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Grandpa and Grandchild Having Fun

Brain Health 

From early development, through the ages

Are you (or a loved one - kids, parents) struggling with the effects of brain inflammation? If so, learn why and how to heal the brain! 

 

Inflammation in your brain

An inflamed brain can play a role in many conditions, including:

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  • anxiety/depression,

  • autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),

  • chronic headaches,

  • dementia (including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease),

  • multiple sclerosis / other autoimmune conditions,

  • traumatic brain injuries (concussions, etc) and tumors. 

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Signs of brain inflammation include:​

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  • brain fog,

  • memory and concentration problems,

  • headaches,

  • dizziness,

  • fatigue,

  • poor impulse control,

  • aggression / mood swings,

  • anxiety / depression.

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Causes of brain inflammation are various - from digestion, to stress, poor sleep and more. Your brain requires lots of energy to function well. Focus and memory issues are often connected to mood fluctuations (irritability, anxiety, etc). These may be signs of a deeper dysfunction.

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In kids, consider: ​

brain injury, physical inactivity

  • sleep (quality and quantity!)

  • diet (neurotoxins, lacking nutrients, or genetic/underlying digestive issues affecting absorption)

  • stress (prenatal, early childhood and now? what is the emotional climate at home? how do role models cope with fear and failure?)

  • ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other neuro-behavioural conditions

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In adults, consider: ​

  • environment: stress (relationships/work), fatigue/poor sleep (quality or quantity), medications, toxicity 

  • nutritional deficiencies (as with kids - may be in diet or due to poor digestion/absorption)

  • ADHD

  • traumatic brain injury (concussion)

  • multiple sclerosis, tumors

  • mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other dementias.

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​Digestive health impacts the brain

Not only can the brain affect your gut (such as anxiety leading to nausea, or depression leading to increased or decreased appetite), but your gut can affect your brain.

 

To heal a leaky, inflamed brain, we must also assess and heal any leaky, inflamed digestive system - think leaky gut, SIBO, parasites, bacterial dysbiosis, fungal overgrowth, etc. Digestive conditions usually have a trigger, such as having used antibiotics frequently for a period of time or having travelled/lived overseas in less sanitary conditions. Together with genetics and diet, the gut flora can become out of balance and leak toxins into the body instead of excreting them. These toxins create inflammation throughout the body and can accumulate in the brain.

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Energy for your brain

Your mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of your cells. Your body needs your mitochondria to be functioning well to feel energized and clear-headed. 

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Quality sleep is the most important tool we have to help with this re-energization process.

 

Genetics also impact mitochondrial health, in which case supplements can be used strategically to improve mitochondrial function and your brain health. Your mitochondria are also susceptible to degradation due to: infections, environmental toxicity (heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, solvents) and dietary triggers.

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