Your brain acts as the control center of your body, controlling myriad physiological processes including movement, cognitive functioning, hormone synthesis and emotional regulation. Inflammation in your brain, or the tissue surrounding your brain, can interfere with your brain's functioning and lead to the development of neurological disorders. Nutrients can have a beneficial, or deleterious, effect on the level of inflammation within your brain.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One vitamin that can help regulate inflammation in your brain is omega-3 fatty acids. These fats have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body: They prevent the release of pro-inflammatory proteins, called cytokines, and thus inhibit inflammation. As a result, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to immune disorders that affect the brain, such as multiple sclerosis. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids might help to prevent excess inflammation in your brain -- although the role of omega-3 fatty acids in treating or reversing the effects of brain inflammatory diseases remains unknown.
Vitamin D
Consuming vitamin D might also have a beneficial effect on fighting inflammation within your brain. Vitamin D deficiency leads to an increase in the levels of a protein, TNF-α, which stimulates an immune response to promote inflammation. As a result, individuals suffering from vitamin D deficiency face an increased risk of abnormal inflammation in several tissues, including the brain. In addition, low vitamin D levels correlate to an increased risk of multiple sclerosis, further highlighting the vitamin's potential positive role in brain inflammation.
Vitamin A
One vitamin that can have a negative effect on brain inflammation is vitamin A, a group of related compounds known collectively as retinoids. Excessive vitamin A consumption causes hypervitaminosis A, or vitamin A toxicity. This toxicity can lead to the accumulation of fluid within your skull and increase the amount of pressure on your brain, leading to tissue inflammation and brain damage. As a result, individuals with vitamin A toxicity might develop visual disturbances, or suffer from headaches, nausea or loss of consciousness due to pressure on the brain.
Considerations
Preventing a vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acid deficiency might help to reduce your risk of developing inflammatory disorders that affect your brain. You can prevent vitamin D deficiency by receiving adequate sunlight, or by consuming vitamin D supplements under the supervision of a doctor. In addition, consuming seeds, nuts and fish -- particularly fatty fishes, like salmon -- can increase your omega-3 fatty acid intake to prevent a deficiency. Always talk to your doctor before taking any vitamin supplements, especially supplements that contain vitamin A. Your physician can recommend a supplement dosage to prevent a vitamin toxicity, while still meeting the nutritional needs of your body.
