Insights
 

If you've been searching for answers about your child's health — their energy, their mood, their behaviour, their gut — you've probably come across a lot of dead ends. Tests that come back "normal." Practitioners who mean well but don't quite get it. And a growing sense that something is being missed. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is one of the most underused tools in paediatric functional nutrition, and it's usually where I start. Here's what it is, how it works, and w

It’s easy to focus on supplements when thinking about gut health, but everyday foods can be just as supportive. Stewed apples are a simple, gentle option many children tolerate really well. Stewed apples are a simple, affordable food that can gently support digestion, nourish the gut microbiome and help soothe sensitive tummies. They're particularly helpful for children who struggle with constipation, bloating or digestive discomfort, and are often much better tolerated than

Some children—especially those with PANS, PANDAS, chronic inflammation, or neuroimmune sensitivity—simply don't cope well during the summer. Heat can trigger irritability, headaches, fatigue, meltdowns, sensory overwhelm, or a sudden drop in resilience. Parents often assume it's "just the weather," but in many cases, hidden dehydration may be playing a role. And dehydration isn't only about water—it's about water and minerals. When electrolytes become depleted, the nervous sy

Does your child struggle to switch off at bedtime? Histamine could be part of the picture. If your child seems completely wired at night — flushed, chatty, anxious, sweaty, restless, or suddenly full of energy — it may not be “behaviour”. For some children, it’s histamine, a chemical that should naturally drop in the evening to help the brain shift into rest mode. When it stays high, children feel alert, emotional, and unable to settle — often long before parents realise hist

Many parents notice that their child's behaviour, mood, or symptoms seem to worsen shortly after eating. It can feel confusing and frustrating, especially when you're already navigating flares, regressions, and unpredictable days. The good news is that there are several possible reasons why symptoms may intensify around mealtimes. Understanding these patterns can help you identify triggers and create a calmer, more supportive routine. Every child is different, but here are so

Tissue salts have been around for more than 150 years, quietly sitting in the background of natural health. They were once a household staple — simple, gentle, and widely used. And now, they’re returning to favour, especially among families navigating complex neuroimmune conditions like PANS and PANDAS. For parents who feel their child reacts to “everything”, tissue salts offer a softer entry point into mineral support. What Tissue Salts Actually Are Tissue salts are micro‑do

PANS and PANDAS can change a child’s relationship with food very suddenly. A child who previously ate a wide range of foods may develop intense anxiety around eating, fear of choking, contamination concerns, or a very restricted list of “safe” foods. For parents, this can feel distressing and confusing, especially when nutrition and weight become a concern alongside emotional and behavioural changes. Nutrition can help support the body during periods of neurological and immun

When a child is in a PANS or PANDAS flare, their immune and nervous systems are under pressure. Inflammation, blood‑sugar swings, gut disruption, histamine issues and nutrient depletion can all make symptoms harder to manage. Nutrition won’t replace medical care, but it can support calmer behaviour, steadier energy and better resilience. Stabilise blood sugar first Parents often notice that flares feel worse when their child is hungry, wired or crashing. Keeping blood sugar s

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is often misunderstood. It’s not “fussy eating,” and it’s not a parenting issue. ARFID is a complex feeding challenge where eating feels genuinely hard — physically, emotionally, or neurologically. For many families I support, ARFID shows up alongside neurodevelopmental conditions, anxiety, sensory processing differences, or chronic health issues. What Is ARFID? ARFID is a feeding disorder where a child (or adult) avoids or re

Many children with autism have sensory issues around food, which often leads to very limited diets. When the same few foods are eaten day after day, it’s common to see significant nutrient gaps — especially in minerals that support mood, behaviour, digestion and nervous‑system regulation. Hair mineral testing can help identify which nutrients are low, which are out of balance, and which patterns may be contributing to the symptoms you’re seeing. It gives a clearer picture of

Parenting is busy. PANS/PANDAS parenting is on a different level entirely — the pace, the unpredictability, the emotional load. Despite that, I always ask parents to complete a food and symptom diary. Even when life feels chaotic, this small habit can reveal patterns that are otherwise impossible to see. Why Food Tracking Matters in PANS & PANDAS The link between foods and symptoms in PANS/PANDAS can never be underestimated. Many children experience shifting sensitivities de

Oxalates are natural compounds found in many everyday foods. While most people process them without difficulty, some children may become more sensitive to oxalates when gut health, immune function or mineral balance is compromised. When oxalates build up in the body, they can irritate the gut lining, interfere with nutrient absorption and contribute to a range of symptoms. These may include burning or frequent urination, joint discomfort, eye irritation and digestive symptoms

If you're parenting a child with PANS or PANDAS, you already know how quickly things can shift. Anxiety, OCD, tics, mood swings, sleep disruption and regressions can appear almost overnight, often linked to infections or inflammation. One factor that can add to this picture is histamine intolerance. Histamine is a natural chemical produced by the body. It plays important roles in immunity, digestion, sleep, hormone regulation and communication within the brain. Histamine its

Many autistic children struggle with food issues, especially sensory sensitivities. This often leads to eating the same safe foods on repeat, which can create gaps in key minerals that support energy, mood, sleep, behaviour and overall health. Hair mineral testing can help you understand what might be missing — gently and without stress. What Is Hair Mineral Testing? Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a non‑invasive test that looks at the mineral content of a small sample