Americans are increasingly at risk for a number of serious medical conditions that affect the brain. For example, it’s estimated that 30% to 50% of Americans will develop Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairments by age 85, and one in four adults currently suffers from anxiety, depression or other psychiatric disorders.
What’s going on? While researchers have identified a variety of factors, such as genetics, nutritional deficiencies and a sedentary lifestyle, that may be contributing to these brain disorders, a growing body of scientific evidence now implicates potentially brain-damaging substances (neurotoxins) that most people encounter in their day-to-day lives.
These so-called “brain pollutants” can impair the functioning of mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells. Mitochondrial damage has been linked to dementia as well as depression. The same neurotoxins also can produce inflammation, impair immunity and disrupt hormonal functions — all of which can hinder brain function.
Among the most dangerous…
Acetaminophen. High doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol or Panadol, for example) deplete glutathione, an antioxidant that acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and protects the brain from oxidative injury and toxins. This medication generally is an issue only when used regularly (more than once or twice weekly) — for chronic joint pain, for example.
My advice: For joint pain, try nondrug methods, including eating three servings weekly of cold-water fish (such as wild salmon and sardines), which provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help build cartilage and curb inflammation. If these approaches don’t work, you may need tests to help identify an unsuspected cause of joint pain (such as allergens).
Antacids. Antacids reduce the body’s ability to fully digest protein and absorb minerals and vitamin B-12, which can lead to fatigue and cognitive declines. These effects can occur if you use antacids regularly (more than once or twice weekly).
My advice: Manage heartburn with natural methods — for example, do not eat within three hours of bedtime… and reduce consumption of foods and substances that tend to increase heartburn, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy, citrus, fried or tomato-based foods. If you don’t get relief, ask your doctor about testing for Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which can lead to heartburn-like symptoms.
Gluten. A protein found in wheat, barley, rye and in some oats (which may be contaminated by wheat) — as well as in many processed foods, including some types of ice cream, soup, salad dressing and beer — gluten is one of the most common brain toxins. In some people, it triggers brain inflammation. Gluten also contains glutamate, a molecule that overstimulates neurons and causes premature cell death.
A review article published in The New England Journal of Medicine identified 55 conditions that have been linked to gluten, including dementia, neuropathy (nerve damage), anxiety and depression.
Self-test: Avoid all gluten for three months. Then, eat gluten-containing foods for several days. If you notice an increase in fatigue, depression or “brain fog” (inability to concentrate), you’re probably sensitive to gluten and will need to avoid it altogether.
My advice: In addition to eliminating gluten from your diet, take zinc supplements (20 mg to 40 mg daily)*… glutamine (3 g to 5 g daily)… omega-3 fatty acids (2 g to 3 g daily)… gamma linolenic acid (1 g to 2 g daily)… and curcumin (500 mg twice a day). This regimen, followed for three to six months, will help repair damage to the gut caused by gluten.
Mercury. It’s an endocrine (hormone) disruptor that also increases mitochondrial death and reduces the brain’s ability to respond to dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in mood and cognitive functions.
Enormous amounts of mercury are released into the atmosphere as industrial by-products. A diet high in large fish, such as tuna, swordfish and bluefish, causes significant levels of exposure. The mercury in amalgam dental fillings gradually vaporizes and gets into the body’s tissues (although many people naturally excrete the mercury that is absorbed). There is no safe level of mercury.
My advice for all adults…
Don’t eat large fish. They have the highest concentration of mercury. Only eat seafood that is small enough to fit in a frying pan, such as sardines, flounder, trout, mackerel and herring.
Follow a daily metal-chelating regimen. In addition to a daily multivitamin, take 500 mg to 1,000 mg of vitamin C… 10 mg to 30 mg of zinc… and 100 micrograms (mcg) to 200 mcg of selenium.
If you have unexplained fatigue, memory loss or depression…
Get tested for mercury toxicity. The test involves ingesting a chelating (binding) agent in pill form, then measuring the amount of mercury excreted in the urine over a 24-hour period.
If your mercury levels are high, your doctor may recommend a chelating agent, such as DMSA, that promotes mercury excretion from the body. Chelation therapy typically lasts three to 24 months, depending on the patient’s mercury levels. Testing can be repeated every three to six months.
Processed sugar. The average American consumes 158 pounds of sugar a year. Dietary sugars react with proteins and form plaques that damage brain cells. Some researchers refer to Alzheimer’s disease as “type 3 diabetes” because elevated blood sugar greatly increases the risk for dementia. In fact, people with type 2 diabetes have four times the risk for Alzheimer’s as those without diabetes. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup, in particular, has been linked to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
My advice: Avoid processed foods. Thousands of these foods, including ketchup and salad dressings, contain added sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup. A small amount of sugar (one to three teaspoons daily) usually is not a problem.
Dangerous mold. Mold toxins (mycotoxins) are powerful neurotoxins. A 2003 study published in Archives of Environmental Health reported that 70% of people whose homes contained toxic molds showed symptoms of brain damage, including short-term memory loss. Molds can grow anywhere there is moisture, including on shower curtains, under appliances and in basements. Red flags: A musty smell, discolored patches on walls or tiles or a greenish-black slime in damp areas.
My advice: Repair water leaks promptly. Maintain an indoor humidity level of no more than 50%. To monitor indoor humidity, buy a hygrometer, available at hardware stores for about $20.
If mold is present, clean the areas with a solution of one-half cup of bleach in a gallon of water. For extensive mold, call a contractor with experience in mold removal.
Also helpful: The prescription drug cholestyramine (Questran). Sometimes used to lower cholesterol levels, it helps remove toxins from the body. The drug is prescribed “off-label” (for a use that has not been FDA-approved) for mold toxicity and should be taken only under a doctor’s supervision. Treatment usually lasts for one month.
*Do not exceed 40 mg daily of zinc from supplements and diet without a doctor’s supervision. Higher doses can cause gastrointestinal distress… or copper deficiency (if taken long term).
