Blood Brain Barrier Permeability Test Results and Next Steps
My plan for the next 6 months
In a recent post I mentioned that I would be taking a bloor brain barrier permeability test from Cyrex Labs and report back with those results.
Well, the results are in, and you can see them the image below.
My IgM results are in the normal range, but my IgG+IgA results are out of range. Here’s how these results were explained to me by my doctor, followed by the next steps.
If my IgM was high, that would mean I had an acute brain injury, perhaps in the immediate aftermath of brain trauma. It’s good news (and expected) that this is normal.
The IgG+IgA results indicate that my immune system is attacking my blood-brain barrier, creating inflammation and compromising the barrier.
If this situation was severe enough, I would be nearly catatonic, unable to dress myself, remember my name, etc.
Do my levels rise and fall on any given day or hour of the day depending on a number of factors? Yes.
I’m still making and replenishing the cells of my blood-brain barrier. They are both being attacked and being replenished. The metabolic or lost energy cost of this is unclear.
So, uh, what now?
Next steps
The plan my doctor provided for the next 6 months is fairly clear. She and I are still waiting on the results of my gut health tests, which might add some layers to this plan. For example, if I have a leaky gut or other issues that need to be addressed in tandem.
Most the of following is from the plan I received, not a plan I devised. This is a good time to remind you that I not a medical professional. It is also a good time to remind you that this plan is specific to my needs based not only on the results of this test but on other tests as well.
TO TREAT HIGH IGG AND IGA ANTIBODIES:
Dietary recommendations:
- Avoid wheat, dairy, tomatoes, soy, corn and spinach for 8-10 weeks.
- Low sugar, no sweets or processed foods.
- Eat organic foods that are rich in polyphenols, low in toxins, non-genetically modified (non-GMO).
- Reduce cooked meats, coffee, crackers and chips to minimize acrylamide and advanced glycation end-products.
- Limit neurotoxin exposure by reducing these foods: non-organic foods, shellfish/seafood, and chocolate.
- Increase protein to 90-120 grams a day. Think about adding in an organic protein shake such as Orgain and Truvani. Do a one-day tracking of protein in MyFitnessPal just to see where you're at.
- Drink green tea or matcha daily.
- Use turmeric daily as a spice in your food or drink Golden Milk daily.
- Eat plenty of broccoli, broccoli sprouts, blueberries, black and red raspberries, black currants, acai, cloves, eggplant, purple corn, and black rice — all contain anthocyanins and flavanols which are great for brain healing.
- Eat plenty of choline-rich foods: chicken, turkey, collard greens, brussels sprouts, broccoli, swiss chard, cauliflower, asparagus
***Brain healthy smoothie: 1/4 – 1/3 cup frozen blueberries with cranberries, pomegranate and water with 1-2 scoops of organic hemp protein or pea protein powder and 2.5 or more grams of leucine to prevent muscle loss; can consider adding in microgreens or watercress to aid in detoxification and 1/2 a banana if wanting a smoother flavor.
***Golden Milk: Ingredients - - One 1/2 gallon of full fat coconut milk - 6 tbsp turmeric - 1-2 tsp of powdered ginger - 1-2 tsp of either black pepper or red chili pepper spice - 1-2 tbsp of local honey Steps to making Golden Milk - 1. Combine the 1/2 gallon of full-fat coconut milk, the entire container of turmeric, powdered ginger, black pepper or red chili pepper and honey into a saucepan 2. Turn your stove onto high heat and heat up the mixture, stirring every so often so as to incorporate all the ingredients. 3. Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce it to a simmer and simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes. 4. Let it cool and then pour into a storage container. This could either be one big glass container or jars. 5. Store it in your fridge until you are ready to consume!
Exercise recommendations:
Work up to 40 minutes in training heart rate zone (220 minus age); start with ~15 minutes then add 1-2 minutes to each exercise session; strength training 1-2 days per week. Should be done without pain and should not cause headaches. Bike if having issues with balance.
Supplement recommendations:
- Phosphatidylserine - 300-800 mg nightly.
- NAC - 600 mg three times a day.
- Magnesium threonate - 200-400 mg daily.
- Creatine - 5 g daily.
- Fish oil - 4-6 grams a day.
Avoid all supplements with calcium and all foods w/MSG.
Brain training:
Dance lessons, Simon games, ping pong, BrainHQ, Brainspotting, physical therapy, craniosacral, and chiropractic care.
FSM (frequency specific microcurrent), neurofeedback, audio-visual entrainment, pulsed light emitting diodes in red & near-infrared spectrum applied to head and neck.
HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) – do alongside everything else; 1.5-2 ATM for 10 sessions, if not beneficial after 10 sessions then discontinue.
My thoughts on this plan
This is the plan I’ll be following for the next 6 months. It’s a lot, but totally doable.
I already follow a number of these recommendations. For me, going without dairy will probably be the most challenging part, as well as eating that much protein.
I like having the results of this test because it gives me something to measure against in the future, to see if this plan works.
I also feel a sense of relief in having a doctor who is in my corner, rather than one who is an antagonist or basing his care on information that is now decades out of date.
I watched an interview where Dr. Peter Attia describes the difference between Medicine 2.0 and 3.0 (these are his terms). He said that in essence, Medicine 2.0 was largely defined by gathering results and evidence from other people (historically men), and then trying to apply them to everyone, but 3.0 is about gathering evidence from you and personalizing the treatment to you, with the information from other people serving as a background reference point. I’m paraphrasing, but that was the gist.
His observation is another way of saying that the plan I’ve received does not apply to everyone, and you should get your own results and seek care based on those results. I can tell you that when I asked for this test from my previous doctor, he didn’t know what it was and thus wouldn’t even consider doing it, which did not surprise me at all. I view his role as being akin to the Post Office. Good for certain things, commendable in many ways, but I’m glad I can go elsewhere when needed.
Now to see if I have the ingredients to make that Golden Milk.
Brainwave is a newsletter about brain health and an informational resource for people whose symptoms haven’t resolved after a concussion or mTBI. I aim to present this information in a clear and concise way, spelling out what’s backed by science and what remains unknown. Nothing here is meant as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a physician or a healthcare practitioner of any kind; I’ve had a lot of sports-related concussions and had to learn this stuff the hard way. If you found this information helpful or know someone who might benefit from it, please share and subscribe to Brainwave.