18/07/2024
If you’ve been following along, I’ve talked about traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their impact on someone’s life in the immediate and into the future. My last post talked about how functional medicine can be an effective approach to work towards healing.
But let’s get practical- how does my approach using functional medicine ACTUALLY play out?
1. Diet & Nutrition: Proper nutrition is crucial for brain health. Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that support neuronal function, decrease oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Diet will also play a huge factor in mitochondrial function.
2. Nutritional Supplements: In addition to dietary changes, functional medicine practitioners may recommend specific supplements to address deficiencies, support detoxification and support brain health. Common supplements for TBI include omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, magnesium, and B vitamins, all of which have been shown to have neuroprotective effects.
3. Lifestyle Modifications: Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management are critical components of a functional medicine approach to TBI. Exercise has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections, which is essential for recovery.
4. Integrative Therapies: Functional medicine often incorporates integrative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
5. Gut Health: Research suggests a strong connection between gut health and brain function, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. Functional medicine practitioners may focus on improving gut health through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary changes to support overall brain health.
6. Detoxification: Exposure to environmental toxins can exacerbate the symptoms of TBI. Functional medicine may include detoxification protocols to reduce the burden of toxins on the body and support the healing process.
My approach is a multi-faceted approach to a multi-faceted condition!
Read through my BLOG for more information (link in bio to website to find blog)🙌🏼