Have you ever woken up one morning and just felt heavy? As if you can’t concentrate properly and feel like you’re wading through a mental minefield just to get the simplest thing done? This is brain fog and, while it isn’t defined as a medical condition, it is the cause of much distress to many of us. Whether you’ve experienced this in the past or it has become a daily occurrence, understanding why you may be dealing with brain fog is one way of moving closer to a solution. In today’s blog, let’s look at some of the most common causes.
Stress
Continual stress has a significant impact on our body’s ability to function properly. The hormone cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is designed to put us into fight-or-flight mode. Back in prehistoric times where predators were a very real threat, this evolutionary feature gave us the strength in our muscles and heightened awareness needed to run for safety when required. However, these large and significant threats are few and far between in modern life, yet we still have this extreme response.
Extensive levels of cortisol in the body will result in higher blood pressure, a reduced immune system and extreme exhaustion. Our body isn’t designed to be in a heightened state of alertness for long and, because of this, excessive stress tires out both our muscles and our brain. What you’re left with is brain fog – the inability to think clearly or to focus your mind on any specific topic.
Hormones
More commonly seen in women, the hormonal changes that happen during the monthly cycle can impact our brain’s capacity. During the menstrual cycle, the hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate to support each stage. In the luteal stage (after ovulation), both hormones are at their highest and research has shown that this can cause issues with memory and cognitive processing. The same goes for pregnant women who spend 10 months with higher than average levels of these hormones too.
Equally, during menopause, there is a significant drop in the natural production of estrogen. There is research to show that this can be a key cause of brain fog during older years.
Diet
A diet lacking in vital nutrients and vitamins will also have an impact on your brain’s ability to function effectively. Vitamin B12 is vital to healthy brain function alongside fish oil with its abundance of Omega 3 fatty acids. Some foods can have a negative impact on the body, especially if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities, including peanuts or dairy. Having a full and varied diet that is packed with fruit and vegetables helps to support normal brain health and reduces the likelihood of brain fog at the same time.
At Natural Health 4 Life, we have helped people supplement and improve their diet over the years to reduce the impact that brain fog has on the body. Our range of natural supplements and natural health remedies are easy to bring into your diet and we also have an experienced team on hand with advice for you. If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of us, please get in contact here today.