Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Stroke

Vinpocetine given by intravenous injection has been reported to improve some biochemical measures of brain function in stroke patients. A controlled trial found intravenous vinpocetine given within 72 hours of a stroke reduced some of the losses in brain function that typically follow a stroke. However, the reliability of human stroke research using vinpocetine has been questioned, and more double-blind trials are needed. No studies using oral vinpocetine for treating acute strokes have been published.

Elevated blood levels of homocysteine, a toxic amino acid byproduct, have been linked to risk of stroke in most studies. Supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 generally lowers homocysteine levels in humans. In a pooled analysis (meta-analysis) of eight randomized trials, folic acid supplementation in varying amounts (usually 0.5 mg to 5 mg per day) reduced stroke risk by 18%.

Narrowing of the neck arteries (carotid stenosis) caused by atherosclerosis is a risk factor for stroke. Preliminary diet studies have found that people who eat foods high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E have less carotid stenosis. ...