Millions of people struggle with brain fog and the inability to maintain focus. This article is written to raise awareness, empower you, and enlighten you. Take your time to ponder some of the facts. Let them sink into your stream of awareness. I think you will find some great nuggets of information that will help you make informed decisions.
Attention deficits or brain fog may include episodes of inability to maintain concentration or an ongoing feeling of being unable to focus. Individuals with these struggles may find it difficult to complete tasks, follow directions, be on time, calculate multi-step mathematical equations, have a cohesive conversation, retain information, take tests, and develop healthy habits. In our current times, many children with these issues are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Once diagnosed, medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, or some derivatives of these medications are typically prescribed.
According to this article published by the Oxford Treatment Center, those who use Adderall “put themselves at risk for dependence, tolerance, and addiction” to the drug. The New England Medical Group published an article in March of this year stating that since 1997 there has been a 67% increase in diagnosed cases of ADHD among children ages 4 -17. Some of the long-term effects of “study drugs” such as Adderall and Ritalin include: mood disorders, heart issues, delayed growth, insomnia, and toxic psychosis.
It is undeniable that medications can benefit an individual’s ability to focus and complete tasks at least for the short term. However, there are some important questions we need to ask. Why is the number of people with attention deficit issues rising at such a high rate? What are the underlying reasons people have brain fog or attention issues? What other methods can be used to obtain greater focus and brain function?
The following is my opinion based on training and experience:
Our bodies are very complex. The body is constantly seeking balance and survival. If the body is healthy enough it can function at a high level physically, emotionally, and cognitively. I believe that when the body suffers insults of multiple kinds, it can overwhelm the body, making it difficult to perform higher level cognitive tasks such as problem solving, maintaining focus, and reading comprehension.
One sidenote I find interesting is the fact that there currently is no testing method associated with the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD. It is a subjective diagnosis. There is no lab test. No scan. No test to conclusively indicate that a person has this “disorder.” Yet, millions are determined to have this “disorder.” While most will agree that the individual has attention issues, is it a disorder? Or is the person’s body struggling with underlying issues that need to be addressed so they are more able to focus and recall information?
Why is the number of people with attention issues rising? And what are the underlying reasons people may struggle with brain fog and attention deficits?
HERE ARE 5 UNDERLYING CAUSES THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCREASE IN BRAIN FOG AND ATTENTION ISSUES:
- Standard American Diet (SAD). Our standard American diet is sad indeed. Very few people are eating whole foods the way God intended our bodies to. Processed foods such as crackers, chips, breads, granola bars, fast food, and candy are loaded with chemicals in the form of artificial colorings and flavorings. Many of these chemicals are toxic to the body and are neurotoxic as well. Neurotoxic chemicals can damage brain cells. Damaged brain cells do not promote clearer thinking and focus.
- Contaminated water. Our water supply is far from safe. It may look, taste, and smell okay, but there are likely dozens of microscopic chemicals or contaminants in the water. According to Fluoride Action Network there are 64 studies linking fluoride to reduced IQs. In 2019 USA Today shares that chemicals “commonly found in tap water” are linked to cancer even at levels regarded as safe. Radioactive elements such as radium are getting into our drinking water. All these toxins can have a negative impact on our body and brain’s ability to function optimally.
- Overwhelmed systems. I have come to see that if people are feeling overwhelmed cognitively, it is likely their system is feeling overwhelmed physically as well. God created our bodies with an amazing detoxification system. But when day after day our bodies are subjected to multiple toxins, our bodies cannot keep up. Toxins build up affecting our brain function and hindering our bodies in a variety of ways. The increased use of electronics adds insult to injury. Our bodies are now constantly bombarded by electromagnetic frequencies or harmful radiation that also is silently
- Stealth infections: We are all exposed to various bacteria, exosomes or viruses, parasites, and other biological infections. We think we have recovered since we feel better and can return to daily activities, but low levels of these infections can remain in our bodies undetected. They contribute to low grade chronic inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to nearly all disorders and dysfunction. Unless we give our body the support it needs to remove these infections, they continue to fester within us. When we are exposed to new infections, they become part of the inflammatory mix within us.
