Many of us think cognitive dysfunction only happens as we age in the form of dementia, but if we really consider the situation, there is a growing awareness of children facing cognitive challenges like attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism. Alongside these conditions, we are learning more about inflammatory brain disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PANS/PANDAS. This presents an opportunity for us to explore the causes of brain inflammation and to find solutions that can help improve the health of our brains. Together, we can work towards understanding why our brains may be feeling overwhelmed and support one another in finding effective paths to healing and wellness!
Here are some statistics…
-1 in 36 kids diagnosed with autism today, compared to 1 in 150 in 2000
-7 million children ages 3-17 diagnosed with ADHD
-10 mil. new cases of dementia each year = 1 new case every 3.2 sec!
It seems we’ve taken an unexpected turn, but that’s an opportunity for growth! Let’s explore how our body and brain can thrive together, functioning as they are beautifully designed to do…
WHAT DOES THE BRAIN (AND BODY) NEED TO FUNCTION?
Well, aside from a strong Wi-Fi connection and an endless supply of snacks, it turns out our gray matter and the rest of our physical ensemble thrive on a delightful cocktail of nutrients, hydration, and a dash of sleep. Think of it like throwing a party for your body: the brain is the DJ spinning beats, while the rest of the body is dancing under the neon lights of vitamins, minerals, and good ol’ protein. Just remember, too much caffeine might turn the DJ into a wild party animal—so keep those energy drinks in check!
The body is smart. It does not do silly things. It does smart things and for a specific reason. If our brains are not functioning right we need to look at why. And this does not include a ritalin, zoloft, aricept deficiency. No, our brains and our bodies function with nutrients and enzymes.
Let’s look at ADD/ADHD: medications used to treat these conditions increase dopamine production in the brain. These medications can work very well to increase focus, attention, memory, and regulate mood/behavior. After all, they are increasing dopamine and that is what dopamine does. Curious minds will ask, how come people with ADD/ADHD do not have enough dopamine?? Dopamine comes from nutrients – amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine), minerals (zinc, copper), vitamins (vitamin C, B vitamins) and oxygen. Where do we get nutrients from? Right…our food. But real food, not highly processed, sprayed, packaged, inflammatory food. Real food from nutrient rich soil that is not in a box, bag, or plastic container.
Alright, so we’re munching on all the nutritious goodies and still dealing with a brain that feels like it’s been on vacation! What’s the next move—do we bribe our brain with coffee or send it a strongly worded email?
Our diets play a huge role in nutrient production. But we also have to be digesting and absorbing our nutrients. What does it take to digest and absorb nutrients? Enzymes, acid, bile, and lots of good bacteria!
What disrupts nutrient digestion and absorption? INFLAMMATION!
What causes inflammation? Well… food, high stress, lack of movement, lack of quality sleep, TOXINS and INFECTIONS!
How do toxins and infections deplete us of nutrients? Toxins like glyphosate and other pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals, phalates, plastics, parasites, mold and mycotoxins:
- Activate our immune system and mast cell release causing an immune (inflammatory) response in the body. Inflammation puts the body into fight or flight…
- Increase stress response in the body and release of cortisol leads to adrenal depletion and breakage of borders in our body – our blood brain barrier and gut mucosal lining. When borders get broken this allows for more toxic and / or infectious invasion (your toxic cup continues to fill)
- Chronic toxin and infection exposure and impaired detox from toxins and infections leads to bacterial depletion in our gut microbiome
- Bacteria in our gut microbiome makes up 70% of our immune response and our immune response is regulated by the bacteria in our guts. As our good guys go away, the bad guys thrive and grow. This leads to immune confusion (autoimmune disease) and further breakage of our borders. Not only is our gut microbiome affected but also our microbiomes in our sinuses, mouth, lungs, genitals, bladder and skin (these symptoms can be widespread!)
- The loss of good bacteria means we cannot synthesize our nutrients from our food any longer.
