Optimal functioning entails various aspects of wellness, including the sharpness of cognitive function. So, did you know that functional medicine therapies can contribute to improving brain health? These may involve tackling nutritional deficiencies that can affect concentration and memory, and integrative tools may include dietary modifications, adjunctive IV therapy from Toronto, and more. 

According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, “The number of people affected by dementia is growing exponentially, with an estimated 55 million people diagnosed worldwide today and 139 million predicted to be diagnosed by 2050.”

For some patients, the aging effects of brain function can be a disturbing notion, as some neurodegenerative disorders (i.e. Alzheimer’s) can be passed down through genes in the human body. But studies have suggested that, by nourishing the body with nutrients, you could promote an improved quality of life, which could contribute to preventing or delaying cognitive decline. We suggest you checkout our previous blog post on the role of iron for improving longevity through naturopathic medicine approach.

How functional medicine may address brain health with nutrition

Integrative functional medicine is a health care model with an individualized approach to health issues. This is what our functional medicine practitioners and IV therapy providers adhere to, which means we focus on personalizing treatment plans for distinctive purposes.

If personal health goals require upgrading wellness for the sake of cognition, our clinic would scrutinize your current health status at your initial appointment. Our detailed assessment may include questioning your levels of vitamins, minerals, etc., as age-related cognitive decline has been linked to oxidative stress and poor cellular functioning; coincidentally, these harmful constituents may manifest as unwanted side effects from nutritional deficiencies.  

After dissecting the core components of your individuality and examining lab results, we may modify therapies for your nutritional status; this may contribute to reducing some cognitive concerns, such as a fuzzy memory or brain fog. Below are some samples of functional medicine therapies we might bring up: 

• • Dietary modifications: If you regularly eat highly-processed foods, we may introduce you to a wholesome diet, such as the Mediterranean Diet. As reported by the Institute for Functional Medicine, this diet “…may not only be protective against and slow the progression of MCI [mild cognitive impairment] and Alzheimer’s but also protect against all-cause mortality in patients with these conditions.” We may also advise on consuming superfoods, which are sources of some natural antioxidants such as carotenoids, ellagic acid, flavonoids and resveratrol. Foods with anti-inflammatory components could help reduce chronic inflammation, especially within the brain, as inflammation can form from a lack of major antioxidants in the body. 
  • Gut health support: Did you know that your body has a gut-brain axis? It’s composed of signals that interact between the brain and gut nerves; taking probiotics could help improve the status of this axis. In fact, if you don’t have food sensitivities/allergies to dairy, you should know that probiotic-rich milk could offer support. One study showed that patients with Alzheimer’s who drank fermented milk-based products containing gut-friendly bacteria scored optimally on a test, unlike those who consumed standard milk. 
  • Supplementation with optimal nutrients: If tests show you’re lacking concentrations of nutrients, we would help replenish those with oral supplementation (i.e. powders, liquid drinks, capsules, etc.). For example, if you’re deficient in vitamin E and B vitamins – which studies have shown to have beneficial effects on cognition in aging adults – we would advise on taking those orally. 

To “top up” your nutrient intake with additional supportive measures, intravenous vitamin drip therapy may be mixed into your custom plan as an adjuvant treatment. This provides effective rehydration, promotes red blood cell formation, and offers a full absorption of nutrients. A nutritional drip formula enters your blood stream via a vein. It bypasses your digestive tract and doesn’t require filtration; this means it’s available in the body for immediate use. When vitamin IV therapy is administered with oral supplements, healthy lifestyle factors and other treatment modalities, it can contribute to wellness improvements and potential cognitive upgrades. 

Keep in mind that our health services, including adjunct tailored-made, scientifically formulated IV therapies, are adapted for your biology. The above suggestions may or may not apply to your personal treatment plan. To tackle your chief health concerns for optimal health, please read below to learn about our IV Lounge and private downtown clinic. 

About our individualized approach to wellness 

For amplifying your absorption rate of vitamins, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) can support your health goals with a multidisciplinary approach! Our unique IV Lounge is available for new and existing patients who require a custom-made IV drip as adjunct support therapy. 

The TFMC can personalize your treatment service with a wide range of modalities, such as allopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, detoxification strategies (i.e. chelation therapy), hormone treatments, herbal medicines, acupuncture, and more. Our functional medicine-based IV therapy is designed as an adjuvant treatment, which is administered alongside regular oral supplementation and other clinical treatments.

When united with other treatment modalities and lifestyle modifications, intravenous therapy could have some bearing on overall wellness, including cognitive function and mental clarity. Some intravenous drip menu items we carry include high-dose vitamin C, a medley of amino acids, major minerals, and other key nutrients. Vitamin D injections may also be administered.

Take note: Our tailored intravenous infusion therapies cater to personal health concerns; therefore, functional medicine lab tests may be required (i.e. metabolic testing, hormone testing, complete blood count, etc.). These test results help us identify your body’s shortcomings, such as nutrient deficiencies. These pieces of information are necessary for personalizing doses of nutrients for IV nutrient therapy. 

IV therapy from our Toronto practice is an option for “backing up” your immune health, muscle function, detoxification processes, brain function, and more. Request your initial visit today with our functional medicine healthcare provider. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Imane Lejri, Anastasia Agapouda, Amandine Grimm, Anne Eckert, “Mitochondria- and Oxidative Stress-Targeting Substances in Cognitive Decline-Related Disorders: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Evidence”, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2019, Article ID 9695412, 26 pages, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9695412

La Fata G, Weber P, Mohajeri MH. Effects of vitamin E on cognitive performance during ageing and in Alzheimer’s disease. Nutrients. 2014 Nov 28;6(12):5453-72. doi: 10.3390/nu6125453. PMID: 25460513; PMCID: PMC4276978.

Lakhan R, Sharma M, Batra K, Beatty FB. The Role of Vitamin E in Slowing Down Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Nov 18;9(11):1573. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9111573. PMID: 34828619; PMCID: PMC8625211.

Liang, X., Fu, Y., Cao, Wt. et al. Gut microbiome, cognitive function and brain structure: a multi-omics integration analysis. Transl Neurodegener 11, 49 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-022-00323-z

“Nutrition: A Key Modulator of Cognitive Health” from the Institute for Functional Medicine, viewed on November 6, 2023.

“Probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function” from Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, posted March 22, 2023, viewed on November 6, 2023. 

“The Gut-Brain Connection” from the Cleveland Clinic, medically reviewed on September 20, 2023, viewed on November 6, 2023. 

Tooley KL. Effects of the Human Gut Microbiota on Cognitive Performance, Brain Structure and Function: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2020 Sep 30;12(10):3009. doi: 10.3390/nu12103009. PMID: 33007941; PMCID: PMC7601389.

Vincenzo Solfrizzi, Francesco Panza, Vincenza Frisardi, Davide Seripa, Giancarlo Logroscino, Bruno P Imbimbo & Alberto Pilotto (2011) Diet and Alzheimer’s disease risk factors or prevention: the current evidence, Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 11:5, 677-708, DOI: 10.1586/ern.11.56