Many of us may experience difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and struggling to multitask at some point in our lives. This could be a warning indication of ‘Brain Fog’ if it occurs too frequently. It sounds harmless, but it’s not normal.
Signs or clues of brain fog include lack of attention, slow thinking, forgetfulness, mental fatigue, mood swings, and stress.
Stress, poor sleep, lack of exercise, dehydration, hormonal imbalance, depression, and chronic diseases are the seven most typical causes of brain fog.
WHAT IS BRAIN FOG?
‘Brain fog’ is not an actual medical term, but rather a term used to describe a list of symptoms that can influence your regular brain function. It’s as if your brain has a thin layer of fog surrounding it, leading to lack of attention, slow information processing and forgetfulness. In addition, mental fatigue and a negative impact on mood are common symptoms.
Brain fog can occur at any age, children, adults, or in the elderly. The good news is that it is reversible, but if the causes are not addressed and corrected, it may reoccur frequently or persist for a long time. Without appropriate treatment, this condition may impact your daily activities, social life, employment, academic performance, and even sleep quality.
COMMON CAUSES OF BRAIN FOG
Poor Sleep
Stress
Lack of Exercise
Dehydration
Chronic Diseases
Psychiatric Conditions (E.g. Depression)
Hormonal Imbalance
Recent studies have shown growing evidence of the important link between brain health and gut health. Gut microbiota (balance of gut bacteria) affects gut health, and overall wellness is affected by exposure to harmful heavy metals. After exposure to pollution, contaminated food, or contaminated water, these heavy metals can build up in various parts of the body, including the gut and brain.
HOW TO REDUCE BRAIN FOG
The most effective way to prevent or reverse brain fog is by maintaining a healthy brain through lifestyle changes. The importance of a nutritious diet, regular exercise, restful sleep, drinking adequate water, and stress management for brain health cannot be overstated.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, brain fog may not completely clear up unless these underlying causes — such as hormone imbalance, gut bacterial imbalance, or too much exposure to heavy metals — are identified and treated.
In conclusion, brain fog is a common condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age. The factors can be environmental, a person's lifestyle, or due to internal imbalances or exposure of hormones, gut microbiota, and heavy metals. As we are moving towards a more modern and accessible era of medicine, many treatment options and therapies are available now to address the majority of the causes of brain fog.
Identifying the probable causes is the key. Brain fog can be successfully treated with lifestyle changes combined with scientific intervention to undo all mental and physical causative factors, and in turn improving your quality of life.
References: Ketchai Suavansri, M.D., Cognitive and Behavioral Neurologist
What our pharmacists recommend:
1. VitaHealth® CHARGE-UP™ SHARP3N contains phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L-carnitine and vitamin B12 for improving health and wellness.
Phosphatidylserine
often called simply PS, phosphatidylserine is an essential building block of cell membranes, with high concentrations in the nerve cells of the brain. It increases the production of acetylcholine, an abundant neurotransmitter in the brain, which plays important role in alertness, learning and memory.
Acetyl-L-carnitine
an amino acid produced naturally in your body. It supports cellular energy production energy to fuel your brain for better focus and concentration. As an antioxidant, it helps protect the brain cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin B12
an essential vitamin for the proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system. It supports the formation of myelin sheath which protects the nerve cells, ensuring fast and effective transmission of nerve impulses. It is also required to produce mood-enhancing dopamine and serotonin.
VitaHealth® CHARGE-UP™ SHARP3N
✔ Phosphatidylserine (PS) is one of the major phospholipids that make up the cell membrane
✔ PS is important for maintaining health
✔ Acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body
✔ Acetyl-L-carnitine promotes the production of energy
✔ Vitamin B12 is a fat-soluble vitamin which is beneficial for energy metabolism
✔ Recommended for busy working adults or students who wish to boost energy levels throughout the day
2. LIFE FACTOR® ZEMBREN™ is a non-addictive anti-stress formula that contains the full clinical dosage (25mg) of sceletium tortuosum approved by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. It is non-habit forming and safe with no negative side effects. The cactus has been used for over 300 years by South Africans to reduce stress-related symptoms, stabilize mood and preserve overall mental health. Of late, ZEMBREN™ has earned the recognition and honor of winning the 2019 Readers' Choice Award for BEST STRESS RELIEF SUPPLEMENT.
LIFE FACTOR® ZEMBREN™
✔ Supports relaxation & tranquility
✔ Improves stress-related symptoms
✔ Made from cactus plant extract
✔ Non-drowsy & non-addictive
✔ Clinically tested
* Note: This product is not suitable for consumers under the age of 18.
3. MegaLive® FloraMax Pro™ is a blend of high potency (20 Billion CFU/cap) and multi strains of Probiotics (19 strains) + Prebiotics (2 types) for better improvement of the digestive system strains that is needed for good health and vitality. Probiotic exhibit numerous health benefits beyond providing nutritional value. The ingredients are derived from rice fermentation and therefore it is suitable for vegetarians.
MegaLive® FloraMax Pro™
✔ Able to restore balance of microbial populations in the intestine
✔ Able to improve digestive health
✔ Produce and preserve key nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants
✔ Enhance overall health
✔ Suitable for individuals with antibiotic-associated diarrhea
✔ Suitable for individuals who want to maintain general health
*All recommended products listed are available in any of our Lifeplus Pharmacy outlets!