Cognitive dysfunction, otherwise known as “brain fog,” is characterized by feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, a lack of focus, poor concentration and mental clarity. Almost everyone has experienced or suffered from it at some point in their life, and although it’s common, it’s not normal or healthy.
Brain fog can be caused by lifestyle factors like diet, stress, or a lack of sleep or exercise. In other situations, it can be indicative of a serious underlying health condition. It’s important to be aggressive about adopting a brain healthy lifestyle and managing your daily nutritional habits. Adding our superfood smoothies and soups to your everyday diet is a great way to jumpstart your body in the right direction.
There are innumerable causes of brain fog. Finding your personal brain fog solution will take time and some trial and error. Here is a checklist to get started:
- Start with a food elimination diet or food sensitivity test.
- Eat enough healthy fats in your diet-nuts, Ahiflower oil, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, sardines-all nutritional necessities for a healthy brain.
- On average drink eight -12oz. bottles of clean spring water a day. Get adequate sleep. 8 hours is a perfect amount to shoot for.
- Exercise is important as it increases the blood flow, oxygen and nutrients your brain needs and this can sharpen up your brain quickly.
- Meditate, as this reduces stress and clears the mind allowing you to become clear and calm.
- If you take any prescription or OTC medications known to cause cognitive problems, talk to your doctor about changing or minimizing your dosage or switching all together. Statin Cholesterol-lowering drugs and sleeping pills etc. all types of these medications cause memory loss.
- In our homes and our surrounding environment, we currently live in a sea of untested chemicals, all of which are major toxins that get absorbed directly into our body. Molds, dust, pet dander, PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) out-gassing matrasses/carpets and home cleaners are just a few of many toxins that get caught in our homes. This pool of chemicals can cause major brain fog. I recommend that everyone at some point switch over to a natural matrass, purchase carpets or rugs that are 100% wool or cotton or get rid of carpets all together. All toxic house cleaners should be thrown out immediately! I suggest only using plain vinegar and biodegradable soap and lemon to clean your entire house. Test your house for mold and keep dust to a bare minimum.
Elimination Diet
The most common types of elimination diets involve removing specific foods or ingredients from your daily diet because they may be causing allergy symptoms. The basic elimination diet is as simple as this: Back out all gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, sugar, fast food, and alcohol for about one month. So, what are you supposed to eat? Eat 30% “clean” protein like organic, hormone-free, grass-fed lean beef, poultry and some wild clean fish. 70% of your diet should be vegetables, legumes ex. (beans and lentils), seeds, Arctic and Northern Atlantic seaweeds and gluten-free seeds such as quinoa.
After one month, you may reintroduce one food like gluten or dairy and see how you feel after 48 hours. If there is no reaction after two days, eat the same food again and notice how you feel for a second time. If all is “good” and you’re having no negative reactions or side effects, you can keep eating this food. After this process, you may pick another food to reintroduce. Follow the same process with each food that has been eliminated. If you are working with a nutritionist or doctor, you do a blood test that will show which foods you are most sensitive too. These immediate foods would need to be backed out along with the list above. The re-introduction process is the same process as the above.
Dr. Lisa Miller, N.D, Deane Alban, “Brain Fog: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions”, https://bebrainfit.com/stop-brain-fog-know-the-causes-symptoms-and-solutions/ See www.NRDC.org for mercury levels in fish. Willie Victor, Essentials for Health.
