Apart from hot flushes, brain fog would have to be one of the common symptoms that women mention during peri-menopause.
Brain fog leads to feelings of haze - like trouble concentrating, remembering words, forgetting things and a difficulty of moving between tasks.
Brain fog occurs as the brain undergoes a reorganisation during this second puberty. Just as boys (in particular) during puberty go through brain changes, occurring as hormones ramp up, in women of menopausal time, their hormones reduce.
The loss of estrogen and progesterone to the brain can affect a wide number of everyday body processes that have previously loved their continued hit of these, predominately female, hormones.
Progesterone loss affects BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor), that is essential for our brain to restore new cells at the hippocampus - the part of our brain that controls memory.
How to improve the BDNF without progesterone??
Exercise has been well research to activate BDNF and increase new brain cells. Stretching is not enough - though aerobic-type exercises provides the right amount of stimulation.
30 minutes, 3 times a week, of sweat breaking exercise - that can be a swift walk! - is all that is required for a healthy brain.
Estrogen is also vital to the brain - as it is involved in the supply process of glucose - the brains energy source - into the brain. This loss of estrogen equates to energy loss, resulting in memory loss and brain fog, amongst many other symptoms noted during peri-menopause (hot flushes and migraines).
MCT Oil has shown great promise in combatting brain fog, as it supplies the brain with ketones - a non-glucose energy source. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) is made predominantly from coconut oil.
I love this supplement - its so easy to include in your morning regime. Just 1 -2 tablespoons a day - though start low (1 teaspoon) and increase slowly, as too much, too fast, may give you diarrhoea!
(Please see a naturopath before supplementing if you have already have a heart condition).
There are many ways to reduce brain fog - and other symptoms - during this time of change for women.
Embracing this time and rolling with it - doing what you can to improve your journey though to menopause, is the best way to enjoy a happy, healthy life, into your 80s and beyond!