@PaulL @Rebj
So… my short term memory (post covid) is kinda wreaking havoc. I can deal with brain fog… remembering all the steps to making coffee. But forgetting something I did yesterday is disturbing. Hoping this is covid related and will improve.
I am carni, have been for almost a year. I only take K2/D3 and some collagen for my vanity.
So let’s talk so callled “brain food’. Should I start drinking electrolytes? If so, I would like specifics.
Electrolytes and stupid covid brain
robintemplin
(Robin)
#1
PaulL
(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?)
#2
“Brain food” used to be fish, when I was a lad. I no longer remember why. (They say memory is the first thing to go; I don’t remember what the second is, lol!) But perhaps more fish in your diet?
One thing we do know is that the brain is mostly made of fat and cholesterol, and cholesterol in particular is essential for the proper transmission of nerve impulses. So if you are taking a statin, that would be the first thing I’d eliminate. If you have been taking one, it is entirely possible that the effect of the drug on mentation was sub-clinical, but the virus aggravated the situation. (Just a thought, anyway. I don’t know that you are taking a statin, but I am mentioning it for other readers of this thread.)
I’m not sure that electrolytes will help, but you could try supplementing magnesium and potassium. And definitely be sure to get a bit of extra salt. Dr. Phinney recommends “lite” salt, which is usually half sodium chloride and half potassium chloride, as a good way to get an extra bit of potassium along with our sodium. Magnesium is found in every molecule of chlorophyll, so dark green vegetables are a good source, if you would consider returning to eating them. Dr. Phinney also recommends a brand of magnesium supplement called Slow Mag. It’s a time-release brand available in the U.S., but anyone in a different country might or might not be able to find it. (I am looking for the Phinney video in which he and Dr. Taylor discuss its availability in Australia.)
Other than that, I don’t know what to say. I had omicron a few weeks before you, and I have found the lingering effects to be migraines, lack of energy, and bronchitis. I don’t know if there has been any effect on—I’m sorry, what were we talking about? 
I’ve had memory issues since childhood (it’s amazing what I can remember, but also what I can’t), so it’s hard to observe an effect from omicron here.
But there has been progress: The migraines have gone away, the energy is returning (though my father and I find we still tire easily), and the cough persists. So an improvement on my part, which holds out hope that your improvement is to be expected in a couple more weeks—the good Lord willing, and the creek don’t rise.
robintemplin
(Robin)
#3
Thanks Paul. I took both magnesium and potassium while keto. In fact, I still have some of both, unexpired. So that’s an easy n=1 that I’ll start today.
No statins here and I hate all things fishy. All my life. But I may see if I can stomach some of my hubby’s homemade tuna salad, though it would be adding some carbs and take me off the carni wagon… I’m fine with that if it helps.
I also am going to be more mindful of my water and salt. Both of which I previously used when taking my mag powder before bed.
Thanks. As always.
(I was gonna keep this on the down low, but it’s become impossible as friends and loved ones are noticing my memory issues. It’s only a matter of time before I start repeating myself here.)
Good times! 
SomeGuy
(Joey)
#4
If you’re already getting sufficient electrolytes, then no, increasing your intake wouldn’t likely make much of a difference. If not, then it might promote some improvement in general metabolic function - short-term memory being included in that constellation of activities.
Generally speaking (assuming reasonable general health and decent connection with one’s satiety and taste), it’s pretty hard to overdo salt(s) because your taste buds rebel at the prospect of going too far. The consensus of science available seems to support the conclusion that you’ll urinate out excess salts before you can do any real harm.
So, with that, unless you’re already consuming a hefty dose of electrolytes, I’d consider adding a bit more - testing taste/satiety - and seeing how that plays out. Hard to imagine how it could hurt even if it doesn’t resolve your post-COVID memory issues.
Best wishes!
ctviggen
(Bob M)
#5
The problem is that covid is an insidious disease. This is a story about brain scans, taken before and after covid:
This is the study:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04569-5
From the story:
As far as I know, they don’t know how to help patients with these abnormalities, their extent, or even whether they apply to different variants.
I’d try electrolytes, but it might simply take some time (eg, to recover or “retrain” new areas of the brain).
Rebj
(Rebecca )
#6
Hi, Robin. I’m sorry to hear you’re still having long-term issues.
In my studies, I did see a soon to be submitted for publication article on the benefits of Red Ginseng for severe fatigue and brain fog.
In the past I also commented here on using magnesium-L-threonate because it is the only form that passes through the blood/brain barrier.
I’m hearing from a lot of customers lately who are experiencing the same issues.
These could be worth a shot.
robintemplin
(Robin)
#8
Oye, so much to learn and so little to know what to do with it all. So I’m doing what I can and hoping time will help. Thanks for this. It’s hard to know what info is good and what is just conjecture. This helps.
robintemplin
(Robin)
#9
Believe it or not, I bought some of those the last time you brought it up. Can’t remember now (haha) why I didn’t follow thru. Here is what I have. Recommended dose is 2 per day. Do you agree?
D3EEA6B0-A52F-404B-8B49-66E6F2C0CCAF|393x500
SomeGuy
(Joey)
#10
FWIW, my wife and I each add 500mg of Mg (Mg element content) to our daily drinking water (along with a tsp of sea salt NaCl). 2 capsules of this supplement appear to provide 280 mg of Mg. I doubt it’d be too much.