04/23/2025
What if ADHD for some is a signal for change? A study published in The Lancet in 2011 found that 64% of kids with ADHD experienced a dramatic reduction in symptoms—an average of 72%—after just 5 weeks on an elimination diet that removed common triggers like artificial additives, dyes, gluten, soy, dairy, and processed food.
Let that sink in.
These children no longer met the criteria for ADHD.
What if, for some ADHD is a response? A response to an environment that’s overloaded with stimulation, stress, screens, sugar… and systems that don’t support sensitivity, creativity, and regulation.
It's important to note that while the study demonstrated promising results, the elimination diet was highly restrictive and required strict adherence, which may not be feasible for all families. Additionally, it emphasised that such dietary interventions should be conducted under professional supervision to ensure nutritional adequacy and monitor behavioural changes.
As someone who works with nervous system health, and emotional resilience, I find this research empowering.
Because it reminds us: Our biology is always listening. Symptoms are often messengers. And sometimes, solutions aren't about adding more. It’s about removing what’s not ours—the chemicals, the chaos, the expectations.
I’m not here to preach elimination diets, I'm no nutritionist and I know how challenging it can be as a parent to feed your kids. But I am here to invite reflection. What’s one thing you could subtract—food, belief, habit, pressure that might bring your, or your Childs, system back into balance?
Because the path back to clarity, focus, and vitality is often found in the simple (often radical) act of listening to your body.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62227-1/abstract?utm_source=chatgpt.com