Brain Health Restoration In San Diego
The health of your brain is essential for living an energetic and vibrant life, as well as graceful aging. Unfortunately, a myriad of factors can negatively impact its performance – from concussion or traumatic brain injury to environmental toxins, genetic predisposition towards neurodegeneration, unhealthy eating habits, prolonged stress, nutrient deficiencies and many more.
Inflammation and Brain Health
Brain inflammation can be a leading contributor to a decline in overall brain health and function. From TBI and concussion to Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment, inflammation is nearly always a common contributor.
So what makes inflammation such a big issue?
Well, there are many common factors that contribute to brain inflammation, but some of the main culprits are our lack of sleep, chronic stress, standard american diet, and head trauma from contact sports.
Symptoms of Poor Brain Health
- Brain fog
- Forgetfulness
- Decreased motivation
- Fatigue
- Depressed mood
- Depression
- Anxiety
Microglia are cells in the brain that switch on to protect neurons when there is damage. But these microglia are difficult to turn off afterwards, leading to an overzealous response that can cause long-term harm if not regulated.
Brain Gut Connection
The relationship between the brain and gut is a complex one, with each having a powerful effect on the other. Research has established that disruption in the gut can lead to disrupted function in the brain, and vice versa.
Effective treatment needs to account for this connection and take into consideration both physical and mental health.
Studies on rats have even found that those given a concussion suffer from intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), suggesting just how closely linked these two systems are.
The health of microbiota alone has been found to influence brain neuroplasticity, microglial activation, stress-induced changes in behavior, and more.
It’s clear that you can’t overstate the importance of understanding this symbiotic relationship!
Our Approach
Our approach to optimizing brain health is holistic and tailored to each individual. By taking into account a patient’s history, symptoms, and testing results, we can get an accurate understanding of what is causing the dysfunction and the best way to tackle it. This allows us to create a personalized plan that leads to true wellness.
Conditions We Treat
- Concussion
- TBI (traumatic brain injury)
- MCI (mild cognitive impairment)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Dementia
- Early Alzheimer’s
Testing For Brain Health
- Inflammatory markers i.e. CRP, ESR, homocysteine
- Genetic Testing i.e. MTHFR, ApoE
- Gut Health Testing
- Hormone Testing i.e. estrogen, testosterone, thyroid
- Micronutrient status
- Adrenal Health
- Testing
- Sleep study
- qEEG Brain Map
NAD+ for Brain Health
NAD+ IV therapy is an excellent solution for many individuals suffering from brain-related issues.
Poor mitochondrial health is often observed in these cases, and NAD+ can provide instant relief.
As we age, our NAD+ levels decrease and this results in a general decline of overall health, especially when it comes to the brain.
Restoring this key nutrient helps give the body the energy it needs at a cellular level.
Learn More About The Benefits Of NAD+ For Brain Health
Naturopathic Perspective for Brain Health
- Optimizing the diet is essential for keeping our brains healthy, especially considering the western diet which often includes omega-6 oils, sugars, and processed foods – all of which can be inflammatory and detrimentally impact brain health. On the other hand, maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet can have a dramatic effect on brain health, making it an important factor to consider when trying to optimize your health.
- Correcting Nutrient Deficiencies. There is a strong correlation between the deficiency of certain nutrients, like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, and brain health.
- By optimizing the production of SCFAs (short chain fatty acids) by the microbiome, we can help to reduce microglial activation and reduce neuroinflammatory processes – a key component for overall brain health.
- Reducing inflammation is key in staving off the effects of aging on the brain, from sleep apnea to nutrient deficiency and food reactions. Numerous brain-related conditions can be linked back to higher levels of inflammation.
- Regularly engaging in lifestyle interventions such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help to reduce chronic stress and cortisol levels. When left unchecked, chronically elevated cortisol can have a damaging effect on the hippocampus – an area of the brain integral for long-term memory.
- NAD+ IV therapy is a powerful tool for improving brain health and overall wellbeing. NAD+ is a natural substance found within our bodies that plays an essential role in the production of cellular energy (ATP) both in the body and in the brain. With age, our NAD+ levels gradually decline, but poor diets and chronic stress can cause even more rapid depletion. Implementing NAD+ infusions has been proven to bring about quick improvements in these areas. To learn more about NAD+ therapy (link to NAD article here)
- Glutathione IV therapy is a powerful tool for preventing and reversing the effects of accelerated aging due to chronic stress, environmental toxins, or poor nutrition. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant, and its depletion can have an impact on brain health. This type of therapy has been known to be particularly beneficial for conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, and Parkinson’s disease.
Neurofeedback for Brain Health
Neurofeedback is a transformative treatment for those struggling with brain-related disorders.
The irregularity of brain waves in such conditions can be detected by a qEEG scan, and neurofeedback sessions tailored to the individual patient can help restore coherent patterns.
Optimal results are achieved when patients are working together with a naturopathic doctor to address the root cause of their condition.