- Dysbiosis or a reduction in beneficial bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract. Toxins and stealth infections lead to imbalances in our gut microbiome and hinder our body’s natural detoxification system. Reducing the harmful bacteria and supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria needs to happen so that the body has the internal tools to handle toxins and absorb nutrients. Our diverse microbiome influences every system of the body. As we understand the gut-brain connection, we can see why supporting our microbiome with targeted solutions is crucial to support optimal brain function.
When we stop to think about all that is happening, it is no wonder we have a decreased ability to focus and think clearly. Our brains and bodies are being overwhelmed by a plethora of assaults. Our digestive systems and our brains are struggling to deal with the toxins, lingering infections, and constant input of new stressors.
Most people with brain fog or cognitive struggles do not actually “feel sick.” But their bodies show signs that they are struggling and not doing well. They do not get restful, restorative sleep. They do not know what foods or beverages are the problem. They can’t sit still. They may experience times of emotional upheaval, anger outbursts, or depression. They may have reoccurring headaches or digestive issues. In addition, many have had a concussion or traumatic brain injury that has not completely healed.
It doesn’t seem wise to move forward without investigating WHY a person is struggling with attention issues or brain fog. How these issues are handled could impact the rest of their life. We need to think about the struggles people are having and start to make connections to underlying causes. We need to become critical thinkers.
Once we understand the connections between toxin exposures and our struggles with brain function, I believe we can do better. We can use approaches that find and address the underlying reasons why a person is struggling to focus and think clearly.
We know for certain that there are far more toxins in our world today than there were 20 to 30 years ago. Most current data shows that there are well over 80,000 toxins around us. Of those 80,000 toxins only around 200 have been tested for safety and only about a half dozen are regulated. I know that sounds absurd, but it is the latest data. We cannot rely on others to keep us safe or to do what is best for us.
We are unknowingly eating toxins, drinking toxins, and breathing in toxins every single day. Day after day, we are also inundated with toxic radiation from the electromagnetic frequencies used to run our electronic devices. It is critical that we become more aware of what is actually happening to our bodies as we are exposed to these invisible but harmful toxins.
Other Key Factors
All of us moms have shared our blood supply with our little ones as we carried them for nine months. Whatever toxins are in our blood stream are passed along to our children. Then if we are unable to give birth vaginally, our little ones do not receive the healthy bacteria needed to create a diversified gut microbiome that will promote a healthy gut-brain axis.
In addition to the toxins received through the mother’s blood, there is another overlooked fact. That is, a baby’s protective blood-brain-barrier is not fully developed until around the age of two years old. When toxins are consumed, whether in formulas or breastmilk or received from injections, they can all potentially pass through the blood-brain-barrier of the baby and reach the brain. Once the blood-brain-barrier is breached, it remains open and susceptible to allowing other toxins to pass through until the body is given the tools to heal this protective barrier.
Check out this recent article showing the results of 40 studies done testing umbilical cord blood. All 40 tests showed the presence of PFAS or “forever chemicals” in the blood. PFAS are linked to impaired cognitive function, reproductive stress, skin issues, and cancer, as well as thyroid, heart, and blood sugar problems. These chemicals are in our lakes, streams, and drinking water. PFAS are found in “nonstick cookware, clothing, food packaging, carpets.” These chemicals do not break down easily, thus the nickname “forever chemicals.” It is estimated that 98% of us have PFAS in our blood.
I know I have given you a lot of information to digest. You may feel alarmed, frustrated, and uncertain what to do. Keep reading. There is hope and there are many things you can do to address these toxins and their negative impact on your health.
What We Can Do
We can see that it is important to realize that environmental toxins and life-experiences are impacting us mentally, physically, and spiritually. Medication is an option, but it is not the only option.
We can:
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choose to drink clean distilled water
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consume mostly whole foods that are organically grown
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find the right person to work with to safely remove accumulated toxins and lingering infections from our systems
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share this information with others. People need this information if they want to address the underlying causes of their troublesome issues of brain fog and attention deficits.
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do more research on toxins like PFAS, electromagnetic smog, toxic metals, and parasites
We are fearfully and wonderfully made to thrive. If we are going to be all that God created us to be, we must remove what is hindering us, and become more aware of what is really happening to us. We need to take a deeper dive and look beyond what we see and hear. There are many natural advances in the area of toxin removal that support brain function and overall health.
Ready to learn more? Reach out now.
To learn about My Top 8 Brain Nourishing Foods, click here.
Be well. Be empowered. Be blessed.
Brain Health & Detox Specialist,
Anita Bastian
