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Functional Neurology: Causes and Symptoms of a Leaky Brain

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Our brain is a complex organ that controls many essential functions in our body. Therefore, brain health is vital for our survival. This is where the blood-brain barrier comes in. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a group of cells held together by β€œtight junctions” that protect the brain from potentially harmful components in the bloodstream. This security system only permits passage to certain molecules and keeps most other chemicals or substances out.

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Understanding a Leaky Brain

If damage due to an injury or underlying condition occurs, small gaps can start to develop in the tight junctions of the group of cells in the brain and potentially harmful components in the bloodstream can ultimately penetrate the BBB and enter the complex organ. This is known as a β€œleaky brain”. Several chemicals or substances can commonly cause brain inflammation. Research studies have demonstrated a connection between gut health and brain health. As a matter of fact, scientists have also determined that our gut microbiome, or the bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, can affect our brain. Β 

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The stomach and small intestine consist of a group of cells like the blood-brain barrier that also protects the gut from potentially harmful components in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Similar factors that cause a leaky gut can cause a leaky brain, including poor diet, food sensitivities or intolerances, infections, and toxins. Research studies have demonstrated that a protein found in wheat and gluten, known as gliadin, can increase the production of another protein known as zonulin. Zonulin can cause the tight junctions of the gut and BBB to become loose or broken, leading to a leaky brain and a leaky gut. Β 

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Causes of a Leaky Brain

As previously mentioned above, a leaky gut is one of the most well-known causes of a leaky brain. Infections, autoimmune diseases, mental health issues, and stress or vagus nerve dysfunction are common factors that may also affect the blood-brain barrier. However, inflammation is generally the source of the problem in most of these brain and gut health issues. Below, we will discuss several factors that can ultimately cause a leaky brain in further detail. Β 

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  • Infections can breakdown the BBB and allow bacteria to penetrate and enter the brain
  • Exposure to toxins can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain which can affect the BBB
  • Too much glutamate can increase BBB permeability and permit passage to harmful components
  • Free radicals can also cause inflammation and promote aging, further affecting the blood-brain barrier
  • High blood sugar and diabetes can also cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain
  • Increased homocysteine, commonly found in people with heart health issues, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases, as well as in people who survive a stroke, can affect the tight junctions in the group of cells of the blood-brain barrier
  • High-fat, high-calorie diets and obesity can increase oxidative stress and prevent the brain from getting enough oxygen
  • Hypoxia causes the body to have an insufficient supply of oxygen which can further damage the tight junctions of the BBB
  • An injury or an underlying condition in the liver can release a signal, known as MMP9, that increases BBB permeability
  • Insufficient blood flow to the brain and abnormal activity in the brain, which is common in patients with mood changes
  • Poor sleep affects the sleep-wake cycle necessary in the uptake of nutrients and the offload of toxins which increases inflammation
  • Changes in the molecules found between the brain and bloodstream which develop tight junctions in the BBB.

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Symptoms of a Leaky Brain

A leaky brain can ultimately cause a variety of symptoms. Because various factors may also cause the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and allow harmful components to penetrate or enter the brain through the bloodstream, it’s essential to be aware of the type of symptoms that can manifest when you have a leaky brain. A leaky brain can cause a variety of symptoms as well as increase the risk of developing various brain health issues, including: Β 

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  • Difficulty concentrating and memory loss, also known as brain fog
  • Sudden headaches or migraines that become worse throughout the day
  • Cognitive impairment that may ultimately lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Mood changes associated with anxiety, stress, depression, and schizophrenia
  • Chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep
  • ADD/ADHD/Autism spectrum disorders
  • Brain health issues and neurological diseases, such as neuropathies or muscular sclerosis
  • Seizures and epilepsy

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Too much inflammation may cause a variety of brain health issues and neurological diseases associated with the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), also known as a leaky brain. Because many research studies have suggested the connection between a leaky gut and a leaky brain, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome may be an effective treatment for brain health issues and neurological diseases. Scientists have started working towards developing successful ways to allow drugs and/or medications as well as other treatments to penetrate and enter the brain through the blood-brain barrier and from the bloodstream. A leaky brain may be caused by a variety of factors and various symptoms can commonly manifest.Β  – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

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Our brain is a complex organ that controls many essential functions in our body. Therefore, brain health is vital for our survival. This is where the blood-brain barrier comes in. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a group of cells held together by β€œtight junctions” that protect the brain from potentially harmful components in the bloodstream. This security system only permits passage to certain molecules and keeps most other chemicals or substances out. Β 

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The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.Β 

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Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez Β 

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References:

  • Mindd Foundation. β€œWhat Causes Leaky Brain? Repairing the Blood-Brain Barrier.” Mindd, 11 June 2019, mindd.org/leaky-brain/.

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Neurotransmitter Assessment Form

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The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. The following symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. Β 

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Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain

Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance. Β 

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Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. Β 

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Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual’s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient’s specific needs. Β 

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Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders. Β 

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Formulas for Methylation Support

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XYMOGEN’s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.

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Proudly,Β Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.

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Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.

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If you are a patient of Injury Medical & ChiropracticΒ Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download Β 

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* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force. Β 

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Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Functional Neurology: Causes and Symptoms of a Leaky Brain" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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