- Lack of nutrients combined with a disorganized immune response and broken borders leads to immune activation in the brain, neurotransmitter imbalance, and resulting behavioral problems and cognitive decline.
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS:
When it comes to treating brain disorders, conventional methods often resemble a confused cook trying to whip up a gourmet meal with mismatched ingredients. Picture this: doctors with their lab coats and serious faces diving into a sea of medications that can make you feel like a walking side effect. From therapy sessions that sometimes feel like chatting with a really judgy friend to pills that might turn you into a human science experiment, the journey is anything but dull. And hey, if you thought brain surgery looked risky on TV, imagine getting a backstage pass to the real deal! But fret not; amidst the craziness, there’s hope and healing – just maybe not a lot of comedy clubs in the waiting room.
In all seriousness do conventional therapies work? Conventional treatments for brain disorders include medications, varying types of therapy like CBT, speech therapy, physical therapy, psychiatric services, and surgery. Yes, they can help, but these therapies however are not addressing the cause of the brain disorder, only treating the symptoms.
Medications can also have some unwanted side effects…
Let’s look at ritalin which is used for ADD/ADHD. Ritalin can be very effective to increase focus, attention, memory, and regulate mood. Stimulant medications like ritalin work to increase dopamine in the brain. Remember, ADD/ADHD is theoretically a dopamine deficient state. However, these medications also make it hard for the body to produce dopamine on its’ own which creates a dependence on the medication. These medications create a mitochondrial depleted state by increasing mitochondrial fission (breaking apart of mitochondria for increased ATP release) and preventing mitochondrial fusion (when the mitochondria come back together). Appetite suppression is another known side of medications used for ADD/ADHD. This is especially problematic in a growing child. In the end, dependency on the medication is the result because now without the medication the person will experience fatigue, decreased pleasure/reward due to lowering innate ability to produce dopamine, and possibly stunted growth in children. Yikes!
FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO BRAIN DISORDERS:
Functional medicine decisively tackles the why behind brain inflammation. Functional practitioners rigorously evaluate diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels. We also meticulously investigate toxic and infectious causes contributing to the symptoms presented. In functional medicine, we confidently employ a powerful combination of herbs, nutraceuticals, nutrient therapy, and medications that directly target the root causes of symptoms. Our primary objective is to effectively reduce a person’s toxic and infectious burden, restoring balance to the body. We must adopt a proactive mindset:
The body is smart. It does not do silly things.
Why is this body not behaving as it is designed to behave?
Treat the cause while managing the symptoms,
utilizing therapies that promote healing and balance.
Let’s look at ADD/ADHD again…we want to increase dopamine production in the brain and reduce other inflammatory neurotransmitters like glutamate to calm the brain and the nervous system. Can we do this with nutrients? Well, I am glad you asked…YES!
Remember dopamine production depends on nutrients like amino acids, minerals and vitamins, and oxygen. These elements combined give the body the raw materials for enzyme activity the neurotransmitter production. A person with ADD/ADHD has more norepinephrine than dopamine. Norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that increases blood pressure, heart rate and attention. It exerts its effects mostly peripherally. It plays a vital role in the body but needs to be in balance with the central nervous system for balance. By giving a person the nutrients they need to synthesize dopamine, serotonin and GABA we can increase production, and with adjustments to nutrients like zinc and copper in the body we can prevent a rapid conversion of a person’s dopamine to norepinephrine.
Are there truly any side effects to the amazing journey of transforming
nutrients that not only elevates digestion and absorption but also supercharges
detoxification to revitalize brain function?
It’s a powerful return to our optimal selves!
Functional medicine passionately intertwines the time-tested therapies of conventional medicine with the innovative concepts of holistic care. This powerful union paves the way for transformative healing and exceptional outcomes that truly inspire hope.
I truly hope this article ignites a spark of inspiration and hope within you! There are paths leading away from the struggles of mental challenges, and they are waiting to be discovered!
We invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation, where we can thoughtfully explore how functional medicine may support you or a loved one on your healing journey. Your well-being is important to us, and we’re here to help. 🙂
