Do you ever wonder why so many people you encounter have cloudy thoughts, resemble zombies, or are in very bad moods? It turns out most people are walking around with concussion-like symptoms attributed to lack of sleep, constant stress. Dr Jaclyn Caccese states that "so looking across the general population, they’d probably have even more [than the athlete case study participants].”
A recent study indicates that many individuals could be experiencing symptoms similar to a concussion, reinforcing the idea that athletes (and regular folk like you and myself) recovering from a brain injury-like state many of us manifest -- without an official concussion diagnosis -- require personalized assessment and treatment.
A recent national study revealed that a significant percentage of healthy college athletes, ranging from 11% to 27%, who had not experienced a recent concussion, exhibited symptoms that aligned with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) criteria. The study, which surveyed close to 31,000 student-athletes, identified lack of sleep, pre-existing mental health issues, and stress as the top three factors that could predict PCS-like symptoms.
The cadets from four U.S. military service academies, who go through intense training and are obligated to take part in sports, joined forces with students who competed in NCAA sports at 26 U.S. higher education institutions. In addition to the significant number of students who disclosed clusters of PCS-like symptoms, a staggering 50% to 75% of all the surveyed athletes reported experiencing one or more symptoms commonly associated with individuals who have suffered a concussion. The most prevalent symptoms included fatigue or low energy and drowsiness.
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Jaclyn Caccese, an assistant professor at The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, stated. “The numbers were high, and were consistent with previous research in this area, but it is quite shocking,”
“These are elite athletes who are physically fit, and they are experiencing that many symptoms commonly reported following concussion. So looking across the general population, they’d probably have even more.”
Sleep issues, reductionist-separate-brain-from-body "psychiatric disorders," and migraines were key factors predicting symptoms meeting PCS criteria for both groups. Additionally, academic challenges and being a first-year student raised the likelihood of meeting PCS criteria in cadets, while a history of ADHD or depression played a role for NCAA athletes.
Study doesn't mention the central role cellular nutrition plays & the repeated mantra of "balanced diet" is highly inaccurate
What the study doesn't mention at all is the role that cellular nutrition plays in how the body -- especially the body's largest energy consumer: the brain -- plays in how we prevent, maintain and recover from post concussion syndrome even if we did not sustain any direct injuries to the brain.
What many studies we do find mainly online mention is this inappropriate, highly inaccurate term of "balanced diet" where none such exists. This is because of various reasons and the largest are: we are all individuals and our cells require optimal levels of key cellular nutrients to function optimally and with an appropriate baseline of levels as a safety buffer in the event that we -- and this often happens -- don't consume the proper, frequent amounts on a hourly to daily basis.
We also as individuals are susceptible to hidden allergies, diet and environmental sensitivities, maintenance of optimal amounts that we often aren't even aware of, so how can a "balanced diet" be appropriate for everyone? The fact is the phrase "balanced diet" doesn't exist.
Did you know that there are approximately 50 vital nutrients that our bodies need? The key is to create a personalized, systems biological program that provides you with the perfect amounts of these nutrients. To figure out what your specific needs are, a systems biology, ortho-molecular approach is necessary, as these requirements can vary from person to person. By starting to incorporate all 50 essential nutrients into your routine, you'll ensure that you have the fundamental building blocks for a healthy body and brain.
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Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised by how many issues simply vanish once you give your body what it truly needs.
Proper, adequate and sustained tissue levels of critical cellular nutrients plays a crucial role in the prevention and recovery process after a concussion as it includes an array of nutrient-rich foods such as magnesium, zinc, folate, choline, Omegas 3s, antioxidants, and protein. These essential nutrients work together to promote brain -- but also whole-body health -- healing and aid in the recovery journey.
Have you ever wondered how your MD determines if your blood work's limited cellular nutritional results are "normal" or not? It's largely determined not by Canadian authorities but by the USA's National Academy of Medicine.
Below is a reply received from Health Canada on how the reference ranges (what is considered 'normal') for nutrient levels are set in Canada and they said it's from an American institution so not a surprise!
