Brain fog is typically caused by deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and certain B vitamins like B6 and Folate, alongside minerals like iron and magnesium, which impair cognitive function, energy, and focus; ensuring adequate intake through diet or supplements can help alleviate symptoms.
However, vitamin deficiencies do contribute to brain fog. B12 and Vitamin D are common deficiencies, and supplements will help those suffering from such deficiencies. In addition, the Harvard School of Public Health recommends multivitamins for all adults, to fill any nutrient gaps.
One of the most overlooked facts about vitamin D is that taking too much can be harmful. “Vitamin D is something that's easy to measure so that you can make sure you're taking the right amount,” Dr. LeBel said. “If you take too much, vitamin D toxicity can cause brain fog, as well as aches and pains.
Brain fog can have many causes, such as poor sleep, stress, menopause or long COVID. You can improve the symptoms of brain fog by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping your brain active. There are many tips you can try that make thinking and remembering easier.
Vitamin B2 and vitamin B7 help the nervous system, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6 are required to support neurotransmitters and cellular communication, and vitamin B9 eases mental fatigue. Taking a regular B complex supplement that includes all the necessary B vitamins can help to reduce symptoms of brain fog.
Care and Treatment
Eating healthy and nutritious meals. Getting 30 minutes of physical activity in each day. Writing down important information so you don't forget it. Taking short breaks (about 30 minutes each) throughout the day to reduce overworking your brain.
Vitamin B12
This results in poor oxygen flow to your body's organs and tissues, leading to brain fog-related symptoms like weakness and fatigue, along with much more serious neurological problems. Even if you don't develop anemia, B12 deficiency can cause confusion, memory troubles and depression.
Brain fog can occur for many different reasons, including a lack of quality sleep, stress, anxiety, or depression, and in some cases it can be related to an illness or a medication side effect. It is very common and usually temporary, and fortunately there are healthy ways to manage and/or clear the fog.
When to Consult a Neurologist
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The symptoms include:
A magnesium deficiency specifically is a commonly overlooked cause. Without sufficient magnesium, the brain struggles to perform critical functions, leading to the mental fatigue we often label as brain fog.
You should not use cholecalciferol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have: high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D); high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); or. any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).
While deficiencies are well known to affect memory, excessive intake of supplements may also cause health problems. For example, extremely high doses of Vitamin B6 over a long time can damage the nervous system, which may indirectly affect memory.
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Treatment – ways to end brain fog
A brain tumor doesn't cause pain directly, but it can lead to a variety of symptoms as it presses on nerves or disrupts brain tissue. Common signs include persistent headaches (often worse in the morning), nausea, vomiting, seizures, weakness or numbness in parts of the body and difficulty with balance or coordination.
Many habits contribute to poor brain health, but four areas can have the most influence. They are too much sitting, lack of socializing, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress.
“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.”
Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It's common for family and friends to notice these changes.
While getting rid of brain fog depends on what's causing it, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to help clear your head. Dr. Stein says getting the right nutrients through a healthy diet, prioritizing sleep and exercising to sharpen concentration are three things to start with.
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.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Symptoms of ME/CFS include major fatigue, worsening of symptoms with increases in activity (called post-exertional malaise), lightheadedness, poor short-term memory and concentration, and feeling unrested no matter how much sleep one has had.