Warning from a Brain Specialist: This “Healthy” Vitamin Could Be Hurting Your Brain | Senior Health

Key Concepts:

• Stroke risk in older adults
• Vitamin overdose and its impact on stroke risk
• Synthetic vs. natural forms of vitamins
• Blood thinning and thickening effects of certain vitamins
• Homocysteine levels and stroke risk
• Importance of consulting doctors about supplement regimens
• Microvascular constriction and intracranial pressure
• Importance of food-based vitamin sources

6. Artificial Vitamin E (Dull Alpha Tocopherol)

• Main Point: Synthetic vitamin E (dull alpha tocopherol) can increase the risk of fatal brain hemorrhage, especially in high doses.
• Details:
  • Synthetic vitamin E is not metabolized the same way as natural vitamin E.
  • It can prevent the absorption of natural E-molecules needed by the brain.
  • Natural vitamin E (gamma tocopherol) has anti-inflammatory properties, controls clotting, and protects blood vessels.
  • Synthetic vitamin E thins the blood, posing a risk to seniors on blood thinners or blood pressure medication.
• Evidence: A meta-analysis in the British Medical Journal showed vitamin E supplementation raised the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 22%.
• Symptoms: Unexpected bruising, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or nosebleeds.
• Solution: Avoid supplements with dull alpha tocopherol. Use natural vitamin E (D-alpha tocopherol with mixed tocopherols) from food sources like sunflower seeds, avocados, spinach, hazelnuts, and almonds.

5. Retinol Supplements (Vitamin A or Retinol Palmitate)

• Main Point: High doses of synthetic vitamin A (retinol palmitate or retinol acetate) can narrow blood arteries inside the brain, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke and blood pressure increases.
• Details:
  • The liver stores vitamin A, and high levels can cause harm without prior symptoms.
  • Beta carotene from carrots is safer because the body controls its conversion to vitamin A.
  • Excess retinol accumulates and poisons blood vessel linings, leading to oxidative stress, microvascular constriction, and higher intracranial pressure.
• Evidence:
  • A 2014 study in Stroke showed people with higher serum retinol levels were more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke.
  • Prolonged high-dose vitamin A use can cause headaches, nausea, double vision, nosebleeds, and seizures.
• Risk Group: Seniors are particularly at risk due to declining liver function.
• Solution: Avoid supplements with retinol palmitate or retinol acetate unless indicated for a specific deficit. Choose beta carotene from whole foods like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots. Consider blends with beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin for eye health. Get blood levels and liver enzymes checked if taking synthetic vitamin A for over 3 months.

4. Ginkgo biloba Extract (Synthetic Formulations or High Doses)

• Main Point: Ginkgo biloba, especially in high doses or synthetic forms, may increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage and stroke, particularly in those over 65 taking blood pressure or blood thinners.
• Details:
  • Ginkgo biloba contains ginkgolides and bilobalides, which thin the blood and act as vasodilators.
  • Excessive intake, especially with aspirin, warfarin, or NSAIDs, raises the risk of uncontrollable bleeding in delicate veins.
  • Artery walls are thinner and plaque accumulation is more prevalent in older adults, increasing the risk.
• Evidence:
  • A 2018 study in Neurology linked high-dose Ginkgo biloba supplements to a 38% higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke in people over 60.
  • A case report described a senior taking Ginkgo biloba with low-dose aspirin experiencing spontaneous brain bleeding.
• Risk Factors: Combinations with other medications, purity, and dosage.
• Symptoms: Dizziness, slurred words, confusion, or severe headache.
• Solution: Stop using Ginkgo biloba and read the label. Consult a physician about safer memory support options like low-dose omega-3s, the copa, or citicoline. Focus on natural foods like beets or arugula that improve respiration, sleep, and nitric oxide levels.

3. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) in Excess

• Main Point: Excessive doses of vitamin B6 can cause nervous system damage and raise the risk of stroke, especially when used for extended periods.
• Details:
  • Vitamin B6 is essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and amino acid metabolism.
  • Excessive intake (over 100 mg daily) can be neurotoxic, especially for seniors with declining liver function.
  • High doses can damage nerves, compromise vascular tone, and raise inflammatory stress in arteries.
• Evidence:
  • High-dose B6 users were almost twice as likely to develop sensory neuropathy.
  • A 2017 study in Clinical Nutrition showed long-term B6 supplementation, especially with other B vitamins, can paradoxically raise homocysteine levels.
• Symptoms: Tremors, numbness in legs or feet, or sudden lightheadedness.
• Risk Factors: B6 is hidden in energy drinks, fortified cereals, multivitamins, and nerve supplements.
• Solution: Calculate total B6 consumption from all supplements. Request a homocysteine test from a physician. Reduce B6 intake and boost folate and B12 from foods like eggs and leafy greens. Avoid time-released B6 supplements.

2. Synthetic Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

• Main Point: High dosages of synthetic vitamin E can significantly increase the risk of stroke, particularly hemorrhagic stroke.
• Details:
  • Synthetic alpha tocopherol acetate is the only kind used in almost all supplements.
  • This form replaces the other healthier forms in your body, weakens clotting reaction, thins your blood and raises your risk of internal bleeding, particularly in the brain.
• Evidence:
  • The ATBC study tracked nearly 29,000 men who took synthetic vitamin E supplements and the results showed a 22% higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
  • More than 400 international units of vitamin E per day were associated with a considerably greater risk of all cause mortality, particularly from bleeding complications.
  • According to another study published in JMA, seniors who already have thinner blood, weaker artery walls, and frequently take aspirin or other anti-coagulants are at significantly greater risk, which can result in unexpected brain hemorrhages.
• Symptoms: Paralysis, vision loss, severe headaches, and trouble speaking.
• Solution: The synthetic type is called dull alpha tocopherol if that is what the label indicates. The natural form known as dalphotocopherol in the safest dosage ideally combined with other tocophererals and tootrienols is what you want instead. Unless otherwise directed, limit your daily intake to fewer than 150 international units. Steer clear of using highdosese vitamin E supplements if you are on warerin, aspirin, or any other blood thinner. Instead, concentrate on foods that include natural balanced vitamin E such as avocado, spinach, almonds, and sunflower seeds, as well as complimentary elements that work together to protect rather than damage.

1. Injections of Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

• Main Point: Cyanocobalamin, the most often used injectable type of vitamin B12, can actually increase your risk of stroke by thickening your blood, causing significant homocysteine spikes, and flooding your body with harmful byproducts like cyanide derivatives when taken in excess or too frequently.
• Details:
  • The human body does not naturally contain this form.
  • Your liver must change it into methylcobalamin or ethnosilcobalamin in order for it to be usable which causes a tiny amount of cyanide to be released.
  • The capacity to eliminate this is much diminished in older persons with compromised liver or renal function. It accumulates over time, causing blood vessel tension and impairing brain circulation.
• Evidence:
  • According to a 2020 study that was published in stroke, seniors who had high vitamin B12 levels, particularly those who regularly received cyanocobalamin injections, were three five times more likely to experience an iskeemic stroke, particularly if they also consumed a lot of folic acid.
  • Surprisingly, this combination causes endothelial dysfunction and raises blood viscosity, making your blood vessels more likely to clot and less able to carry oxygen to the areas that need it most.
• Symptoms: Sudden disorientation, one-sided weakness, facial drooping, changes in eyesight, or even lightheadedness.
• Solution: Your brain actually employs methylcobalamin, which is the active version that doesn't release cyanide. Unless your doctor has verified a true deficit through a blood test, be wary of loading dosages or highdose pills exceeding 1,000 micrograms. A dose of 250 to 500 micrograms of methylcobalamin two or three times a week is usually sufficient and far less dangerous for general maintenance. You may want to examine your homocyine levels if you have been receiving frequent B12 shots and you also have high blood pressure, thick blood, memory issues, or a history of stroke.

Conclusion:

The video emphasizes that vitamin safety, especially for seniors, depends on the correct form, dosage, and combinations. Many commonly used supplements, including synthetic vitamin E, retinol supplements, Ginkgo biloba, high-dose vitamin B6, and cyanocobalamin injections, can increase the risk of stroke through various mechanisms like blood thinning, blood thickening, increased homocysteine levels, and microvascular constriction. It is crucial to consult with a doctor, choose natural forms of vitamins from food sources, and monitor blood levels to minimize these risks. The key takeaway is that a vitamin's popularity does not guarantee its safety, particularly after age 60.