What Causes Memory Loss And How To Avoid Brain Fog
Memory loss, also known as amnesia, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Exactly what causes memory loss is a complicated issue, as there are many factors at play. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of memory loss and some natural solutions to avoid brain fog.
What Causes Memory Loss?
As we age, our brain cells start to deteriorate, inevitably leading to memory loss. Certain medical conditions like dementia and depression are known to cause memory loss. Some medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants interfere with the brain’s ability to store and retrieve memories. Not getting enough quality sleep impairs cognitive function and affects memory.1
What Causes Memory Loss – Mercury
Mercury is a highly toxic substance that has harmful effects on our health, including memory loss. Mercury is a neurotoxin, which means it damages the nervous system. When mercury enters the body, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the brain. Once in the brain, it damages brain cells and disrupts their function, leading to various neurological problems.
One of the areas that are most affected by mercury is the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for memory formation and retrieval. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of mercury causes structural changes in the hippocampus and impairs its function, resulting in memory loss.2
Fish tend to accumulate mercury in their tissues. The larger and older the fish, the more mercury it is likely to contain. Avoid consuming fish contaminated by mercury.
Mercury is also used in industries such as mining, battery production, and chlorine manufacturing. If you live or work near these areas, you are exposed to higher levels of mercury through air pollution.
Silver dental amalgam fillings contain about 50% mercury. Mercury evaporates from these filling and crosses into the brain. I know this from experience, as mercury from dental fillings accumulated in my hypothalamus, causing brain fog, multiple chemical sensitivity, and autoimmune conditions.3
Read more about my story.
What Causes Brain Fog – Aluminum
Aluminum is a chemical element found naturally in the earth’s crust. It is commonly used in various industries and can be found in everyday items such as cookware, soda cans, antacids, baking powder, and even some medications. Excessive exposure to aluminum has serious consequences on our health.
One of the main ways aluminum affects the brain is by disrupting the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is responsible for protecting the brain from harmful substances, but aluminum weakens it and allows toxic elements to enter the brain. This leads to inflammation and damage to brain cells, resulting in brain fog.
Moreover, studies have shown that high levels of aluminum in the body also interfere with neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers responsible for communication between brain cells. When these neurotransmitters are disrupted, it impacts cognitive function and contributes to brain fog.
Another concerning aspect of aluminum’s effect on the brain is its ability to accumulate in the body over time. This means that even small amounts of exposure throughout our lifetime add up and result in serious health issues.4
To reduce our exposure to aluminum, we must be mindful of the products we use and try to limit our exposure to aluminum-containing items. For example, opting for stainless steel or glass cookware instead of aluminum makes a difference. Reading labels on medication, antiperspirants, and avoiding antacids containing aluminum also helps.
Removing Heavy Metals From The Brain
The first months of the Pompa Program focus on reducing cellular membrane inflammation, upregulating cellular function, and optimizing cellular detox pathways so heavy metals can finally be released from cells. During this time, the focus is on enabling the body to remove and excrete neurotoxins.
During the last, most critical month of the Pompa Program, we switch over to the brain phase. This enables us to pull heavy metals like mercury and aluminum from the brain, removing the underlying factors that are causing memory loss. The brain phase also removes heavy metals from the hypothalamus so this control tower can properly regulate bodily function.
The brain phase lasts far more than one month, as it takes years to fully remove heavy metals from the brain. With the brain phase, we offer the keys to finally getting your memory, and more importantly, your life back.
Learn how I got my life back after I removed mercury from my hypothalamus through the brain phase.
What Causes Memory Loss – Mold Exposure
When mold spores are inhaled, they travel through the body and reach the brain. This causes cerebral inflammation, leading to a range of neurological symptoms including difficulty with memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions.
Additionally, exposure to mold triggers an immune response in the body, causing the release of cytokines and other inflammatory markers. These substances have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause inflammation in the brain, leading to further cognitive impairment.
