Are anxiety, depression and poor brain function psychological?
Or are they physiological?
Half the people prescribed medication for anxiety do not respond well. Others report some improvement but not a resolution of symptoms. The same is true for antidepressants and medications for memory loss. Besides, many people just don’t want to take medications.
So, what can be done to improve moods and memory? Environmental toxins, modern diets, high stress, sedentary lifestyle, past brain injury, autoimmunity, poor circulation, and general poor health all contribute to poor moods, diminishing brain function and accelerated degeneration.
Let’s think of a plant. If the soil (terrain) is unhealthy, full of toxins and lacking nutrients, the plant cannot thrive. The same is true for the brain, only in this case the “terrain” is all the underlying body mechanisms. When the body parts are not working well, we have a physiology problem that leads to or compounds a psychology problem.
When the body loses health, the brain loses health. Fatigue sets in along with sleep issues. Moods are less than optimal and life is no fun. When the brain is unhealthy, you can try to keep your thoughts positive, but it is much more difficult. It’s also difficult to get beyond challenging events and life’s stressors.
A healthy brain is a happy brain. It is productive and it sees life in a positive light.
Is your brain getting a nice steady flow of fuel?
The brain uses about 20% of the fuel provided from food daily. Our bodies convert the food we eat to glucose, which fuels every cell in our body, including the brain. There are several checks and balances in place to assure the brain is fed a steady flow of this vital energy.
Eating starchy, sugary foods and foods high in carbohydrate raises glucose levels rapidly. Too much glucose in the blood at any one time is not good. It stresses the brain and causes inflammation. Eventually it will shut the doors for glucose to get into the cell efficiently. The cells feel starved, and therefore want more sugar. This sets the cycle of sugar cravings.
When a person gets hungry to the point of being irritable, dizzy, or unable to think clearly, the glucose levels have dropped to critical levels. The symptoms appear because the brain is starving. Every time this happens, it is killing brain cells.
A diet high in fiber, good fats and proteins helps to keep the flow of glucose to the brain nice and steady.
You don’t have to have diabetes, or even elevated glucose levels on a lab test to have blood sugar fluctuations like those described above.
The Inflamed Brain
Neuroinflammation, or inflamed nerves is a common cause of mood disorders, memory loss, neurodegeneration and brain fog.
An inflamed brain results in poor focus, attention and concentration. We also find that thoughts aren’t clear, and the brain has lost its endurance for driving, reading and getting tasks done. Often general fatigue overtakes daily life.
Toxins, poor digestion and sub-clinical infections are the most common causes of neuroinflammation. Unfortunately, toxins are all around us. The water supply, non-organic processed foods, polluted air, moldy indoor living spaces, plastics, beauty and cleaning products all deliver toxins that can have significant health effects.
Gluten isn’t a gut problem
Seventy percent of people with gluten sensitivity don’t actually have digestive symptoms. But that doesn't mean its not causing inflammation.
Not everybody is sensitive to gluten, but those who are will trigger inflammation in the body and the brain when they eat gluten containing foods.
There is plenty of research showing the effects of gluten on moods and brain decline.
Stress kills brain cells
Studies indicate that stress causes a shrinking of certain areas of the brain. The pre-frontal cortex, where thinking and decision-making take place is particularly susceptible. A weak frontal cortex leads to depression.
The hippocampus, where memories are made, is also affected by stress hormones.
The problem is most people are stuck in a heightened stress response all the time.
Is sleep regenerating your brain?
All the above-mentioned situations lead to poor sleep patterns. The brain needs sleep to function ideally. If you are not getting a sound night’s sleep, waking up feeling rested and ready to go, your brain has not had proper recovery time.
Additional factors that can set the terrain for poor brain function are hormone imbalances, leaky gut, vitamin deficiency, blood brain barrier permeability, weak liver or kidney function, concussion and more. By finding and correcting any and all imbalances we can expect a higher functioning brain.
Sleep is a game changer.
Dr. Maria Online
© 2023 DMO
Dr. Maria Online
© 2023 DMO
Dr. Maria Online
© 2023 DMO