Please read medical disclaimer at the end of the article, and consult your personal health care provider prior to acting upon any information provided in this article, protocol, or website.

Discussion

Concussions can happen in sports, car accidents, falls, or fights.  Any trauma to the head can cause a concussion.  The brain has the consistency of Jello, and any rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head, such as in a car accident, a fall, or hit to the head, causes what is essentially a bruise to the brain.

The brain gets compressed within the skull due to bleeding and/or swelling of the brain.  Surgery may be necessary to remove a hematoma (blood clot), to relieve pressure on the brain.  Bleeding outside the brain covering (meninges), is not as damaging as bleeding into the brain tissue, as with a stroke.  Blood is destructive to brain matter (neurons).  That is why blood is transported through blood vessels within the brain.  The rupture of a blood vessel within the brain leads to a hemorrhagic stroke.  The rupture of a blood vessel outside the meninges leads to a hematoma.

Concussions affect the function of the brain, and the symptoms are usually temporary, such as headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and sleepiness.  Fortunately, most people usually make a full recovery, but repetitive concussions, and occasionally a severe concussion, can result in chronic symptoms or serious consequences, which is a chronic concussive syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion May Include

• Headache or feeling of pressure in head
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response to questions
• Appearing dazed
• Fatigue

Common Delayed Symptoms of Concussion

• Concentration and memory complaints
• Irritability and other personality changes
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep disturbances
• Psychological adjustment problems and depression
• Disorders of taste and smell
• Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination
• Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
• Seizures

Of course, any person who sustains a head injury should be evaluated by a doctor.  The doctor will decide upon appropriate brain imaging to make a diagnosis.  The immediate management includes rest and observation.  Your doctor will give you the warning signs of a worsening situation, which include nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc.  Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Any type of physical exertion immediately following a concussion can cause additional trauma.  Rest is usually recommended until the activities do not trigger any symptoms, or until your doctor clears you for activities.

Often nutritional supplementation can be of benefit in the healing process, as they reduce inflammation and help with cellular recovery.  Often symptoms can be lessened due to the use of supplements.  Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, slow cognition, etc., all may be lessened by taking a properly balanced nutritional supplement protocol.

The micronutrient nutritional supplements listed in my protocol below help to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage within the brain, as well as boost the ATP energy molecules needed within the cells trying to recover.  Even the function of neurotransmitters are improved with the use of quality nutritional supplements.

As long as there is no active bleeding then supplements are safe to use.  If active bleeding is suspected then use of supplements should be suspended until at least 48 hours after the suspicion is past.  You should consult with your doctor prior to using nutritional supplements.

Supplement Protocols to Support Recover from Concussion

The protocols below are to support anyone as they recover from a concussion, as well as post-concussion syndrome.  The protocol should only be used if there is no active bleeding within or on the brain.  Consult your doctor to make sure there is not a restriction on the use of supplements due to concern about active bleeding.  It is wise if supplements were not used within 24 hours of a concussion, until it is established there is no concern for active bleeding within the head.

You will see that the stand-alone products, alpha lipoic acid, 5- HTP, and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) listed in the moderate and optimal-dose protocols, are to work synergistically with the other micronutrients to support recovery and optimal function of various neurotransmitters.  The various micronutrients all work better together for cognition, memory, and improved sleep.

Bacopa monnieri Extract

Bacopa extract is a powerful antioxidant and safe anti-inflammatory micronutrient. It has been shown to improve memory, learning, and cognition, in those without memory deficits, as well as those with dementia. It has been shown to help attention, focus, cognition processing speed, improve spatial learning, and induce neuroplasticity, that is help the brain rewire damaged neuro connections. This is particularly useful following a concussion.

Bacopa extract helps reduce ADD/ADHD symptoms, OCD symptoms, as well as anxiety and stress. It helps your body adapt to stress, by becoming more resistant to stress.  It helps reduce the feelings of being overwhelmed, frazzled, and anxiety by elevating the mood. One study found that taking 300 mg per day of Bacopa monnieri significantly reduced anxiety and depression compared to placebo. (3, 4)

There are several other micronutrients that help alleviate depression and anxiety. Those are listed in the Protocol below, and I recommend that people consider the supplements, and discuss these with their doctor to see if these are right for them.

Probiotics

An unlikely factor for mood, anxiety, and depression is the health of the bowel. There is a gut-brain connection, and good bacteria (probiotics) in the bowel produce serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other mood-enhancing biochemicals which affect mood and cognition. In fact, much of the serotonin in our body is produced by the bacteria in our bowel! Without healthy bacteria, there is a decrease in serotonin production, which can make one susceptible to mood and cognition disorders.

Collectively, the bacteria in the bowel is called the microbiome, and it is often considered another organ of the body. With nearly 3 pounds of bacteria, numbering in the 50 – 100 trillion range, the diverse species of bacteria is considered the rain forest of the body. There is an intricate balance of friendly bacteria that we have a symbiotic relationship with in order to maintain digestion and a healthy mood. In addition, the bowel microbiome is a key component of the immune system.

