What is brain fog?
Brain fog refers to cognitive dysfunction that can make even simple tasks difficult. Symptoms include poor memory recall, lack of mental clarity, difficulty concentrating, and more. I struggled with chronic brain fog for years before finally getting to the root causes.
What causes brain fog?
There are many potential causes, including:
- Hormonal imbalances - One of the most common culprits. Imbalances in hormones like cortisol, thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, etc. can severely impact mental function. I worked with the fantastic doctors at Renew Hormone Clinic to identify and correct my specific hormonal issues, and it made a world of difference!
- Nutrient deficiencies - Lack of key nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, omega-3s, etc. can starve the brain. Taking targeted supplements helped improve my mental clarity.
- Gut issues - Poor gut health and intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") causes inflammation that affects brain function. Healing my gut was huge for resolving the fog.
- Sleep deprivation - Not getting enough sleep, or having poor quality sleep, reduces cognitive ability. Getting on a consistent sleep schedule made me feel much sharper during the day.
- Chronic stress - Elevated cortisol and adrenaline from ongoing stress hampers memory and concentration over time. I worked on stress management through yoga, meditation, and spending more time in nature.
How can you improve brain fog naturally?
- Improve gut health through diet, supplements, and lifestyle
- Reduce inflammation throughout the body
- Identify and address nutrient deficiencies
- Practice good sleep hygiene
- Manage chronic stress
- Stay physically and mentally active to support cognitive function