Professional mental fog natural herbs and other healthy lifestyle tips: Do you ever notice that your ability to think feels sluggish or fuzzy? You might be experiencing what’s commonly known as brain fog. While not technically a medical or scientific term, it describes a temporary sensation of reduced mental acuity. The emergence of hustle culture, which created legions of overworked achievers, brought awareness to the cognitive challenges that go with it. Lingering brain fog has also been a common side effect during recovery from the COVID-19 viral illness. Brain fog related to menopause can lead to trouble with concentration and difficulty remembering recently learned verbal information, such as the name of someone you’ve been introduced to. Fatigue and certain medical conditions and treatments, such as cancer and chemotherapy, can also cause hazy thinking and cognitive problems. Find additional info at Natural Herbs for Brain Fog: Clear Mental Fog Today.
Scientists hypothesize that these lingering viral reservoirs in the brain might cause persistent inflammation in the brain among long COVID patients as their immune systems continue to fight off the virus. Studies have found similar patterns of inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome, post orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and chemo fog. Brain fog and the leaky blood-brain barrier – More insight into brain fog came in a study published in Nature in February 2024. In the study, Colin Doherty, a neurologist at Trinity College Dublin Medical School, and his team scanned the brains of long COVID patients. In addition to systemic inflammation, they found that patients with brain fog had leaky blood-brain barriers, the highly selective membrane that protects the brain from toxins, viruses, and other harmful molecules.
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance You Should Pay Attention to: Insulin resistance also means an increased risk of type 2 diabetes development, which is why it’s so important to pay attention to the symptoms to be diagnosed on time. Besides, after you get your diagnosis, you can improve your insulin sensitivity, which is vital for the positive outcome of the treatment and optimal metabolic health. So, what are the main symptoms of insulin resistance? Increased appetite. If you experience constant hunger and sudden unusual food cravings, it may be a sign of insulin resistance; Hypoglucemia or low blood sugar levels. Typically, blood sugar drops if you skip the meal, which leads to dizziness, sweating, and weakness; Apple-type obesity. If the fat is concentrated mostly on your abdomen, it may be a sign of insulin resistance.
According to research, turmeric may boost brain health and stave off Alzheimer’s disease by clearing the brain of beta-amyloid (a protein fragment).2 The buildup of beta-amyloid is known to form Alzheimer’s-related brain plaques. In addition, turmeric may shield brain health by inhibiting the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry powder, which typically includes spices such as coriander and cumin. To increase your intake of turmeric, try adding curry powder or turmeric to stir-fries, soups, and vegetable dishes. Long used as a treatment for dementia, ginkgo biloba is a commonly taken remedy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is well known for its benefits. It’s thought that ginkgo biloba might help improve cognitive function in part by stimulating circulation and promoting blood flow to the brain.
In alternative medicine systems such as Ayurveda and TCM, Gotu kola has long been used to improve mental clarity. Findings from animal-based research suggest that this herb may also help the brain by fighting oxidative stress. A 2021 review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology suggested that gotu kola may inhibit Alzheimer’s-associated oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. An herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to ease anxiety and insomnia, lemon balm may help improve cognitive function. Some research suggests that this may be a great herb for memory loss.
Poor sleep – Whether you’re not sleeping enough or not sleeping well enough, lack of sleep is a doozy for brain function—and if you’ve ever woken up after just a few hours of sleep, you know that it’s difficult to think properly. Insufficient sleep leads to feeling foggy and congested up top and can also interfere with attention, focus, memory, decision-making, alertness, reaction time, and motivation. Getting less than the recommended sleep doesn’t do your body any favors and disrupts your circadian rhythm (your internal clock), which throws off certain body functions. And there are two things, specifically, that play a major role: Blue light: The light wavelength emitted from all devices with a screen severely impacts the body’s hormones, especially at night. It interferes with melatonin secretion at night and instead causes the release of cortisol; cortisol works against melatonin to increase arousal and alertness. Research shows continuous exposure to artificial light can disturb sleep patterns and cognitive performance, altering memory, mood, attention, sleep-wake cycle, and alertness.It also interferes with active memory and reaction time. See extra details at Natural Herbs for Brain Fog: Clear Mental Fog Today.
