If your mental clarity has been off, functional medicine and IV therapy in Toronto could offer beneficial effects to your noggin!

Brain fog is not a health condition – it’s a symptom of a health concern. It’s described as a fuzzy, cloudy, sluggish feeling in the head, making it difficult to recall memories and think clearly. You might struggle with multitasking, or feel as though you’re “stuck” in a haze.

Furthermore, it can affect brain function in the human body, impeding personal and professional lives, physical/athletic performance, mood, and more. Sometimes diabetes, dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, viruses, and certain medications (i.e. chemotherapy) can contribute to this odd sensation, too. 

Though it may seem like catching up on sleep is the answer, it’s advisable to consult with a functional medicine healthcare provider to deal with brain fog. It could be an indicator of an underlying issue related to a lack of energy, poor dietary intake of nutrients, hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, or other factors. The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) unveils information about this health issue, the tips we might recommend for helping alleviate it, and details about our clinic. 

The causes behind brain fog 

Understanding this symptom is not straightforward, as it has many possible triggers. Functional medicine/IV therapy providers can help attack brain fog by deliberating on your unique constituents (i.e. epigenetics, levels of vitamins, minerals, detoxification, immune modulation, etc.). 

Recommended Reading: Functional Medicine And IV Therapy Toronto Tips That Can Enhance Detoxification

Another reason to seek help is that there can be multiple causes, and a trained healthcare provider can examine for this. Some of the root causes of brain fog may include:  

• • Certain health conditions: Autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, thyroid conditions, and viruses can potentially cause the symptom. Fibromyalgia is another condition that is affiliated with low cognitive function and alertness, to the point that it’s been coined “fibrofog” by the media. 
  • Nutrient deficiencies and food sensitivities: Low nutrient levels have a critical role in forming brain fog. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron, B-12, and magnesium can cause depression, triggering brain fuzziness. Research has noted that food sensitivities, such as wheat, dairy, peanuts, and aspartame, may heighten inflammation and contribute to the formation of brain fog, too. 
  • Hormonal imbalances: Though cognitive losses can have various factors causing them, many studies have shown that hormone variations can impede cognitive function.  Perimenopause, menopause and andropause are examples of hormonal changes affecting cognition.  
  • Some medications: Chemotherapy is known to affect short-term memory and motor function, generating brain fog. Taking several medications at one time could cause cognitive discomforts, as well as possibly starting a new medication. This is why it’s imperative to monitor your health status and effects regularly with a healthcare provider. 

Functional medicine and IV nutrient therapy tips

Brain fog may manifest differently for one individual patient compared to another. As functional medicine and IV nutrient therapy addresses biological needs, a clinic like ours may suggest some customized treatments: 

• • IV therapy drips and/or oral supplementation: If lab tests reveal nutrient deficiencies, you may be advised to take oral tablets or capsules. But if you suffer from malabsorption, intravenous therapy may be suggested; this is because oral supplementation can cause poor digestive health in patients with malabsorption, such as diarrhea and nausea. IV vitamin drip formulas are directly inserted into your vein and blood stream for immediate use, without affecting the digestive tract. 

• • Dietary modifications: Pay close attention to how you respond to caffeine. If you feel sluggish after drinking coffee, scale back next time or cut it out completely. Studies have shown that no more than four cups of coffee per day is safe, but going over this limit can trigger anxiety and insomnia.
  • Stress management techniques: Manage your stress levels. Acupuncture is something to try, which shows promise in promoting relaxation, reducing insomnia and encouraging mental clarity. In fact, there are acupuncture points that can be targeted to reduce brain fog.

Are you battling with this brain health issue? Poor cognition and energy levels shouldn’t dampen optimal health. Book a complete diagnostic session and we’ll discuss how we can tailor your treatment service. If you have queries outside of brain fog, let us know – we modify functional medicine therapies and IV vitamin therapy for autoimmune conditions, chronic issues (chronic inflammation, chronic illness symptoms), sports performance, post-disease symptoms, poor immune function, muscle recovery, cellular health, liver detoxification, abnormal hair growth, and other health concerns. 

About our personalized service of functional medicine and IV drip therapy

The TFMC is accepting new patients today! A personalized service of health treatments and intravenous drips could offer positive effects. A TFMC health plan may contain multiple therapies, such as acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, conventional/Western medicine, intravenous infusion drips, booster shots for a vitamin boost, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and other services. 

These therapies are programmed with the principles of integrative functional medicine. By scrutinizing the core components of your individuality (i.e. genetics, health goals, lab test results, etc.), we can help promote symptom relief and potentially tackle the source of your chief health concerns. We encourage you to collaborate with us in building your treatment plan to promote comfort in your process of recovery!

New and pre-existing patients can utilize our IV Lounge, which is where we provide intravenous therapy drips with key ingredients. When combined with a healthy lifestyle and other functional medicine therapies, vitamin IV therapy could elevate your health status. We freshly compound IV drips daily, and our menu contains a mixture of vitamins, major minerals, major antioxidants, and more. You’ll find vitamin C (ascorbic acid), folic acid, NAD+, a medley of amino acids with glutamic acid, trace minerals, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other natural ingredients in our Lounge – ask us which essential nutrients we recommend.

Renewing cognitive function may require TLC – and we can help! It’s time to unravel new strategies to increase energy levels and improve your quality of life. Leave us a note to request your initial consultation for functional medicine and IV therapy in Toronto. 

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. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References

“6 Possible Causes of Brain Fog”, from Healthline, medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, by Valencia Higuera, updated on January 2, 2023, viewed on August 14, 2023. 

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“Brain Fog vs. Dementia” from the Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Women’s Health, viewed on August 13, 2023. 

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Gava G, Orsili I, Alvisi S, Mancini I, Seracchioli R, Meriggiola MC. Cognition, Mood and Sleep in Menopausal Transition: The Role of Menopause Hormone Therapy. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Oct 1;55(10):668. doi: 10.3390/medicina55100668. PMID: 31581598; PMCID: PMC6843314.

Kverno K. Brain Fog: A Bit of Clarity Regarding Etiology, Prognosis, and Treatment. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2021 Nov;59(11):9-13. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20211013-01. Epub 2021 Nov 1. PMID: 34714198.

Nir, Y., Andrillon, T., Marmelshtein, A. et al. Selective neuronal lapses precede human cognitive lapses following sleep deprivation. Nat Med 23, 1474–1480 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4433

Zhou L, Chen L, Li X, Li T, Dong Z, Wang YT. Food allergy induces alteration in brain inflammatory status and cognitive impairments. Behav Brain Res. 2019 May 17;364:374-382. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.01.011. Epub 2018 Jan 12. PMID: 29339006.