Brain fog and Menopause: How to stay sharp
Brain fog is something that can plague our lives as we reach menopause, slowing down our processing and making every day functioning difficult. But what actually is it?
Brain fog is a colloquial term that describes ‘cognitive impairment’. It can be quite scary to realise that you're not functioning as well as you're used to, leading to worries about brain health and overall wellbeing. Brain fog covers multiple symptoms, such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, confusion and trouble paying attention. As we reach menopause and our hormones change, our brains struggle to be fuelled, leading to cognitive difficulties. Luckily though, this is not a permanent change. By fuelling our brains we can restore our natural levels of cognition.
Tips for managing brain fog throughout menopause
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Eating a balanced diet
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Managing your stress
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Discuss hormone replacement with your doctor
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Try incorporating adaptogens such as Lions Mane from our Yumy Mind bar
Antioxidants and Menopause
Antioxidants are often overlooked when it comes to supporting brain health and function, but they can be a key tool to protect your cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are cells that are missing electrons, so they steal electrons from other cells. This can lead to damage, and is a big cause of premature ageing and disease.
To neutralise free radicals, antioxidants give away their electrons, saving your body’s cells from damage, so adding antioxidants into your diet can help to preserve your cells’ health, reducing risks of disease and premature ageing.
Antioxidants can be found from a range of sources, some tastier than others. For example, lots of berries like strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are high in vitamin C, a key antioxidant. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach are also high in antioxidants, which are great if you want to feel like you’re eating healthy.
But what if you want a little treat that is still good for you? Dark chocolate (the same chocolate we use in our Yumy bars) is high in antioxidants, since the cacao it’s made from is a fruit. One study even found that it was higher in antioxidants than other fruits like berries! So you can get your dose of antioxidants AND your daily chocolate fix, all in one bite!
Flavonoids
Another hidden benefit of dark chocolate is the flavonoids. Not heard of them before? Neither had we! Flavonoids are a natural chemical compound that can help the body in many ways. Flavonoids have been found to do the following
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Help lower blood pressure
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Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke
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Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
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Reduce inflammation
So overall, incorporating dark chocolate into your diet in moderation can provide a wealth of benefits, especially if you make a swap between milk to dark chocolate. The added Lion’s mane in our Mind bars can bring you even further benefits.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane has grown hugely in popularity in recent years, helped no doubt by its feature on Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm. While there have been very few scientific studies (as there always are with women’s health issues), many women have anecdotally found that adding Lion’s Mane into their diet has helped to ease menopause symptoms. One study found that Lion’s Mane helped menopausal women to feel less frustrated, improved their sleep quality and helped them concentrate.
Lion’s Mane has also been shown to have an anti-coagulative effect, which can help reduce risk of blood clots. This does however mean that if you are taking prescribed anti-coagulative medication, you should absolutely consult your doctor before adding Lion's Mane to your diet, as too much anticoagulant can lead to problems with bleeding.
The effects Lion’s Mane have on the brain have been studied and had overwhelmingly positive outcomes. One study found that Lion’s Mane was significantly ‘neuroprotective’, meaning that it helped to protect brain cells from damage, which can then lead to better mental function.
Another study found that Lion’s Mane can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, something that we all could suffer from at some point in life, but especially as we deal with the hormonal changes that come with Menopause. The study found that Lion’s Mane has a positive effect on the Hippocampus - an area of our brain that deals with emotions and memory processing.
Conclusion
It's important to remember that not all effects of menopause will last forever. While you're probably not feeling your best right now, looking after yourself and getting in tune with your health can help you to restore your body’s natural functioning. Brain fog is not a permanent condition, and incorporating a Yumy Mind bar into your diet, to get your daily dose of Lion’s Mane, could help your brain function faster and clearer.