Antibiotics, eating unhealthy foods, stress, lack of sleep, coffee, alcohol, lack of hormones, trauma, and a micronutrient deficiency, all can alter the balance of bacteria in the bowel. With a lack of healthy gut bacteria, less serotonin, dopamine, and GABA is produced, and one can be at risk for mood and cognitive disorders, let alone infections, and digestive disorders.

In my protocol, I recommend a quality probiotic supplement with a combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and Bifidobacterium BB-12, the two probiotic strains which scientific studies have shown to be important for establishing a foundation for the growth of numerous other healthy gut bacterial strains. By supplementing with these two strains of probiotics on a regular basis, one can maintain a healthy microbiome, which will produce healthy levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, and help support a better mood, as well as cognition, without the risk of serotonin storm.

Numerous probiotic strains are available, many of which have very little-to-no clinical data regarding their benefit or physiological activity. The two strains mentioned above are backed by numerous human trials to prove viability and benefit in humans. They are designed for long shelf-life, and importantly, for withstanding the harsh acidic environment of the stomach so they can pass into the intestines intact, where they multiply and create a healthy environment for the microbiome to flourish.

Please read medical disclaimer at the end of the article, and consult your personal health care provider prior to acting upon any information provided in this article, protocol, or website.

Minimal Protocol for Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome

Basic Protocol for Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome

Average Protocol for Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome

Advanced Protocol for Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome

• To purchase the specific products from Douglas Labs, Ultra Lipoic Forte and NAC 500 mg or 750 mg, and 5-HTP Plus 100 mg, please first create a customer purchasing account by CLICKING HERE.  (If this link does not work for you, simply type “douglaslabs.com/patient-account” into a new browser tab.) Please use Referral Code 2074214. Once your purchase account is set up, then you can search for the specific products by name.  
• AM: With, or after breakfast
• Noon: At lunchtime with food, or shortly thereafter
• PM: Late afternoon with food, or at, or after dinner
• Please see my list of ingredients (below) that I like to see provided by a foundational vitamin and mineral supplement.
• Bacopa extract, also providing Coffee Cherry Fruit Extract, and American Ginseng. These help clam the mind, as it helps heal neuron connections.
• Probiotics can be added to either protocol above.  They should provide at least take 12 billion colony-forming bacteria, providing Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® and Bifidobacterium BB12®, taken daily or every other day.
• Liver Support Supplement is needed to support the liver to carry out its several functions, including production of many hormones, and biochemical processes (methylation), which ultimately can affect mood. A liver support product will provide ingredients such as milk thistle extract, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, olive extract, broccoli extract, green tea extract, curcurmin (turmeric extract), and biotin.

Ingredients that I like to see provided collectively by vitamin-antioxidant & chelated mineral tablets

Vitamin A, mostly as Beta Carotene
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E
Vitamin K (K1 & K2)
B-Complex Vitamins
Curcumin (turmeric extract)
Quercetin
Green Tea Extract
Olive Extract
Rutin
Resveratrol
Choline
Lutein
Lycopene
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
Calcium
Magnesium
Iodine (as potassium iodide)
Zinc
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Chromium
Molybdenum
Including Ultra Trace Minerals

Medical Disclaimer

Information on this website, written, spoken, or in any other communication by Dr. Ladd McNamara or any other information or reference is for informational purposes only. The information provided on this website is a result of years of practice, experience, and study by the author. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by someone’s personal licensed physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this website, or any other form of communication from Dr. Ladd McNamara or the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, for diagnosing or treatment of a health issue or disease, or for the prescribing of medication or the use of supplementation without a discussion with your licensed health professional first.  At best, the information provided on this website is only meant to supplement information provided by your own doctor or health professional, not to replace medical advice.  The information from this website is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or possible adverse effects of nutritional supplements with or without medications, or in conjunction with specific medical conditions.  The information from this website may not fit your specific health circumstances.  Never delay seeking medical care or disregard advice from your health care professional because of information you have received directly or indirectly from this website, from the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, or from Dr. Ladd McNamara himself.   Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or embarking on a nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement program, or before using any treatment for a health concern. If you have, or suspect that you have, a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly.  Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read or heard on this website, or due to any other information from Dr. Ladd McNamara or his representatives. Information provided on this website or the V.I.P. Program, and the use of any products or services mentioned on this website (or as a result of information provided this program, article, or website) by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Ladd McNamara, M.D.  Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Jastrzębska J, et al.  N-acetylcysteine amide (AD4) reduces cocaine-induced reinstatement.  Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2016 Sep;233(18):3437-48.
2. Su KP, et al. Association of Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Changes in Severity of Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Sep 7;1(5):e182327.Calabrese C, et al.
3. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jul;14(6):707-13.
4. Stough C, et al. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Aug;156(4):481-4.
5. Talbott SM, et al. Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora®) on cortisol and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Aug 7;10(1):37.
6. Kalman DS, et al. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2008 Apr 21;7:11. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-7-11.
7. Pinto-Sanchez MI, et al. Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 Reduces Depression Scores and Alters Brain Activity: A Pilot Study in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2017 Aug;153(2):448-459.e8.

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