Do you ever feel like your brain is running on low power mode?
Maybe you walk into a room and completely forget why you’re there. Or do you find yourself staring at your computer screen, unable to process the words in front of you? Perhaps you’ve read the same sentence three times and still can’t make sense of it.
If this sounds familiar, know this: It’s not normal, and you don’t have to live with it. Brain fog isn’t just about being busy, getting older, or even early dementia.
It’s a real sign that something is off in your body.
Once you identify the root cause, you can clear the mental clouds and regain your sharp, focused mind.
Let’s dive into the reasons…..
1. Blood Sugar Rollercoaster
Your brain runs on glucose—it’s the fuel for your thinking. But if your blood sugar levels constantly fluctuate, your mental clarity will suffer.
Have you eaten a carb-heavy breakfast, like toast with jam or a processed sugar-laden cereal, and felt great for a short while, only to crash 20 minutes later?
Or indulged in an afternoon sugary snack, only to feel sluggish and unfocused right when you need to power through?
What you can do to remedy it:
- Eat balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and fibre from fruits and vegetables.
- Swap processed breakfasts for options like eggs with avocado.
- Add healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds to your meals.
Your brain will thank you for keeping your blood sugar stable!
2. Gut Health & Brain Fog Connection
Your brain and gut are in constant communication through the gut-brain axis, including the vagus nerve.
If your gut is inflamed or you suffer symptoms such as bloating, constipation, or food intolerance, then the signals sent to your brain can leave you feeling foggy and unmotivated.
Since your gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (which keep your mind sharp), an imbalance in gut bacteria can throw off your brain chemistry.
What you can do…
- Support gut health with fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt.
- Eat prebiotic foods like stewed apple, pomegranate, and green banana flour.
- Reduce processed foods that feed harmful gut bacteria.
- Consider a probiotic if you’ve been struggling with digestive issues.
3. Hormone Imbalance & Brain Fog
Hormones play a massive role in brain function—especially estrogen.
Have you ever felt mentally sluggish before your period, during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause? Your hormones may be the culprit.
- Low estrogen can make you feel sluggish and forgetful.
- Too much estrogen (in relationship to progesterone) can leave you feeling scattered and anxious.
What you can do…..
- Include hormone-balancing foods like flax seeds, green leafy veggies, and sweet potatoes.
- Incorporate medicinal herbs that support hormone balance. Get qualified advice about the best herbs for you.
- Prioritise rest and stress management to support hormonal stability.
4. Stress & Cortisol Effects On Your Brain
Cortisol, your primary stress hormone, helps you handle pressure. But when stress becomes constant, your body doesn’t get the chance to relax and repair.
Chronic stress can:
- Shrink the part of your brain called the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory.
- Affecting the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and planning, leads to difficulties in concentration.
- Disrupt your sleep quality, which is crucial for memory consolidation and learning.
What you can do…..
- Breathwork: Try the 4-4-4-4 breathing technique (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4).
- Include magnesium-rich foods (like coconut water, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds) to help your nervous system relax.
- Daily meditation (even just 5 minutes) can help lower cortisol and improve mental clarity.
5. Brain Inflammation & Fog
Chronic inflammation can interfere with brain function, making it feel like you’re trying to think in a smoky room.
Common Triggers:
- Processed foods (high in sugar and trans fats)
- Environmental toxins (including chemicals in personal care products)
- Food intolerances (like dairy and gluten)
- Poor sleep and chronic stress
What you can do…
- Cut back on processed, sugar-laden foods.
- Identify and eliminate food intolerances that cause bloating or fatigue.
- Reduce exposure to toxins and chemicals in household and beauty products.
- Prioritise quality sleep to support brain repair.
Brain Fog Isn’t a Life Sentence
Brain fog isn’t something you have to accept. It’s your body’s way of waving a white flag, signalling that something needs attention.
Whether it’s your blood sugar, gut health, hormones, stress, or inflammation—there’s always a root cause.
And once you find it, you can regain your mental clarity and focus.
If you’re ready to clear the fog and feel sharp again, I’d love to support you. Book a personalised consultation with me to uncover what’s holding you back and create a plan tailored to your needs.
Not quite ready for a session? No problem—I’d be happy to share my Brain Clarity Checklist, packed with simple, effective steps to get your mind back on track. Just reach out, and I’ll send it your way!
You deserve to feel clear, focused and energised every single day.
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
