If you are like most people, you have had days where your brain has felt a little foggy. Days where you can't quite focus on the task at hand, or when your'e just having a little trouble remembering things. What causes days like these, and is there anything to do to prevent them?
These questions can be answered in many ways, some are more difficult than others. The symptoms I mentioned before could be related to many conditions. From genetics, which is difficult to try and treat naturally, to something as simple as your diet.
Because of the fact that diet and lack of nutrition is the more common factor, I will go over that in detail. Those who suffer from these symptoms because of genetic neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease may find it harder to ease their symptoms naturally compared to those whose symptoms come from nutritional deficiencies.
So, what can these people do that are suffering from lack of focus, or a foggy mind and memory? It all starts with what you eat. Some people practicing plant based diets can find themselves with bouts of brain fog. This is mainly due to the fact that they are deficient in important nutrients like iron and B vitamins, which are prevalent in meat.
Don't worry plant based friends! There are ways to make sure you are getting the nutrients that you need without eating a steak! Plant superfoods like the single-celled green algae called "Chlorella" are packed full of nutrients normally only found in meat. One ounce of chlorella contains 16g of protein, 287% RDA of Vitamin A, 71% RDA of Vitamin B2, 33% RDA of Vitamin B3, 202% RDA of Iron, 22% RDA of Magnesium and 133% RDA of Zinc!
Chlorella is 50-60% complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids. This is a plant protein powerhouse! This algae also contains lesser amount of other vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C which helps your body absorb the Iron present in chlorella that I mentioned previously. These vitamins, minerals and complete protein, along with the wide variety of antioxidants present in chlorella, make it a true superfood indeed!
Spirulina is another great nutrient dense single celled microbe or cyanobacteria that is often referred to as blue-green algae. Spirulina was consumed by the ancient Aztecs but became popular again when NASA proposed that it could be grown in space for use by astronauts. A standard does is normally 1-3g, but doses of up to 10g have been used effectively.
Just like chlorella, spirulina is packed with nutrients. A single tablespoon or 7g of dried spirulina powder contains 4g of protein, 11% RDA of Vitamin B1, 15% RDA of Vitamin B2, 4% RDA of Vitamin B3, 21% RDA of Copper and 11% RDA of Iron. It also contains decent amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese, along with trace amounts of almost every other nutrient you need. Gram for gram, spirulina may be the single most nutritious food on the planet!
Once you cover the basics like nutritional deficiencies, you can then expand into superfood and herbal supplementation to take your brain gains to the next level! These superfoods and herbs have been used in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal practices for thousands of years.
Among these ancient medicines are the medicinal mushrooms. These are edible mushrooms that are very nutrient dense and have medicinal properties. A wide variety of these mushrooms have been used to treat all kinds of ailments and boost overall health and vitality!
Cordyceps are one these medicinal mushrooms. While they provide a wide array of health benefits, the ability to prevent cell death and memory loss may be one of the most intriguing. This happens because of the increase in antioxidants that cordyceps provide.
These mushrooms are a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects. When these fungi attack their host, they replace its tissue and sprout long, slender stems that grow outside the host’s body. The remains of the insect and fungi have been hand-collected, dried and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat aging, fatigue, sickness, kidney disease, low sex drive and more!
Next up is a powerful herb called "rhodiola rosea" This herb is often used in Chinese medicine to promote well-being and healthy brain function. Rhodiola grows in cold, mountainous regions of Europe, Asia, and high altitudes in the Arctic. People in these northern regions have used rhodiola for anxiety, fatigue, anemia, impotence, infections, headache, and depression related to stress. It has also been used to increase physical endurance, work performance, longevity, and improve resistance to high-altitude sickness.
Today, people use rhodiola as dietary supplement to increase energy, stamina and strength. This heroic herb has also been shown to improve attention and memory, fight off fatigue and enhance the ability to cope with stress. In a similar study, 100 people with chronic fatigue symptoms received 400 mg of rhodiola every day for eight weeks. They experienced significant improvements in stress symptoms, fatigue, quality of life, mood and concentration.
This medicinal plant still packs more power! Rhodiola has been shown to improve brain function in various ways, including it's ability to fight off mental fatigue. One study tested its effects on mental fatigue in 56 physicians working night duty. The physicians were randomly assigned to receive either 170 mg of rhodiola or a placebo pill per day for two weeks. Rhodiola reduced mental fatigue and improved performance on work-related tasks by 20%, compared to the placebo.
In another study, students experienced significantly reduced mental fatigue, improved sleep patterns and increased motivation to study after taking rhodiola supplements for 20 days. Their exam scores were also 8% higher than those in the placebo group.
The last superfood/herb I will cover is one of my favorites and one of the most well known and studies compounds. Curcuma longa is a member of the ginger family indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, where it is grown commercially. Turmeric is derived from the rhizome (root) of the plant, whose most important commercial application is curry. Preparations made from Curcuma longa have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
This superfood may be taken orally for dyspepsia, liver disease, flatulence, urinary tract disease, and as a “blood purifier” or used topically for a variety of skin ailments. Components of turmeric are currently under investigation as anti-inflammatory agents (particularly in inflammatory bowel disease) and in the treatment and prevention of cancer, HIV infection, myelodysplastic syndromes, and cystic fibrosis.
Several animal studies suggest that this agent may reduce of oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in Alzheimer transgenic mice and may modulate of amyloid-induced cytopathology or macrophage processing of amyloid. This is awesome research being done on one of the most powerful plant medicines known to man! Not only is turmeric great for inflammation, infections and purifying blood, but it could also help prevent or treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease!
Wow, that is a lot of info to take in. So much that it might leave you wondering where to start on your road to a better brain and clearer mind? Have no fear! Thats why these great supplements come into play!
Here at Organic Muscle we pride ourselves on providing you with the best organic health and fitness supplements on the market. This means that we take the time to source organic, eco-friendly herbs and superfoods to provide you with the proper nutrients for your body, the way mother nature intended!
First things first. We need to make sure to cover any nutritional gaps that may be causing your brain fog. Luckily our "Organic Replenisher" contains those superfoods chlorella, spirulina and turmeric. You now know of the benefits these superfoods bring to the table, and due to there nutrient density, this supplement should help fill any nutritional gap, providing a brain boost along the way. It is also an excellent source of electrolytes which allow you to beat the heat, hydrate and repeat!
Next up is our "Organic Pre-Workout!" This organic energy boosting supplement utilizes the powerful cordyceps mushroom and rhodiola to give you the energy and focus needed to take your workouts to the next level! This supplement isn't just for the gym either! Anyone and everyone can take advantage of this all natural, chemical free, organic energy supplement! I mean, with the studies that prove the benefits of these herbs, why wouldn't you want to try it?
As mentioned in a previous article, many energy drinks and generic fitness supplements contain harmful chemical additives, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Not to mention the loads of sugar present in these products! These are all things you will never find in products with the Organic Muscle label. Thats our promise to you, guaranteed!
Our new "Organic Superfood Reds" supplement also contains the brain boosting cordyceps and rhodiola root combo, along with many other superfoods, fruits and herbs that can promote energy, focus, digestion, as well as support a healthy metabolism and immune system. One scoop of this amazing Organic Superfood Reds has enough nutrients to make you feel like Superman in no time!
These are just a few ways you can try to eliminate your brain fog and unlock your brains plant powered potential! While there are many other methods of increasing your brain power naturally, such as exercise, nutrition and supplementation is always a great starting point. You can then build from there and see where you end up down the path to a healthier, happier life!
