Fortunately, a variety of supplements can help dampen brain inflammation and support brain recovery after a concussion or brain injury. However, no supplement can overcome a poor diet and lifestyle, so you must also follow an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. (To learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet, see my free download, the Autoimmune Elimination-Provocation Diet Guide.)
Glutathione
Glutathione is probably the most powerful anti-inflammatory supplement out there. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and is necessary to protect cells and prevent inflammation. Poor diets, excess sugars, environmental toxins, and chronic health conditions have depleted many people’s glutathione levels. Overtraining and aging also deplete glutathione.
Glutathione is especially important for brain health. I use Trizomal Glutathione from Apex Energetics. How much you need depends on the degree of inflammation.
Resveratrol
Taking a therapeutic dose of liposomal resveratrol has been shown to dampen inflammation significantly. I use Resvero Active by Apex Energetics, which is a highly absorbable liposomal resveratrol and allows you to take therapeutic doses. How much resveratrol you take depends on how bad inflammation is.
Vitamin D
Sufficient vitamin D dampens inflammation and supports brain health. Therapeutic doses of vitamin D range from 10,000 to 20,000 IU a day, but monitor your vitamin D levels regularly to ensure it doesn’t go too high. It’s rare to see levels go too high, but it’s best to stay aware of your vitamin D status. Use the cholecalciferol form.
NeuroO2
NeuroO2 by Apex Energetics is a blend of botanicals that have been shown to improve brain circulation. This, in turn, supplies the brain with more oxygen and nutrients, which helps dampen inflammation. Many people are not aware they have poor circulation. Cold hands and feet are symptoms of poor circulation and also a sign that the brain is not getting enough oxygen.
Liver and gut support
Clearvite is a powder from Apex Energetics you take daily mixed in water. This product supports gut health, liver clearance, B vitamins, antioxidants, detoxification, immune health, and metabolism.
Progesterone
Although it’s known as a female hormone, progesterone’s ability to dampen microglia activity is so profound research shows administering progesterone to a man or woman who has just suffered from a head injury helps with the repair process in the brain. Ten drops of sublingual progesterone three times a day immediately after injury can support brain healing. Work with a qualified prescribing practitioner familiar with this research if you choose to use this therapy.
Vagus nerve exercises
Although not a supplement, exercising the vagus nerve is a simple way to improve brain health. The vagus is a large nerve that runs between the brain and the organs of the body. Activating the vagus nerve can improve the function of the organs and metabolic systems, such as digestive health. At the same time, it can also help activate the brain to improve brain health and a few simple tests can tell you if your vagus nerve may not be sufficiently active:
- You don’t have much of a gag reflex; when you say, “ahh” the uvula (the little punching bag at the back of your throat) does not rise much.
- If you listen to your abdomen with a stethoscope, you hear virtually no rumbling noises — a healthy gut makes intermittent rumbling noises.
- You are not able to swallow supplements.
How to activate the vagus nerve
Here are some simple exercises to activate the vagus nerve.
- Gargle water as intensely as possible for three minutes, three times a day.
- Sing loudly. If you are alone at home or in the car, spend some time singing as loudly as you can.
- Gag. Using a tongue depressor, which you can buy on Amazon, gently press on the back of your tongue to make yourself gag. Do not poke the back of your throat. Do this several times a day.
- Coffee enemas. Caffeine in the coffee stimulates cholinergic receptors, and the enema distends the bowel, both of which activate the vagus nerve.
To learn more, download my free guide: Brain Injuries and Concussions: 7 Nutritional and Lifestyle Strategies for Recovery.
