Not all vitamins and minerals are crucial for brain health and function. If you're experiencing constant brain fog or you're always tired, it's worth checking your diet for four in particular: vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and magnesium.
B6, B9, and especially B12 are key players when it comes to mental clarity, energy, and cognitive function. When you're low on these nutrients, brain fog, forgetfulness, and sluggish thinking can start to creep in. Vitamin B12, in particular, is worth paying attention to.
Most of the drugs used to treat chronic pain can cause confusion and memory issues. The list includes opioid analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), and gabapentin (Neurontin).
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Brain fog can be caused by:
How Do You Get Rid of Brain Fog?
Not all vitamins and minerals are crucial for brain health and function. If you're experiencing constant brain fog or you're always tired, it's worth checking your diet for four in particular: vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and magnesium.
Sudden, specific food cravings, beyond the usual sweet or salty desires, might signal nutrient deficiencies like Vitamin B12. Craving meat, fish, or eggs could indicate a B12 shortage, especially in older adults, potentially causing irritability or memory issues.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
The Boots Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit checks your vitamin B12 levels, using a finger-prick blood sample. Use of this kit requires internet access. All personal data in relation to this product, services and online platforms are collected and processed by MyHealthChecked.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) may provide quick relief from seasonal allergy symptoms, including brain fog.
Amitriptyline is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to amitriptyline or any other medicine. have a heart problem – amitriptyline can make some heart problems worse.
There isn't a specific treatment available for brain fog. A healthcare provider might first recommend tips to boost your immune system like: Improving your sleep habits to get a better night's rest. Eating healthy and nutritious meals.
Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D3 can improve mood and energy, and it has been a must for many of my patients throughout the pandemic, says Dr. Madrak. While lack of sunlight isn't a sole contributor to anxiety, vitamin D deficiency can hinder mental well-being. The best source of vitamin D3 is direct sunlight.
How Long Does It Take to Clear Brain Fog with Supplements? The timeline for results varies depending on the underlying cause of brain fog and individual response to supplementation. Many people begin to notice improvements within a few weeks, while long-term benefits become more pronounced with consistent use.
Magnesium is a powerhouse nutrient for brain function. It supports the production of neurotransmitters like GABA, which help regulate mood and anxiety. Low magnesium levels can contribute to brain fog, focus, and mood swings.
People need vitamin B-12 for the brain to work well. If not treated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to issues with the nerves, brain or spinal cord. These might include lasting tingling in the hands and feet or trouble with balance.
Vitamin B12 is present in foods of animal origin, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products [5,12]. Plant foods do not naturally contain vitamin B12. However, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified nutritional yeasts are readily available sources of vitamin B12 that have high bioavailability [13,14].
Foods or drinks to avoid
Good sources of vitamin B12 include:
“For example, stress, lack of sleep, inadequate exercise, poor diet, prolonged sedentary time and many other factors can all contribute to lack of mental clarity. While COVID-19 can cause neuroinflammation, for many people the symptoms of brain fog may not be related to COVID-19.”
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease. This adds to the ongoing debate about the role of vitamin D in nonskeletal conditions.