Mold exposure primarily affects short-term memory and working memory. Short-term memory is responsible for retaining information for a brief period of time, while working memory is used to process and manipulate that information. Mold exposure leads to forgetfulness, difficulty with focus and concentration, and problems with decision-making.
Long-term memory can also be affected by mold exposure, as chronic inflammation in the brain damages neurons and interferes with the formation of new memories. This results in difficulty with recalling past events and information.5
To reduce your risk of mold exposure and memory loss, it’s important to take steps to prevent moisture buildup in your home. This includes fixing leaks, improving ventilation, and keeping indoor humidity levels below 50%. In addition, it’s important to promptly address any water damage or visible mold growth in your home.
Read more about how mold affects health.
What Causes Memory Loss – Hidden Infections
One often overlooked cause of memory loss is hidden infections within the body. These infections can be bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature and often go undetected for months or even years. In some cases, these infections do not produce any noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to pinpoint their presence.
When the body is fighting off an infection, it produces inflammatory cytokines and other chemicals to help combat the foreign invaders. As inflammatory molecules trigger inflammation in the brain, memory loss is often the result.
Additionally, certain infections directly attack brain cells, causing damage and further contributing to memory impairment. For example, Lyme disease is known to cause neuroinflammation and neurological symptoms such as forgetfulness and cognitive decline.6
There are several types of hidden infections that have been linked to memory loss. Some of the most common ones include urinary tract infections, dental infections like jaw cavitations, sinus infections, and respiratory tract infections.7
These infections are often chronic and recurring, making it difficult for the body to fully recover, resulting in long-term effects on memory.
What Causes Memory Loss – Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid disorders consist of both hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). In hypothyroidism, the body has low levels of thyroid hormones, which slows down brain function and leads to memory problems. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones, which also impacts brain function and leads to memory loss.
Thyroid disorders are often associated with autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. These conditions cause inflammation in the brain and affect cognitive function. This inflammatory process often contributes to memory loss and other cognitive symptoms.8
Read more about toxins that are linked to thyroid disease.
What Causes Brain Fog – Air Pollution
One of the main environmental factors that contribute to brain fog is air pollution. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of air pollutants lead to cognitive impairment, including difficulty with concentration and memory. This is due to the fact that pollutants result in inflammation and oxidative stress.9
What Causes Brain Fog – A Lack Of Vitamin B12
A lack of vitamin B12 leads to a variety of neurological symptoms, including brain fog. This is because vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in the production of myelin, a fatty substance that coats and protects nerve cells. When there is a deficiency of vitamin B12, the production of myelin is affected, leading to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue.
Furthermore, vitamin B12 is also involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a key role in regulating mood. A deficiency in these neurotransmitters contributes to feelings of brain fog and mental exhaustion.
Individuals who follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet are at a higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency as plant-based foods do not contain this vitamin. Additionally, older adults over the age of 50 are also at risk due to decreased production of stomach acid, which is necessary for absorbing vitamin B12.
Individuals with certain medical conditions such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease, which affect the absorption of nutrients, are also at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. Additionally, certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and metformin interfere with the absorption of this vitamin.10
What Causes Brain Fog – A Lack Of Vitamin D
Another environmental factor that contributes to brain fog is insufficient natural light. Sunlight is essential for our bodies to produce vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood and cognitive function. Without enough exposure to natural light, our vitamin D levels become depleted, leading to symptoms of brain fog.11
Read more about the link between low vitamin D levels and autoimmune conditions.
What Causes Memory Loss And How To Avoid Brain Fog
While some causes of memory loss may be out of our control, there are many ways to avoid brain fog and improve our memory. Regular physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and promotes the growth of new brain cells, thereby improving memory. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins B6 and B12 helps protect our brain cells and support memory function.12 13
Furthermore, it is crucial to enhance cellular pathways and mitigate inflammation within the cell membrane to effectively eliminate toxins from the body. Through proactive efforts to optimize cellular health, we can remove neurotoxins from the brain.
Read more about eating healthy for optimal brain health.
