BRAIN FOG? GENES AND EPIGENETICS

Almost everyone struggles with procrastination. Many people are unable to overcome their procrastination, even when they know that it’s hurting them, and even when they truly want to stop. Why does someone continuously procrastinate even when they don’t want to anymore? Even when they know it’s not going to benefit them in any way possible? It’s not just a “motivation” thing. There’s a science behind it, a health issue. And the main cause is brain fog. So how can you solve brain fog, beat procrastination, and fulfill your true potential? Keep reading to find out. What Is Brain Fog? Brain fog is a collection of symptoms such as forgetfulness, lack of mental clarity, confusion, and inability to focus. It’s also referred to as ‘mental fog,’ ‘clouding of consciousness,’ or ‘cognitive dysfunction.’ It is generally caused by inflammation in the brain, stemming from some underlying cause. Symptoms include fatigue and low energy (including chronic fatigue syndrome), irritability, inability to concentrate, poor working memory and executive function, poor ability to memorize things, impaired ability to process new information and delayed processing, confusion, low motivation, mental confusion, wandering thoughts; inability to sustain a train of thought, disorientation. Depending on the causes, brain fog can last anywhere from a few minutes to decades if untreated.

In most cases, brain fog is reversible. What might trigger brain fog for one person could have no effect on another. So how can you find out your trigger? It’s pretty simple actually… you have to look at your genes. You see, every person has a unique DNA blueprint and, based on your specific genes, can be sensitive to different types of triggers. That’s why it’s extremely important to understand your genetics and implement lifestyle changes specifically for YOUR BODY. This guide is not a cookie-cutter solution for you to follow, as cookie-cutter solutions rarely work! That’s because the “solutions” you find on the internet are based on the author's experience and how they managed to snap out of the cycle of procrastination, lack of mental clarity, and all these other cognitive dysfunctions. What works for them might not work for you. With a roadmap - a step-by-step guide - on how you can look at your genes, identify your causes of brain fog, and implement changes to solve a problem that may seem unbeatable.

Brain fog is essentially caused by an issue in the area of the brain responsible for executive function, general cognitive function, and emotional balance. This area is called the limbic system. Within the limbic system, the hypothalamus – also known as the ‘control center’ – is most affected. The limbic system is responsible for wakefulness, appetite, mood, motivation, body warmth, gut flow by way of the vagus nerve, metabolism, blood pressure, emotional regulation, executive function, and memory – short and long-term. Brain fog can be caused by the limbic system disbalance, usually as a result of an injury or highly stressful event. A big bout of inflammation, free radicals, or emotional stress is the mechanisms by which these brain changes occur. Due to the complex functions of the limbic system, brain fog often goes together with mood, sleep, hormonal, and metabolic disorders. Inflammation and oxidative stress can damage the limbic system and cause brain fog. Gene mutations that reduce the activity of antioxidant enzymes might make people more susceptible to brain fog.

There are tons of genes that can make you more susceptible to procrastination, lack of focus, and many other cognitive issues. Some examples are the CNR1 and MTHFR genes. The CNR1 variation can cause a lot of problems with the limbic system and your gut. The CNR1 gene codes for one of the main types of receptors involved in stimulating your brain’s cannabinoid system. If you carry the CNR1 gene variant that decreases the cannabinoid system activity, that can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, many of which are associated with brain fog and other tricky cognitive issues. Having the MTHFR gene mutation can hamper your ability to ‘detox’ and result in inflammation and oxidative stress. And as we stated before, those are the 2 primary causes for the issues you’re facing!

Discover your true potential through a DNA report. With personalized recommendations, you can counteract the negative genes that are the cause of all your health issues. Your recommendations are prioritized based on what would be most effective for your body. You wouldn’t be implementing changes based on someone else's body. You’re implementing lifestyle changes suitable for you. And these are all-natural lifestyle, diet, and supplement recommendations. Your body is interconnected, so completely optimizing your health from all angles will push you closer to your goals. In the next section, you’ll learn about all the different triggers of brain fog and how you can use your genes to counteract them.

