What If ADHD Isn’t Just in the Brain? The Missing Gut–Brain Connection
When most people think about ADHD, they picture a brain-based condition – something to be managed with medication, strategies, or behaviour therapy.
But what if we’ve been missing a vital piece of the puzzle?
What if the key to helping children (and adults) with ADHD thrive isn’t just about what’s happening in the brain – but also what’s happening in the gut?
As a Gut Health and Nutrition Practitioner, I’ve spent years supporting families through complex health challenges. And more recently, I’ve been working closely with children navigating ADHD, learning difficulties, and behavioural concerns. What I’ve learned is this:
The brain doesn’t work in isolation. It’s part of a team. And the gut is one of its most powerful allies.
The ADHD Story We’re Not Told
So much of the conversation around ADHD focuses on symptom management: improving focus, reducing impulsivity, calming anxiety. But underneath those symptoms, there’s often something deeper happening – physiologically, nutritionally, and neurologically.
Here are four critical, yet commonly overlooked, truths about ADHD that every parent (and practitioner) deserves to know:
1. Your Child’s Gut May Be Sending Stress Signals to Their Brain
The gut and brain are connected by a powerful communication pathway called the vagus nerve – a literal superhighway of messages between the two. When the gut is inflamed, imbalanced, or not functioning properly, it doesn’t just affect digestion – it sends distress signals to the brain.
This can show up as:
– Mood swings
– Poor concentration
– Anxiety or restlessness
– Emotional dysregulation
The gut also plays a key role in producing brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and GABA – all of which are essential for emotional regulation, focus, motivation, and a sense of calm.
In other words: when the gut is out of balance, the brain feels it.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies Can Look Like ADHD Symptoms
Many of the classic signs of ADHD – difficulty focusing, poor impulse control, fatigue, mood instability – can also result from underlying nutrient deficiencies.
For example:
– Low iron can cause poor concentration and chronic tiredness
– Zinc supports impulse control and mood regulation
– Magnesium is essential for calmness and emotional balance
– Omega-3s help brain cells communicate effectively
Here’s the catch: these deficiencies don’t always show up on standard blood tests. And even when a child is eating well, poor gut health can prevent their body from absorbing key nutrients properly.
3. The Brain Needs Protein – And Most Kids Aren’t Getting Enough
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in motivation, focus, and behaviour. But it can’t be produced without the amino acids found in protein.
I see so many children starting the day with cereal, toast, or a quick carb-heavy breakfast – setting them up for a blood sugar crash and poor focus by mid-morning.
Ensuring quality protein at breakfast and throughout the day can have a noticeable effect on behaviour, concentration, and mood.
4. Artificial Additives and Hidden Food Intolerances Can Fuel the Fire
Research and real-life experience show that artificial colours, preservatives, excess sugar, and hidden food intolerances can worsen ADHD symptoms, particularly hyperactivity and emotional reactivity.
While not every child is affected, many families notice profound changes when these triggers are reduced or eliminated.
This isn’t about rigid diets or restriction – it’s about tuning in to what your child’s unique body needs to thrive.
Why This Matters
This isn’t about “fixing” or “curing” ADHD. It’s about understanding the whole child – and giving their brain and body the foundational support they need to function at their best.
In my work, I’ve seen children:
– Go from daily meltdowns to calmer, more connected interactions
– Get feedback from teachers on their imrpoved focus and behaviour in the classroom
– Feel less anxious and less easily triggered by the small things
– Expand the variety of food they eat, without constant tummy upsets or “hangry” crashes
There Is Hope – and It Starts in the Gut
The gut and brain work as a team. When we support the gut – through targeted nutrition, lifestyle changes, and where needed, functional testing – we give the brain a better chance to regulate, focus, and thrive.
If you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried everything but something is still missing, you’re not alone. So often, parents have a gut feeling that food or digestion is playing a role – but haven’t had the tools or support to explore it.
That’s where I come in.
Let’s Explore What’s Possible
If you’re curious about how nutrition and gut health could support your child’s focus, mood, or learning – I’m here to guide you. Every child is unique, and no one-size-fits-all plan will do. But there are answers – and you don’t have to find them alone.
Book a complimentary 15 minute Discovery Call here if you’d like to chat about your child’s needs, clinical testing options, or a tailored treatment plan.
Or join my free Healthy Gut Space Facebook group – a supportive community where I share tips and education to help you on your journey.
Together, we can help your child feel better from the inside out.
About Sofia Potente
Sofia Potente is an award-winning Gut Health Practitioner with a passion for helping people take charge of their health through a practical, personalised approach. With postgraduate qualifications in Public Health (inc Nutrition) and over 20 years in health research and education, she blends clinical expertise with real-life experience to help clients overcome gut issues and feel like themselves again. Her methods are rooted in science, but delivered with heart — using functional testing, targeted nutrition, and simple, sustainable changes that stick.
Sofia’s own journey healing her son’s digestive issues (and later her own) fuelled her mission to help others break free from bloating, fatigue and hormone imbalance. Through her popular Healthy Gut Reset Program and one-on-one consultations, she’s supported hundreds of clients across Australia to uncover root causes and restore long-term wellbeing.
Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and publications like Thrive Global and Natural Parenting Magazine.
To learn more or book your free Discovery Call, visit www.thenaturalswitch.com.au