Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Brain

by Eric Bakker N.D.

I have lots of clients who complain that they can’t think properly. They talk about having brain fog and report that “something is not right in my head.” Often, they’ve had multiple investigations, including MRI scans, CAT scans, and PET scans, and yet the cause of the problem is still a mystery.

The first thing I ask a patient like this is, “What is your digestive health like?” Often, they report years of bloating, gas, and generally having a terrible digestive system. I also have clients report that they are irritable, easily angered, and often regret things they have said in the heat of the moment.

In situations like this, please don’t’ make the mistake of getting fifty tests done upfront. The most important to do if you have cognitive dysfunction, and the obvious has been ruled out, is to do a comprehensive stool analysis (CSA). Correct whatever problems the CSA identifies. You might have to clean out harmful bacteria, boost up beneficial bacteria, wipe out Candida, or hit a few parasites in the gut.

Further readings:

After the gut has been cleansed, verify that all the problems have been addressed by doing a repeat CSA. Only then do I suggest looking at other issues such as kryptopyrroles, mauve factor, MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), histamine, organic acids, and hair analysis. Don’t do these tests as frontline investigations.

Often by fixing the gut, you’ll already correct the results of other tests such as hair analysis. Toxicities will automatically be improved when you improve digestive health.

The CSA is the foundational test. Most practitioners get it wrong. They order ten tests and give the clients a handful of supplements and then say, “There is nothing we can do.”

Get the gut fixed first if you have a problem with your brain. Look at your diet, who you spend time with, your occupation, but always, always, always rely on common sense: Fix the gut first.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.