4 Ways to Lower Ammonia in the Brain

Elevated ammonia in the brain can affect your mental clarity, cognitive function, and more. Here’s what to do.

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Timestamps
0:15 Keto and ammonia 
0:41 Protein and ammonia 
1:00 Liver damage/kidney damage and ammonia 
1:10 What is ammonia?
1:14 Microbes and ammonia 
1:48 Ammonia in the brain
2:50 Natural remedies

Today, we’re going to talk about ammonia and ammonia toxicity in the brain. 

When you’re fasting or doing the ketogenic diet, you’re generating a lot of ketones which are acidic. Ammonia is generated to counter some of the acidity of the ketones. This isn’t a bad thing.

If you consume a lot of protein, you may also smell ammonia, which is usually not a problem unless you have liver damage. 

If you have liver damage or kidney damage, you may not break down ammonia fully to urea. This can cause it to build up and back up into the brain. 

What is ammonia?
Ammonia is a by-product of protein. 

An imbalance of your microbes can also generate excessive amounts of ammonia, which is one cause of ammonia in your brain. 
Ammonia in the brain:
When ammonia elevates in the brain, it can be toxic to the neurons and affect your mental clarity, cognitive function, mood, and can even cause a coma. 

Over-exercising or glyphosate from GMO products can also cause too much ammonia. 

Natural remedies to lessen the amount of ammonia in your body:

1. Sauerkraut 
2. Veggies
3. Moderate protein 
4. Manganese

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 53 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[sgtaneja]

About ammonia detox he totally forgot to mention about amino acids Argenine, and Ornithine.

[kneesovertoesguy-yrjl]

Well, today we were taught in the med school about ammonia but guess what they never talks about gut and defficiency

[ritalafleur]

Thank you again!! I'm taking my notes professor!

[pcpl]

Hi, I am confused as I just read on another website that stated "People with long-term liver disease have trouble getting rid of manganese. Manganese can build up and cause side effects. If you have liver disease, be careful not to get too much manganese." My dad has liver disease and has high ammonia levels, especially when not drinking Lactulose correctly.

[TranTek]

i learn so much little things here and there from Eric 🙏

[gardeninginthedesert]

Could you do a video about chewing food? How important is chewing? What happens if you don't chew enough? How much is enough? Is it possible to chew too much? Thanks.

[GodsOath_com]

In heaven Dr. Berg might get the “Love your neighbors as yourself” crown.

[sitdown]

Did not have the ability to eat right in Sept and Oct and boy have my hips sounded like corn popping in a pot lately - no exaggeration - a few times almost collapsed because my hips just could not support me! Glyphosphate destroys our manganese! It was from YOU, Dear Doc, that I first heard that manganese is a key to intact joints - it worked! But in Sept and Oct really went off the path. Can't thank you enough. I should have fasted instead of eating those processed foods - man oh man, only 2 months off track and look at the joint integrity that was depleted!! This was done not only because of less nutrition in processed foods but because of the glyphosphates (spelling?).

[ybe]

I'm assuming the sauerkraut should be the homemade variety and not the jarred type in the supermarket?

[gothafloxacin]

If you truely have a high level of ammonia in your brain to be clinically significant then food alone will not solve it. Its a multidisciplinary approach and not that simple.

[LucieSalat]

Useful and great. Thanks for doing what you do!

[katiie]

Thank you for making these videos❤️ much love from 🇨🇦

[jewelbug]

Interesting. I'm newly diagnosed with Lyme and understand that Lyme bacteria utilize manganese (not iron, as other bacteria) for energy, etc. Thus, lower manganese because of Lyme may mean higher ammonia levels(?) I read that Lyme may cause elevated ammonia, but I wasn't really sure of the exact mechanisms for it. I'm sure there's more to it than just the manganese element. I try to limit the amount of manganese I ingest because I don't want to give the little buggers any help with the party they are already having inside my body. I had a yearly checkup today and decided to ask the doc to check my ammonia levels just to see what they are at this moment in time. Thanks for this great info, Dr. Berg!

[SlavkoMiladinovic]

Sauerkraut is definitely cheaper than artichokes in the northern climate grocery stores during winter season! Das good stuff, yes? (haha)

[yellowrose]

12 yrs. or so I asked a Physician's Assistant why I had tiny pinpoint red spots on my legs. Now I have them on my arms, & stomach. Is this an indication of bad liver? I have water fasted for 7 days. I have not experienced smelly breath or urine. I've used occasional saurkarut. I've used your breakfast menu to come off the Fast. (Spinach salad perhaps hard to digest?) & lettuce salads go through me, loose runny bowels. I welcome your feed back. Before the Fast, I was using the Gallbladder Formula. I had all of the #4 problems listed on your video. Now the stool is dark, not as in small pieces. So 2 of #4 has reduce. I welcome your feedback. In Nov. diagnosed as Diabetic (2019). On your diet of gluten free, no fried foods-- One or 2 days of interment fasting since.

[remon]

Dr. Berg, what has helped me is L-ornitine and L-arginine. What are your thoughts on these ?

[Ellen_mcg]

Did Dr. Berg say how would one know if there is ammonia in the brain?

[AbbyS.Pumpkins]

Thank you for this. I’ve been an acute-care hospital nurse for 17 years so I’ve seen a lot of liver disease, but now that my husband is the “patient”…I’m freaking out. He’s a recovering alcoholic (8 months alcohol free!). He was prescribed rifaximin so he could get off the lactulose, but I’m finding out that the rifaximin is not working for him. Despite taking rifaximin, I was seeing all the signs of hyperammonemia (fatigue, hypersomnia, slow cognition, tremors, mood changes). I urged him to get his ammonia checked and sure enough, it was 150. I had him start taking lactulose again and I’m seeing a noticeable improvement in his symptoms…but I’m scared. All of his liver-related labs are improving except his ammonia. He DOES drink a lot of 2% milk. Do you think that could be compounding the issue? I told him to reduce his milk and protein intake a bit. I’m going to buy some manganese right now. Do you know if there are any other supplements that might helped with the ammonia? Could his use of probiotics be making the ammonia levels worse? I’m wondering if he should stop the rifaximin because it’s not helping and I read it can cause hepatotoxicity. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 🙏🏼

[bobbiwest]

Ok, today a recipe of yours popped up on my phone. I had just said out loud, i need some bread God. I need something fast and that tastes good. And that doesnt have soy, or preservatives, or wheat. Behold, a recipe, on my phone. Made a double batch. I ate all three. Pretty good. Thanks for recipe.

[mi]

Hello Dr. BERG! Thank you for these valuable videos. Can L glutamine supplements raise or lower ammonia in body? Conflicting info online. Safe to take for a short period?