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Losing your mind or are you sick?

“I Think I’m Losing My Mind”: When Treating Tick-Borne Illness Feels Worse Before It Gets Better

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She’s 23. Bright, motivated, kind and always eager to smile. She came to our office after years of searching for answers to her fatigue, body aches, temperature swings, and lightheadedness that started without warning.

Testing eventually revealed she was dealing with Babesia, one of the lesser-known but highly impactful tick-borne co-infections. We started a targeted treatment plan that included antimicrobials, detox support, acupuncture and mitochondrial nutrients. In the first few weeks, she felt hopeful, after having an occipital nerve block done, her headaches were less frequent, she had less body pain and her energy had started to return.

But then something changed.

When she was weeks into her protocol, her mom called the office one Monday morning, worried. Her daughter had become withdrawn, anxious and couldn’t sleep.. She said she felt “like I’m going crazy”. Her heart raced at night. She had dark, intrusive thoughts that made no sense to her. And worst of all, she had stopped her medication without checking in because she felt like she just couldn’t swallow anymore pills—afraid that the treatment was making her worse.

It’s a story I hear often.

What Was Happening?

The medications to kill the parasitic Babesia caused an overall inflammatory response of the brain.

She wasn’t losing her mind. The process of die-off reaction can trigger a wave of inflammation and neurotoxicity—especially in sensitive patients or when infections like Babesia are involved.

Babesia in particular is a red blood cell parasite that releases pro-inflammatory molecules, affects oxygen delivery, and can trigger severe mood and neurologic symptoms. Inflammatory cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier, activating microglia (the brain’s immune cells) and producing symptoms like:

  • Panic and paranoia
  • Intrusive or obsessive thoughts
  • Nightmares and air hunger
  • Brain fog, rage, or emotional volatility

These are not just mental health concerns—they’re signs of neuroinflammation. And they are treatable—with the right tools and support.

What Helped Her?

Luckily, her family saw changes and brought her back in. She cried when we explained what was happening—but this time, with relief. She wasn’t broken. Her brain was inflamed, and her nervous system was overwhelmed by the die-off. We sat down together and made a plan:

  • Paused medications for a few days to let the inflammation calm down
  • Restarted treatment at a lower dose, with pulsing to avoid overload
  • Burbur and pinella drops in water to help detox
  • Continuing her glutathione and binders to support detox
  • Doing an IV with glutathione in the clinic to help detox her body faster
  • Encouraged her to take her magnesium, L-theanine, and omega-3s to support her brain
  • Encouraged gentle movement, hydration with electrolyte drinks, acupuncture, salt baths and infrared sauna

But most importantly—we agreed that she would not stop treatment without calling us first. Because when you’re navigating a complex illness, especially one that hides in the nervous system, staying connected to your care team is as important as any prescription.

The Takeaway

Communication is the key to successful treatment…. Don’t assume it means you’re regressing—or broken. It may be a signal that your body is fighting hard—and just needs help navigating the process. Pause. Reach out. Let’s reassess and adjust the plan.

Tick-borne illnesses can affect every part of us—the body, the brain, the mood, and the spirit. But with the right support, healing is possible. And more often than not, you are far stronger and more resilient than you realize.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

Sharpen Your Cognitive Health and Eliminate Brain Fog

Out of the Fog: Strategies to Prevent Brain Fog and Sharpen Cognitive Function

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It’s easy to take your mental health for granted until one day you realize that you haven’t been feeling as mentally sharp as you once were. Maybe you’re having more frequent slips in memory or you feel like you’re walking around with your head in a cloud. When these moments occur, you may be quick to dismiss them, but brain fog, in a sense, is the body’s way of indicating that the brain is not working the way it’s supposed to be. So, what is brain fog and why does it happen?

Brain fog is not an actual clinical condition, but rather a term for a subjective set of symptoms that people experience. Some may be affected by poor concentration or a decrease in intellectual productivity, while others may experience memory problems (difficulty with recalling words, details, etc.). Other symptoms can include feelings of confusion, depression, and headaches. People of any age and gender can experience any one or all of these symptoms at any given time.

