BRAIN FOG: It all comes down to ONE thing. Brain fog wasn't something that was even recognized in medicine, but that all changed over the last few years. The amount of people complaining about brain fog became too much to ignore. Now, we have the answer:
Brain fog is one of the most common + debilitating symptoms of long COVID. This forced science to devote attention + resources to understanding it. The causes of it were discovered: 1. Inflammation 2. A leaky brain These issues are the driving force behind ALL brain fog.
BRAIN FOG is INFLAMMATION. People with it have higher inflammatory markers: ➜ IL-6 ➜ IL-8 ➜ MCP-1 ➜ IL-13 ➜ IL1RA ➜ IFN-γ The more severe the fog, the more inflammation there is.
LEAKY BRAIN also drives brain fog. The vessels supplying blood to the brain can become compromised, and this allows: ➜ Toxins ➜ Immune cells / inflammatory proteins ➜ Pathogens into the brain. More blood brain barrier permeability = more brain fog.
But where does the inflammation and leaky brain come from? While most of the attention on COVID was directed towards its respiratory effects, COVID actually destroys the GUT, and this is responsible a ton of the severe disease. This is also ground zero for brain fog.
Brain fog is VERY common in people with gut issues. ➜ SIBO ➜ IBS ➜ IBDs often times, probiotics can actually make it worse, and antibiotics can improve it. This tells us that bacterial overgrowth / leakage is the primary mediator of brain fog.
In fact ~90% of celiac + gluten sensitive people report symptoms of brain fog. This tells us that gut inflammation itself is enough to drive the symptoms of brain fog. This is because inflammation is never completely localized - the signals extend throughout the entire body.
Leaky brain is caused by systemic inflammation. Inflammatory components: ◆ Endotoxin ◆ Cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ) ◆ High-mobility group box‐1 ◆ Cyclophilin A ◆ Sphingosine ◆ Complement components ◆ Kinins ◆ Prostaglandins ◆ Serotonin ◆ Histamine ◆ Arachidonic acid can ALL make the blood vessels more permeable.
Inflammation poisons the brain All of these signals: ➔ Impair neurogenesis (new brain cell formation) ➔ Alter synaptic plasticity ➔ Disrupt neurotransmitter release ➔ Wreck mitochondrial energy production ➔ Kills brain cells (ROS) thus, you get brain fog.
So the simplest way of describing brain fog is: 1. You have bacterial dysbiosis / leaky / inflamed gut 2. Systemic inflammation ensues 3. The blood brain barrier opens 4. You get inflammation in the brain 5. Brain fog So, we have to focus on the gut, first and foremost.
2 easy and free ways to tell if you have dysbiosis: 1. Coated tongue in the morning (especially in the back) 2. Consistent foamy urine If these are prevalent along with: 1. Other gut symptoms 2. Brain fog (especially post meal) your gut bacteria are probably messed up.
Step 1: Reduce endotoxin absorption. Endotoxin is one of the most powerful inflammatory signals in the entire body, and it comes from the bacteria in your gut. Meals higher in fat = higher absorption of endotoxin Fiber = prevents absorption but this only mitigates the underlying issue ⬇️
Step 2: Kill the bad bacteria This is likely THE primary reason behind the gut (& thus systemic) inflammation. ⬩Oregano oil ⬩Allicin (garlic/onion) ⬩Mastic gum ⬩Ginger ⬩Pau D'Arco ⬩Rosemary ⬩Thyme ⬩Activated charcoal ⬩Wormwood ⬩Camphor ⬩Carrot ⬩Berberine ⬩Vitamin D ⬩Vitamin K2 ⬩Zinc ⬩Lactoferrin are just a few natural antimicrobials that can help.
Step 3: Heal the gut lining ➞ Zinc (carnosine) ➞ Butyrate (or tributyrin) ➞ Lactoferrin ➞ L-Glutamine ➞ N-Acetyl glucosamine ➞ Collagen ➞ Phosphatidylcholine ➞ Aloe vera ➞ Colostrum are some of the best ways to seal up the gut lining. This reduces systemic inflammation + brain fog.
A fascinating finding is that CO2 or bicarbonate is actually low in post-COVID brain fog. CO2 has an anti-inflammatory effect, and low levels of it (or bicarbonate) predict poorer outcomes, including brain fog. Where you can get some extra bicarbonate? Check the thread below.
Another huge key to reducing inflammation in the brain specifically is to clear out the glymphatic system. Glymphatic fluid contains cellular waste, immune cells and toxins - and they can become more concentrated with a "leaky brain." This drives inflammation in the brain.
Luteolin is a powerful remedy for brain fog. This is a flavonoid in foods like broccoli, onions, and apples, and has the unique capability to inhibit the activation of: ➜ Mast cells ➜ Microglia which are 2 of the most prominent inflammatory cells in the brain.
A comprehensive list of direct acting, anti-inflammatories for the brain (specifically microglia): ◆ Lithium ◆ Aspirin ◆ Taurine ◆ Glycine ◆ L-Theanine ◆ Luteolin ◆ Apigenin ◆ Baicalein ◆ Fisetin ◆ Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ◆ Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) ◆ DHA ◆ Melatonin ◆ Allopregnanolone (from progesterone) ◆ Pregnenolone ◆ Vitamin D ◆ Curcumin ◆ Resveratrol ◆ EGCG ◆ Honokiol ◆ Apocynin ◆ Hydrogen ◆ Escin ◆ Acacetin ◆ β-aminoisobutyric acid ◆ Corydecumine G ◆ Linarin ◆ Oxymatrine ◆ Panaxytriol ◆ Esculentoside A
There are other important sources of persistent inflammation to consider that can also contribute. One I've written about recently is mold https://x.com/Outdoctrination/...
Heavy metals are another https://x.com/Outdoctrination/...
Hypothyroidism can also cause brain fog. Roughly HALF of people officially diagnosed will experience it. The master guide to thyroid optimization can be found below. https://x.com/Outdoctrination/...
Brain fog sucks, and it can be difficult to figure out how to deal with it on your own. If you want PERSONALIZED, IN DEPTH support from us in solving it (or any other health issue), schedule a free call here https://go.prism.miami/consult...
Thank you for reading through this. Give this tweet below a repost if you found it interesting to spread the message. https://x.com/Outdoctrination/...
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