Is Your Child’s Gut Health Affecting Their Mood, Focus, and Calm? The Hidden Gut–Brain Connection in ADHD and Behaviour

Is Your Child’s Gut Health Affecting Their Mood, Focus, and Calm?

If your child struggles with emotional ups and downs, tummy pain, or restless energy, you’re not alone. Many parents assume these are just “part of childhood,” but research shows the gut-brain connection plays a huge role in how children feel, focus, and behave.

This isn’t about blame or “fixing” ADHD — it’s about exploring how the gut can either support or stress the brain.

Understanding the Gut–Brain Axis

The gut and brain constantly communicate through the gut-brain axis - a network of nerves, hormones, and microbes. Around 90% of serotonin, the body’s “feel-good” chemical, is made in the gut, not the brain.

Dr. James Greenblatt, a leader in nutritional psychiatry, highlights how supporting gut health can help improve focus, mood, and regulation. His model doesn’t replace traditional ADHD treatments - it complements them by creating better biochemical balance inside the body.

🦠 The Role of Clostridia, Candida, and the HPHPA Marker

When the gut’s microbiome becomes imbalanced, certain microbes can overgrow. Two common culprits are Clostridia (a bacterial species) and Candida albicans (a yeast).

These overgrowths can produce metabolites that interfere with dopamine and other brain messengers — often influencing hyperactivity, agitation, and emotional regulation.

A key clue is found in Organic Acids Testing (OAT) or Metabolic Organic Acids Testing (MOAT). The HPHPA marker, when elevated, can signal Clostridia overgrowth. Addressing this with targeted probiotics, gentle antimicrobial support, and diet changes can often bring significant improvements in calm and focus.

The Functional Medicine Approach

Functional medicine asks why the body is showing symptoms. Instead of just suppressing them, we look for root causes such as:

• Repeated antibiotic use

• Chronic constipation or reflux

• Food sensitivities and inflammation

• Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, B vitamins)

• Gut microbiome imbalance

By supporting digestion and microbiome balance, we help the nervous system settle too. It’s a whole-body approach — not an either/or conversation with medication or therapy, but an and.

Why Testing Brings Clarity

OAT and MOAT testing provide a biochemical snapshot of your child’s internal environment. They can detect bacterial overgrowths, yeast markers like Candida, nutrient needs, and neurotransmitter metabolites.

When we understand the body’s signals, we can create targeted, evidence-based nutrition plans that genuinely support your child’s emotional and cognitive health.

A Gentle, Empowering Way Forward

Supporting your child’s gut health is not about blame — it’s about giving their body one more tool to thrive. Small shifts can create big ripple effects: calmer energy, steadier moods, and fewer tummy complaints.

Ready to Explore the Gut–Brain Connection?

As a Nutritional Therapist specialising in children’s gut–brain health (as well as fertility and pregnancy wellness), I help families uncover what’s really driving their child’s symptoms through functional testing and personalised nutrition.

If you’d like to explore whether gut imbalances like Clostridia or Candida could be affecting your child’s focus or mood, I invite you to book a free enquiry call.

👉 Book your free call here: https://seednutritionappointments.as.me/schedule/9a4f42bd/appointment/20640070/calendar/3794031

Together, we’ll explore how simple, science-based changes can