Triggers of Brain Fog Depending on Your Genes:

1) Diet:

The most common causes of brain fog are diets that contain some of your own food sensitivities. When people consume food that causes inflammation, it will often cause brain fog. People with lectin sensitivity will most often experience inflammation in their gut, joints, thyroid, and brain (hypothalamus). Sometimes they’ll go on to develop an autoimmune condition eventually. The CNR1 gene discussed above plays a huge role in lectin sensitivity as well. If you carry the negative variant, you are more susceptible to inflammation from foods with high lectin levels. But lectin isn’t the only food that can cause inflammation.

Some common triggers of inflammation are • Lectins (every food has lectins, but we can be sensitive to different lectins) • Gluten (wheat, spelt, rye, barley, and oats) • Casein (all dairy products) • FODMAPs (short-chain carbohydrates that are often poorly absorbed by the small intestine) • Amines • Tannins • Trypsin inhibitors • Oxalates • Yeast (in gluten-free bread) • Food additives like carrageenan (in rice milk, almond milk, etc.) • Salicylates • Caffeine Everything on this list is dependent on your body and what genes you carry, so it's important to understand your genetic variants and work on creating an elimination diet for yourself. (Removing the specific cause of inflammation from your diet and analyzing your results.)

2) Sleep:

Not sleeping well is another common cause of brain fog. If you have sleep apnea, that will most likely be the cause of your brain fog. Sleep apnea causes hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at night, which increases oxidative stress [R]. Hypoxia drives psychiatric conditions by causing neurons to get overexcited (glutamate excitotoxicity). This excitation causes increased levels of free radicals and mitochondrial breakdown. Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, bad sleep is still a significant cause of brain fog but may not be the whole story. Sleep loss increases oxidative stress in the hypothalamus, by the loss of glutathione.

Sleep deprivation for even one night exacerbates brain fog by increasing inflammation in the hypothalamus and the rest of the body. Adequate sleep means getting the amount of sleep you’d get if you didn’t have an alarm clock. I know A sleep DNA report that analyzes 42 genes and gives you personalized recommendations to optimize your sleep. This means working on your circadian rhythm to get the perfect quality sleep.

3) Anxiety, Chronic Stress, and Depression:

In almost all cases of brain fog, people experience anxiety and often depression/ bad moods. This is mainly because inflammation increases our stress response and causes anxiety, which also leads to depression. Indeed, that’s why cognitive dysfunction, depression, and anxiety often go together (also because they’re all influenced by the limbic system) Inflammation (TNF gene, IL-1) and oxidative stress activate the stress pathway and cause us to be more anxious and depressed. Cytokines also degrade the hippocampus and other areas of the brain, which causes depression. In turn, chronic stress can elevate inflammation in the long run (by causing glucocorticoid resistance). The Cognitive Function DNA Report looks at genes associated with mood issues and brain health to determine whether or not stress, anxiety, depression, or something else is holding you back. But you can even take it one step further with the Mood DNA Report, which analyzes all mood-related genes so that you can completely optimize your health from head to toe.

4) Gut Health & Gut Microbiome Intestinal:

Gut Health & Gut Microbiome Intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” and an imbalance of your gut microbiota (“gut dysbiosis”) can increase inflammation, thereby contributing to brain fog. To prevent microbial imbalance or dysbiosis, the gut needs the right ingredients, such as prebiotics, to work well. Probiotics can also be great at silencing inflammation. I’ve noticed that many people with brain fog also have IBS. This is because inflammation of the gut contributes to IBS. Your gut is responsible for so many different body functions that people call it your “second brain.” The second brain, in connection with the big one in our skulls, partly determines our mental state and plays key roles in certain diseases throughout the body. That’s why optimizing your gut health means optimizing your brain. Our Gut Health DNA Report allows you to take another step towards reaching your full potential by providing you with personalized suggestions that give you the healthiest gut microbiome.

5) Heavy Metals, Toxins, Mold:

Any kind of toxins can stimulate the immune system and cause inflammation and oxidative stress. Heavy metals and toxins increase oxidative stress in the body. Since heavy metals accumulate in the body, they may cause increased levels of oxidative stress in the body. Even essential minerals can accumulate in the body and cause oxidative stress in the long term.

