A patient in his forties sought treatment at a neurology department for brain fog. Apart from memory loss, he also suffered from bloating, hiccups, and itchy skin rashes. A diagnosis revealed that the patient had chronic food allergies and a chronically inflamed gut.

Brain fog may be caused by an imbalance in certain aspects of the body, such as intestinal inflammation affecting the brain through the “gut-brain axis,” Dr. Chen Hui-Hsuan, director of the Department of Neurology and Integrative Medicine Center at Everan Hospital, said on NTDTV’s (a sister channel of The Epoch Times) “Health 1+1” program.

Through adjusting his diet to regulate his gut, the patient’s brain fog improved over time.

Results of Multiple Bodily Imbalances

Brain fog is a catch-all term for feeling mentally slowed, unclear, and unfocused—without a clear, diagnosable neurological cause. It describes a subjective experience of reduced mental sharpness, not a disease in itself.

From a functional medicine perspective, Chen said, most clinically common cases of brain fog are related to the following five aspects:

Gut Imbalance: The gut and brain form a “gut-brain axis” through the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. When the gut is irritated by an imbalance in gut bacteria, decreased digestive capacity, or chronic food sensitivities, it can also trigger low-grade inflammation. Inflammatory signals can travel through the body via the bloodstream, interfering with brain function, and thus, symptoms of brain fog can occur.

Decreased Mitochondrial Function: Mitochondria are known as the “power plants or powerhouses” of cells. The brain is a highly energy-intensive organ; once mitochondrial function is impaired, insufficient energy supply can lead to decreased brain efficiency.

Toxin Accumulation: Heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, or mycotoxins can also damage mitochondria, further exacerbating brain fog.

Neurotransmitter Imbalance: An imbalance in the ratio of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, can affect brain coordination and lead to brain fog.

Oxidative Stress and Chronic Inflammation: Oxidative stress damages the nervous system, triggering brain inflammation. Meanwhile, under the influence of long-term stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or chronic diseases, the body is prone to a low-grade but persistent state of chronic inflammation.

Dietary Recommendations

As brain inflammation is a major cause of brain fog, anti-inflammatory measures are crucial for its prevention. Dr. Chang Chia-Ming, chairperson of the Taiwan Precision Preventive Medicine Society, shared his dietary recommendations for reversing brain inflammation on NTDTV’s (a sister channel of The Epoch Times) “Health 1+1” program.

1. Supplement With Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Nutrients

It is recommended to supplement with three nutrients:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids: Powerful natural anti-inflammatory agents, mainly found in deep-sea fish, flaxseed, and chia seeds


2. Vitamin D: Prevents osteoporosis, stabilizes immune function, and improves allergy symptoms


3. Vitamin C: Reduces oxidative stress, thereby reducing inflammation

2. Supplement With Probiotics and Prebiotics

Because intestinal inflammation is a significant cause of brain inflammation, it is recommended to eat more prebiotic foods—such as sweet potatoes, bananas, and whole grains—that are rich in dietary fiber and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. At the same time, it is advisable to supplement with probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Fermented foods such as cheese and kimchi are also rich in probiotics and are helpful.

3. Avoid Pro-Inflammatory Foods

In addition to consuming beneficial bacteria and dietary fiber, maintaining gut health also requires avoiding high-sugar, high-fat, and ultra-processed foods that harm the gut. Furthermore, some people are allergic to foods such as gluten and should also avoid them as much as possible.

Medical adjunctive therapies can also be helpful, Chen said. For example, malnourished patients may benefit from oral or intravenous nutritional supplements, which can provide quicker results.

Lifestyle

In terms of lifestyle, Chen suggested improving sleep quality and avoiding using cell phones and computers before bed to reduce blue light interference with sleep. Additionally, he believes in exercising brainpower through reading and learning.

Regular exercise also has a brain-boosting effect. Studies show that during exercise, the body secretes various substances that protect the brain, such as neurotrophic factors, which help maintain good memory and cognitive function.

Chen also recommended developing stress-relieving habits, such as socializing, traveling, and listening to music. For patients with severe brain fog due to high stress, he recommends aromatherapy to regulate the secretion of stress hormones. Studies have shown that inhaling lavender and rosemary essential oils can lower cortisol, thus having an antioxidant effect.

Reducing Heavy Metal Toxicity

The damage to the brain caused by toxins is especially due to the accumulation of heavy metals in the body. Chen believes this can promote nerve inflammation and damage the blood-brain barrier, making it easier for toxins to enter the brain and exacerbating nervous system damage. Studies have also found that heavy metals can damage mitochondria, leading to insufficient brain energy and even cell death.

Chen advised that to reduce heavy metal intake, one should avoid using low-quality cosmetics; minimize consumption of large fish; and check old water pipes, paint, and cookware at home.

Chen also suggested that exercise, drinking water, and eating dietary fiber can help eliminate heavy metals through sweat, urine, and feces. In regard to dietary recommendations, he suggested eating more detoxifying foods, such as:

• Garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables, which are rich in sulfides and can enhance liver detoxification


• Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and black fungus, which are rich in dietary fiber, help remove heavy metals from the intestines


• Seaweed, which can help chelate and eliminate heavy metals


• Vitamins C, E, and A supplements, which can enhance antioxidant capacity and reduce inflammation caused by heavy metals.

Are Brain Fog and Dementia Related?

Many patients with brain fog worry about developing dementia. Is there a connection between the two? Chen said that brain fog is not dementia, but rather a state of “sub-health”—a transitional state between health and disease—in the brain.

The most common type of dementia is degenerative dementia, a chronic disease that progresses slowly from health to illness, he said. “The brain doesn’t go overnight from being healthy to dementia. If zero on the scale represents a healthy state, dementia is between 80 and 100. Brain fog is more like lying within a sub-healthy or sub-disease stage, somewhere between 20 and 80.”