References
1 Memory loss: When to seek help. (2024, April 3). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/memory-loss/art-20046326
2 Branco V, Aschner M, Carvalho C. Neurotoxicity of mercury: an old issue with contemporary significance. Adv Neurotoxicol. 2021;5:239-262. doi: 10.1016/bs.ant.2021.01.001. Epub 2021 Feb 2. PMID: 34263092; PMCID: PMC8276940.
3 Jirau-Colón H, González-Parrilla L, Martinez-Jiménez J, Adam W, Jiménez-Velez B. Rethinking the Dental Amalgam Dilemma: An Integrated Toxicological Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Mar 22;16(6):1036. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16061036. PMID: 30909378; PMCID: PMC6466133.
4 Lukiw WJ, Kruck TPA, Percy ME, Pogue AI, Alexandrov PN, Walsh WJ, Sharfman NM, Jaber VR, Zhao Y, Li W, Bergeron C, Culicchia F, Fang Z, McLachlan DRC. Aluminum in neurological disease – a 36 year multicenter study. J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism. 2019;8(6):457. doi: 10.4172/2161-0460.1000457. Epub 2018 Nov 29. PMID: 31179161; PMCID: PMC6550484.
5 Harding CF, Pytte CL, Page KG, Ryberg KJ, Normand E, Remigio GJ, DeStefano RA, Morris DB, Voronina J, Lopez A, Stalbow LA, Williams EP, Abreu N. Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Jul;87:218-228. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.006. Epub 2019 Nov 18. PMID: 31751617; PMCID: PMC7231651.
6 Hündersen F, Forst S, Kasten E. Neuropsychiatric and Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Lyme Disease: A Study of 252 Patients. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Jun 14;9(6):733. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9060733. PMID: 34198647; PMCID: PMC8232147.
7 Muzambi R, Bhaskaran K, Brayne C, Smeeth L, Warren-Gash C. Common bacterial infections and risk of incident cognitive decline or dementia: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 12;9(9):e030874. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030874. PMID: 31515431; PMCID: PMC6747671.
8 Lekurwale V, Acharya S, Shukla S, Kumar S. Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Thyroid Diseases. Cureus. 2023 Jan 20;15(1):e33987. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33987. PMID: 36811059; PMCID: PMC9938951.
9 de Prado Bert P, Mercader EMH, Pujol J, Sunyer J, Mortamais M. The Effects of Air Pollution on the Brain: a Review of Studies Interfacing Environmental Epidemiology and Neuroimaging. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2018 Sep;5(3):351-364. doi: 10.1007/s40572-018-0209-9. PMID: 30008171; PMCID: PMC6132565.
10 Health Quality Ontario. Vitamin B12 and cognitive function: an evidence-based analysis. Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2013 Nov 1;13(23):1-45. PMID: 24379897; PMCID: PMC3874776.
11 Kuźma E, Soni M, Littlejohns TJ, Ranson JM, van Schoor NM, Deeg DJ, Comijs H, Chaves PH, Kestenbaum BR, Kuller LH, Lopez OL, Becker JT, Langa KM, Henley WE, Lang IA, Ukoumunne OC, Llewellyn DJ. Vitamin D and Memory Decline: Two Population-Based Prospective Studies. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(4):1099-108. doi: 10.3233/JAD-150811. PMID: 26836174; PMCID: PMC5525144.
12 Loprinzi PD, Roig M, Etnier JL, Tomporowski PD, Voss M. Acute and Chronic Exercise Effects on Human Memory: What We Know and Where to Go from Here. J Clin Med. 2021 Oct 20;10(21):4812. doi: 10.3390/jcm10214812. PMID: 34768329; PMCID: PMC8584999.
13 Dighriri IM, Alsubaie AM, Hakami FM, Hamithi DM, Alshekh MM, Khobrani FA, Dalak FE, Hakami AA, Alsueaadi EH, Alsaawi LS, Alshammari SF, Alqahtani AS, Alawi IA, Aljuaid AA, Tawhari MQ. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Functions: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 9;14(10):e30091. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30091. PMID: 36381743; PMCID: PMC9641984.
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