In a Nutshell, Here’s How to Fix a Leaky Blood-Brain barrier:
- Using Glucocorticoids
- Sleeping For Recovery And Healing
- Nootropic Supplements For Strengthening the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Decrease Stress Levels
- Exercise Daily
- Use Of These Nutritional Supplements
- Revamp Your Diet
- Ensure A Healthy Digestive Tract
- Consuming Coffee
- Consuming Sulforaphane Rich Vegetables
- Consuming Berberine
- Bypass/Block Environmental Toxins
- Using Antioxidant Supplements
Now, let’s dig in a bit deeper so you fully can understand the importance of fixing a leaky blood-brain barrier, starting with what it is exactly…
What Is The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)?
The BBB is a barricade made of cells that protect your brain from toxins and harmful substances.
This barrier of tissue only allows oxygen and the right nutrients to go through it.
When it doesn’t block everything that it’s supposed to, your brain suffers!
A leaky blood-brain barrier is the result of poor life choices, most of the time.
What Are The Causes Of A Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier?
- Generalized inflammation and flare-ups
- Stress and Anxiety
- Lack of antioxidant activity
- Intake of highly processed and greasy foods
- Toxic dietary habits/Excessive alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Autoimmune disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Increased intestinal permeability
- Environmental pollutants
What Are The Symptoms Of A Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier?
- Brain fog
- Migraines or headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Diminished cognitive capacity
- Declining focus
- Inability to concentrate
How To Fix A Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier?
Using Glucocorticoids
This is a synthetic form of cortisone that helps your body deal with inflammation.
If you’re not a big fan of taking medication, maybe your doctor can find you a better option, but this is the best bet so far.
This medication will stimulate recovery in your BBB and promote regeneration of it.
Sleeping For Recovery And Healing
The first change that you have to implement in your life is to make sure that you sleep better.
An individual requires at least 7-8 hours of sleep to function adequately.
If you suffer from insomnia or other sleeping disorders, try supplementing Melatonin.
Melatonin is released from the pineal gland (our biological clock) and helps maintain the circadian rhythm.
Nootropic Supplements For Strengthening The Blood-Brain Barrier
Although we still need more studies to prove the efficacy of supplements to help fix a leaky brain barrier, there are a few options that are quite promising.
- ALCAR
- Alpha GPC or Citicoline
- Alpha-lipoic Acid or R-Lipoic Acid
- Curcumin
An amazing pre-formulated nootropic that contains some of these ingredients (And one I have personally used, and love!) is called: NitroVit by Project Nooyou
You can read my Full NitroVit Review Here!
These nootropics restore the cells’ mitochondria and stimulate the regeneration of the tissue.
Decrease Stress Levels
We have a whole blog post dedicated to mood and mindset – which will help you manage anxiety and stress effectively.
A modern way to address stress via technology is by using the Muse 2 headband!
You can read our full Muse 2 Headband Review Here
It works on the principles of neurofeedback and guides your meditative process!
Another convenient option would be to try “New Mood Instant” a Drink Mix Powder by Onnit. It can help relax your mind after a stressful day without the harmful side effects like alcohol!
Read my full Onnit New Mood Instant Review for more details.
Exercise Daily
I can not emphasize enough the importance of exercise.
And its relation to mental health!
Exercising helps your body and brain get rid of toxins that are harmful to you – the same ones that cause inflammation and breach the BBB.
They also harm your intestinal lining as well!
Check out our blog on physical activity for optimal brain power for some amazing facts!
Use Of These Nutritional Elements
If you’re really curious about the supplements that you can take to help boost the integrity of your blood-brain barrier and improve your health, there are a few more that you can try.
They also help your brain get rid of toxins and stimulate the cells to regenerate.
- The B Vitamins
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Vitamin E
- Ginseng
Revamp Your Diet
A great start would be to avoid Glutens that amplify the levels of Zonulin – a protein responsible for causing leaky BBB and intestinal linings!
Berries like blueberry and cranberry have incredible antioxidative powers, which can boost your brain’s health. This is the type of choice that you should be making instead of eating too much refined sugar.
Revamping also involves cutting down on alcohol consumption.
Alcoholism caters to one of the easiest mechanism for making a BBB leaky and fragile!
Ensure A Healthy Digestive Tract
A leaky gut may be linked to a leaky BBB!
Fixing your gut issues may involve you taking a dose of probiotic supplements – these are friendly bacteria that encourage a symbiotic relationship with our body!
Consuming Coffee!
Caffeinated beverages support the integrity of the blood-brain barrier!
Of course, you have to time it and refrain from becoming a caffeine junkie!
Consuming Sulforaphane Rich Vegetables
These include Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, and Cabbages!
Apart from reducing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier these green veggies also play a role in enhancing cognition!
Consuming Berberine
Berberine is extracted as an alkaloid from Oregon grape, turmeric trees, and Goldenseal plants.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps restore the BBB and may also aid in weight loss!
Berberine is also available in supplemental forms.
Bypass/Block Environmental Toxins
The best way to do this is by installing air purifiers inside of your house.
These devices contain filters to strain off harmful pollutants that harm the brain.
Another environmental toxin is mold!
P.S. If you’ve watched the Haunting Of Hill House, you’d have a slight idea of how mold can get to your brain!
Mold deteriorates the normal functioning of the central nervous system and also damages the BBB.
These mycotoxins are often left undermined and have lethal effects on our health.
Detoxifying using charcoal pills or Bentonite clay supplements should be considered in case of excess damage!
Also See: How to Detoxify your Body from Mold
Using Antioxidant Supplements
This is one of those things your body will ALWAYS need.
Antioxidants fight oxidative stress, one of the main reasons for a damaged BBB.
Here are some amazing antioxidants that not only repair the BBB but help boost cognition as well!
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Resveratrol
- Pterostilbene
- Lutein
- Lycopene
- Beta Carotenoids
- L-Theanine
How To Fix A Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier – Final Thoughts…
A lot of us could be struggling with a leaky Blood-Brain barrier without having to know so!
If you suffer from any of the symptoms stated above, you could try adopting a few approaches that I have listed above to see if they help.
I would also advise you to read our blog post on Brain Hacking to find out more about the clever ways our brain acts through!
Any thoughts / questions on the topic of how to fix a leaky blood-brain barrier?
Please take a minute and drop a comment below!
About David Gracey
Founder of SuperMindHacker.com
In other words, I am completely obsessed with anything and everything related to cognitive brain enhancement!
Whether it's nootropics supplements, challenging brain puzzles, or even meditation techniques, chances are, I've tried it! This website is my outlet to give back and share what I've learned in the past 15+ years in this field of study.
You Can Read my Other Posts Here: David Gracey's Articles
