Vitamin D and the ADHD brain Vitamin D functions more like a hormone than a traditional vitamin. Receptors for it are found throughout the brain, including regions involved in attention, mood regulation, and executive function. A growing body of research has found that children with ADHD are more likely to have lower vitamin D levels compared to neurotypical peers. Some studies also show an association between lower levels and greater symptom severity, although this does not

Food sensitivity testing and why elimination still matters most Formal lab testing for food sensitivities is expensive, often inconsistent between labs, and frequently produces results that do not hold up well when compared with real-world symptoms. Because of that, we typically view testing as secondary. A properly structured elimination diet remains one of the most reliable tools for understanding whether a food is contributing to a child’s symptoms, and it does not require

Omega-3s and the ADHD brain Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are structural components of brain cell membranes. DHA is especially concentrated in the prefrontal cortex, the region involved in executive function, impulse control, and sustained attention—the same systems commonly implicated in ADHD. Because of that, omega-3 status matters less as a “general health” factor and more as a foundational input for how efficiently these brain networks function. When avai

Magnesium and the ADHD brain Magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes in the body, many of which directly affect the nervous system. That makes it one of the most commonly low nutrients we see in children with ADHD symptoms, and also one of the most overlooked in standard evaluations. It plays a role in regulating the stress response, modulating excitatory signaling in the brain through NMDA receptor activity, and supporting pathways involved in neurotransmi

Iron deficiency and the ADHD brain Iron deficiency, even without full-blown anemia, is one of the most overlooked and potentially modifiable contributors to ADHD-like symptoms. The reason it is missed so often is surprisingly simple. Standard bloodwork usually focuses on hemoglobin and red blood cell counts. Those can be completely normal while iron stores are already depleted. The test that actually reflects stored iron, ferritin, is not always included unless it is specific

The gut–brain connection in ADHD The gut and the brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve, a direct signaling pathway between the two systems. On top of that, a large portion of key neurotransmitters, including serotonin and a significant share of dopamine regulation, is influenced by processes that originate in the gut rather than the brain alone. That means the state of the gut is not just a digestive issue. It is a neurological variable. What the researc

The house that felt like the one You found it. The one. Maybe it was an old Craftsman with original built-ins still intact. Maybe it was a worn bungalow with good bones and bad carpet, the kind of place most people walked right past because they couldn’t see what it could become. But you saw it immediately. The wide front porch. The wood trim buried under decades of paint. The small details that don’t really get built like that anymore. You turned it into a project. Stripping

We've all been there. That uncomfortable feeling of tightness, pressure, and fullness in your abdomen – the dreaded bloat. While occasional bloating is normal, for many it becomes a chronic companion, impacting daily life and confidence. Functional medicine takes a different approach to bloating than conventional medicine. Instead of simply treating the symptom, we focus on uncovering the root cause. Bloating is often a sign of an imbalance in your gut, the complex ecosystem

With so many people close to me battling colds for the past few months, it felt timely to focus on the immune system for today's educational tidbit. From a functional medicine perspective, immune health is all about balance. Here's why: Your gut microbiome plays a MAJOR role in immunity. Good bacteria helps keep bad bugs in check, while also sending signals to your immune system. In functional medicine, we look for imbalances and ways to support a healthy gut. Chronic inflamm

The Today Show explores Functional Medicine