These changes in cognitive function are not only mentally exhausting, but they can also have a very real effect on a person’s emotional wellbeing. Operating in a reduced state of mental acuity can knock down a person’s self-confidence, cause workplace productivity to suffer, and may even be a reason to withdraw from social outings. But it’s important to understand that brain fog is not a normal part of the aging process.

There are many factors that can initiate symptoms of brain fog; some that you may not think are related. Unlike dementia, which can be permanent, and in some cases, progressive, brain fog symptoms are likely to improve when contributing factors are addressed.

Questions? Give Us a Call!

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How to Get Rid of Brain Fog

Here are 6 common contributors with tips on what you can do to improve or even eliminate your symptoms altogether.

1. Poor nutrition.

The connection between the brain and the gut is also known as the “gut-brain axis.” It’s a bi-directional connection, which means that the gut and the brain essentially speak to each other. This means that when the integrity of one component is compromised, the other is directly affected. Therefore, poor nutritional choices will have a direct effect on brain function.

Highly processed meals and drinks that are loaded with simple sugars and other artificial ingredients can cause a disruption in the gut flora and lead to a condition called intestinal permeability, or leaky gut. When the gut lining is weakened unwanted substances are able to break through the protective filter between the intestines and our bloodstream. The are several issues that then become a problem. The first is that the body will start to make antibodies to foods, causing allergies to foods we would not have been sensitive to when the intestine was healthy. The other issue is that when the intestinal barrier is impaired, the barrier around the brain that helps protect our brains from immune substances floating in the blood now can enter the brain and incite an inflammatory reaction. This can show up as fatigue, sleep disturbances and alterations in mood, anxiety, and depression, and brain fog.

In addition, common food additives like aspartame, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), and nitrates/nitrites promote widespread inflammation and oxidative stress by producing free radicals that cause damage to brain cells and DNA when they overwhelm antioxidant levels in the body.

Solution: We should never take our food choices for granted! There are things that can be done nutritionally to help clear brain fog, boost energy, and increase productivity. Start by cutting down on processed foods and eating whole, organic, and non-GMO foods whenever possible. Next, eat probiotic-rich foods to help balance your gut flora and get rid of harmful bacteria. Probiotic-rich foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, Kombucha (watch out for sugar content), and kefir. If you have trouble getting these foods onto your plate, another great way to get good bacteria into your diet is supplementing with a daily probiotic.

2. Biotoxicity and Neurotoxicity

Biotoxins and neurotoxins are environmental toxins that can poison our physical and mental health. As toxins penetrate the blood-brain barrier, they are free to circulate throughout the body – including the brain! Once there, the glial cells that work to defend the nerves and brain cells from damage are compromised and unable to do their job. Although the symptoms vary, a common complaint of someone diagnosed with some form of toxicity is brain fog.

Solution: Eliminating biotoxins and neurotoxins from your home is the first step in any detoxification process. This may mean professional removal of mold-infested areas, air purification, and a change to buying “green” products that do not contain harmful ingredients like pesticides and other toxic ingredients. You’ll also need to make changes to your diet to exclude food items that may contribute to leaky gut. A compromised gut lining will allow more toxic substances to circulate through your body instead of being eliminated. If you have symptoms of brain fog talk to your physician about whether getting tested for the presence of biotoxins or neurotoxins makes sense for you.

3. Sleep Disorders

In the United States, as many as one-third of adults do not get the quality of sleep the body requires. It’s during sleep when the body is able to repair itself by calming inflammation and maintaining hormone production. When these two processes – both important elements in brain health – are compromised it can negatively impact your memory, decision-making, the capacity to focus one’s attention, and the ability to complete complex creative activities, among other things.

