Got Brain Fog?

Hi!
My name is Dr. Rich Baez and I would like to share with you the three secrets to maximize brain health. Now, I’m sure you are very aware of the basics like a healthy diet, exercise, and meditation…but what I am going to share with you in this article are the three less commonly known facts to maximize brain health.
#1 Nourish the brain:
When it comes to supporting the brain, my main focus is fat. The reason to focus here is: “The human brain is nearly 60 percent fat. We’ve learned in recent years that fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain’s integrity and ability to perform.” What I am here today to do is illuminate the mystery behind the good fats, primarily Omega-3 fatty acids, AKA fish oil. Many of you have probably heard about fish oil at some point over the last few years. You have probably heard that it is good for your heart, or that it helps with joint pain and decreasing inflammation. These claims are true, but did you know that fish oil actually supports the health of your brain and nervous system?

Omega 3’s are found in a variety of different forms ranging from fish to green leaves of plants to certain seeds.  Their purpose is multifaceted but what I want to focus on today is the impact they have on your brain and nervous system. Our brains are made up of billions of cells forming trillions of connections responsible for creating our reality. Now what maintains these cells ability to do that effectively is the membrane that surrounds each of them which is made up of Omega-3 fat. If the level of Omega-3 fat drops, the cells become more rigid and are unable to function properly.

What I recommend to my patients is to start taking 2,000-3,000 milligrams of Omega-3 fish oil per day with food. To compare that with actual fish, a 6 oz. portion of wild salmon contains 883 mg of EPA and 1,111 mg of DHA. So a single serving of fish is equivalent to that 2,000-3,000 milligrams recommendation for fish oil.

As a Doctor who works with patients dealing with nervous system issues on a daily basis, I can tell you first hand the impact increasing the level of fish oil in the body has in the healing process. Patients who are dealing with conditions like ADHD, Migraines, Post Concussion Syndrome, Depression and Anxiety heal much faster if their central nervous system is being supported with the proper amount of Omega 3’s compared to those who do not follow my specific recommendations.

#2 Rest is Key:
Obviously sleep is important, but have you ever wondered why that is?  Did you know that when you are sleeping, your body is actually repairing itself?  Have you ever come across someone who was in the hospital fighting a bad virus or flu?  They are asleep for up to 18 hours a day!  Did you know that your mood is also directly related to how well you sleep?  Research shows that people who get 7 – 8 hours of sleep a night have less of the stress hormone cortisol, the one that causes you to gain weight.  Also, those who get between 7 – 8 hours a night actually have a better balance of dopamine, the feel good hormone, than those suffering from depression.

Also, sleep is when our brain gets a throughout cleaning. An article published in the NIH (National Institute of Health) concluded, “A good night’s rest may literally clear the mind. Using mice, researchers showed for the first time that the space between brain cells may increase during sleep, allowing the brain to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours. These results suggest a new role for sleep in health and disease.”

I love to use the analogy of the garbage man. Every Tuesday the garbage man comes and picks up the trash from the curb and places the empty can back down. So long as this happens every week, there is never an overflow of trash. But imagine during the holidays when the garbage man misses a week and the trash piles up. Imagine even further that this happens week after week. Eventually you won’t even be able to get out of your driveway! This is exactly what happens to the brain cells if our sleep is either not restful, or we are not getting enough of it.

#3 Objectively measuring outcomes

When it comes to making sure the brain is functioning the way we expect it to be, there has to be a level of assessment to establish what is normal and what is abnormal. If you are currently receiving treatment for a neurological condition, perhaps after a head injury, being able to track progress of healing is critical. Because at the end of the day, sometimes you feel great and others all your symptoms return.
With any sort of healthcare, it is critical to be able to objectively measure improvements. If you have high blood pressure and were taking an ACE to lower it, you’d probably want to periodically want to have your blood pressure checked to make sure it is working…right?

The same is true if you are looking to have your brain health improved. What I recommend is using two tools to assess if there is a problem within the brain, and if there is what is causing it.
By utilizing Computerized Infrared Thermography, we can detect how the brain is functioning. We also utilize 3D digital motion xrays of the upper neck to objectively identify misalignments causing a pressure imbalance.

Having an objective analysis system helps the doctor know exactly what the problem is, and most importantly how to correct it. By restoring normal brain function, we are able to help those that are suffering from long standing health problems like post-concussion syndrome, TBI, dizziness, headaches, and brain fog.

In conclusion, the health of our brain dictates the health of our body. If you are suffering with a long standing health condition OR if you are just looking to increase your brain health, the first step is to have these three areas addressed. Making sure the brain cells are healthy, that debris is not building up between the cells, and having proper firing from the brain to the body are the three secrets to maximizing brain health.

  1. Chang CY1, Ke DS, Chen JY. “Essential fatty acids and human brain.”Acta Neurol Taiwan. 2009 Dec;18(4):231-41.
  2. National Institute of Health. “Brain May Flush out Toxins during Sleep.”
    www.NIH.gov. 17 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 July 2016.

About Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder
At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder we are not only concerned about your symptoms, but also you as a person and what is important to you. We know that not everyone’s the same and not everyone has the same goals. It is important to us that we present a chiropractic care plan that works for you and is tailored to you and your health concerns.

We’re a specialty Boulder Chiropractor focused on back pain, neck pain, vertigo, and migraine headaches. Our patients visit our Boulder office from all over Northern Colorado, including, Longmont, Erie, Superior, Lafayette, Niwot, Louisville, Broomfield, and Denver, Colorado.

Contact Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder today to schedule a free evaluation. Specialized upper cervical chiropractic care is by no means a “hail Mary” solution, but if you haven’t yet seen Dr. Bremner, you’re nowhere close to running out of options.