Do you play contact sports? 

At risk of suffering from a concussion?

Then this page is for you. Here we will talk about what you can do to make your brain more resilient and less vulnerable to concussions, and what to do to speed up your recovery from a concussion.

Simply put, to arm your brain against concussions, you need to eat well, sleep well and exercise well. And if you suffer from a concussion, REST IS NOT ENOUGH! You need to help your brain heal with anti-inflammatory supplements, good proteins and fats for your brain to have the building blocks it needs to repair, and you need to do gentle exercise (like walking) to get the blood flowing, to bring nutrients to your brain! We will get into more detail, but first, lets talk about nutritionally supporting the health of your brain.

Avoid junk food!

Junk food is full of chemicals, some that are neurotoxins and excitotoxins (meaning they are bad for nerves, and the brain is made up of nerves). They are also full of inflammatory sugars. Other excitotoxins you need to avoid are yeast extract, caffeine, alcohol, hydrolyzed protein, aspartame, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and MSG.

Drink enough water!

Stay hydrated so your body can filter out the metabolic waste your body makes during the healing process, and any toxins you happen to ingest (it is hard to eat completely free of chemicals now).

Eat Nerve Supporting Foods

Foods full of Glutamic Acid:

• almonds
• tree nuts 
• lentils
• banana
• spinach
• potato
• oats
• beef liver
• halibut (fish have omega-3 fatty acids, essential for the health of brain cells)
• broccoli
• oranges
• rice
• walnuts

Blueberries are food for the brain

Eat blueberries like candy. Blueberries are full of plant flavonoids and other good nutrients that reduce nerve damage, improve nerve function, helping you feel better, move better and think better.

Supplements to take following any brain injury

The following supplements increase GABA (which is good for the brain). Before starting any supplements, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to confirm they are good for your specific condition. Some supplements can interact with medications, affect blood pressure and other effects that may be harmful to you.

• L-Theanine (100-200 mg)
• L-Taurine (1500-3000 mg)
• Valerian (<600 mg)

• Magnolia bark
• Inositol
• Vitamin B6 (as P-5-P) (6.8 mg)
• Magnesium succinate (10 mg) (helps learning and memory)
• Zing glycinate (5 mg)
• Lithium arotate (10 mg)
• N-Acetyl Cysteine (early treatment with N-Acetyl Cysteine reversed the behavioral deficits associated with brain injuries)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (essential for the health of brain cells)
• Curcumin (anti-inflammatory)
• Vitamin D 
  • Take only if deficient, as deficiency increases the inflammatory damage and behavioral impairment. 
  • Vitamin D is fat soluble, so toxic if you take too much
  • Check your progesterone levels, as Vitamin D with progesterone reduced the effects of traumatic brain injury
• Plant flavonoids and anthocyanidins 
  • helps with blood flow and reduces swelling in the brain)
  • has Resveratrol with helps with anxiety, memory, locomotion andmore...

Keto Diet and concussions

Talk to your healthcare about doing a short term ketogenic diet. Ketones can prevent neuron cell death. Ketones help with ATP (the energy source of cells) depletion and decreases inflammation. Ketones are more effective in children because younger brains are better at absorbing and using ketones. Remember GABA is good for the brain? Ketones favor GABA production.

SIBO and concussions

Did you know the health of your digestive system (your gut, and even your teeth) affect the health of your brain?

Did you know that suffering from a concussion can make your gut vulnerable?

You can not separate the health of the gut and the brain!

If you notice irritable bowels after your brain injury, CLICK HERE to learn more about irritable bowels, home remedies and how we can help.

Sickness and Concussions

Did you know that head injuries can negatively impact the immune system, making you more vulnerable to getting infections or becoming sick? 

So if you suffer from a concussion, it is imperative that you take care of not only your brain, but your gut and your immune system. 

Stress and concussions

Stress is bad for the brain on so many levels. This is why when you suffer from a brain injury, you are instructed to rest. But we can't stress enough that REST IS NOT ENOUGH.

Yes, stay away from bright flashing lights, yes, that means you have to turn off your phones, computers and TV's. But you should also MOVE. We don't mean go to the gym and work out, but go for a relaxing hike on a trail, or lay on the floor and do your stretches. Your body needs movement to heal.

If you find yourself in a stressful situation, leave it. Practice meditation. Try gentle yoga. Gentle yoga is like meditation in motion, so it is doubly good.

Sleep and concussions

Sleep is imperative for the healing of the brain. You may notice you are sleeping longer. Let yourself. Your injured brain needs sleep more than ever. If you are struggling getting enough sleep, CLICK HERE to learn our tips on sleeping well.

Neck pain and concussions

Usually the forces involved with concussions also affect the neck and other parts of the body. You may have whiplash in addition to a concussion. We are more than neck pain experts. We can help.

If you suffered from a concussion, and are looking for advice, we are here for you. It is easy to schedule with us. CLICK HERE to schedule online with us. Your journey to a speedy recovery can start with us today.

Drummond Chiropractic, LLC
Sports Chiropractic Specialist, Dr. McCoy
Concussion Experts
565 N Walnut St
Bloomington, IN 47404

(812) 336 - 2423