What Brain Fog Really Felt Like Before Going Gluten-Free

Discover how brain fog led to my celiac disease diagnosis. Learn the connection between gluten, nutrient deficiencies, and cognitive symptoms in women.

FOOD INTOLERANCES

Giselle Meireles

5/10/20262 min read

Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I honestly thought I was just exhausted from stress or everyday life. I had no idea that what I was experiencing could actually be something called “brain fog.”

For months, I constantly felt mentally tired and disconnected. Even simple tasks became difficult. Sometimes I struggled to focus on conversations, forgot small things easily, or felt like my brain was moving slower than normal.

One of the strangest feelings I had was while driving. There were moments when I suddenly felt confused or mentally distant, almost like I was on autopilot and not fully present. Looking back now, it feels scary, but at the time I truly didn’t understand what was happening to me.

Along with that, I was also dealing with:

  • constant fatigue

  • low energy

  • anemia

  • low vitamin D and B12

  • digestive issues

  • bloating and excessive gas

I kept doing blood tests, taking supplements, and even iron infusions, but nothing seemed to completely improve how I felt.

Everything changed when a Brazilian doctor living here in Perth, Australia, decided to investigate further. Because I was also experiencing digestive symptoms, he requested food intolerance testing.

That was the moment my world changed.

My results showed very high transglutaminase levels, and I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Until that moment, I honestly had no idea what celiac disease really was.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is not a medical condition itself, but rather a term people use to describe symptoms such as:

  • difficulty concentrating

  • forgetfulness

  • mental fatigue

  • slow thinking

  • feeling mentally “cloudy”

  • difficulty focusing

For some people with celiac disease or food intolerances, brain fog may happen because the body is under constant inflammation or not properly absorbing important nutrients.

Why Can Celiac Disease Cause Brain Fog?

In people with untreated celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. Over time, this can affect the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients like:

  • iron

  • vitamin B12

  • vitamin D

  • folate

Deficiencies in these nutrients may contribute to fatigue, weakness, and cognitive symptoms like poor concentration and mental exhaustion.

Inflammation may also play a role in how the brain and nervous system function.

Of course, brain fog can happen for many different reasons, and not everyone experiencing fatigue or concentration issues has celiac disease. But for me personally, finally understanding the cause behind my symptoms was life-changing.

What Helped Me

After starting a strict gluten-free lifestyle and paying more attention to my gut health, I slowly began noticing improvements in my energy, focus, and overall wellbeing.

It didn’t happen overnight, and I’m still learning every day, but understanding my body better made a huge difference.

That’s one of the reasons I created VitalAura — to share my experience and help other women feel less alone in their own wellness journey.

Important Note

This article is based on my personal experience and should not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, digestive problems, or brain fog, it’s important to speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

References

Research has shown that neurological and cognitive symptoms, including “brain fog,” are commonly reported in people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.