Mental health and cognitive function is strongly determined by the strength of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a tight barrier that surrounds the brain and ensures that only the nutrients, water and other elements that are meant to get into the brain, do. When the BBB becomes damaged or weakened, signs of mental decline, decreased sensory and cognitive function start to appear. The factors that impact the integrity of the blood brain barrier include:
- Dehydration, especially chronic dehydration is strongly correlated with decreased mental and cognitive function. The body is primarily water. As a person becomes dehydrated, the tight junctions in the brain become more permeable and the brain is not as effective at blocking the entry of toxins.
- Nutritional imbalances, especially as it relates to vitamins, minerals and oils are strongly associated with decreased cognitive function. The most vitamin deficiency associated with dementia and Alzheimer Disease is Vitamin B12.
- Head injuries and trauma, such as whiplash, contact sport injuries, falls and motor vehicle accidents can weaken the integrity of the BBB, especially if the injury is not properly addressed and results in chronic inflammation.
- Poor posture, especially forward-head posture, puts additional stress on the head and the brain.
- Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and mold can contribute to decreased cognitive function.
- Environmental toxins, such as heavy metals (aluminum, mercury and lead) and chemicals contribute to cognitive decline and many other chronic health problems.
- There are a number of prescription medications that contribute to decreased cognitive function. Check with your naturopathic doctor to see if any of the medications that you are taking are associated with decreased cognitive function.
- Sleep is when the body heals and recovers from the stress of the day. Lack of sleep, especially chronic insomnia, is strongly associated with decreased cognitive function.
Other factors that are associated with decreased integrity of the BBB include:
- high ferritin levels which often indicate high inflammation levels in the body
- high insulin levels which often indicate diabetes
- high sodium levels which are often associated with increased salt intake
- high triglyceride levels which are linked to both high cholesterol and high fruit or fructose intake
- decreased blood flow to the brain which is often seen in atherosclerosis or peripheral artery disease
- and increased oxidative stress on the body.
The key to a strong mind is to:
If you would like to learn more about what you can specifically do to achieve a strong mind book an appointment with Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND. To learn more about how the breakdown of filters in the body contributes to disease check out the presentation that Dr. Lloyd, ND gave at Health Fusion in June 2013.
Address the factors that impact the integrity of the BBB, such as:
- Ensure that you continue to drink adequate water on a daily basis. Generally speaking you want to drink half your body weight in ounces a day.
- Your diet is one of the key contributing factors to your ongoing cognitive function. It is also the one that you have the most direct control of. Ensuring that food sensitivities are addressed is a great place to start. It is also important to ensure that your diet is balanced with adequate lean protein, vegetables and healthy fats.
- Ensure that you take the steps necessary to ensure that your blood sugar and cholesterol concerns are addressed with natural solutions. Simply taking medications, without addressing the underlying causes may actually increase your risk of cognitive decline.
- Ensure head injuries are adequately addressed. The main threat to the BBB is unresolved head trauma and chronic inflammation. There are a number of natural therapies that can effectively decrease chronic inflammation and that can minimize the impact of sport injuries.
- Work with your naturopathic doctor to determine if heavy metals are a factor. Heavy metals disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, they decrease the body's ability to absorb nutrients and they cause a more dramatic decline than other lifestyle factors.
Other factors that are essential to a strong mind include:
- Use it or lose it. The mind, in many ways, is like a muscle. If you want a strong mind you have to work every aspect of it. To the mind, memory, speed, problem solving, attention, flexibility (multi-tasking) are all different aspects. Numbers, words and names are all processed in different aspects of the mind. Working the mind on an ongoing basis is key to health. Some options include:
- Ensure that you continue to read, preferably not on a computer or e-book (too much computer time can actually contribute to weakening the BBB.
- Work whatever aspect of the mind is a concern. If you have problems finding words then do word searches and cross word puzzles. If you have problems remembering names then practice by going through old pictures and saying the names of people out loud when you meet them.
- Check out www.lumosity.com It is a website geared to working all aspects of the mind.
- Decrease anxiety. Chronic anxiety is exhausting. It is also dehydrating. There is a strong link between chronic anxiety and decreased overall cognitive function.
- Be positive. A positive mind is associated with increased cognitive function and decreased memory loss.
- Take care of your senses. There is a strong link between hearing, seeing and cognitive function, as well as mental health.
If you would like to learn more about what you can specifically do to achieve a strong mind book an appointment with Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND. To learn more about how the breakdown of filters in the body contributes to disease check out the presentation that Dr. Lloyd, ND gave at Health Fusion in June 2013.
