A blood clot in the brain can originate within blood vessels in the brain or can be due to a clot forming elsewhere and traveling to the brain, resulting in an embolism. Blood clots in the brain can result in an ischemic stroke, which is the result of obstructed blood flow to part of the brain.

Blood clotting is necessary for preventing hemorrhages once you've been cut or bruised. Certain nutrients are essential for your body to carry out the process of blood clotting, and you can get these nutrients from eating a balanced diet.

Albumin, a blood protein, is routinely measured to assess overall health status. Albumin has also been commonly used to determine nutritional health, but the interpretation of albumin levels -- and how to manage low levels -- has changed in recent years.