The Total Package: Body, Mind, & ADHD
Disclaimer: Nikki Kinzer is not a medical professional. The information provided in this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a trained healthcare professional for any and all questions pertaining to your own health and wellness.
When we think about ADHD, it's easy to focus on the mental side of things.
It’s all about a constant stream of thoughts, distractions, and rabbit holes that keep you busy for hours on end.
However, ADHD affects much more than what’s inside your head—it interacts with your physical body, as well.
Getting Back to Nature
In a recent episode of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, Pete Wright and I had the pleasure of speaking with Jules Galloway, a clinical naturopath who specializes at the intersection where chronic illness and other body functions and ailments meets neurodivergence. Jules shed a bright light on how so many different biological functions in the body can affect ADHD—and vice versa.
A significant takeaway from our discussion was the impact of stress and inflammation on ADHD symptoms. Jules explained how chronic stress can alter brain function, and ultimately, it can lead to a constant state of anxiety. For ADHDers who say they get their best work done when the pressure is on, you can imagine how this repeated behavior over extended periods of time could lead to a dangerous and vicious cycle.
Listen to Your Gut
One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion was about the gut-brain connection. It turns out that many physical symptoms associated with ADHD—like brain fog or chronic fatigue—can often be traced back to the overall health of your gut. Plus, I had no idea that the gut is such an important factor in producing neurotransmitters, like every ADHDers often-lost friend, dopamine.
It turns out, that by focusing on your gut health, there is the potential to experience significant improvements in both mental and physical health.
A Few ADHD-Friendly Steps for Better Health
Jules gave us so many fantastic takeaways during her time on the show, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple of my favorites ADHD-friendly suggestions:
Look at what you eat: A whole foods diet rich in protein and low in processed foods is the way to go. Be sure to keep in mind that progress is more important than perfection.
Identify Food Intolerances: Understanding personal food intolerances, such as gluten or dairy, can be crucial. Temporarily removing these foods may help reveal whether they contribute to inflammation and other symptoms.
Gradual Changes: It’s essential to make dietary changes that are sustainable for you. Start small and build on your successes.
The Total Package
I had no idea how complex the relationship was between ADHD and the processes of the physical body, but it sounds like understanding how it can help can be the first meaningful steps toward better health. It’s important to recognize that ADHD management goes far beyond what’s in your brain.
As a reminder, I am not a trained medical professional, and everything shared here, and in the related podcast episode with Jules Galloway, is shared as opinion. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or routine. But, I hope this topic has sparked some curiosity in you, and that you will consider how not just your mind, but your body too, impacts living each day with ADHD.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Nikki
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Jules Galloway on The ADHD Podcast