Menu
Cognitive problems have been a major problem for me throughout my battle with chronic Lyme disease, but over the years, I’ve discovered some great supplements to help mitigate the symptoms, which I hope you’ll find useful, too. As a medical writer and book author, I can’t afford for my brain to not work, and while at times I have struggled to put words to the page, I have battled even more with other issues; remembering names, dates and appointments, or where I parked my car. Or being able to listen to people without my mind wandering a thousand places, or carrying out activities that have required coordination, focus or the ability to analyze.
Today, I still suffer from memory problems and occasionally struggle to focus and concentrate, but my symptoms have greatly improved over the past 10 years. I can work at least twice as fast and get things done a lot more efficiently and effectively than when I was first diagnosed with Lyme. I don’t have to labor as much to stay engaged in a conversation, and I get lost less frequently when I drive.
Restoring my brain function hasn’t been easy, but I have found all of the following nutritional supplements to be helpful. Perhaps you will find them to be helpful for you too:
· 5-HTP. The body makes serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter, from the amino acid 5-HTP. Serotonin also assists with memory and cognitive function, and is commonly low in people with chronic Lyme disease. People with methylation problems (which is most of us) may need to take a methyl donor, such as SAM-e, P5P, methyl-folate or methyl B-12 to make 5-HTP work effectively in the body. It is best to get tested to find out how much 5-HTP you might benefit from, as well as to discover which methylation supplements would work for you. Taking too little or too much of a supplement, as well as the wrong kinds, can exacerbate symptoms, which is why I recommend testing. However, many doctors share with me that short-term dosing of 5-HTP is generally safe for most people.
· L-tyrosine. According to an article published in 2007 in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, L-tyrosine can prevent cognitive decline due to stress. I have also personally found it to be helpful for improving cognitive function in Lyme disease. It has helped me with focus, analysis and to process information faster. L-tyrosine is also a mood enhancer. However, it can be stimulatory, so as with 5-HTP, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor to find out whether it would benefit you.
· Alpha GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine). This is phospholipid metabolite isolated from lecithin, which increases acetylcholine levels in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that aids with memory, cognition, comprehension, creativity, and spatial orientation. This is perhaps one of the most important nutrients for restoring cognitive function related to neurological disease.
· L-acetyl-carnitine. According to Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS and author of Why Isn’t My Brain Working? this amino acid compound binds and activates the acetylcholine receptor, and studies have shown L-acetyl carnitine to improve cognition and delay Alzheimer’s progression. Since spirochetal infections such as Borrelia have been linked to Alzheimer’s, L-acetyl carnitine may benefit some people with Lyme disease. It can also help to restore energy, among other things.
· L-Huperzine A. This compound decreases the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Studies have shown it to aid in memory and cognition, and according to Dr. Kharrazian, it is one of the best to use if you have symptoms of acetylcholine imbalance.
· Vinpocetine. Vinpocetine increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain and protects it against the effects of glutamate, a neurotransmitter found in excess in people with chronic Lyme and which damages neurons. According to an article published in 2008 Neurochemistry International, vinpocetine protects against the cytotoxic effects of glutamate overexposure. The authors of the study then state that glutamate excitotoxicity leads to the dysregulation of mitochondrial function and neuronal metabolism. So vinpocetine may be a very helpful nutrient for some people with Lyme disease.
There are many other nutrients out there that are known for improving cognitive function in chronic Lyme disease, but I haven’t tried them personally, and what works for one person may not work for another. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Dr. Kharrazian’s book, Why Isn’t My Brain Working? for more general information on how to improve cognitive function.
Also, cognitive function in Lyme disease can be improved by restoring hormonal levels, gut health and brain oxygenation, and by balancing blood sugar levels. People with Lyme disease tend to have imbalances in all of these areas, so I recommend working with a doctor to make sure that you are on an anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar stabilizing diet, and are taking supplements to support the health of your gut. Personally, I have found a high-fat, moderate protein and low carb diet to be most beneficial for stabilizing my blood sugar. Getting your hormones tested and balanced is likewise important, as is doing therapies that encourage blood flow and oxygen to the brain, such as exercise and EWOT (exercise with oxygen). Incorporating these nutrients and strategies into your daily regimen can go a long way toward helping your mind (and body!) to function optimally.
References
Kharrazian, D. (2013). Why Isn’t My Brain Working? Carlsbad, CA: Elephant Press.