Living the life - Before and after stroke

[Pea_WoS]

I came across an article recently about full fat milk and how new research suggests it might not be that bad for you and in fact could be better for you than other types of milk.

I can’t find the article I read, but looking it up on Google, the below result was returned.

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New research suggests that full-fat dairy, contrary to past beliefs, may not negatively impact cardiovascular health and might even offer benefits like reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and improved weight management. Studies indicate that the “dairy matrix”—which includes calcium, protein, and other compounds—may work together to mitigate potential negative effects of saturated fat. While more research is ongoing, current evidence shows that full-fat dairy consumption is not consistently linked to increased risk of heart disease or high cholesterol and can be a beneficial part of a balanced diet.

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I have often wondered how relevant such research and articles are to me personally.

We have all seen these and on occasions they are supported or prompted by governments and scientists to add weight. Then, years later someone comes along with new research that knocks all this back and suggests the opposite.

Eggs, cheese, milk etc. have at times been labelled bad for you. I was advised to drink skimmed or semi-skimmed milk before all these new plant based milks came to market.

I listened to all the advice and in the end made my own choices. For example, I have always only ever drank full fat milk, I eat butter and occasionally have cheese. Regardless of what I eat, I have always believed my diet and life style to be healthy, but that didn’t stop me from having my stroke. Some might say maybe that is why you had the stroke, but I would beg to disagree.

I don’t believe I have seen anything that convinces me there is a clear and definitive understanding of what causes strokes, how they can be prevented and how to deal with post-stroke life changes.

For me, I have no regrets about what I did and what happened. The truth is I had a wonderful life before I had the stroke and my life is a lot different to what it was before the stroke, but I still have a life !! Could it be better? Yes, of course it could be better but then anyone can improve on their quality of life no matter what it may be.

It tickles me when I read and see these things. Now with the “new” advice that you might be better off drinking full fat milk [backed by research no less] I think to myself, “Hey heck, I’ve been doing that all my life”. And how did I know to do that? Simple, I listen to my body - it always tells me what I should and should not do.

The body and mind are amazing - they tell you things, they warn you and if you ignore the advice, they stop you In my case, I must have done something wrong, though for the life of me I cannot think what, but the fact I am sitting here as a stroke survivor is proof I did not listen to my body and brain and now they have stopped me to allow me to “reset” myself.

Nothing has changed.

My mind and my body are still telling me things and as long as listen, pay attention and act accordingly, I will be back on track. It does not matter whether I take medicines or not, what matters is I listen to my body and my brain.

Look after yourselves, be good to yourselves.
Remember, today is the first day of the rest of your life.
What are you going to do about it?

[Mrs5K]

I have always been someone that reads these articles but then carries on as I did previously. I think that all things in moderation are probably ok. A little bitnof what you fancy does you good as they say.

For many years I ate a low fat diet as my dad was on one for health reasons and still I had my stroke. But I doubt my diet played any part in it as mine was caused by a carotid artery dissection. .

I have never drunk full fat milk simply because I don’t like it. Not because of any health concerns.

I have altered my diet slightly since my stroke. My choice. But still eat things I probably shouldn’t but I enjoy them.

Tomorrow there will be another article telling us how good or bad something is.

Best wishes

Ann

[Pea_WoS]

You have the right attitude and a sensible approach to life
I bet you’re not a worrier

[William23408]

Just thought it worthwhile to remind ourselves what the advice is from the Stroke association which confirms what every other organisation including the BHF and The atherosclerosis societies around the world would advise.

Having a low-fat diet can help with losing weight, which
reduces your risk of a stroke.
You can help to reduce your cholesterol by eating less
saturated fat and replacing it with a small amount of
unsaturated fat. But if you have high cholesterol you may
need medication, so visit your GP.
Saturated fat is often a solid fat, such as butter. You’ll
find it in foods like cheese, cakes, fatty meat and
sausages, as well as coconut oil and palm oil.
Unsaturated fat is often an oil, such as olive oil or
groundnut oil. It’s also in oily fish like salmon and
sardines, and other foods like peanut butter, avocados,
nuts and seeds.
For cooking, try replacing saturated (hard) fats like
butter and coconut oil with small amounts of olive oil or
groundnut oil.

[IreneFC]

pea_Wos
I was raised on the foods you are referring to and then along comes all the bumf on what you should be eating and what is bad for you. One of my grandfathers ate the foods you described all his life, had no stroke, no heart disease and no problems lasted until he was 82 yrs old. I find myself sliding back to the food I was brought up on post stroke. I was a healthy child with no issues and this world we now live in is full of issues, which in turn has brought stroke, heart disease and whatever else e to many people. Take care and good luck

[Mrs5K]

Oh I do worry like everyone but I try & keep them in perspective.