See beyond dis-eases & the inaccurate "food pyramid" to determine what your body needs
Thank you for your inquiry. In Canada, Vitamin B12 deficiency is generally indicated by serum vitamin B12 concentrations less than 148 pmol/L. This value was set by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in the United States that develops the dietary reference intake value for both countries. You can find information on how they developed these values here:
Institute of Medicine. DRI dietary reference intakes for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline [Internet]. Washington DC: National Academy Press; 1998. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114318/
The information here is that only Vitamin B12 is provided but what about all the others including essential fatty acids, minerals, amino acids (proteins) and many others?
Establishing reference ranges is crucial in determining what is considered normal for a specific test. These ranges are based on analyzing a large sample size of individuals to ensure accuracy. It's worth noting that different populations may have varying reference ranges, particularly in countries like Japan and Korea with healthier populations. The reference range typically represents where 95 percent of the population falls, determined through thorough analysis of laboratory test data.
The problem with this reply from Health Canada are many. One of them is this is only the range they consider "normal" according to a serum blood test which is only a literal snap shot in time as all blood tests are and can't measure a reliable average over time due to variations listed below.
The other problem with the above information is that the medical system including doctors, nurses and those who run these limited blood tests do not test the full gamut of cellular nutritional biomarkers such as all the other vitamins, minerals, amino acids, minerals.
Substances to avoid for prevention, maintenance and treatment of concussion-like symptoms
When recuperating from concussion-like symptoms (as we state most people present on a daily basis), it's important to think about the positive and negative impact of different foods. While certain foods can help speed up the healing process by promoting factors like BDNF and neuroplasticity, there are also foods that should be steered clear of. Foods high in saturated fats and refined sugars are just a couple of examples of what to avoid while recovering from a concussion.
- Dairy products have saturated fats that may exacerbate concussion symptoms, but they also offer important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. It's best to enjoy dairy in moderation, choosing low-fat or reduced-fat varieties to reap the benefits of calcium and vitamin D.
- Opt for leaner meat options such as skinless poultry, turkey, or lean beef instead of fatty cuts like ribeye steak and lamb chops. These choices can help reduce inflammation, even in the brain. Try healthier cooking techniques like grilling, roasting, or broiling to lower the fat content in your meals.
- indulging in sausages and salami during your recovery may not be the best idea, as they are packed with unhealthy fats, sodium, and additives that could worsen your concussion symptoms. Instead, stick to wholesome protein options such as poultry, fish, tofu, or legumes to support your healing process.
- Cut back on sugary drinks such as sodas and fruit juices to avoid energy crashes, worsening headaches, and cognitive problems. Opt for healthier options like water, herbal tea, or unsweetened beverages to keep yourself hydrated during concussion recovery.
- Choose whole-grain or whole-wheat bread instead of white bread when recovering from a concussion. Whole-grain options offer essential nutrients like fiber and complex carbohydrates, helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels and lasting energy. Stay away from sugary or heavily processed bread types to prevent energy spikes and crashes.
Stressing the fact that you don't have to cut out all these foods completely -- unless you maintain hidden allergies, intolerances which most of us do -- is crucial, since some of them actually have health advantages. Finding a balance is key along with a personalized approach to rule out many concepts that "conventional" publications we often encounter online don't even mention such as hidden allergies, sensitivities, and epi-genetic predispositions to certain environmental and diet-related stressors.
Removing entire food groups can result in lacking essential nutrients, which might slow down your healing journey. Instead, concentrate on personalized systems biology evaluations to identify any hidden allergies or intolerances, and make mindful decisions to aid in the recovery of your mind and body while indulging in treats occasionally - as long as they don't trigger any allergic reactions.
The positive impacts of nutrients often result in additional advantages. Let's discuss the secondary benefits that arise when providing nutrients: vitamin B complex, for instance, to individuals with mood disorders. In many cases, it can be helpful. Interestingly, by doing so, you may also observe a decrease in their homocysteine levels in the bloodstream. This metabolite is linked to heart disease. Therefore, administering B vitamins for one specific purpose can inadvertently lead to the added benefit of reducing the risk of heart disease.
References:
https://news.osu.edu/lack-of-sleep-stress-can-lead-to-symptoms-resembling-concussion/
