Brain Fog & Your Metabolism
If you find yourself feeling groggy, confused or feel like you have a lack of mental clarity, you could be suffering from brain fog. Brain fog may also be related to your metabolism.
If you find yourself feeling groggy, confused or feel like you have a lack of mental clarity, you could be suffering from brain fog. Brain fog may also be related to your metabolism. Your metabolism controls several things in your body including body temperature, brain function, muscle contraction, waste elimination, food digestion and breathing. If an underlying medical condition is affecting your metabolism, you could experience brain fog.
Malaise
Brain fog is a term used for not having a clear and crisp frame of mind. Brain fog is not considered a clinical diagnosis or medical term but rather a reference to a psychological or physical symptom. Malaise is a medical term used to describe an overall feeling of illness, lack of well-being or discomfort, and may also be used in conjunction with brain fog when documenting symptoms. If your malaise or brain fog is accompanied by other symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, sleepiness and inability to complete usual activities, your metabolism may also be affected. A CMP blood test or comprehensive metabolic panel may be requested by your doctor in order to pinpoint the cause of the brain fog.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is also referred to as having an underactive thyroid. Your thyroid gland is responsible for converting iodine into the main thyroid hormones -- triiodothyronine T3 and thyroxine T4. These hormones are responsible for your metabolism or the conversion of calories and oxygen to energy. There are several symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, muscle pain, weakness and weight gain. Brain fog can also be a symptom because a sluggish thyroid can slow down speech, cause depression and make you feel slowed down. Treatment usually requires a healthy diet, exercise and taking a thyroid replacement hormone to bring levels into the normal range.
Hypoglycemia
Brain fog can also be a sign that your blood glucose levels are low. This condition is called hypoglycemia. Symptoms could be lethargy, extreme tiredness, dizziness, disturbed vision, tachycardia, nervousness, shakiness and syncope. Your brain has trouble functioning when blood glucose is too low and your metabolism as well as other body functions may be working in excess to meet the demands of the sudden release of insulin in the body. Causes of hypoglycemia include diabetes, alcohol consumption, endocrine deficiencies, critical illness and eating disorders. Treatment may include diet and lifestyle changes and treating any underlying illness or condition.
Poor Diet
If you find yourself consuming a poor diet or not getting the nutrition you need on a daily basis, you could experience brain fog. A poor diet and eating irregularly can lead to a fluctuation in your metabolism. When you don't eat frequently or intake many calories each day, your metabolism will start to stall -- your body may begin to use its own muscle to produce energy. Feeling tired, weak and unable to focus -- symptoms of brain fog can occur. Regular exercise at least five times a week and eating from each of the main food groups including lean protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy can help you maintain a healthy diet and a metabolism and avoid brain fog.