Confusion, forgetfulness, or lack of mental clarity are main descriptors of brain fog. Anything from lack of sleep to nutritional deficiencies can cause brain fog. If you're curious about lifestyle and nutritional choices to help eliminate brain fog, you may want to check your kitchen!

Remove Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors can be characterized as any chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine and reproductive system. Unfortunately, many endocrine disruptors are present in our tap water, food system and personal care products!  So how can you avoid endocrine disruptors? Buying organic and avoiding plastic is a great place to start.

Choosing to buy organic will help you avoid consumption of pesticides and herbicides which contain various endocrine disrupting chemicals. Avoiding plastic when possible will significantly reduce exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals as most plastic products release estrogenic chemicals. According to this study, most plastics leach endocrine disrupting chemicals even if they are marked “BPA free”. By removing endocrine disruptors, you can help balance hormones. With several hormones working together to help keep your mind feeling clear, just one hormone being out of balance can significantly impact mental clarity.

Increase your Fat Consumption 

Did you know that fat makes up about 70 percent of the brain. Consuming adequate fatty acids is key when it comes to supporting brain functioning, as fatty acids are crucial to your brain's integrity and ability to perform, and science would have to agree! Adding some avocado, pastured egg yolks, or coconut oil into your diet can help get some extra fat in. Specifically, adding in omega 3 fatty acids (DHA). Omega 3’s are one of the most important types of fat for promoting brain functioning. Unfortunately, many Americans consume much more omega 6’s than omega 3’s which is problematic. An omega-6 to omega-3 ratio that is too high may contribute to excess inflammation in the body, potentially raising the risk of various diseases.

Make Sleep a Priority

If your sleep isn't adequate, you may wake up feeling like you are in slow motion, dull, and forgetful. Sleep deprivation disrupts our brain cells' ability to communicate with each other. Because of this, it can lead to a temporary mental lapse that affects memory and visual perception. Making sleep a priority and making certain lifestyle choices to help support sleep patterns may be what your brain exactly needs to help eliminate the brain fog. One study found that a lack of sleep was directly mirrored in a decline of performance on a cognitive task. The researchers found that the changes in cognitive performance that come with a lack of sleep are very similar to the mental decline that comes from alcohol use. 

Upgrade your Water

From pharmaceuticals to chlorine, there are numerous toxins and chemicals lurking in your tap water which could be potentially affecting your overall hydration levels and mental clarity! Your brain can actually shrink in volume when dehydrated. Even mild or temporary dehydration can alter brain functioning and impact mental clarity.

Unfortunately, water straight from the tap has been stripped of its naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes. This imbalance in electrolytes can leave you less than hydrated. Getting a quality water filter or buying glass bottled natural spring water can not only help keep you hydrated, but it can also help rid you of brain fog as well! Research backs this up as well. Upgrading your water can actively decrease your exposure to PFASs and keep you feeling quenched.

Spend Time in the Sun

The sun can do so much more for you then boost your melanin and vitamin D! Mental clarity, focus, and calmness all come from serotonin, which the sun boosts. One study looked at the effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants. The study found an association between decreased exposure to sunlight and increased probability of cognitive impairment (brain fog). So next time you are feeling a bit foggy, try catching some rays!

Move Your Body

A sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your physical health, but it  can equally cause harm to your cognitive health. When you exercise, your heart rate and blood flow increase. Because of this, an increased amount of oxygen is delivered to your brain cells and an increased amount of oxygen to the brain can provide better mental performance and focus. Research suggests that yoga may hold promise to mitigate cognitive declines and help with overall mental clarity. This may be due to the fact that yoga helps to develop a connection between the connection of the body, breath, and mind. 

Lower Your Sugar Consumption

Most Americans are familiar with a “sugar spike” and although you may be feeling energized right after you have too much of a sweet treat, an hour or so later, you may begin to feel a bit foggy and start to crash. What comes up, must come down and this rings true in regards to energy spikes and crashes from too much glucose. A great way to get out of this blood sugar battle of quick energy and crashing is to cut down on your sugar consumption. Lowering sugar consumption can help support blood sugar which can majorly affect brain fog. One study of long-term diabetics showed progressive cognitive decline leading to deficits in learning, memory, motor speed, and other cognitive functions.

Try Glandular Supplements

Glands, organs, or tissues of healthy animals make up Glandular supplements. When it comes to what will help eliminate brain fog, you may want to try considering taking a brain glandular supplement, as like helps like. Yes, consuming animal brains supports our own brain! Taking a glandular brain supplement is a lot easier and more appetizing than cooking beef brain for Sunday dinner. Organ meats are among the world’s best sources of choline, which is an essential nutrient for the brain! It's been found that choline-deficiency is now thought to have an impact on neurological disorders!

The Bottom Line

Brain fog can affect your focus, mood, and overall quality of life. Some root causes for why you may be experiencing brain fog can range from anything to a lack of sunlight to poor water quality. Making some lifestyle and nutrition changes can help support your mental clarity. Furthermore, tracking your nutrient levels via a Vessel health test can be an additional way to help manage and eliminate brain fog. It’s never been easier to take control of your wellness!