Ever since COVID entered the chat back in 2020, the concept of brain fog has gotten some serious attention. It is estimated that around 30% of people who recover from COVID experience brain fog. 

 

You may be surprised to hear, however, that brain fog has been around long before COVID was ever a part of our lives. 

 

Though it wasn’t referred to as “brain fog,” the idea of cognitive impairment is something that, according to the CDC, over 16 million people in the United States suffer from. 

 

Cognitive impairment is defined as “when a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life.” These impairments (or fog as we more commonly know it) vary in severity. Sometimes the fog may present itself as forgetting someone’s name or it may be more serious and present itself as lacking the ability to write. 

 

The more severe cases of cognitive impairment include illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and those require doctor’s care to mitigate the decline of memory. 

 

However, if you are suffering from more mild brain fog, particularly that which results from a case of COVID, then you may be able to turn to supplements.

 

Here we share what supplements you should stock up on to turn that brain fog into clarity. 

 

What is brain fog?

We defined cognitive impairment above, and the more mild concept of brain fog falls under that category. 

 

However, since brain fog isn’t as severe as Alzheimer’s, let’s take a moment to look at this feeling separately. 

 

Brain fog is a general feeling of slow thinking. It may result in the following symptoms:

 

• Impaired decision making
• Struggling to verbalize thoughts
• Slowed reaction time
• Struggles with concentration
• Headache
• Inability to multitask
• Memory issues
• Low physical energy
• Low mental energy
• Mood swings
• Lack of motivation
• Depressed mood

 

COVID isn’t the only cause of brain fog, though it is a major one. A lack of sleep can also cause brain fog as well as being sick. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy may also find themselves experiencing this fog. 

 

Why does brain fog happen?

It’s easy to see the correlation between a lack of sleep and brain fog. According to a recent study, sleep deprivation puts a damper on the communication that happens between brain cells. When this communication is disrupted, memory and visual perception are affected. 

 

By getting enough sleep, you strengthen the communication between the brain cells again and the brain fog goes away.

 

However, when it comes to COVID-related brain fog, the correlation isn’t as clear. But scientists are certainly doing the work to figure it out.

 

They’ve found that it’s likely due to inflammation in the brain caused by the virus. This inflammation also causes a dysregulation in the brain cells similar to what happens with a lack of sleep, which then leads to cognitive impairment, a.k.a. brain fog. 

 

How to get rid of brain fog

Now that you understand more about brain fog, let’s talk about how you can help remedy this frustrating experience. 

 

One of the keys to getting your brain fog under control is to improve your diet. Here’s the best way to do that:

 

• Eat whole foods
• Skip processed foods
• Cut sugar
• Regularly eat dark, leafy greens

 

Another key to kicking your brain fog to the curb is adding some key supplements and vitamins to your daily regimen. 

 

Supplements for brain fog

Here are the top vitamins and supplements for clearing your mind of brain fog. 

 

1. Vitamin C

This vitamin gets all of its love for helping to boost your immune system, but that’s not all it can do. 

 

Studies show that the effects of vitamin C promotes brain health. 

 

2. Magnesium

This trace element is found in a variety of foods, but you may want to supplement it as well to get all of its benefits. 

 

Scientists have found a correlation between low magnesium levels and brain fog. And when those low magnesium levels remained for extended periods of time, they had the potential to increase the likelihood that brain fog would occur again in the future. 

 

3. L-theanine

This adaptogenic herb is known for its ability to increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. The effects of l-theanine work to increase alpha wave activity in the brain, which helps you to feel calmer in both body and mind. 

 

Research shows L-theanine’s promise for brain fog. One study, in particular, found that L-theanine quickened the response time and cognitive ability of patients.

 

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

These nutrients help you to build and maintain and healthy, properly functioning body. On top of that, they also help to reduce inflammation in the body, which we learned above is one of the causes of brain fog. 

 

Studies prove that those who took omega-3 supplements had stronger memory than those who did not.  

 

5. Methylated B complex

Your body relies upon different B vitamins for all kinds of functions including nerve function, thinking, memory, and more. 

 

Thus, if you’re looking to improve your brain fog, you want to add more B-complex vitamins into your life. 

 

And those B complex vitamins should be methylated.

 

What does “methylated” mean and why is it important?

 

Methylated is a form of B supplements that are known as the “active” form, which means they can be directly used by the body right away. Non-methylated B vitamins are still effective, but they first have to be converted into the methylated form by your body. 

 

So, rather than add that step in, make it easy on your body and opt for the methylated version. 

 

Studies show that for the best neurological and physiological function, you need sufficient levels of all eight B vitamins. 

 

6. Vitamin D

This essential nutrient is used by your body to keep your immune system strong as well as to keep your brain health in tip-top shape. 

 

When your vitamin D levels drop, chances are good you’ll feel brain fog come with it. Not only that but, as shown in studies, low levels of vitamin D are also shown in studies to be linked to feelings of depression.

 

To avoid all of that, follow the science that shows that vitamin D supplements can help rid of those feelings of depression that often present themselves as brain fog. 

 

Summary

If you’ve ever experienced brain fog, you know it’s something that you’d like to avoid feeling again. Staying healthy and eating a balanced diet full of whole, unprocessed foods is a great way to keep your brain health in good shape. However, sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can’t escape getting COVID and the brain fog that comes with it. 

 

If you find yourself in a place with brain fog (or are looking to keep it from happening if possible), then turn to the following supplements to help fight the fog:

 

• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• L-theanine
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Methylated B-complex
• Vitamin D