Contrary to popular belief, mental fog is not a disease.
It is rather a reflection of an underlying affection.
You experience slurred speech as if it were impossible for you to think.
You can’t remember, you can’t express yourself normally.
Sometimes you even feel a lack of coordination.
An awful feeling that creates real discomfort.
But don’t give up.
There are also natural solutions to try to overcome this foggy episode.
Contents
What is brain fog meaning?
The most common symptoms are:
– a kind of lethargy resulting in a feeling of not being alert, especially in the morning
– concentration and attention problems
– short-term and/or long-term memory issues
What causes brain fog?
There are different causes that can trigger the brain fog phenomenon:
- infectious diseases
- chronic stress
- hormonal disorders
- Covid 19
- head trauma
- an unbalanced diet
- insufficient sleep (a minimum of 7 hours of sleep is required)
- an endocrine problem (adrenal, thyroid)
- an autoimmune disease
- diabetes
- migraine
- hyperthyroidism
- yeast overgrowth or Candida Albicans
- some drugs
Stress
Stress is a major cause of mental fatigue.
When we are stressed, the body produces cortisol which disrupts memory and disrupts thinking.
Stress increases blood pressure, weakens the immune system, and can even trigger a depressive episode that leads to brain fog.
All these factors lead to the same symptoms, a foggy mind.
Food
An unbalanced diet leads to a foggy brain.
Dehydration can make it hard to concentrate.
Avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible, especially aspartame which can damage the brain.
Dairy products like peanuts are known to trigger mental fatigue.
Covid 19 brain fog
Recent long Covid studies have shown that some patients have spinal fluid changes, even when the disease has not been virulent.
Mind fog also sets in during long covid and just having a conversation with family becomes the obstacle course.
Researchers have noted a change in spinal fluid transparency in people with cognitive problems.
Months after their infection, they may have identified its mechanism by performing lumbar punctures.
They established that 77% of patients have abnormalities and signs of inflammation in brain fluid.
To date, however, they cannot fully identify the problem.
Does the virus cause the organism to attack itself or do remnants of the virus remain lodged in the brain?
They nevertheless lean towards a dysfunction of the immune system.
Data has however shown that patients with brain fog tend to have certain risk factors:
– diabetes
– hypertension
– excessive alcohol consumption
– anxiety
– depression
– learning difficulties
– attention deficit disorder
They conclude that it is possible that certain parts of the brain organization are more vulnerable after infection.
But they assure that this symptom is not specific to Covid19 and that other diseases like SARS, MERS, Hepatitis C and AIDS also lead to cognitive impairment.
20 to 30% of Covid patients develop a brain fog which can occur after the symptoms of the disease disappear.
A recent study showed that when patients adopt a low-Fodmap diet, their affection improves very quickly.
What is this Fodmap diet?
It’s actually a specific diet that cuts out certain carbohydrates that feed bacteria.
A diet high in Fodmap contributes to the growth of bacteria and leads to infection of the small intestine.
But what’s the connection with the brain fog?
This recent study showed that inviting a group of patients with irritable bowel, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, testing this Fodmap diet led to a decrease in histamine.
Histamine is a compound produced by bacteria that causes mental fog.
If you have digestive issues and feel like your brain is foggy, improving your gut health can be a great way to relieve yourself.
Effective supplements against mental fog
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Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids
Omega 3s fall into two categories, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Both are very important for brain health.
People don’t realize the brain is made up of fat, mostly Omega 3 acids.
These fatty acids diffuse into all nerve and brain cells.
If you are deficient in Omega 3, your brain slows down and you experience the symptoms of mental fog.
The recommended dosage in Omega 3 EPA DHA (#ad) is 1000-2000mg per day.
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Magnesium
Magnesium is a powerful mineral found naturally in the body.
It supports more than 100 enzymatic processes in the body, especially in the brain.
It is essential for the proper functioning of neurotransmitters and brain cells.
Magnesium deficiency is frequent, it is very advisable to start supplementation.
Of all the available forms, the magnesium l-threonate (#ad) is best for brain function.
Take this supplement in the evening or at night because the brain needs magnesium to regenerate itself while you sleep.
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Bacopa or Brahmi
This supplement is an Ayurvedic remedy widely used to improve memory.
Bacopa is an interesting plant for its mechanism of action.
It reduces stress, lessens anxiety, and treats depression.
It also supports the functioning of neurotransmitters.
Bacopa (#ad) is also an adaptogenic plant that intervenes at the same time in the global functioning of the brain, fatigue, and energy while providing significant antioxidant properties.
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Acetyl-l-carnitine
Acetyl l carnitine is a form of amino acid that your body makes in every cell.
Carnitine is very helpful for fat metabolism in these cells.
Recent research has shown that this amino acid has a very significant impact on the body and especially on the brain.
It reduces inflammation, and contributes to the distribution of fatty acids so that the brain is never deprived of them and can regenerate.
Studies show that acetyl l carnitine (#ad) improves memory, attention, and concentration.
The recommended dosage is 1000 to 2000mg in two doses each day.
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Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is naturally present in the body, particularly in the mitochondria.
Mitochondria is the heart of the cell in charge of energy production.
Their role is therefore to produce energy for the whole body.
The brain is one of the organs with the highest concentration of mitochondria.
For this reason, it is important to bring coenzyme Q10 for optimal functioning because brain fog often shows that mitochondria are not functioning normally.
Coenzyme Q10 is found in different forms such as Ubiquinol (#ad) or the liposomal form.
You should favor one of these two forms.
The recommended dosage is 100-200mg per day.
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is one of the best antioxidants already present in the body.
Its role is to reduce inflammation while eliminating toxins.
Of course, it fights free radicals and thus protects brain cells.
A lot of research shows that a take of alpha-lipoic acid (#ad) improves brain function and fights mental fog.
The recommended dosage is 600 to 1000mg in two daily doses.
Note: prefer the R form of alpha-lipoic acid which is much more assimilable than the S form.
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Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 can help you fight mental fog.
It is essential for nerve function.
It contributes to the production of red blood cells, to the synthesis of DNA.
It also participates in the synthesis of serotonin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency, therefore, indicates insufficient serotonin levels and a risk of developing depression.
The recommended dosage is 1000mcg per day.
Note: prefer Vitamin b12 Methylcobalamin (#ad), the only form assimilated by the body.
How to get rid of brain fog?
Mind fog, that strange feeling that the brain is disconnected, is not inevitable.
Some supplements taken regularly can help improve your symptoms, restore normal brain function, and regain your memory, concentration, and mental clarity.
Of course, you must also adapt your diet and remember that it is no longer rich enough in nutrients to meet all the needs of the organism.
Deficiencies are also brain fog triggers.
For people affected by a long Covid, direct supplementation is recommended to try to quickly counter the harmful effects of the virus and combat this too heavy mental fog.
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