Kristi Whitley

Healthy Living

 
Age-related brain issues can be just that, age-related. When we hear the term age-related we have now come to think of that as anything post menopausal. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Age-related should be ninety and above. Just because it is “common” doesn’t mean it is “normal”. Be sure to distinguish between the two.

Gut Feeling

Gut health plays a major role in general health and wellbeing and most people only associate it with digestive issues. The truth is the GI tract is the first line of defense in every disease state including mental health. In his book, Wheat Belly, Dr. Davis links depression, anxiety, dementia and schizophrenia to wheat consumption. Wheat causes irritation in the GI tract, which reduces its ability to absorb and utilize nutrients including the B’s. He describes several brain-wheat connections that show themselves in patients 45-55. That's not age-related, it's a coincidence. So you cannot say that wheat has never bothered you before, therefore it can’t be the cause now. 

Probiotics

The GI tract should have well colonized beneficial bacteria. I say “beneficial” because there is a constant battle between the good and the bad bacteria we ingest and that live inside us. Beneficial bacteria aid in digestion of food so that nutrients can be absorbed, aid in generation of nutrients like vitamin B 12, keep the immune system healthy, repair the gut lining, prevent food allergies, regulate bowel function, and keep bad bacteria under control. Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet (SAD) feeds bad bacteria and kills beneficial ones. Coffee, colas, tea, and even green tea are destructive to beneficial bacteria. Bread, wheat, buns, rolls, cakes, cookies, pizza dough, candy, and sweets all feed bad bacteria, which kill beneficial bacteria. Add to that our over use of antibiotics and hand sanitizers. 
 

Not Normal

If you are having trouble remembering names, places, the word you were looking for or are tired and depressed, give some attention to your GI health. It can be as easy as opening a window and breathing some fresh air. Go outside and get your hands dirty. Eat raw vegetables. All these increase the natural bacterial flora of our bodies. Don’t eat wheat or guzzle coffee. The wheat irritates your GI tract, reducing absorption of nutrients and feeds bad bacteria. The tannins in coffee kill beneficial bacteria. Eat oats or rice instead and drink a cup of white tea instead of coffee. All whole unprocessed foods contain b vitamins. Eat your food whole. B 12 can only be obtained from animal foods so supplement if you don’t eat meat. 
 

Eat Probiotics Too

If you are a vegan on a gluten-free diet and don’t drink coffee but still feel you need some help, increase your fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, miso, and unpasteurized pickles or take a high quality probiotic every day. Also, supplement with high quality B vitamins. You should be thinking and communicating clearly within a couple of days.
All the best!
K
 
Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Brain Fog