"The Yellow Emperor's Neijing" has a saying: "The saint does not cure the disease, does not cure the disease, does not cure the disorder, does not cure the disorder, this is also said." "Tell us that prevention before the disease occurs is the best medicine.
However, in the fast-paced life of modern times, cerebrovascular diseases are quietly rising, especially cerebral infarction, and their incidence, disability and mortality rates remain high.
When we see that the number of cerebral infarction patients in China is increasing year by year, while the incidence rate in countries such as the United States is gradually decreasing, we can't help but ask: why do two countries living in the same global village have such different trends?
Many people know that folic acid is a key nutrient in reducing the risk of cerebral infarction, so can folic acid supplementation really help us reduce the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases? Is the decline in incidence in developed countries related to folic acid supplementation?
01
In recent years, cerebral infarction has become a growing problem in China.
According to data from the Global Burden of Disease study, the incidence of cerebral infarction in mainland China increased from 117 per 100,000 to 145 per 100,000 between 2005 and 2019, a trend that contrasts sharply with developed countries such as the United States. So, what exactly is causing this discrepancy?
It is important to note that there are differences in lifestyle and eating habits. With the improvement of living standards, the dietary structure of Chinese has changed dramatically, and high-fat, high-calorie foods are increasingly appearing on our tables.
At the same time, sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise have also become the norm in many people's lives. All of these factors contribute to an increased risk of cerebral infarction.
In contrast, developed countries such as the United States have experienced similar health problems over the past few decades and have taken a range of measures to improve the health of the public as a result.
For example, for more than a decade since 1998, these countries have been mandating disease risk factor control and public health programs, which have directly led to a rapid reduction in the incidence of cerebral infarction among residents.
It is also important to note that folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for human health. Studies have shown that folic acid can reduce the level of homocysteine in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, and high levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of vascular damage and thrombosis.
However, folic acid supplementation has not received enough attention in China. This may have something to do with our eating habits, health awareness, and the healthcare system.
Many foods rich in folic acid, such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, etc., do not dominate our daily diet. At the same time, there is a lack of clear guidance and recommendations for folic acid supplementation.
In contrast, developed countries such as the United States have made folic acid supplementation mandatory through public health programs, and even added folic acid to foods such as flour. These measures effectively reduce the level of homocysteine, thereby reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral infarction.
Folic acid deficiency is quite severe among mainland residents, resulting in many people at risk of cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral infarction. Therefore, we need to pay more attention to folic acid supplementation and increase folic acid intake through diet and nutritional supplements.
02
Although folic acid supplementation is important for the prevention of cerebral infarction, it is equally important to control high blood pressure and stay away from tobacco. These two points are the cornerstone of the prevention of cerebral infarction, and they are more critical than folic acid supplementation alone.
1. Control high blood pressure
Hypertension is one of the important risk factors for cerebral infarction. Long-term high blood pressure can damage the walls of blood vessels and increase the risk of cerebral infarction.
To effectively control high blood pressure, we need to monitor blood pressure regularly, eat a reasonable diet, exercise moderately, and receive medication if necessary. With these measures, we can control our blood pressure within the normal range, thereby reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.
In addition, for people who already have high blood pressure, it is even more necessary to strictly control blood pressure levels. In addition to the above measures, it is also necessary to follow your doctor's advice, take your medication on time, and have regular check-ups and adjust your treatment plan.
2. Stay away from tobacco
Smoking is another risk factor for cerebral infarction. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage vascular endothelial cells and accelerate the process of atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the risk of cerebral infarction. Therefore, we should resolutely stay away from tobacco, both active and passive.
Quitting smoking is a difficult but necessary decision for those who have already developed the habit of smoking. Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of cerebral infarction but also improves overall health.
In order to successfully quit smoking, we can seek the help and support of a medical professional, and use methods such as gradually reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked and using smoking cessation products to assist in the smoking cessation process.
The threat of cerebral infarction is not unattainable, but closely related to the lifestyle and health management of each of us.
The importance of folic acid is self-evident, but more importantly, we need to integrate the concept of health management into our daily life, starting from the details of blood pressure control and smoking cessation. These seemingly small changes can have a profound impact on our health.
Let's start now, pay attention to our physical condition, adjust our lifestyle, and do a good job of prevention. Remember, a healthy lifestyle is the best weapon against cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral infarction. Don't wait for the disease to come, cherish your health, start now!