Solution: There are a lot of things you can do to improve your sleep pattern. Breathing techniques, meditation, dietary adjustments, starting an exercise routine (or adjusting your current one), and establishing a bedtime routine are just a few examples. If you think you may have an actual sleep disorder, a first step in further evaluation is to answer the eight questions on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. If your score is equal to, or higher, than 10, the results should be discussed with your doctor.

4. Celiac Disease

People with Celiac Disease (CD) are no strangers to brain fog. Just like poor nutritional choices can lead to leaky gut, so can an allergy or sensitivity to gluten. The difference is, with Celiac Disease your immune system mistakes gluten, a normally benign food ingredient for most, as a foreign and deadly invader. When it’s detected in the body, the immune system begins to attack and destroy the gut lining and causes leaky gut. Once the villi are damaged the body is unable to absorb the nutrients it needs to keep the brain and body healthy and allows harmful substances to enter. Brain fog is a common symptom of people who are ultimately diagnosed with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance.

Solution: Patients who have been diagnosed with Celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance report a noticeable and significant improvement in cognitive impairment after eliminating gluten from their diet.

5. Estrogen

In women, the onset of menopause can trigger a myriad of symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes, joint pain, and brain fog. Research suggests that when it comes to changes in memory and other mild cognitive impairments that accompany menopause, the decline of estrogen levels may be partly to blame. We know that the brain is full of estrogen receptors that have neuroprotective and antioxidant benefits. The decline of estrogen during menopause compromises neuronal function and increases the risk of developing age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Solution: Although there is no single solution that works for every woman, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can relieve many of the unpleasant symptoms that most women experience during menopause, including brain fog. Talk to your doctor about a screening that will help identify hormonal imbalances so they can be effectively treated.

6. Side-Effects from Medication

Statistics show that over 20% of US adults report using 3 or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days and nearly 12% use 5 or more. Additionally, it’s not unusual that patients receive prescriptions from specialists in addition to their primary care physician, and supplement use is not always reported accurately. This leaves a lot of room for unwanted side effects, including brain fog.

Solution: Make sure to review your medications with your primary physician annually, and more often if necessary, particularly if you feel like you haven’t been yourself.

In sum, the good news about brain fog is that there are ways to help clear it up, boost your energy, and improve your productivity and memory. The key is keeping your brain well-fed, your body well-rested, and keeping your physician in the know about any changes in your mental acuity.

For individuals who would like to work directly with our providers, we offer comprehensive services that utilize the best alternative and conventional medicine solutions to keep your brain young, healthy, and vital. For more information or to make an appointment with one of our providers please call 703-532-4892.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

References:

Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Annals of Gastroenterology. 2015;28(2):203-209.

Jedrychowski, Et al. Cognitive function of 6-year old children exposed to mold-contaminated homes in early postnatal period. Prospective birth cohort study in Poland. Physiology & Behavior. Volume 104, Issue 5, 24 October 2011.

Lichtwark , Et al. Cognitive impairment in coeliac disease improves on a gluten‐free diet and correlates with histological and serological indices of disease severity. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Volume 40, Issue 2, July 2014.

Yelland GW, Gluten-induced cognitive impairment (“brain fog”) in coeliac disease. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2017 Mar; 32 Suppl 1:90-93. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13706.

Zárate S, Stevnsner T, Gredilla R. Role of Estrogen and Other Sex Hormones in Brain Aging. Neuroprotection and DNA Repair. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2017;9:430. Published 2017 Dec 22. doi:10

Stop Eating These Foods

Stop Eating These Foods And Clear Up Your Brain!

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Feeling unproductive? Fatigued? Having trouble concentrating? These are just some of the complaints associated with brain fog – or when your brain is not on top of its game.

Brain fog is characterized by cognitive impairments to memory, attention, executive function, and the speed of cognitive processing. It is not a medical condition itself, but rather symptomatic of an underlying condition that can range from poor nutrition or illness to undiagnosed food sensitivities or sleep deprivation.

