Your brain contains billions of nerve cells known as neurones transmitting information to and from each other.

As you become older, your brain function naturally declines because blood flow reduces, the production of neurotransmitters is reduced, and the protective sheaths around your nerves deteriorate. In the case of cognitive decline, these processes happen more rapidly.

Proteins known as beta-amyloid occur naturally in your brain but when they accumulate they can form hard insoluble plaques, blocking the mechanism your brain cells use to communicate with each other. This can occur because the proteins are not cleared away or they’re produced in greater amounts. The build-up of plaques is thought to be a result of infection, toxins, inflammation, and oxidative stress.¹

Increased inflammation is also thought to cause healthy brain cells to be destroyed. Inflammation can be due to a permeable gut lining, a pro-inflammatory diet, obesity, or because of infections such as Lyme disease, herpes virus or from dental disease.²

Gut health has a huge effect on brain health because certain gut bacteria release messenger molecules acting to increase inflammation or directly as nerve cell irritants.³

Other factors affecting brain health include insulin resistance, gluten sensitivity, nutrient deficiencies, stress, lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle. Your brain is very susceptible to the effects of toxins including metals like mercury and lead, environmental pollutants or mycotoxins from mould.^{4 5}

Genes also play a role, but only in combination with other factors.⁶