Moyamoya is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder, occurs due to blocked of micro blood vessels at the base of the brain. Moyamoya refers to “puff of smoke” in Japanese. It affects primarily children, but it can also occur in adults. In children, the first symptom is often stroke, or recurrent transient ischemic attacks, commonly referred to as mini-stroke, accompanied by muscular weakness or hemiparesis (paralysis) affecting one side of the body. Food habits that are needed to be adopted to prevent further stroke occurrence include.
What To Eat When You Have Moyamoya?
Hydration is the utmost important recommendation for patients with Moyamoya disorder. Foods that reduce risk of stroke are as follows.
Garlic. It has a constituent called allicin, mainly responsible for prevention of platelets aggregation in the blood vessel (preventing clot formation); along with that it decreases bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels in blood. It is a great choice to reduce stroke risk.
Fish Liver Oil. Fishes like Tuna, Salmon & mackerel contains a fatty acid known as omega-3-fatty acids that reduces the further risk of occurring stroke among these patients. It contains anticoagulant properties that slow down clot development in blood vessels. It also promotes the release of nitric oxide, which dilates your blood vessels & increases blood flow there by prevent ischemia in the brain.
Pomegranate. It is high in polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates, which are potent vasodilators, improve blood flow.
Beets. Beets are rich in nitrates, which our body makes into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels & increases blood flow, prevents stroke risk.
Turmeric. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine have used turmeric to open blood vessels and improve blood circulation. Curcumin present in turmeric helps in increasing nitric oxide production that dilates blood vessels.
Leafy Vegetables. Spinach & collard greens are high in nitrates, which gets converted into nitric oxide in our body that help in improving circulation.
Citrus Fruits. Citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, and grapes are good sources of antioxidants like flavonoids. Flavonoids help in improving nitric oxide production and blood flow.
Vitamin E. Its anti-oxidant properties prevent formation of blood clots. Food sources of vitamin E are Almonds, peanuts, mangoes, spinach, safflower oil, sunflower seeds, wheat germs and walnuts. These stimulate the production of nitric oxide. Nuts and spinach has magnesium that also helps in relaxing blood vessels.
Berries. Berries have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities, which may show a positive impact on blood flow.
Tomatoes. Studies have noted that tomato extract disrupt platelet aggregation, which can improve circulation and prevent stroke occurrence.
Ginger. It prevents formation of clots in the blood vessels there by preventing the occurrence of stroke.
Dark Chocolate. It contains flavonoids which act as potent antioxidants that improve blood circulation.
Potassium Rich Food. Foods such as greens, beans and sweet potatoes are rich sources of potassium. These are associated with lowering stroke risk.
What To Avoid When You Have Moyamoya?
Trans Fats. It is most dangerous factor that is responsible to form atherosclerosis in blood vessels causing blockade resulting stoke like conditions. These are present in deep fried food, potato chips etc.
Added Sugars. Cold drinks and candies are needed to be avoided. Otherwise it may leads to conditions like diabetes, thereby thicken the blood. This further lead to blood flow obstruction and increases risk of stroke.
Salt. Avoid high salt intake and foods containing high salt like processed foods. Daily allowable salt intake is 5mg/day, recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Increased salt intake results in hypertension which is one of the major risk factors for stroke.
Others. It includes avoid smoking and alcohol
Conclusion
In order to prevent further occurrence of stroke in these patients, it is recommended to follow a diet that improves blood vessels and blood flow. Foods containing antioxidants, nitrates can have a positive impact on blood vessels.
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