If you haven’t already spoken to your physician about how you feel, make that priority number one in determining what may be causing your brain fog. In the meantime, there are things you can do right away to “clear up” your brain for optimal functioning. Environmental factors, particularly nutrition, can worsen or improve your symptoms.

Here are 5 types of foods and drinks that may be contributing to your brain fog – and why!

1. Processed foods with MSG

The food additive Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), used as a taste enhancer and flavoring agent, is hidden in almost all processed foods, ranging from bottled salad dressings, soups, and canned goods to many restaurant meals. People who tend to eat a lot of processed foods with MSG can experience physical symptoms that can last from a few hours to days, and the most common of these is brain fog. Here’s how it works:

  • Free glutamic acid is the active component in MSG and is converted to glutamate in the body.
  • Glutamate is a neurotransmitter, or simply a chemical messenger, that transmits signals between neurons in the brain. However, too much glutamate is toxic to the brain as it triggers an excitotoxic state which leads to cell death.
  • In addition, glutamate overload depletes glutathione and other powerful antioxidants that are needed to scavenge free radicals (toxic cellular waste) in the body.

Identifying foods with MSG can be tricky, however, because it goes by many names. For more information on how MSG can be identified on food labels, visit www.TruthInLabeling.org.

How can you make a difference? Focus on eating a variety of whole and unprocessed foods, for one, and eating food products with as few ingredients as possible.

Questions? Give Us a Call!

703-532-4892 x2

2. Your “must-have” daily diet soft drink

Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners worldwide, and also one of the most controversial. The public health crisis of rising obesity drove us to embrace the idea of sweetness without the calories. But study upon study has shown that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, can do more harm than good.

When aspartame is ingested, it breaks down into 3 different compounds: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are amino acids (protein building blocks) that are beneficial to the human body when they occur naturally with other amino acids in foods. However, when consumed in isolated and large amounts, like it is in aspartame, they then are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, excite the brain cells and trigger their death. Even worse, methanol further breaks down to formaldehyde, which is neurotoxic and carcinogenic.

Common symptoms of aspartame toxicity are headaches, mental confusion, problems with balance, and numbness.

3. Processed meats – bacon, jerky & hot dogs

Sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and sodium/potassium benzoate are salts added to processed foods, particularly meats, to preserve freshness. The food industry relies on these additives as taste enhancers, and as a way to preserve bright colors that will catch the eye of the consumer.

Although the use of these additives is approved by the Food & Drug Administration in regulated amounts, processed meats that contain these chemicals have been classified as “Group 1 Carcinogen” by World Health Organization (WHO) experts. A large number of health complaints have been reported by consumers; among them skin issues, respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, and brain fog.

The best way to avoid these additives, commonly found in bacon, jerky, hotdogs, pepperoni, and sausages, is to read the labels and choose to eat unprocessed foods whenever possible.

4. Alcohol

Various components in alcohols can cause sensitivity, and the severity of the allergic reactions depends on the person’s genetic profile; one major symptom being brain fog.

Here is a list of the ingredients in wine, beer, liquor, and spirits that may be worsening your brain fog.

  • Sulfite additives are used to sterilize barrels and tanks before fermentation takes place.
  • Histamines are suggested to play a major role in allergic-like reactions to wine.
  • Ethanol is found to play a role in inducing allergic reactions – especially in Asians and certain other populations – due to their lack of the enzyme that metabolizes ethanol.
  • Most beers contain gluten. People who are sensitive to gluten report an improvement in brain fog when gluten is cut out of their diets.

5. Cheese/Dairy

Milk and dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and whey protein (found in bodybuilding and energy drinks) are just one of the food categories that the FDA has also recognized as a major allergen, potentially causing allergic reactions in some people that can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can be fatal. Other foods considered major allergens are: gluten, soy, egg, shellfish (two kinds: crustacea and mollusk), tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, and cashews), peanuts (in the legume family), certain types of finned fish, and sesame. For people with sensitivities or allergies to these foods, the body sees the proteins as a threat and produces antibodies to chase them out.

