Brain on fire

Extinguish the flames for better mood, energy, and cognition

WORDS | Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND

Thecomplexities of the human brain can leave both a scientist and layperson a tad awestruck. Research is beginning to highlight the fascinating connections between everyday experiences of fatigue, insomnia, and depression and inflammation in the brain.

Low-grade, systemic inflammation can be simmering unnoticed for years, and eventually target the brain and nervous system in a process known as neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation can cause cognitive changes and increase the risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.

Alleviating chronic inflammation can improve your mental well-being today and preserve your cognitive function in the years to come.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a finely tuned defence system designed to maintain the body’s equilibrium. When the body perceives tissue damage or infection, it triggers inflammation as a protective response. A deep wound in the hand, for instance, causes the body to trigger acute inflammation in the area as a first aid measure.

The redness, swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function in the hand are five hallmark signs and symptoms of acute inflammation. Once the wound is cleaned and stitched, the hand will begin to heal, and the body will turn off the inflammation response.

But if this defence system becomes dysregulated, inflammation can persist for months to years in the absence of an actual threat. Chronic inflammation can be triggered by recurring episodes of acute inflammation, unresolved infections, exposure to harmful physical or chemical compounds, or genetic susceptibility.

Advanced age and deficiencies in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can impair the body’s ability to resolve inflammation.

Silent mode

The sneaky thing about chronic inflammation is that it often goes unnoticed. Unlike the cardinal signs of acute inflammation, the signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation can be subtle and diverse: fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, changes in weight, joint and muscle pain, and frequent infections may indicate chronic inflammation.

Left unchecked, chronic inflammation can reduce life expectancy and contribute to the development of conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, cancer, depression, arthritis, allergies, COPD, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Supplement Effect on neuroinflammation

fish oil has anti-inflammatory effects that may benefit brain function and slow cognitive decline zinc deficiency is associated with an increased susceptibility to chronic inflammation; research suggests zinc is involved in the regulation of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier magnesium deficiency increases pro-inflammatory cytokines; research shows a role for magnesium in the management of migraine, depression, anxiety, and stroke resveratrol modulates the inflammatory response and may be protective in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may be helpful for brain function after concussion vitamin C antioxidant properties maintain proper functioning within the central nervous system and may be helpful in the management of neurodegenerative diseases vitamin D supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive function and behaviour among those with ADHD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder vitamin E plays a role in regulating the central nervous system, and may be helpful in the management of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases selenium deficiency is associated with cognitive decline and increases seizures in epilepsy