Brain Fog = Brain Inflammation
People with brain fog complain that their thinking feels slow and disconnected, as if they are in a fog. This is because the inflammation in the brain slows communication between neurons. The brain is an extremely malleable organ that is constantly being shaped by our environment, diet, experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Because it is such a sensitive organ, brain health can easily suffer. The brain is most vulnerable to inflammation in the body and the most common symptom of brain inflammation is brain fog. Other symptoms of brain inflammation can include memory loss, depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders.
What causes brain inflammation
The factors that cause brain inflammation are often the same factors that cause inflammation elsewhere in the body, and stem primarily from poor diet and lifestyle choices. One of the more common causes of brain inflammation is inflammation in the gut. If you have any digestive disorders—stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, gas, bloating, multiple food sensitivities—you may be at risk of brain inflammation and resultant brain fog.
Brain fog will be much worse and more difficult to heal if inflammation is a problem.
Common factors that inflame the brain include:
- Food intolerances, particularly to gluten. The brain has been found to be the tissue most often affected by a gluten sensitivity.
- A diet high in sugar
- Blood sugar imbalances (low blood sugar, high blood sugar, or diabetes)
- Leaky gut (a damaged gut wall that allows undigested food, bacteria, and other pathogens into the bloodstream)
- Unmanaged autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism
- Chronic inflammation elsewhere in the body
- Hormonal imbalances: Hormones play an important role in brain health. For instance, an estrogen deficiency in a woman can cause brain inflammation.
- Poor blood flow and oxygenation. The brain cannot function well without a good flow of blood, which carries oxygen. Factors that can hamper this include anemia, smoking, poor circulation, blood sugar imbalances, chronic stress, and high or low blood pressure.
Symptoms of an inflamed brain
By knowing what symptoms to look for, you can take action to improve your brain function.
Certain symptoms show your brain may be inflamed or in poor health. As mentioned earlier, digestive symptoms or hormonal imbalances can inflame the brain. Multiple chemical sensitivities indicate you have lost a tolerance to environmental compounds and your antioxidant status is low, making your brain more vulnerable. Chronic depression has been linked to chronic gut and brain inflammation. Anxiety or mood disorders signal imbalances in brain health. Memory loss and poor cognition also signal brain health is deteriorating.
Supporting brain health
The factors that support brain health are the same factors that support your body’s health. They include an anti-inflammatory diet rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fats, sufficient vitamin D, regular physical activity, enough sleep, healthy social activity, and avoiding foods and lifestyle factors that increase stress and inflammation. Soothing music and meditation can also help. To learn more about nutrition for brain health and immune balance, click here to take my Brain Check class.