If you experience symptoms of brain fog, headache, or digestive discomfort when you eat a specific type of food, you may have a sensitivity but not necessarily an allergy. With either situation it is best to avoid those foods altogether; and be careful when reading labels, as there may be hidden ingredients, especially milk and eggs.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

This article was originally written in July 2017. It was reviewed and updated in October 2024.

Additional References:

Abu-Taweel, G. M., A, Z. M., Ajarem, J. S., & Ahmad, M. (2014). Cognitive and biochemical effects of monosodium glutamate and aspartame, administered individually and in combination in male albino mice. Neurotoxicology And Teratology, 4260-67. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2014.02.001

Ahluwalia, P., Tewari, K., & Choudhary, P. (1996). Studies on the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on oxidative stress in erythrocytes of adult male mice. Toxicology Letters, 84(3), 161-165.

Foran, L., Blackburn, K., & Kulesza, R. J. (2017). Auditory hindbrain atrophy and anomalous calcium binding protein expression after neonatal exposure to monosodium glutamate. Neuroscience, 344406-417. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.01.004

Onaolapo, O. J., Onaolapo, A. Y., Akanmu, M. A., & Gbola, O. (2016). Evidence of alterations in brain structure and antioxidant status following ‘low-dose’ monosodium glutamate ingestion. Pathophysiology: The Official Journal Of The International Society For Pathophysiology, 23(3), 147-156. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2016.05.001 

VALLY, H. and THOMPSON, P. (2003), Allergic and asthmatic reactions to alcoholic drinks. Addiction Biology, 8: 3–11. doi:10.1080/1355621031000069828

Whitehouse, C. R., Boullata, J., & McCauley, L. A. (2008). The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners. AAOHN Journal: Official Journal Of The American Association Of Occupational Health Nurses, 56(6), 251-259.

Wild, C. P., & Gong, Y. Y. (2010). Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue. Carcinogenesis, 31(1), 71-82. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgp264

http://www.mpwhi.com/main.htm

https://www.foodallergy.org/allergens

http://acaai.org/allergies/types

 

 

best_foods_for_brain-fog

Top 6 Food Types to Clear Your Brain Fog and Boost Your Cognitive Function

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Do you often experience brain fog? It’s that feeling of mental fatigue that drains your energy, causes poor concentration, and prevents you from gathering your thoughts. I’m sure that many of you can relate to that. Actually, brain fog is a common trend in our modern society. It may occur as a symptom of an underlying illness, side-effects from medication, hidden allergies (e.g. gluten), lack of sleep, dehydration, and even over-eating (i.e. eating too many calories).

However, brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, but a set of subjective symptoms that people experience and describe as:

  • Poor concentration
  • Mental Confusion
  • Eye fatigue
  • Headache
  • Poor sleep
  • A decrease in intellectual productivity

The good news is that there are small tweaks that can be done nutritionally to help clear brain fog, boost energy, and increase productivity. The key is keeping your brain well-fed, nourished, and oxygenated.

1. Drink Up! Water is the way to go.

Water is vital to the proper functioning of human cells and our body systems; it accounts for 60% to 70% of total body weight in lean adults, and 45% to 55% in obese adults. Water plays a major role in brain function; approximately 75% of the processes that take place in the brain occur in the presence of water!

Drinking adequate amounts of water will help increase mental clarity and concentration, help prevent headaches, and help in the removal of toxins and cellular waste that accumulate in the blood and travel to the brain.

How much should you drink? A simple way to calculate your daily water requirement is by dividing your body weight in half and replacing pounds with ounces. So if you weigh 140 lbs., your water requirement is 70 oz. There are two other factors to keep in mind, and the first is physical activity; athletes and active people need more water than sedentary people. The second factor is the weather; during the hot summer months, you need to boost up your water intake even more.

