Brain Balance
and Functional Medicine
Balancing the brains neurochemistry is vital to one’s health since the brain controls every other part of the body. Brain disorders have continued to rise and there continues to be searches for cures.
Depression and Anxiety
Nearly 20 % of the population suffers with anxiety and depression. 1 in 6 Americans are taking psychiatric medication. Woman are twice as likely to have it than men. The causes are generally associated with neurotransmitter imbalance including serotonin and dopamine.
Memory
Brain fog and dementia are often associated with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or poor nerve cell function.
Autoimmune diseases
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. The causative mechanisms have been associated with brain plaques
malfunctioning tau proteins, glial cell activation and inflammation in the brain. A common drug is memantine that can produce side effects such as headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and even confusion. Another common drug is Cholinesterase Inhibitors that may affect sleep, may cause bleeding and slowing of the heart. The effectiveness of these drugs is not considered impressive. They generally do not address the root cause of the condition.
Check out how functional medicine helps AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease affects a middle part of the brain that has to do with many functions including body movements, emotions and learning. Symptoms of difficult body movements specifically a resting tremor, anxiety or apathetic feeling may develop.
Multiple sclerosis
Symptoms may include muscle weakness, numbness, bladder incontinence, loss of vision, pain and spasm, loss of libido, lack of balance and decreased mental acuity. MS is when the immune system attacks its own insulating layer of the nerves (much like the plastic on an electrical wire). The symptoms depend on what nerves the immune system is attacking.
Seizure disorders
Epilepsy is diagnosed typically when two unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring greater than 24 hours apart.
disturbances in electrical activity of the central nervous system (brain, neurons and spinal cord). It’s believed that some of the reasons that someone might develop epilepsy include Trauma, tumors, stroke, genetic predisposition, nutrient deficiencies, neurotransmitter signaling irregularity, infection, fever, drugs, stress, toxicity.
The Second Brain
The digestive system is considered the second brain since there is such an extensive network of nerves in the intestines. Digestive problems are strongly linked with brain disorders. Solving DIGESTIVE ISSUES can be a significant piece of the brain puzzle.
Functional Medicine Approach
An effective FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE approach towards improving one’s brain condition entails looking at the factors that are driving the condition, triggering it or making it worse. Whether it’s root cause is CHRONIC PAIN and inflammation/oxidative stress or due to pathogens, toxicity, trauma, BLOOD SUGAR, HORMONE IMBALANCE or circulation problems or a combination, the key is in this deeper dive focus towards true underlying factors. Holistically targeting specific nutrient deficiencies or toxicities certainly cannot guarantee a cure but it can often at least improved the quality of ones life and potentially enhance longevity.