Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

You should seek conventional medical treatment for stroke. You should use complementary and alternative therapies only under the supervision of a health care provider. Supplements can have negative effects on certain segments of the population, and can interact negatively with prescription medications. Make sure all of your medical providers are aware of any supplements you are considering taking.

Potentially beneficial nutritional supplements include the following:

Alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid works together with other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. It is important for growth, helps prevent cell damage, and helps the body rid itself of harmful substances. Because alpha-lipoic acid can pass easily into the brain, it has protective effects on brain and nerve tissue, and shows promise as a treatment for stroke and other brain disorders involving free radical damage. Animals treated with alpha-lipoic acid, for example, suffered less brain damage and had a…