2. Brain Fuel: Omega 3’s

Omega-3 foods are good for the brain

Omega 3s are the most preferred “essential” nutrient to the brain and nervous system. They are called essential because our body does not make them, so we need to get them from our diet.
Among their infinite benefits, omega 3s lower inflammation, protect cell membranes, improve cognition and memory, and improve mood stability.

What to eat: The best sources of omega 3 are fatty fish (salmon, trout, cod liver, herring, mackerel, and sardines), shellfish (shrimp, oysters, clams, and scallops), or krill oil. You may also get omega 3s from plant-based foods, such as flaxseed, chia seeds, or walnuts, however, their conversion to the absorbable form, known as EPA and DHA, is very low – between 5% – 10%.

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3. Rainbow foods: Flavonoids

flavonoids are good for the brain

Flavonoids are plant-derived compounds that have antioxidant properties. They scavenge harmful toxic cellular wastes in the body called “free radicals.” Free radicals damage brain cells and DNA through a process called oxidation, which contributes to brain fog related symptoms.

Studies indicate that flavonoids found in certain fruits and veggies are able to improve memory and brain function, thereby helping to lower symptoms related to brain fog.

Fruits like grapes, pomegranates, strawberries, and blueberries have shown to improve many aspects of memory and learning, such as: rapid and slow memory acquisition, short-term working memory, long-term reference memory, and memory retention and retrieval.

What to eat: Lots of fruits and vegetables! Go for a rainbow of color.

4. Quercetin-rich foods

Quercetin is a flavonol (a subtype of flavonoids) found in plants and known for its antioxidant properties.
Unique to quercetin is its ability to block histamine release, the main trigger for allergies which can cause symptoms of brain fog.

What to eat: Foods that are rich in quercetin are: ancho peppers, red onions, dill weed, cranberries, and buckwheat.

5. Brain Treat: Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate for brain health

In addition to being delicious, DARK chocolate is a superfood, which means it’s a highly potent antioxidant and brain booster. Cocoa flavonols, which are the active compounds in the cocoa powder found in chocolate, have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, providing it with an abundant supply of nutrients and oxygen.

Studies have shown cocoa flavonols improve cognitive function and blood pressure control in older adults, improve concentration, and can help stabilize mood.

What to eat: When buying a chocolate bar, the darker the chocolate, the better (look for 70% or more cacao* content). You can also buy good quality, dark chocolate cocoa powder, but you’ll notice it can be bitter, so a great way of getting it in your diet is by adding it to your smoothies.

* Cocoa powder comes from raw cacao that has been roasted at high temperatures.

6. Happy Brain = Happy gut: Probiotic-rich foods

probiotic foods for brain health and gut health

The human body carries over 100 trillion bacteria in the gut, outweighing the human body’s cells! These bacteria work synergistically with the body’s systems and contribute to the synthesis of vitamins and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), and also help with food digestion.

The gut also hosts harmful bacteria, but in smaller amounts. These opportunistic species thrive on sugars, which can lead to overgrowth and create an imbalance in the microbiome. The connection between the brain and gut is bi-directional, which means if one consumes a high processed meal that is loaded with simple sugars, the brain will suffer from a lack of neurotransmitters and vital nutrients. This leads to brain fog symptoms and potentially other serious conditions. So basically, food choices and a clean diet are tremendous for brain health.

What to eat: Incorporating probiotic-rich food in your diet will help balance gut flora and get rid of harmful bacteria. These foods are Sauerkraut, kimchi, Kombucha (watch out for sugar content), and kefir. Supplementing with probiotics is another great way to get good bacteria into your diet.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

References:

Boots, A. W., Haenen, G. M., & Bast, A. (2008). Health effects of quercetin: from antioxidant to nutraceutical. European Journal Of Pharmacology, 585(2-3), 325-337. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.03.008
Anand David, A. V., Arulmoli, R., & Parasuraman, S. (2016). Overviews of Biological Importance of Quercetin: A Bioactive Flavonoid. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 10(20), 84-89. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.194044
Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University | Micronutrient Information Center | Essential Fatty Acids
Nehlig, A. (2013) The neuroprotective effects of cocoa flavanol and its influence on cognitive performance. Br J Clin Pharmacol. Mar; 75(3): 716–727.

