From Cloudy to Clear: Naturopathic Approaches to Combat Brain Fog

Have you noticed that your brain has been feeling like a haze lately? Maybe you’re having concentration difficulties or can’t recall familiar places or items as easily. Have you been repeating parts of a conversation over and over again?

You might be experiencing what is known as “brain fog” - a term often used to describe a state of mental cloudiness or cognitive dysfunction which can significantly impair one’s ability to function optimally in daily life. Brain fog is commonly associated with conditions like fibromyalgia, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue syndrome, and underlying causes can vary widely from person to person. As naturopathic doctors, our approach involves diving deeper in the root causes of brain fog and utilizing various tools and tests to uncover underlying imbalances and provide individualized treatment strategies.

The tools that a naturopathic doctor may use to investigate can include the following:

Hormone testing – hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid dysfunction or adrenal fatigue can lead to impairments in cognitive function.

Metabolic assessments – blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance has been shown to affect cognitive function, so your ND may want to test fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin, and HbA1c.

Nutrient deficiencies – screening for low iron, vitamin B12 or Vitamin D levels is recommended.

Markers of inflammation – hs-CRP and ESR may be tested within the bloodstream since inflammation has been shown to be triggered by various poor diet and lifestyle choices and external stressors and infections. 

Food sensitivity tests – food sensitivities which are IgG-mediated can lead to inflammation within the body and manifest as cognitive symptoms.

Environmental exposures – exposures to heavy metals, pesticides, mold and other toxins have been shown to impair cognitive function.

As naturopathic doctors, our focus lies in identifying and addressing the root causes of brain fog using a combination of conventional laboratory tests, functional assessments, and lifestyle modifications. By addressing these nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, food sensitivities and environmental exposures, we can help patients regain mental clarity and improve their overall well-being.

In good health,

Dr. Sami Leung, ND

References

1. Ettleson, M. D., Raine, A., Batistuzzo, A., Batista, S. P., McAninch, E., Teixeira, M. C. T., ... & Bianco, A. C. (2022). Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective. Endocrine Practice, 28(3), 257-264.

2. Fog, W. C. B. Causes of Brain Fog: Does Brain Fog Begin In Your Gut?

3. Lucius, K. (2021). “Brain Fog”: Exploring a Symptom Commonly Encountered in Clinical Practice. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 27(1), 23-30.

4. Schmidt, S. (2019). Brain Fog: Does air pollution make us less productive?

5. Wilson, L. (2008). Brain fog. The Center for Development. Retrieved on October 9, 2009.

6. Yoshimura, H. (2023). Functional Medicine for Mental Clarity: Combating Brain Fog Naturally. Mental Health.

Lower Blood Sugar and Cholesterol and Improve Heart Health with Berberine!

BERBERINE AND CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH

Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry)

Berberine is a bright yellow-coloured alkaloid compound found in many plants, some of the more common ones including Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), and Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape). Berberine has been used traditionally to combat inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases, diabetes, digestive disorders and many others, and has demonstrated benefits on blood sugar metabolism, cardiovascular effects, cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

Berberine appears to exert its cardiovascular effects through various mechanisms that play a role in protecting the blood vessels, decreasing inflammation and modulating levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. Berberine has been shown to affect the modulation of an enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is responsible for maintaining healthy blood vessels through a variety of different mechanisms, including the regulation of another enzyme, called endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which is responsible for producing nitric oxide in the cell layer lining our blood vessels. Nitric oxide is important in regulating how our blood vessels dilate (which plays a role in our blood pressure), platelet and white blood cell activation and adhesion (which plays a role in the development of arterial plaques), and antioxidant functions (which is important for preventing damage from free radicals like glycated blood sugar, which is prevalent in diabetes). In simpler terms, AMPK and eNOS are important for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. When eNOS is not functioning properly, it can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Berberine has been found to increase the production of nitric oxide through enhancing activity of eNOS [1, 2, 6, 7].

Current research on berberine has been focused on its metabolic and cardiovascular properties. A research study suggested that berberine was shown to decrease levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL-cholesterol (which is thought to be protective, or the “good” cholesterol). A meta-analysis demonstrated that the addition of berberine to simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, resulted in a greater reduction of triglycerides and total cholesterol, and a reduction in the number of side effects, compared to the use of simvastatin on its own [5].

Berberine also benefits blood sugar levels and reduces body fat mass. A research study on diabetic patients showed that those who were given berberine had a reduction in blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels, and those with metabolic syndrome also experienced a decrease in their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference [3]. A study on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disorder characterized by insulin-insensitivity, obesity and high cholesterol, found that berberine decreased waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, insulin sensitivity and blood sugars and cholesterol levels comparable and/or superior to that of metformin [4].

Berberine is generally well-tolerated, and side effects of usage are usually mild in nature, such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, and dermatological rashes. Berberine may interfere with certain medications and may not be suitable for everyone. As always, with any natural health product it is important to consult with your naturopathic doctor to see if berberine is safe for you.

References:

[1] Neag M, Mocan A, Echeverria J, et al. Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular , Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders. Front Pharmacol. 2018; 9:557. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30186157/

[2] Hoffmann D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.

[3] Pirillo A, Catapano AL. Berberine, a plant alkaloid with lipid- and glucose-lowering properties: from in vitro evidence to clinical studies. Atherosclerosis. 2015; 243(2): 449-61. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26520899/

[4] Wei W, Zhao H, Wang A, et al. A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2012; 166(1):99-105. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22019891/

[5] Zhang LS, Zhang JH, Feng R, et al. Efficacy and safety of berberine alone or combined with statins for the treatment of hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Chin Med. 2019; 47(4):751-767. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31094214/

[6] Affuso F, Mercurio V, Fazio V, et al. Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of berberine. World J Cardiol. 2010; 2(4):71-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2999047/

[7] Bagade A, Tumbigeremutt V, Pallavi G. Cardiovascular Effects of Berberine: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Restorative Medicine. 2017; 6: 37-45.