Why younger people have strokes
STROKES occur when the brain experiences a disruption of blood supply.
They are categorised as haemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
Haemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain burst; while ischemic strokes happen due to blockage of brain blood vessels, which lead to disruption in blood circulation.
When blood supply is disrupted, brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients and unlike skin cells, this is irreversible.
According to the Health Ministry doctors, the data from a noncommunicable diseases ( NCD) survey concluded that at least 63% of adults aged 18 years and above have at least one NCD risk factor, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and high blood sugar.
Many Malaysians live unhealthy lifestyles or do not undergo regular health screenings.
When the symptoms develop, diseases are likely to be at an advanced stage making them harder to treat and more costly to manage.
They suffer irreversible health consequences.
Those with uncontrolled high blood pressure are also at a risk of getting strokes six times higher compared to someone with normal blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a silent killer as most stroke survivors usually suffered a form of disability.
Disability increases the cost for treatment and management, estimated in the range of about RM35,000 to RM70,000, based on severity
Stroke survivors also require longterm care by family members, affecting quality life of all.
But the risk of getting strokes can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle.
Research studies from renowned journal Stroke published in 2014, led by Prof Yuen Kah Hay from School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, showed that palm tocotrienols protect brain cells from white matter lesions
These are brain tissues damages or scarring resulting from a build- up in cholesterol or other fat- like substances known as plaque.
Clinical trials were conducted on 121 human volunteers with high chances of brain cells damages and high cardiovascular risk factors.
The study concluded that consuming 200mg of palm tocotrienols twice a day can protect brain cells.
Palm tocotrienols help reduce the radical chain reaction that occurs when stroke strikes, which rapidly causes massive brain cell damage in affected areas and surroundings, leading to massive cell death and dysfunctions.
Doing so reduces the extent of brain cell dysfunctions and poststroke recovery is promising.
Palm tocotrienols are also “arteriogenic”, which increases arterial wall size to allow more blood flow, helping salvage brain cells from damages during stroke
Palm tocotrienol is found to be able to activate, trigger and re- direct the neighbouring arteries ( blood vessels) to compensate for the lack of blood supply to the affected area caused by stroke
This helps to salvage brain areas affected by stroke.
References:
www. stroke. org/ sites/ default/ files/ resources/ NSA_ BloodPressure_ brochure. pdf/
www. thestar. com. my/ business/ business- news/ 2015/ 10/ 04/ planning- for- healthcare- costsin- retirement/
Yogheswaran et al. Stroke. 2014; 45: 00- 00.
Rink et al. Cerebral Blood Flow & MetabolismI. 2011 ; 31: 2218– 2230.
For details on palm tocotrienols, call 03- 7831 2738 ( Monday to Friday, from 9am- 4pm).