5 Science Backed Ways To Treat Brain Fog

The Bottom Line

Treat brain fog by eliminating triggers while eating an anti-inflammatory diet that supports a healthy gut microbiome.

Summary

Have you ever experienced confusion, an inability to think clearly, trouble remembering things, or a lack of focus?  You could be experiencing brain fog.  Although brain fog is not a medical condition, it can be frustrating and negatively affect the quality of your life.

Inflammation is a significant cause of brain fog. Your environment and diet can trigger inflammation.  Work to clear up inflammation, and the brain fog will lift.  Furthermore, the same strategies to treat brain fog now can help protect your brain further down the road from neurodegenerative disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

5 Ways To Treat Brain Fog

The first step to treat brain fog is to get rid of any environmental triggers.  Once triggers are eliminated, start adding in essential nutrients to support brain health and healing.

1. Avoid mold and mycotoxins

Exposure to mold and mycotoxins can cause infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial DNA damage.   Chronic exposure to mold can lead to a lower IQ and an increased risk of depression. Glutathione, a peptide produced by the body, helps your body detoxify fat-soluble compounds (such as those from mold exposure) and functions as an antioxidant.  Support your body’s production of glutathione by consuming sulfur-rich cruciferous vegetables and foods rich in folate and selenium.  Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E can also combat the oxidative stress caused by mold exposure (Hope 2013).  Spinach, kale, collard greens, and red bell peppers are rich in all three vitamins.

2. Avoid histamine containing food

Avoid grilling or frying food.  This type of food preparation can increase histamine levels. In contrast, boiling, steaming, or eating food raw leaves histamine levels unchanged or can even lower them (Chung et al. 2017). Avoid fermented dairy products such as cheese, as these can contain high levels of histamine (Linares et al. 2012).

3. Support a healthy gut microbiome

Bacteria found in the gut produce metabolites that directly affect cognition (Alkasir et al. 2017).  Probiotics and prebiotics can alter the makeup of the gut microbiome, supporting beneficial bacteria, and helping rid the body of harmful bacteria.  Prebiotic foods include foods that make their way through the digestive system to help beneficial bacteria grow and flourish.  Bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, whole wheat, barley, and rye are all examples of prebiotic foods.

4. Luteolin

Luteolin, found in dried oregano (fresh is not nearly as potent), celery seed, juniper berries, fresh thyme, radicchio, and Chinese celery, is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mast cell inhibitor.  It can even protect against mitochondrial damage (Franco et al. 2010).  Less inflammation and stronger mitochondria will decrease brain fog while giving you an all-around healthier brain.

5. Quercetin

Quercetin can protect against mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment. It is a powerful neuro-protector (Wang et al. 2014).  Apples, pepper, dark berries, cruciferous vegetables, dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, cocoa, cranberries, raw red onion, and tomatoes are all rich in quercetin.

How To Implement

Start by getting your home and workspace tested for mold.  Have a professional treat and remove any space contaminated by mold.

Next, work to decrease your exposure to histamine in food.  Boil, steam, or eat food raw when possible.

Finally, start adding in foods that support detoxification, treat inflammation, and improve cognitive function.

Foods that treat brain fog are easy to incorporate into your favorite recipes.  Simple swaps such as iceberg lettuce for spinach and grain-fed beef for grass-fed beef can make a big difference.  Try one of these salads packed with brain fog fighting superfoods.

10 Brain Fog Fighting Salad Recipes

Broccoli Kale Salad with Blueberries and Coconut

Buffalo Cauliflower Kale Salad

Power Salad with Spicy Honey Vinaigrette

Simply Delicious Kale Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette

Salmon Kale Superfood Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Roast Butternut Squash and Chicken Spinach Salad with Cinnamon Cider Vinaigrette

Kale and Apple Salad with Creamy Coconut Dressing

Grapefruit Avocado Salmon Salad with Poblano-Lime Dressing

Brain Power Salad

Want an allover healthy brain for years to come?  Checkout 5 Easy Lifestyle Changes For A Healthier Brain.

So you want to keep your brain running in tip-top shape? Try this 6 Week Program Proven To Boost Cognition. And download our Free Wellness Starter Kit complete with Our Science Backed Guide To Cognitive Enhancement.