I recently listened to a discussion by Drs. Jeffrey Moss, Joseph Mather, and Howard Benedikt, that was sponsored by Moss Nutrition. It was an in-depth discussion about how to help people with cognitive complaints, often described as “brain fog” (BF). It was a great discussion and offered insight and treatment approaches that many nutritionists and functional medicine health care practitioners are using to successfully help their patients. The discussion gave me more insight as to why some of my patients’ brain fog often improved with dietary and nutritional interventions utilizing many of the approaches reviewed below.

“Brain fog” is a term used to describe feelings and symptoms that affect a person’s ability to think, characterized by feeling forgetful, unfocused, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of mind/brain sluggishness. In a sense it can be considered neurological in nature since it involves brain function. BF can be thought of as a “downstream problem”, meaning it is a result of other health challenges that cause an inflammatory and immune response that affects the brain. When this happens, there is potential for affecting cognition, energy, body pain and even mood.

Food and diet can have a big impact on cognitive health. High glycemic carbs and sugar have been show to increase brain fog. There are 5 important issues that if present and treated help to decrease brain fog symptoms, so people can think more clearly, concentrate better and improve memory.

1. One of the earliest symptoms with SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) is often brain fog. Many people with chronic intestinal bloating, bowel movement issues and gas may have SIBO.
2. Airborne allergies untreated can be associated are brain fog.
3. Sleep apnea and upper airway respiratory issues like sinusitis and sleep disordered breathing can increase brain fog through inflammation, oxygen deprivation and sleep disruption.
4. Mold toxicity can cause and aggravate brain fog.
5. Chemical exposure and chemical sensitivity can create cognitive issues as well.

Poor ventilation at work and/or home increases the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) which decreases our availability to oxygen and can cause cognitive challenges that people call brain fog. Space heaters can have similar results with increased CO2.

Some people with suspected Long COVID issues may actually be ‘mold issues in disguise’. Both situations cause increased mast cell activation with excessive inflammatory cytokine release. Both COVID infection and mold/airborne reactions cause mast cell activation. Mast cells are immune cells that play a role in both conditions. Other issues that may cause mast cell activation are medications (such as aspirin, NSAIDs and opioids), infections, physical factors such as heat, cold and exercise, stress and there are also unknown causes.

Symptoms of mast cell activation can include the following: flushing, hives, itching, swelling and angioedema (swelling of lips, tongue or throat), abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, wheezing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough, rapid heart rate, dizziness and even fainting. There can also be brain fog, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches and anxiety.

In summary, brain fog can be greatly helped by optimizing digestion and gut function, eating a healthy diet low in sugar and processed foods, supporting detoxification pathways, improving work and home ventilation, addressing mold issues, sleep apnea and reducing chemical exposure environmental toxins. There are a number of great companies that people can contact directly to purchase affordable test kits for checking mold in our homes. In addition there are lab companies that deal directly with people to send in blood samples for evidence of mold reactivity.

Don’t assume ‘brain fog’ and cognitive issues are inevitable and can’t be helped. The sooner you address issues that may be causing or aggravating your ability to think, concentrate and remember the easier it is to address. If not now, when?