According to a 2022 article published in the Journal of Health Service Psychology, lingering brain fog besets roughly one-third of people with COVID-19. This development has generated considerable scientific interest in the causes of this neurological condition, along with possible treatments. One topic of study is the possible use of nutritional therapy to manage post-COVID brain fog and related cognitive dysfunction.*

Elusive illness

In an interview with MDLinx, nutrition expert Crystal M. Gossard, DCN, CNS, LDN said there isn’t a root cause of brain fog but is instead linked to many conditions like chronic fatigue, which has recently been linked with Long COVID. Brain fog is an umbrella term for symptoms including, among others:

• Lack of focus,
• Impaired memory, and
• Mental fatigue.

Brain fog can appear suddenly, without any apparent trigger. The Journal of Health Services Psychology describes the case of a 35-year-old woman who was hospitalized for one day with COVID-19, without needing life support. After recovering from the initial infection, her symptoms of breathlessness, cough, tiredness, and insomnia persisted. It was only then that she began having memory and concentration issues.

How nutrition can work against brain fog

Gossard has extensive experience working with patients who have brain fog related to a number of conditions. Her work involves integrative medicine or combining nutritional therapy with traditional medical treatment. She says the first step in managing brain fog is to reduce inflammation. Here are a few of her suggestions.

• Since some omega-6 fatty acids can promote inflammation, reduce your intake of:
  • Red meat, 
  • Eggs, and 
  • Dairy products.
• Consider adding in more anti-inflammatory foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as:
  • Mackerel, salmon, and sardines, 
  • Flaxseed and chia seeds, and 
  • Walnuts. 

The next step, Gossard says, is to make sure you’re supporting the health of your brain.

• She advises vitamin B-complex and adequate protein to ensure that the brain can make vital neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.

Turmeric (which contains curcumin) and certain other spices and herbals can also support cognitive function.

• Mango leaf extract (standardized mangiferin) has been shown to increase mental focus just a half hour after ingestion and to improve working memory.
• Menthol-containing herbs have been shown to improve brain function; for example, peppermint can help prevent mental fatigue, while spearmint can help concentration.

Holistic approach

While Gossard believes that relying solely on nutrition and dietary supplements can be effective for managing brain fog, she’s not against allopathic medicine. “There is definitely a role for prescription medication and pharmaceuticals,” she says. “But I think the beauty with natural remedies is that we know what they’re doing but it’s more than just targeting that one little pathway.…they are doing so many other great, nourishing roles in the body that can help the body to do its job.”

*Murtha, J. (2022, November 17). Bringing clarity to brain fog: can nutrition help? MDLinx. https://www.mdlinx.com/article/bringing-clarity-to-brain-fog-can-nutrition-help

Much about COVID-19 and Long COVID is still not fully understood. As research progresses and our knowledge of the virus increases, information can change rapidly. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information possible, but there may be some lag time between scientific developments and our published articles and revisions.