ADHD natural support Archives • Alison Mitchell Naturopath

What you need to know about ADHD and gut health

Alison — Mon, 04 May 2026 04:58:35 +0000

TL;DR

The gut and brain communicate constantly via the gut-brain axis and vagus nerve — and for many people with ADHD, the gut is a significant piece of the puzzle.
The gut microbiome produces around 90% of the body’s serotonin, as well as dopamine precursors and calming neurotransmitters like GABA.
Compromised gut lining (leaky gut) can trigger neuroinflammation that directly impacts focus, mood, and behaviour.
Microba gut microbiome testing can show us exactly what’s happening rather than guessing — and help build targeted, effective support.

Why the gut keeps coming up in ADHD

If you or your child has ADHD, chances are most of the focus so far has been on the brain. Medications, strategies, routines, sensory tools. And all of that absolutely has its place. But there’s another system worth paying serious attention to, and it lives a lot further south.

The gut.

Over the last decade, research into ADHD gut health has grown enormously. What’s emerging is genuinely fascinating: the gut communicates constantly with the brain, produces a significant portion of the body’s neurotransmitters, and houses an immune system that can either support or undermine how we think, focus and feel. When the gut is struggling, the brain often is too.

In clinic, I see this pattern regularly. Kids and adults with ADHD who also deal with constipation, bloating, food sensitivities, or a history of frequent antibiotic use. It’s rarely a coincidence.

Gut health isn’t separate from brain health in ADHD — they’re part of the same conversation.

The gut-brain axis: a two-way conversation

The gut-brain axis is a sophisticated communication network linking the digestive system and the central nervous system. It works through the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system (the gut’s own independent nerve network), immune signalling, and hormonal pathways.

The vagus nerve is the superhighway of this system. Here’s what surprises most people: roughly 80 to 90 percent of the signals travelling along it go from the gut up to the brain, not the other way around. The gut is quite literally briefing the brain all day long.

For people with ADHD, vagal tone — how efficiently the vagus nerve functions — is an area of growing research interest. Poor vagal tone has been associated with difficulty regulating the nervous system, increased impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and reduced attentional control.

The enteric nervous system adds another layer. This network of over 500 million neurons lining the gut wall operates largely independently of the brain. When its environment is disrupted, the signals it sends upstream change accordingly.

The microbiome and ADHD: what your gut bacteria are doing

The gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the digestive tract — has an outsized influence on brain function. Here’s how:

Serotonin production

Around 90–95% of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut. Serotonin influences mood, sleep, impulse regulation, and is a precursor to melatonin. When the microbiome isn’t producing adequate serotonin, all of those areas are affected.

Dopamine precursors

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter most directly implicated in ADHD. While dopamine itself doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier, gut bacteria influence the availability of the precursors that do — including L-DOPA.

GABA

GABA is the brain’s primary calming neurotransmitter, playing a key role in reducing anxiety and supporting focus. Certain gut bacteria are involved in its production — and these species are consistently lower in people with ADHD.

Short-chain fatty acids

SCFAs like butyrate are produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fibre. Butyrate feeds the gut lining, supports blood-brain barrier integrity, and has anti-inflammatory effects in the central nervous system. Altered SCFA profiles are consistently found in children with ADHD.

What the research says

Studies consistently find distinct microbiome profiles in people with ADHD — lower Bifidobacterium, lower Lactobacillus, and lower Faecalibacterium. A 2025 meta-analysis also found a 63% increased risk of IBS in people with ADHD, covering data from over 175,000 individuals.

Leaky gut, neuroinflammation, and ADHD

The gut lining is designed to be selectively permeable — allowing nutrients through while keeping bacteria, toxins, and larger molecules out. When that lining becomes compromised (leaky gut), things get through that shouldn’t.

This triggers an immune response. Inflammatory signalling compounds called cytokines increase in circulation, and inflammation begins to affect the brain as well as the gut. This state of neuroinflammation is increasingly understood as a meaningful contributing factor in ADHD symptoms.

The current model gaining traction in research: gut dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability → systemic inflammation → impaired blood-brain barrier function → neurological environment associated with worsening of symptoms associated with ADHD. It’s not the whole picture, but it’s a significant part of it.

Signs that gut health may be contributing to ADHD symptoms: frequent digestive complaints, history of repeated antibiotic use, significant food sensitivities, strong sugar or processed food cravings, sleep difficulties, mood instability or anxiety alongside ADHD, and history of formula feeding or caesarean birth.

