What is
Functional Nutrition?
And why is it important for ADHD?
Functional nutrition isn’t about quick fixes or fad diets.
It looks at the why behind your symptoms and helps us understand what your body and brain actually need to function well.
When ADHD is in the mix, that “why” becomes even more important.​
ADHD isn’t just about focus & attention.
It’s about energy, motivation, sleep, hormones, and the nervous system.
We always ask first:
What’s going on in your body that makes
food and life
feel harder than they should?
Nutrient Deficiencies
Magnesium, zinc, omegas, B vitamins. They sound boring, but they’re brain fuel. When they’re low, dopamine and serotonin can’t do their jobs properly, and everything feels harder. Think of it like trying to run your phone on 3% battery all day. Not fun.
The Blood Glucose Rollercoaster
ADHD brains burn through fuel fast. When blood sugar dips, the brain throws a tantrum. Cue the cravings, binges, or “why am I yelling at my kids at 5 pm” moments. Keeping blood sugar steady is less about perfection and more about not letting your brain crash and drag you down with it.
Gut Chaos
Your gut and your brain are in constant conversation. If your gut is inflamed or unhappy, your brain gets the memo loud and clear - usually in the form of brain fog, mood swings, or feeling like everything is “just too much.” Supporting gut health can quiet the noise.
Hormones and Sleep
Hormones and circadian rhythms are like the stage crew for your brain. When they’re off, the whole show suffers. Peri or post menopause, stress, or poor sleep can crank up ADHD symptoms. Helping your body find a steadier rhythm can make daily life feel less like survival mode.
What Tests Do We Use,
& Why Do They Matter for ADHD?
Functional nutrition isn’t about guessing. It’s about data.
The right tests give us insight into how your body and brain are actually working, so we can stop chasing symptoms and start building supports that last.
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Here are some of the most common tests I use, and why they matter for ADHD health:
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Hormones & Stress Rhythm (Neuroendocrine Testing)​
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DUTCH Test or Salivary Cortisol Curve
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These show how your stress hormones rise and fall throughout the day. ADHD brains often ride cortisol rollercoasters - wired at night, exhausted in the morning. Seeing your rhythm helps us balance energy, sleep, and mood.
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Nutrients & Brain Chemistry
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Organic Acids Test (OAT)
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Looks at B-vitamin status, energy production, and neurotransmitter precursors for dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Many ADHD brains run low on magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins - the raw materials for brain chemistry. OAT helps explain things like wired-but-tired energy, sleep struggles, and burnout.
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Gut Health & Food Sensitivities
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GI-MAP or Stool Testing
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Reveals microbiome imbalances, inflammation, or hidden infections. Since 80% of the immune system lives in the gut, this has big effects on mood, energy, and focus.
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Food Sensitivity Panels (IgG)
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Identify delayed food reactions that can trigger foggy thinking, irritability, or gut irritation. Gluten and dairy often show up here, but testing helps us stop guessing.
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Nutrigenomic Testing
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This looks at your genes and how they affect nutrient needs, detox, and brain chemistry. For example, if you have the MTHFR variant, your body may struggle to use folate and B12 - leaving you low on the very nutrients your brain needs for focus and energy.
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Nutrigenomic testing gives us a personal roadmap for nutrition that actually works for your biology.
Why This Matters for ADHD:
ADHD isn’t just a “brain thing.” It’s a whole system thing.
These tests give us the map to see what’s actually happening in your biology, so we can design nutrition and coaching supports that stick.
It’s not about chasing diagnoses or labels - it’s about restoring balance so your brain has what it needs to show up better in daily life.
