Although Brain Fog is not a medically diagnosable condition, it is a common phrase that most people use when they are experiencing symptoms affecting their ability to think.
There are a number of reasons why people experience Brain Fog. If you believe that this is what you are indeed experiencing, then it may just take a few adjustments to your lifestyle habits to put you right again.
As mentioned in a previous blog, sleep deprivation can have serious short-term and long-term consequences for the health of your brain. Aim to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night, as this is the critical time for your brain to flush out toxins and work on memory formation. My sleep was impacted during both my pregnancies, and before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. This lack of quality sleep together with the hormonal changes, resulted in my experiencing many periods of Brain Fog. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause have a big impact on your ability to think clearly.
What you eat and drink has a huge impact on Brain Fog. I am sure it comes as no surprise that all highly processed snacks and takeaway food products rich in tasty fat and sugar will trigger certain degrees of Brain Fog. Neuroscience evidence shows the best diet for your brain is the Mediterranean Diet.
The Gut-Brain-Micro-biome Connection is also of critical importance, as a healthy balance of gut bacteria contributes to normal behavior, cognition, emotional regulation and a well-functioning immune system. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is also known to bring on Brain Fog.
Food allergies and sensitivities can make you feel like your brain is foggy and some culprits are dairy, MSG, alcohol and artificial sweeteners. Given how much water there is in the brain, dehydration can also contribute to sluggish thinking as it decreases the size of the brain.
Many drugs and serious medical conditions will also bring on this lack of mental clarity and fuzzy thinking. If you have addressed all of the common causes that I have listed above without success, then it is worthwhile discussing your symptoms with your doctor. Additional blood tests can identify basic health markers, glucose levels, nutritional deficiencies, organ function, hydration, and other factors which may be responsible for your symptoms of Brain Fog.