This article was first seen in Dr. Kaplan’s column for MindBodyGreen on 4/17/2017. Reviewed on 9/19/24.

Brain Boosting Properties of Resveratrol

4 Brain Boosting Properties of Resveratrol

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What do pistachios, peanuts, blueberries, and grapes have in common? In addition to providing a tasty snack, they are all sources of resveratrol, a naturally occurring substance found in certain plants that offers a number of health benefits to the brain!

Resveratrol is a type of phytoalexin, a substance produced by plant tissues that promotes disease resistance. Medical researchers are still exploring the mechanisms by which it works but it has clearly proven its impact on reducing inflammation in the central nervous system (inflammation of this nature is a major contributor to chronic pain, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases).

Sources of resveratrol

A well-balanced diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts is a wonderful way to obtain Resveratrol. Other food sources include mulberries, raspberries, red wine, pomegranates, dark chocolate, and soy beans.

Bioavailability

Successful in vivo studies (involving animals or humans) are limited but show promise. One reason for their limited success is that Resveratrol has low bioavailability. Merriam-Webster defines bioavailability as “the degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity.” In other words, before our bodies are able to reap its benefits, Resveratrol is rapidly absorbed and eliminated. Researchers continue to look for ways to enhance its bioavailability through dosage concentrations and combinations with other compounds. For example, just as piperine can improve the bioavailability of curcumin, it may also improve the bioavailability of resveratrol. A 2020 study published in The Egyptian Rheumatologist concluded that “piperine administration concurrently with resveratrol potentiated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of resveratrol in arthritic-induced rats which could be attributed to the bio-enhancing activity of piperine”. 

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Possible Clinical Applications of Resveratrol
  1. It has demonstrated neuroprotective qualities post-stroke, post-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and/or post-spinal cord injury. A 2021 review published in Neurochemistry International, which looked at both in vivo and in vitro studies, confirmed that Resveratrol “can induce a neuroprotective state when administered acutely or prior to experimental injury to the CNS.”
  2. It can potentially lower a person’s risk of opioid dependency. A 2020 study published in World Academy of Sciences Journal found that “RES can potentiate the antinociceptive effects of morphine and reduces morphine tendency and reinstatement.” In other words, this study suggests that it’s possible that Resveratrol, when taken with morphine, can prevent the development of hyperalgesia (increased sensitization to pain) – a condition that often leads to opioid dependency. Furthermore, Resveratrol acts without compromising the morphine’s effectiveness.
  3. It can improve age-related mood and memory function. Resveratrol’s anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties seem to protect cells in the hippocampal region of the brain from damage. This region of the brain converts short-term memory to long-term memory, and is part of the limbic system, which regulates emotion. A study published in Scientific Reports showed that middle aged, Resveratrol-treated rats had “improved learning, memory and mood function” in older age than their “vehicle” (a substance usually without therapeutic action) or control-treated counterparts.
  4. It reduces amyloid plaque formation. Amyloid plaques present as a sticky buildup that accumulates outside nerve cells or neurons, and they have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A 2022 study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, found “strong evidence for resveratrol’s neuroprotective and anti-plaque capabilities in viral-induced AD, which merits its further exploration as an AD preventive and therapeutic candidate.”

 

Supplementing with Resveratrol

Resveratrol supplements are available in pure form or combined with other compounds. Dosages are typically somewhere between 5mgs and 5gms, depending on the individual’s medical condition.

* If you are considering taking a supplement, make sure to talk with your physician about possible interactions with other medicines.

In sum, Resveratrol is a powerful anti-oxidant with a demonstrated potential to nurture and even heal the brain. With many delightful sources available in food, supplementing with Resveratrol can ensure that our bodies get even more of this wonderful gift from nature!

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

Additional References:

Bioavailability (n.d.) Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioavailability.

