When it comes to chronic health issues lurking beneath the surface, very few people are aware of something folks in the medical community called “leaky brain.” Yet, as is the case with any brain-related health matter, it’s a serious issue that requires targeted treatment. If you’re one of the thousands (and perhaps millions) of people with a leaky brain, you need to do something about it.
What is Leaky Brain?
Leaky brain – as revolting as the term is – describes the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and the negative effects that stem from this deterioration. Thus, in order to understand what a leaky brain is, you have to begin by familiarizing yourself with the concept of the blood-brain barrier.
According to InVite Health, “The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective permeable barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain. It is simply the protective shield that surrounds your brain. It is formed by brain endothelial cells and allows the passage of water and selective transport of molecules such as glucose and amino acids that are crucial to the internal function while protecting against the transport of toxic substances.”
Over time, the blood-barrier can be broken down by numerous factors. These include things like high blood pressure, infections, inflammation, radiation, endothelial dysfunction, prescription medications, and nutritional deficiencies.
When the blood-brain barrier is disrupted, leaky brain ensues. This allows harmful substances into the brain – including inflammation – and makes an individual more susceptible to cognitive issues and (perhaps) certain mental illnesses.
4 Tips for Enhancing Your Blood-Brain Barrier
The good news is that you can enhance and strengthen your blood-brain barrier, which can help prevent and overcome a leaky brain. Here are some healthy suggestions:
- Get More Sleep
According to one study, sleep deprivation negatively impacts the blood-brain barrier. Getting adequate sleep not only counteracts the deterioration of the blood-brain barrier, but it also restores it to its baseline. In particular, the study found that, at the end of a six-day period of sleep deprivation, it takes 24 hours of recovery sleep to repair the system.
- Heal Your Gut
As we now know through modern research, what happens in the gut directly impacts what occurs in the brain. If you want to heal a leaky brain, it starts with healing your gut. Bad bacteria must be ousted and the number of good bacteria must be increased.
You can increase the number of good bacteria by eating more prebiotic fiber and resistant starch. It’s also highly encouraged that you take a high-quality probiotic and consume fermented foods on a regular basis.
- Avoid Gluten
Many experts on the leaky brain are adamant about the fact that gluten impairs the brain and negatively impacts overall mental health. Thus, if you struggle with chronic issues in these departments, a strict gluten-free diet is bound to help.
While most believe gluten-free diets are only for people with celiac disease, this is only one use case. The fact is that gluten increases the zonulin protein in the body, which is directly responsible for contributing to both leaky brain and leaky gut. Removing gluten from your diet counteracts this neuroinflammation.
- Consume These Nutrients
It’s not all about what you can’t eat. What you do eat is equally important. Consuming adequate amounts of resveratrol, curcumin, vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, and Omega 3 fatty acids is important.
Stop Procrastinating
When your car breaks down, what do you do? You take it into your mechanic and get it fixed, of course. When your refrigerator stops working, what’s your immediate response? You call a repair service in to fix or replace the faulty appliance. But when your body shows signs of breaking down, why is it that you delay immediate medical care?
It’s time to stop procrastinating and pretending like nothing is going on. If you exhibit signs and symptoms of a leaky brain, it’s imperative that you start making wise decisions that strengthen the blood-brain barrier and restore proper health. Stop waiting and take action!
