health and enjoy a better quality of life?