Microclots: How it impacts our brain
Have you had the experience where you feel cognitively slower after having COVID?
Our brain relies on a steady, rich supply of oxygen and nutrients through blood circulation to function well. However, when tiny blood clots—called microclots—form and circulate through the bloodstream, this vital supply can be interrupted. Microclots can silently wreak havoc on brain health, leading to a wide range of neurological issues, from brain fog to more serious cognitive impairments.
Why Are Microclots a Problem for Brain Health?
Microclots are small, often invisible to standard medical imaging, but their effects on the brain are anything but small. Here are three major reasons microclots threaten brain health:
Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen): The brain is an oxygen-hungry organ, using about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply. When microclots form, they can block small blood vessels, reducing oxygen delivery to brain cells. This leads to hypoxia, or oxygen starvation, which can damage brain cells over time, impairing cognitive function and potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases.
Reduced Blood Flow and Nutrient Delivery: Microclots can reduce overall blood flow to the brain, starving neurons of essential nutrients like glucose, which they need for energy production. Without adequate nutrients, brain function becomes sluggish, leading to cognitive decline.
Blocked Glymphatic System: The brain has a special system for clearing out waste products, called the glymphatic system. Microclots can block blood vessels associated with this waste-clearing process, leading to a build-up of toxic substances like amyloid-beta, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Impaired glymphatic function also contributes to mental fog and fatigue, as the brain becomes clogged with waste products.
Symptoms of Microclots in the Brain
Microclots can manifest in a variety of symptoms, many of which are subtle but can significantly affect daily life. Common symptoms associated with brain microclots include:
Brain Fog: One of the hallmark symptoms, brain fog makes it difficult to think clearly, focus, or perform tasks that require mental effort.
Poor Memory and Recall: Many people with microclots experience difficulty remembering details or retrieving information they previously learned, such as names, facts, or recent conversations.
Depression and Mood Changes: Reduced blood flow and nutrient delivery to the brain’s mood-regulating areas can contribute to depression, anxiety, and emotional instability.
Cognitive Decline: Microclots may result in a gradual decline in cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, decision-making, and processing speed.
Headaches or Migraines: Disrupted blood flow may trigger vascular headaches or migraines in some individuals.
Fatigue: Lack of oxygen and nutrient delivery can make the brain work harder, leading to a feeling of constant fatigue or exhaustion.
How Do Microclots Form?
Microclots can form in response to various health conditions and stressors. Some of the most prominent causes include:
Post-COVID-19 and Post-Vaccine Responses: Research shows that some people develop microclots after a COVID-19 infection or, in rare cases, after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The spike protein from the virus or vaccine may trigger an immune response that promotes clot formation. In people with long COVID, these microclots can persist, leading to long-term symptoms such as brain fog, cognitive impairments, and fatigue.
Lyme Disease: Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, can also trigger microclot formation. The inflammation and immune response in chronic Lyme disease may lead to increased clotting activity, contributing to neurological symptoms like brain fog and memory issues.
Chronic Infections: Certain chronic infections—such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Mycoplasma infections—are associated with a higher risk of microclot formation. These infections tend to create a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, which can disrupt normal blood flow and promote clotting in the microvasculature.
How to Dissolve Microclots and Support Brain Health
The good news, is that there are steps you can take today to dissolve microclots and improve your brain health.
1. Nutrition
Several foods have natural blood-thinning properties that can help dissolve microclots and improve blood circulation. These include:
Ginger: A natural anti-inflammatory and blood thinner, ginger can help reduce clotting by improving circulation and reducing inflammation in blood vessels.
Garlic: Known for its blood-thinning properties, garlic can help prevent platelet aggregation, which leads to clot formation.
Turmeric: The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant effects that can prevent and dissolve microclots.
Berries: Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, berries (like blueberries and strawberries) improve vascular health and reduce the risk of clot formation.
2. Lifestyle Habits to Reduce Microclots
Hydration: Dehydration can make blood more viscous, increasing the likelihood of clot formation. Drinking plenty of water supports healthy circulation and reduces the risk of microclots.
Regular Exercise: Movement encourages blood flow and keeps blood from becoming stagnant, reducing the risk of clotting. Cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging, or swimming are particularly beneficial.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can raise levels of clot-promoting hormones like cortisol. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help keep your blood vessels relaxed and reduce clotting risk.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases clotting factors, making microclots more likely. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to improve vascular and brain health.
3. Top 3 Supplements for Dissolving Microclots
Nattokinase: An enzyme derived from fermented soybeans, nattokinase has potent clot-dissolving properties. It breaks down fibrin, a protein involved in clot formation, and can improve blood circulation, reducing the risk of microclots.
Bromelain: This enzyme, found in pineapples, has anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic (clot-breaking) properties. Bromelain can help reduce excessive blood clotting and support healthy circulation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s, found in fish oil, have natural anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning effects. They can help reduce platelet aggregation, a key factor in clot formation, and improve overall vascular health.
Take one step today to improve your brain health.
Microclots pose a serious, but often overlooked, threat to brain health. Conditions such as post-COVID syndrome, Lyme disease, and chronic infections can trigger microclot formation, making it essential to address the root causes. Through a combination of clot-dissolving foods, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements, you can support healthy circulation and protect your brain from the damaging effects.
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