The body is a well designed machine that relies on a balance of nutrients, physical activities and proper sleep to remain in optimal working condition. However as we grow ever more sedentary, our diet slowly containing more processed foods and our agriculture focusing more on volume rather than quality, it has become more difficult to guarantee that our body is getting all the necessary building blocks to ensure optimal health.
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When the body is missing anything essential, it has a way to communicate, through many symptoms, what you should look out for in order to remedy any deficiency you might have. One of the most common issues people seem to be facing is brain fog.
What is brain fog?
According to CNET, brain fog is the general feeling of sluggishness, and an inability to concentrate or focus. It is usually accompanied by deep feelings of fatigue and could become extremely challenging if not resolved. Brain fog isn’t exactly a medical condition but experts believe it results from neuroinflammation which can be caused by a wide range of reasons.
Brain fog can be caused by poor sleep, drug use or withdrawal, stress or jet lag. It can even be a side effect of some prescribed medication. However if you do not fall in any of the previously mentioned categories your brain fog could be caused by a natural deficiency of vitamins or minerals that the mind needs to be in optimal condition.
Just searched the entire house for my laptop charger. Twice. It was sitting right beside my laptop. Help 😩 #brainfog
— Angela not Angie 🪩 (@AngelaMcG100) October 9, 2023
This is what you could be missing
Vitamin D
Per Healthline, Vitamin D is crucial for many aspects of health including brain function. Some research has found that a lack of vitamin D can also be a risk factor for depression, a symptom of which is the dreaded brain fog. The best source of vitamin D is the sun, but for many people it is not feasible to get enough sunshine throughout the day so it is recommended to take a vitamin D supplement.
Iron
Iron is the most important building block for the formation of healthy red blood cells. It is also involved in cognitive function as some research found that too high or too low of iron concentrations in the blood has a disruptive effect on the nervous system.
Vitamin B12
B12 is also a very important tool to make blood cells, however nerves rely on it as well to ensure healthy development. A consistent B12 deficiency can result in the production of faulty red cells which limit the distribution of oxygen to the body thereby creating symptoms that mimic brain fog such as weakness and fatigue, according to RUSH.
The best way to combat brain fog is to ensure a balanced diet, making sure to exercise frequently, reduce the consumption of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, and most importantly ensuring adequate sleep.
I discovered that brain fog is caused by stress, depression, anxiety, nutrient deficiency, irregular sleep/lack of sleep, too much sugar, and too much blue light. So it turns out the way to fix mine is to completely alter every single core aspect of my life 😌
— 🍓mangi🍓 (@mangi_txt) May 25, 2021
Sources:
Healthline: Can Certain Nutrient Deficiencies Cause Brain Fog?
CNET: Struggling With Brain Fog? You Might Be Missing These 4 Key Vitamins
RUSH: 6 Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
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