Neuroinflammation Is All Around Us
In the busy modern world, it’s common to hear someone in a scatterbrained moment mutter, “I am so ADHD today.” While the majority of people saying such things do not actually have a diagnosis for ADHD, it is an increasingly common disorder.
Or perhaps you have heard a person suffering from a run-of-the-mill bad day say something like, “Ugh, I’m totally depressed today.” Again, the casual mention of depression does not necessarily denote an active diagnosis, but clinical depression continues to affect millions.
Meanwhile, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and schizophrenia are all being diagnosed at higher rates than ever before.
We are fortunate to live in a time and a society where invisible disorders like these common neurological issues have garnered more respect and care. But there is no mistaking that these sorts of neurological diseases are all around us. It is no longer a question of if you know someone who is facing some type of neurological issue, but rather how many of your friends or family members are bravely coping with the varied issues stemming from these diagnoses.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and schizophrenia are all being diagnosed at higher rates than ever before.
Each of these conditions can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the person who has a diagnosis and on the people around them.
Neurological Disorders Continue to Grow
The prevalence of disorders with neurological involvement continues to grow. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over 11 percent of US children, or roughly 7 million kids, have been diagnosed with ADHD, and about 6 percent of US adults, or about 15.5 million adults, share that diagnosis as well. At the same time, 1 in 68 children in the country has been identified as being affected by autism spectrum disorders. ASD remains one of the least understood conditions, with as many unique presentations as there are people on the spectrum.
Neuroinflammation is a factor in each of these conditions, but that is rarely the headline we see when the media covers these disorders.
Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s lead the pack as the most prominent age-related neurodegenerative diseases, with approximately 6.7 million and one million Americans living with these conditions, respectively. While there is occasional overlap, these conditions and others like them vary in presentation, symptoms, severity, and prognosis. Regardless of the disparity, these diagnoses share a common thread: neuroinflammation.
Neuroinflammation is a factor in each of these conditions, but that is rarely the headline we see when the media covers these disorders. Simply stated, neuroinflammation is all around us.
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Standard GI protocols too often leave patients high and dry without seeing any meaningful improvements. You owe it to your patients to look beyond generic treatment plans and provide personalized care. But how?
Is Neuroinflammation to Blame?
Much of the research on neurological disorders and diseases cannot reliably differentiate causal links from correlative links. But a study led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine found a strong correlation between inflammation in early childhood and later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. Additionally, the CDC reports a high rate of comorbidities with ADHD and other neurological conditions, such as Tourette’s, autism, anxiety, depression, and developmental delays.
This high rate of neurological condition overlap is significant, and neurologists have continued to look into these connections. But of even greater interest to healthcare providers is the connection between neurological conditions and gut health.
The gut-brain axis that we often discuss here comes into play once again. While a holistic functional medicine approach ideally addresses these issues best, it is helpful to note how often conditions that inhibit brain function overlap with one another, from childhood into adulthood, and then recognize the connections to gut health.
From both ends of the age spectrum, neurological disorders and diseases are connected intimately to the health of the gut.
There is a strong correlation between gut dysbiosis and ADHD in children. This is evidenced by how kids with ADHD have higher-than-average rates of gastrointestinal complaints including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Age-associated neurodegenerative diseases—most notably Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s—have been shown to respond positively to treatment protocols targeting the health of the gut microbiome.
From both ends of the age spectrum, neurological disorders and diseases are connected intimately to gut health. Combining that with the close connection between inflammation in the central nervous system and diagnoses of neurological disorders, it stands to reason that healing the gut is a path toward improving neurological health.
A Path Toward Better Brain Health
The role of the gut-brain axis
The gut-brain axis is a complex and extensive bidirectional communication network that allows the health of the brain to influence the health of the gut and vice versa. This communication system offers a great deal of hope for patients who have diagnoses of neurological disorders ranging from ADHD to Alzheimer’s.
Simply put, there are significant benefits to honoring the connection between the brain and the gut microbiome to reduce or delay symptoms of neurological disorders. A well-trained medical professional can provide a balance of hope and realism while working with patients to develop a lifestyle that will support health and reduce GI symptoms and systemic and neurological inflammation.
On the other hand, the standard American diet, combined with many Americans’ general lack of a healthy lifestyle, often fails to nourish the health of the microbiome’s diversity. Many people attempt to slap a Band-Aid on the problem by eating a well-advertised yogurt or adding a simple probiotic to their daily routines.
There are significant benefits to honoring the connection between the brain and the gut microbiome to reduce or delay symptoms of neurological disorders.
As a functional medicine practitioner, the upshot is this: Without gaining insight into the diversity and strength of a patient’s microbiome, you lose the opportunity to make the most positive changes. When you meet a new patient with neurological symptoms, you must learn the full scope of their symptoms and begin to build a customized protocol that sets them up for both current relief and long-term management.
Examples of the gut’s connection to neurological health
For patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, ongoing research is confirming how an aggressive approach to GI health and microbiome-rebuilding can forestall the onset of some symptoms. Imagine, as well, the hope that a young patient might gain from a practitioner who sees beyond the letters “ADHD” to help them find foods and supplements that feed their brain and fight the inflammation that exacerbates their symptoms.
Then there are the families who are impacted by a family member with autism and the potential struggles with communication, cognition, behavior, and overall well-being. Autism researchers have found an improvement in cognitive abilities, behavior, and educational engagement following fecal transplants to improve GI microbiome diversity.
An Imperative to Create Wellness
Unfortunately, we live in a world that is exceptionally good at creating and feeding inflammation in our bodies. And while there are clear genetic factors in play for many of the disorders and diseases we have discussed, the causes of inflammation that can exacerbate or even potentially lead to the onset of these conditions do not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. There is little likelihood, for instance, that our world is going to start serving up lower stress and healthier environments with fewer toxins in our food and water supply.
Functional medicine practitioners must continue learning as much as possible about bringing customized treatment protocols for the patients who walk through their doors.
On the other hand, as a culture, we can work toward systemic changes that will benefit all of us. Experts, like medical doctors who have immersed themselves in learning about the causes and potential treatments for neuroinflammation, can speak up for their patients and their communities. Together, we can work to create a community where neuroinflammation and related conditions do not rob us of the minds of the best and brightest.
In the meantime, functional medicine practitioners must continue learning as much as possible about bringing customized treatment protocols for the patients who walk through their doors.
Where to Learn More About Inflammation, Gut Health, and Neurological Health
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