Brain Fog

[UKcheetah]

Not sure exactly where to post this but... I've experienced the odd bout of 'brain fog' for years. It feels as though you've just woken up, or had a couple of drinks. For the past week I've had this sensation constantly... I can train, but sprinting intensity is dampened, strength in the gym is fine. The docs have done a blood test and I'm waiting on the results.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? I've done some internet searching and it seems that a candida overgrowth in my gut following antibiotics is a possible cause.

[Chris6878]

Hmmm, try nootropics. They are brain drugs. I take oxiractam and alpha gpc.

[CJenks]

Check your diet. I had what you describe of brain fog for years as I was training as an endurance athlete and eating loads of carbs and minimal fat. It kept my weight down, but I suffered from brain fog. I finally figured out with help that I am more productive with more fats and protein in my diet and the brain fog is gone. It really requires some fine tuning of macronutrients you consume. Charlie

[Angela Coon]

Just wondering if you have had any concussions?
I tried a high protein , low carb diet too but I just could not train to save my life. CJenks I could only do it for 2 months and had to stop. Geez i dont know how you did that for years...
I do not know a lot about it but I have a long standing client who recently got a surprise hit to the head. The person described the symptoms as a brain fog.
My only other piece of advice is no one will advocate for you better than you. If you have some issue and you don't know what it is do what ever you are able to figure it out and get the tests you need.

[lr1400]

L-Tyrosine and lots of it. Plus some acetyl carnitine, lots of it too.

[adonail]

have those episodes since 2008, hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia

[ollie]

Try eliminating gluten

[UKcheetah]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.

I'm currently still waiting on my blood tests. In the meantime I'm following a 'candida diet'... I figured I haven't got much to lose as it's a low carb diet, gluten free, and I've still got quality sources of protein. I'll gradually introduce anti-fungals and probiotics if the blood tests don't reveal anything.

I've ordered some acetyl-carnitine, and glutamine. I have some alpha-GPC and L-Tyrosine left. So I'll try and use these to clear my head before my next competition. Which happens to be the British university's champs in the olympic stadium!

Obviously it's all rather frustrating, as the candida overgrowth theory isn't fully understood by doctors, and it's a shot in the dark. But I took two courses of Flucloxacillin, which didnt clear up an infected cut (it eventually cleared itself)... This antibiotic is known for causing thrush in various places, which is candida fungus.

[star61]

Check your diet. I had what you describe of brain fog for years as I was training as an endurance athlete and eating loads of carbs and minimal fat. It kept my weight down, but I suffered from brain fog. I finally figured out with help that I am more productive with more fats and protein in my diet and the brain fog is gone. It really requires some fine tuning of macronutrients you consume. Charlie

I second this post. Insulin has a mind numbing effect. Energy may seem normal, but mentally and emotionally you can still feel numb. Do you carb load before workouts or eat a lot of high glycemic carbs in general? For kicks, try a low glycemic diet for at least 10 days. Don't worry if your initial energy levels drop off. Stick with it for 10 days and see what impact the low glycemic diet has on mental faculties. If it improves, then you will need to learn to monitor carb intake more closely.

[UKcheetah]

I've tried to eat only low GI carbs for years, most of the time.

I'm swaying towards the conclusion that this is a virus, my blood tests came back good, but my glands are up in my neck and im getting a couple of tell-tale aches I associate with colds and flu. But I've had the fog for over two weeks now, I've not had a virus with this shelf-life since I had mumps as a teenager.

The 'fog' I describe is odd also, my cognition doesn't seem to be that badly affected. But it's a spaced feeling, much like when you first get out of bed and your vision isn't focused in. Very odd. Hopefully it'll run it's course. But in the meantime I'm eating as healthily as possible and keeping my legs ticking over with the odd grass acceleration and some light full squats.