By now you’ve likely heard of leaky gut. You may even know the dangers that increased gut permeability can bring. But did you know there’s a similar barrier between your brain and bloodstream?
Your blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a thin layer of cells that protect your brain from toxins, pathogens, inflammation, injury, and disease. (1)
Unfortunately, like your gut barrier, certain toxins and pathogens can weaken the blood-brain barrier, leading to a condition called leaky brain.
So let’s explore how your brain becomes leaky and what you can do to support your blood-brain barrier’s integrity.
What Is Leaky Brain?
The blood-brain barrier is formed by endothelial cells of a capillary wall. When functioning correctly, it allows the passive diffusion of some molecules into the brain.
This means it selectively allows beneficial nutrients and completely blocks others that could damage the brain.
In essence, it acts like a gatekeeper, letting in what’s needed and keeping harmful agents out.
The problem is, the BBB can become ‘leaky’ when the conditions of the body do not support these tight junctions.
So what happens when these tight junctions “loosen up?”
Your blood-brain barrier can’t effectively do its job of protecting your brain from potentially harmful agents. This is known as increased blood-brain barrier permeability.
Symptoms of Leaky Brain
The symptoms of leaky brain are similar to leaky gut. The most common symptoms of increased blood-brain barrier permeability are:
Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders
Chronic fatigue
Weak/slow digestion
Migraines & headaches
Chronic pain
Poor recall
Brain fog
Cravings for carbs
Increased sensitivity to foods and scents
Causes of Leaky Brain
Now that we’ve covered what leaky brain looks like, let’s explore its causes. Common triggers of leaky brain include:
Mold toxicity
Oral infections
Head injury or major trauma to the body
Environmental toxins
Heavy metals
Leaky gut & food sensitivities (2)
Chronic infections (such as candida overgrowth)
LPS & cytokine stress (3)
Antibiotic use
Lyme disease
Zika virus (4)
Covid-19 (5)
As you can see, there are A LOT of potential triggers for a leaky brain. But let’s zero in on mold and how it affects your brain.
Why Mold Is Bad News for Your Brain
Your brain is the control center of your body, so it deserves your utmost protection. However, when your brain is exposed to toxic mold over time, it can really do some damage.
Chronic mycotoxin exposure creates inflammation and induces oxidative stress, causing neurotoxic effects on the body. (6) Mycotoxins are incredibly small, allowing them to pass through the blood-brain-barrier, stirring up inflammation wherever they land. (7, 8)
This is likely why mold illness has so many brain-related symptoms such as:
Depression (9)
Anxiety
Irritability
Memory issues
Poor attention span
Fatigue with mental work
Research has even linked mold exposure with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. (10) All the more reason to protect your brain and get that mold out of you!
How to Protect Your Brain from Mold
Now to the good news…There ARE things you can do to protect your brain from the damaging effects of mold.
First and foremost, get yourself out of the moldy environment! If you find that process overwhelming, my new book will walk you through it step-by-step.
But once you’re in a clean, safe space, it’s time to focus on detox. And toxin binders will help your detox journey be a much smoother ride.
How Mi Toxin Binder Protects Your Blood-Brain Barrier
Binders are a crucial piece in treating mold toxicity. That’s why I created a new binder formula that’s designed especially for mold illness: Mi Toxin Binder.
It contains ingredients that bind to all categories of mycotoxins, plus ingredients that soothe the gut, support elimination and promote bile movement.
Mi Toxin Binder even includes one ingredient that’s scientifically proven to protect your blood-brain barrier: modified citrus pectin (MCP).
What is Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)?
MCP is a soluble fiber derived from the peel and pulp of citrus fruits. MCP inactivates galectin-3, a marker for cancer and heart failure that gets elevated when the body goes through illness. (11) Research indicates this ability to inactivate galectin-3 prevents blood-barrier disruption. (12)
MCP is also anti-inflammatory, supports immune function, and contains prebiotic fiber to support healthy gut bacteria. Studies show it acts as an effective heavy metal chelator as well. (13)
And MCP is only one of eight stellar ingredients included in this customized detox formula. Detox need not be a bumpy ride. Mi Toxin Binder gently assists your body’s natural detoxification, so your journey is more comfortable.
To check out Mi Toxin Binder’s complete ingredient list: click here. It will be available for order on May 15!
Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and functionaldetoxproducts.com.
Check out her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!
This recipe is so easy it’s barely a recipe! It’s basically traditional tuna salad but with canned salmon instead. Tuna is delicious but unfortunately it’s now a fish that is commonly contaminated with heavy metals. But there is a really easy solution to your tuna salad dilemma and that is simply replacing it with canned salmon!