Toxins such as phthalates and BPA pesticides and others also cause oxidative stress. However, these are usually contributory in a minor way. People exposed to mold or other biotoxins can suffer from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and develop a certain kind of brain fog. These inflammatory markers will often be elevated if exposed to toxins.

6) Hormonal Imbalance:

The following hormones act as antioxidants by inhibiting superoxide (and other free radicals): • Melatonin • Pregnenolone • Progesterone • DHEA • Testosterone • Estrogen • Androstenedione • Oxytocin Hence, their deficiency can contribute to brain fog. All of these listed hormones are anti-inflammatory as well. Genes that resulted in lower melatonin, for example, are associated with cognitive dysfunction.

7) Lab Tests To Get For Brain Fog:

Once you’ve looked at your genes that could predispose you to brain fog-related issues, you may want to get some lab tests done to check your levels. This will help you know where your body is currently at and can help you track how your changes are affecting your body over time. You can get any of these lab tests below and then upload them to the Lab Test Analyzer Tool. Learn more HERE. Find out what kind of health effects you can expect from your results, check to see if your levels are in the optimal range, and then learn what your personalized recommendations are to improve your levels!

Basics: CBC (WBCs, RBCs, Hemoglobin, Platelets) • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio, BUN, CO2, Calcium, Glucose, Potassium, ALT, AST, ALP, Sodium, Bilirubin, Total Protein) • Heart rate (pulse oximeter) • Oxygen saturation (pulse oximeter) • Heart rate variability • Blood pressure • Urine pH.

More specialized: • Genova ION profile • Organic acids.

Common Nutritional Deficiencies (in brain fog): Iron Status: Ferritin, Serum iron, TIBC, Transferrin, RBCs, Hemoglobin • Plasma or RBC Zinc • Plasma B6 • Serum Folate • B12 status: Serum B12, Methylmalonic acid • RBC magnesium • Vitamin D3.

Blood Sugar: Glucose (fasting) • HbA1C.

Methylation Markers: Homocysteine • Methylmalonic acid (tests B12) • Serum Folate • Serum B12 • MCV found in CBC (high MCV indicates folate or b12 deficiency) • Glycine and Methionine on amino acid profile (Genova ION profile).

Hormones That Impact Brain Fog: Thyroid Hormones (TSH, T4, Free and total T3, reverse T3) • Testosterone - free and total • Estradiol • Cortisol • DHEAs • Dutch hormones - gives you urinary results, which are complementary to serum Optional: • Prolactin • Aldosterone • Adiponectin.

Limbic System Health: Heart rate (pulse oximeter) • Heart rate variability (pulse oximeter) • Blood pressure

Inflammation markers: WBCs (and all subtypes) • hsCRP • Ferritin • Serum iron, TIBC, Transferrin • ANA • Thyroid antibodies (TPOAbs, TGOAbs) • Heart rate • Heart rate variability. The following are more specialized, but less commonly tested (recommended if you can't detect inflammation from more common tests and useful to have tested at least once in your life if you have brain fog).

More Specialized: Creatine Kinase • IgE, total • IgM, total • IgG, total • IgA, total • ESR • Anti-dsDNA • Anti-Ro/SS-A • MMP9 • TGF-beta1 • VEGF • TNF alpha • C4a • Total complement (CH50/CH100) • Fecal lactoferrin • Histamine, plasma • AGA, anti-gliadin antibodies • Tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-IgA, IgG antibodies.

Oxidative Stress Markers: Any inflammatory markers elevated will infer oxidative stress.

Check for Heavy Metals in the Urine More Direct Markers: Albumin (higher is better) • GGT (lower is better) • Uric acid (higher is better) • 8-OHdG - (in dutch test) (higher is worse) • Organic acids: High citrate to isocitrate ratio.

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I know that this guide was a little long, but everything in here is needed to really highlight the power your DNA holds. And it doesn’t take much to unlock your true potential. The answers are all within you, and the tools are all now easily accessible with GINA GADISCHKE plan. Because you’ve made it this far, I know that you now truly understand the strength of personalized health through genetics. And because of that, I want to help you get started right away. Sign up today and discover your true potential with a complimentary 20 minutes consult and start your journey toward your goals and potential health.