Can Antioxidant Carotenoids Help Stroke Survivors?

There has been a lot of information on the topic of antioxidants and more recently the benefits of antioxidant carotenoids has come into the news regarding stroke survivors. Antioxidants have been recently touted as the answer to kill free radicals that invade our body and can cause disorders and aging. But interesting information has been discovered for those that have suffered a stroke and a potential ability to reduce the negative effects.

Researchers in Sweden made an interesting discovery regarding the gut microbiota in humans. It seems that when comparing the microbiota of health individuals, they found that they had a higher quantity of the gene associated with the production of carotenoids in both the gut and blood than those that had experienced a stroke. The type of antioxidant that are carotenoids has carried the claim over many years for the ability to protect against stroke and angina, however, the increased presence of this carotenoid-producing bacteria in the health subject’s guts may offer additional direction as to how the disease state is affected.

The research has kicked in a variety of controversies on both the pro and con side. Those that used the study to promote antioxidant carotenoids and probiotics as a method to ward off a stroke came under attack when the preliminary results of the study was examined. Still others have indicated that stroke survivors who were given antioxidant carotenoids almost immediately after a stroke and continued for a treatment period experienced lessened brain damage symptoms. A variety of medical institutions have added their voice to indicate that there isn’t sufficient evidence to show the benefit of antioxidant carotenoids to either prevent or assist in stroke recovery.

What the study has done is bring the results into a state of controversy which typically catapults more scientists and medical officials into additional scientific research. For anyone that has experienced a stroke with devastating effects as well as the loved ones that care for them, this can be better news. Any area that exists in scientific controversy equates to a higher level of attention and potentially faster results, no matter what the outcome. If the results indicate that the carotenoid-producing bacteria (or lack thereof) is indeed an indicator for potential stroke risk as well as the addition of the bacteria can assist in less brain damage, then it will be a win. We will see manufacturers of probiotic products touting the facts in the packaging and stroke survivors may have a better chance at a quality life with less restriction. If the outcome is the opposite, then the naysayers will have their job ahead of them to explain the lowered levels and differences between healthy and stroke patient intestinal systems.

The jury is still out on this one, but you need to stay tuned on the internet and in publications as medical professionals around the world take this case on. For those that have experienced a stroke, you should check with your medical provider before making any changes to your dietary regiment, as it may have negative side effects or drug interactions.

Source: http://drugstorenews.com/article/study-stroke-survivors-lacking-antioxidant-carotenoids-their-gut-flora/

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.