Meng T, Xiao D, Muhammed A, Deng J, Chen L, He J. Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol. Molecules. 2021 Jan 5;26(1):229. doi: 10.3390/molecules26010229. PMID: 33466247; PMCID: PMC7796143.

Jardim FR, de Rossi FT, Nascimento MX, da Silva Barros RG, Borges PA, Prescilio IC, de Oliveira MR. Resveratrol and Brain Mitochondria: a Review. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Mar;55(3):2085-2101. doi: 10.1007/s12035-017-0448-z. Epub 2017 Mar 10. PMID: 28283884.

Bailey HH, Johnson JJ, Lozar T, Scarlett CO, Wollmer BW, Kim K, Havinghurst T, Ahmad N. A randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging, pilot trial of piperine with resveratrol on the effects on serum levels of resveratrol. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2021 May 1;30(3):285-290. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000621. PMID: 32868637; PMCID: PMC7910313.

improving_brain_fog

3 Steps to Improve Brain Fog

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Doctors across the globe are seeing a noticeable uptick of patients concerned with memory problems, forgetfulness, and brain fog since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. If you are experiencing more frequent slips in memory, if you are more easily distracted, making more frequent mistakes at work, or feel like you are walking around with your head in a cloud, you’re certainly not alone.

For many people experiencing brain fog for the first time right now, the overload of pandemic-related stress and trauma from a very difficult year is more than likely to blame. Chronic stress and chronically disturbed sleep alone can cause inflammation in the brain which, over time, can damage neurons and affect cognitive functioning and memory.

But there is good news! Our brains are resilient, and when given the opportunity, the degenerative effects of chronic inflammation can be reduced – or even reversed – with certain lifestyle changes. There is light at the end of the tunnel, so, while we emerge from this pandemic let’s consider just a few basic strategies that will help improve your symptoms today.

3 ways to improve symptoms:

1) Get regular aerobic exercise:

Simply put, aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps your brain create new neurons and improve neural connections. A study by the University of Maryland School of Public Health, published in July 2013, showed that people who increased their heart rate with daily moderate exercise “improved their memory performance and showed enhanced neural efficiency while engaged in memory retrieval tasks.”

Regular exercise also down-regulates microglia in the brain. Try to incorporate just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise – such as walking – for a significant impact on your brain health.

2) Eat smarter:

Not surprisingly, nutrition also plays an important role in brain health and there is an impressive amount of research confirming that essential fatty acids, like Omega-3’s, are very beneficial. If DHA levels are low (DHA is a form of Omega-3) the brain is more susceptible to degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids also help scavenge free radicals (atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons) that attach inappropriately to tissue and damage it.

Since our bodies are unable to produce these fatty acids on their own, foods rich in Omega-3’s like salmon, shrimp, sardines, eggs, walnuts, and almonds, should make a regular appearance on our plates.

Fruits and vegetables, high in a type of antioxidant called flavonoid, also play a major role in brain health. Foods rich in flavonoids offer a number of neuroprotective properties, and can decrease rates of cognitive decline and potentially slow the progression of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Foods rich in flavonoids include tea (black, green, oolong), bananas, blueberries, and other colorful berries, onions, apples, citrus, Ginkgo biloba, parsley, red wine, and chocolate!

3) Don’t take your sleep for granted

Sleep deprivation, sleeping less than the amount of time your body needs for growth and repair, is the most common sleep disorder. Adults should have between seven and eight hours a night of restful sleep, yet CDC statistics show that as many as 35% of American adults are not sleeping enough, and this figure is likely to have increased since then.

During sleep, the body repairs itself by calming inflammation and maintaining hormone production. When these two processes – both important elements in brain health – are compromised it can negatively impact your memory, decision-making, the capacity to focus one’s attention, and the ability to complete complex creative activities, among other things.

Breathing techniques, meditation, and establishing a bedtime routine are 3 great ways to help you settle down and improve the length and quality of your sleep.