Dr. Lara May

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Is Leaky Brain a Real Thing?

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Your brain is one of the most vital parts of the body, performing important functions, and it needs serious protection. Your brain houses your memories, your communication and language skills, and your ability to move your body. It also controls automatic functions such as breathing, body temperature, and heartbeat.

Despite the brain’s incredible superpowers, there are instances when the brain, as well as the Blood-Brain Barrier—or BBB—is compromised. Leaky brain happens when the protective BBB is breached and naturally occurring substances cross through the walls of the vessels to the brain when they shouldn’t causing various symptoms from mild to severe.

What are the Symptoms of Leaky Brain Syndrome?

  • Headaches

A headache is one of the common signs of a leaky brain. Sometimes the headaches can be unexpected and severe. Studies also revealed that pain associated with these headaches is more intense especially when a person is standing. 

  • Cognitive Decline

This includes memory loss and can happen for various reasons, such as from blood brain barrier dysfunction. Studies have revealed that this dysfunction can contribute to the cognitive decline that is often observed in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

  • Chronic Fatigue

Leaky brain syndrome can lead to tiredness that does not go away even with rest or sleep. It has been discovered that the change in BBB’s permeability may resemble the continuing symptoms and signs of chronic fatigue syndrome.

  • Depression

The breakdown in BBB is often observed in patients with serious psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and depression.

Causes of Leaky Brain Syndrome

If you are suffering from leaky gut, you are more prone to leaky brain syndrome. Things such as gluten and other known food allergies that damage the villi of the small intestine may eventually damage the blood brain barrier, too. Drug and alcohol abuse also poses risks to BBB permeability.

Infections, environmental toxins, and stress also take their toll on the blood brain barrier. There is a substance in the body known as Zonulin that determines the brain and the gut's permeability. Studies revealed that consuming gluten tends to increase Zonulin levels within the body, resulting in elevated permeability on both barriers. This is also common for individuals with gluten sensitivities to develop both leaky brain and leaky gut. 

In order to effectively treat leaky brain, it is important that any issues concerning the gut are addressed due to the connection between the brain and the gut. Gluten must be eliminated from your diet since this increases the permeability of tight junctions, resulting in a broken down BBB.  Food sensitivities are often linked to inflammation in the gut.

Many individuals suffer from leaky brain syndrome.  If you are at risk for developing this, you need to protect your brain. Embrace a healthy lifestyle and engage in activities that promote ideal mental health. There are many effective treatments today that you can consider. I am here for you, just a message or email away. Reach out with your questions. Sign up for a clarity call. Together we will discuss your healing journey, and make an action plan to get you to your goal.

To start today, I have a super easy & approachable 14 day course, that will help you create healthy habits, and rid your body of toxicity and inflammation in a safe and natural way. For the price of 1 meal at a restaurant, you can start changing your life, step-by-step at your own pace over a 2 week period. Check out the 14 Days to Vibrant Health Course here.


Namaste,

-   Dr. Lara

P.S.

Don’t forget! Join me on my Facebook page,  as well as Instagram & Twitter @drlaramay.

PSS be sure to tune in to my podcast on your favorite platform, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean or Anchor.Fm @Light Body Radio to get all the juicy info coming your way in an easily digestible format. I look forward to hearing your feedback, comments, and suggestions.


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