ADHD: Fueling Focus Naturally

By Integrative Medicine Pediatrician

Dr. Julie Sweeney

Fueling Focus Naturally

An Integrative, Whole-Child Approach to ADHD

If you’re parenting a child with ADHD, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next. Whether you’re just beginning to explore ADHD treatment options or your child is already on medication but still struggling, many parents ask the same question:

Is there something more I can do to support my child’s focus, behavior, and overall well-being?

You’re not alone — and there are additional, evidence-informed ways to support your child.

At SproutWell, I work with families seeking an integrative approach to ADHD — one that looks beyond symptoms and supports the whole child. By addressing nutrition, gut-brain health, sleep, and lifestyle factors (with or without medication), we often uncover meaningful ways to improve attention, emotional regulation, and resilience.

ADHD and the Gut–Brain Connection

ADHD affects approximately 1 in 10 children in the United States, making it one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions of childhood. While medication can be helpful for many children, it is rarely the entire solution.

Research shows that nutrition, gut health, sleep, and environmental influences all play an important role in how ADHD presents and how a child functions day to day.

One key concept is the gut–brain axis — the bidirectional communication system between the digestive tract and the brain. The gut microbiome helps:

• Regulate inflammation

• Produce neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin

• Influence mood, stress response, and behavior

When gut health is disrupted, children may experience challenges not only with digestion, but also with focus, mood stability, and sleep. Supporting gut health can therefore have far-reaching effects on brain function and behavior.

Nutrition and ADHD: Why Food Matters

One of the most impactful — and often overlooked — aspects of ADHD care is nutrition. The brain requires specific nutrients to function optimally, and studies show that children with ADHD are more likely to have deficiencies in nutrients essential for:

• Attention and concentration

• Emotional regulation

• Learning and memory

Research suggests that targeted nutritional supplementation can improve ADHD symptoms in children who are deficient, particularly when used thoughtfully and under professional supervision.

We also pay close attention to blood sugar regulation. Meals high in refined carbohydrates can lead to energy crashes that mimic or worsen ADHD symptoms. In contrast, meals balanced with:

• Protein

• Healthy fats

• Fiber

• Complex carbohydrates

can support steadier energy, improved focus, and fewer behavioral fluctuations throughout the day.

At SproutWell, the focus is on realistic, sustainable changes — not perfection. Small shifts, implemented consistently, often make a meaningful difference.

Supplements: Personalized, Not One-Size-Fits-All

While supplements can be valuable for some children with ADHD, they are not universally beneficial — and more is not always better. Certain supplements may interact with medications or cause unintended imbalances if used incorrectly.

This is where working with an integrative pediatrician matters. Rather than guessing or following generalized advice, we focus on:

• Identifying which nutrients are most relevant for your child

• Ensuring safe, age-appropriate dosing

• Avoiding unnecessary or excessive supplementation

Thoughtful individualization is key.

A Whole-Child, Individualized ADHD Approach

Every child with ADHD is unique, and their care should reflect that.

In my integrative pediatric practice, I take time to understand the full picture, including:

• Nutrition and eating patterns

• Gut health and digestion

• Sleep quality and routines

• Emotional regulation and behavior

• Medical and developmental history

From there, we create a personalized plan that supports your child’s strengths while addressing underlying contributors to ADHD symptoms — always in a way that respects your family’s values and daily life.

And no — this is not about forcing kale smoothies or rigid rules. It’s about practical, achievable steps that work in the real world.

ADHD Medication: One Tool Among Many

For many children, medication plays an important role in ADHD treatment. At the same time, medication often works best when combined with strategies that support the whole child.

Families come to SproutWell at many different stages:

• Before starting medication, to build a strong foundation

• While their child is medicated but still struggling

• To reduce side effects or support overall wellness

• To explore a more comprehensive, integrative perspective

There is no single “right” path — only the path that best supports your child.

When to Consider an Integrative ADHD Consultation

If you feel there may be more contributing to your child’s ADHD than meets the eye — and you’re looking for a thoughtful, evidence-based approach that addresses nutrition, gut-brain health, and whole-child well-being — an integrative pediatric consultation may be a valuable next step.

At SproutWell, I partner with families to create individualized ADHD care plans that are grounded in science, compassion, and real life.

If this approach resonates with you, I’d be honored to help you explore what integrative care could look like for your child.

“After receiving my son’s ADHD diagnosis last summer, I immediately reached out to SproutWell for support. I wanted to explore how I could support my son without prescription medication. Dr. Sweeney was so encouraging and provided helpful resources to guide me in helping my son manage his behavior and nutrition. She spent time getting to know me and my son and really understood our needs. Dr. Sweeney recommended vitamins and supplements for my son based on bloodwork, gut health tests and an in depth evaluation of his health history. We also worked with Kristin Smaldone, RD who recommended adjustments to my son’s diet based on consultation with us and Dr. Sweeney. We’ve seen a big impact on his behavior and mood, and our family dynamic has improved greatly from a year ago. Our family would recommend SproutWell to anyone looking for an integrative approach to treating ADHD. ”

— Nicole S.

References:

1. CDC. (2023). Data and Statistics About ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

2. Cryan, J.F., O’Riordan, K.J., Cowan, C.S.M., et al. (2019). The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Physiological Reviews, 99(4), 1877–2013.

3. Pinto, Sofia et al. (2022). Eating Patterns and Dietary Interventions in ADHD: A Narrative Review. Nutrients vol. 14,20 4332.

4. Bloch, M.H., & Qawasmi, A. (2011). Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 50(10):991-1000.