Microbiome testing: actually seeing what’s going on

One of the most valuable things we can do when ADHD and gut symptoms overlap is to look at what’s actually happening in the microbiome — rather than applying a generic protocol and hoping for the best.

This is where I find gut microbiome testing genuinely useful. I currently use Microba, a gut testing service that uses deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing — a significantly more detailed method than standard testing. Rather than just identifying which bacterial families are present, it can identify bacteria at the species and strain level, measure functional capacity, and assess markers like SCFA-producing potential and inflammation-related species and metabolites.

What Microba testing can show
Microbiome diversity and composition
SCFA-producing bacteria and estimated butyrate production capacity
Presence of inflammatory or dysbiotic species
Markers of intestinal permeability risk
Markers associated with poor motility, inflammation, altered immune response, and there are some markers associated with an increased likelihood of mood issues

Testing is done at home with a stool sample and returned to the lab via post — straightforward for both adults and kids. The results are detailed but translated into accessible language, which I find really useful for explaining findings to patients.

This information takes the guesswork out of gut support. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, we can see exactly where the gaps are and tailor support accordingly — specific probiotic strains, prebiotic foods, dietary shifts, and targeted herbal or nutritional support where indicated.

It currently costs ~$400-$500 depending on which level of test you choose which is not feasible for some people, but certainly gut health work can still be done without this, just not with the same level of fine tuning.

Common questions about ADHD and gut health

Does gut health affect ADHD?

Yes. Research consistently shows that people with ADHD have distinct gut microbiome profiles compared to those without the condition. The gut produces key neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine precursors, communicates directly with the brain via the vagus nerve, and influences neuroinflammation. Gut health is not the sole cause of ADHD, but it is a meaningful contributing factor for many people.

What gut issues are common in people with ADHD?

Constipation, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reflux, and food sensitivities are all more common in people with ADHD than in the general population. A 2025 meta-analysis found a 63% increased risk of IBS in individuals with ADHD, covering data from more than 175,000 people. These symptoms often indicate underlying gut dysbiosis rather than coincidental digestive complaints.

Can improving gut health help ADHD symptoms?

Supporting gut health can be a helpful part of a broader ADHD management approach. Improving microbiome diversity, reducing gut inflammation, and supporting short-chain fatty acid production may positively influence neurotransmitter balance, sleep, mood stability, and attention — all areas affected in ADHD. It works best alongside, not instead of, other management strategies.

What is the best gut test for ADHD?

Comprehensive microbiome testing using shotgun metagenomic sequencing — such as Microba — provides the most detailed picture of gut health relevant to ADHD. This goes beyond basic bacterial identification to assess functional capacity, SCFA-producing potential, and inflammation markers, allowing for much more targeted support.

How does leaky gut relate to ADHD?

When the gut lining becomes permeable, bacteria, toxins, and inflammatory compounds can enter the bloodstream and trigger immune responses. This chronic low-grade inflammation can affect the brain and contribute to the neuroinflammatory environment associated with ADHD symptoms including inattention, mood dysregulation, and impulsivity.

Naturopathic support for ADHD gut health isn’t about replacing other management strategies — it works alongside them. The focus is on identifying the specific factors influencing your (or your child’s) presentation, and building support from there.

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References

1. Ng, R. W., Chen, Z., Yang, L., et al. (2025). Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and intestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15, 19278. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04303-x
2. Steckler, R., Magzal, F., Kokot, M., Walkowiak, J., & Tamir, S. (2024). Disrupted gut harmony in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Dysbiosis and decreased short-chain fatty acids. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity – Health, 40, 100829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100829
3. Stiernborg, M., Debelius, J. W., Yang, L. L., Skott, E., Millischer, V., Giacobini, M., et al. (2023). Bacterial gut microbiome differences in adults with ADHD and in children with ADHD on psychostimulant medication. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 110, 310–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.012
4. Phasouk, K., Saengnipanthkul, S., Lao-araya, M., & Chattipakorn, N. (2025). Impact of psychostimulants on microbiota and short-chain fatty acids alterations in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Scientific Reports, 15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87546-y
5. Jiang, H., Zhang, X., Yu, Z., Zhang, Z., Deng, M., Zhao, J., & Ge, X. (2021). Gut microbiota signature in treatment-naïve attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9, 329. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12309550/
6. Liu, Y., Li, W., Zhong, X., et al. (2025). Symptom-specific gut microbial and metabolic profiles in ADHD reveal SCFA deficiency as a key pathogenic mechanism. ISME Journal. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12309550/

Ready to look at the bigger picture?

