Brain Fog And Candida

Brain fog is a very common complaint among those suffering from the yeast syndrome. Several things associated with Candida and poor intestinal flora can make it more difficult to think.

1.    Hypoglycemia. This is commonly associated with Candidia overgrowth. Arabinol and tartaric acid from yeast can contribute to hypoglycemia.

2.    Immune System Alteration. The intestinal flora interacts with your immune system. A component of the immune system called IL-1 can interfere with memory and learning.

3.    Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism. Low thyroid levels reduce your energy and make it difficult to think. High thyroid levels may activate the prefrontal cortex and interfere with attention.

4.    Low Cellular Energy. Fungal toxins like cyclopiazonic acid interfere with cellular energy production. Less cellular energy makes it more difficult to think.

5.    Ammonia. Certain intestinal bacteria can produce a lot of ammonia. Excess ammonia interferes with mitochondrial energy production in the cells. The brain needs energy to function properly. The ammonia will also increase GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

References

1.    Lynch MA. “Interleukin-1 beta exerts a myriad of effects in the brain and in particular in the hippocampus: analysis of some of these actions.” Vitam Horm. 2002;64:185-219. Review

2.    Segman RH, Meltzer A, Gross-Tsur V, Kosov A, Frisch A, Inbar E, Darvasi A, Levy S, Goltser T, Weizman A, Galili-Weisstub E. “Preferential transmission of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist alleles in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” Mol Psychiatry. 2002;7(1):72-4.

3.    Alvarez M, Guell R, Chong D, Rovet J. “Attentional processing in hyperthyroid children before and after treatment.” J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Jul-Aug;9(4):447-54

4.    Reichenberg A, Yirmiya R, Schuld A, et al: Cytokine-associated emotional and cognitive disturbances in humans. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001, 58:445-452. (Low dose Salmonella toxin induced anxiety, depression, and cognition impairment. Psychological changes were correlated with the increase in IL-1, IL-6, and TNF.).

5.    Cohen BI, “The significance of ammonia/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ratio for normality and liver disorders.” Med Hypotheses 2002 Nov;59(6):757-8 Ammonia will raise GABA in the blood. GABA can act as an inhibitor in the brain.

6.    Felipo V, Butterworth RF. “Mitochondrial dysfunction in acute hyperammonemia.” Neurochem Int. 2002 May;40(6):487-91. Review. Ammonia interferes with mitochondrial energy production.

7.    The Great Plains Laboratory website has an article on hypoglycemia and yeast