If you or your child is navigating ADHD and you’ve noticed gut symptoms, food sensitivities, sleep struggles or mood instability alongside the attention challenges, it’s worth exploring the gut connection. I offer gut-focused naturopathic consultations for both adults and children, including Microba testing where indicated.

Book a consultation

The post What you need to know about ADHD and gut health appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Natural Remedies for Kids

Alison — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:53:12 +0000

I love working with children in clinic, it can be so satisfying to see improvements in their health. Kids often have such a robust vital force that they respond quickly to natural remedies, and these improvements can leave a lasting impression. It’s not uncommon for adult patients to tell me they had positive experiences treating issues like skin or gut health as children when their parents brought them to a naturopath. Those early experiences often bring them back as adults, and in some cases, even inspire them to learn more about natural medicine themselves. Believe it or not, I’ve been practicing long enough now that I’m treating adults I first saw when they were kids!

When working with children there are several considerations that need to be made, which I will share with you below.

Common Childhood Health Concerns We Support

Carissa and I both enjoy working with all things children’s health, strongly fuelled by our own experiences as parents ourselves.

Some of the most common issues we help with include:

Mood & Behavioural Support – Anxiety, ADHD, sleep difficulties, aggression, and emotional regulation.
Digestive Health – Constipation, stomach pain, reflux, worms, diarrhoea, mesenteric adenitis, and food sensitivities.
Immunity & Respiratory Health – Frequent infections, low immunity, recurrent ear infections, nasal congestion, asthma, and urinary tract infections.
Fussy Eating Support – Identifying underlying causes and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies.
Skin Conditions – Eczema, psoriasis, acne, and molluscum contagiosum.

Prescribing Considerations for Children’s remedies

Making Remedies Kid-Friendly (Because Taste Matters!)

Let’s be honest—if it tastes bad, most kids won’t take it, no matter how healthy it is. While some adults might power through bitter herbs, kids are a different story. That’s why we only choose remedies that are naturally palatable or easy to disguise in foods or drinks. Powders or chewable tablets have to taste decent, and liquid herbs that I commonly prescribe to kids I stock in a glycetract form – this means that there is less alcohol content in the herbal formula, and it improves the taste of the formula.

If needed, there are a few tricks to getting the remedies in, such as hiding powdered supplements into gummies or iceblocks.

Gentle, Yet Powerful – The power of small doses

Children have strong, vibrant systems that often respond beautifully to gentle treatments. This means we can achieve wonderful results with small doses of herbal drops, flower essences, or homeopathics – all of which impact the healing process on an energetic level. These remedies work in harmony with your child’s natural healing abilities, often leading to surprisingly quick improvements without overwhelming their system.

Tailored Dosages for Growing Bodies

Your child’s body processes things differently than an adult’s. Their detoxification systems are still developing, which means we need to be mindful of the types of remedies we use and the dosages we recommend. We take great care in prescribing the right amount—just enough to support healing without overloading their system.

No More Tablet Battles

If your child struggles to swallow tablets (let’s face it, some adults do too!), don’t worry. We offer alternatives like liquids, powders, chewable tablets, and even topical creams. Yes, you read that right—sometimes we can use creams that absorb through the skin to deliver nutrients. No more mealtime meltdowns over medicine!

Simple Solutions That Fit Your Family’s Routine

We get it—juggling school, daycare, activities, and family life can be hectic. That’s why we design treatment plans that are practical and easy to follow. We’ll work with you to create a routine that fits seamlessly into your day, with dosing schedules that won’t add extra stress.

The Power of Food and Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes, the most powerful medicine comes from simple changes in diet and lifestyle. We love helping families discover how small tweaks—like adjusting food choices, improving sleep routines, or adding gentle movement—can make a big difference in your child’s health. This often reduces the need for lots of supplements, keeping things simple and natural.

Support for Parents, Too

We know that navigating your child’s health can feel overwhelming. And it’s very hard to implement changes for your child if you’re feeling burnt out yourself. That’s why we’re here to support you as well. It’s not uncommon for a parent to leave their child’s appointment with some nervous system support for themselves.

Ready to Support Your Child’s Health Naturally?

Carissa and I love working with families to create gentle, effective, and personalized health plans for kids of all ages. Whether you’re looking for help with immunity, digestion, sleep, skin issues, or general wellbeing, we would love to help you.

If you’re ready to explore natural health options for your child, book an appointment with us today. We’d love to meet you and your little one and help you feel confident in their care.

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