Meet Joshua, a brave little boy who had been struggling for years with debilitating gastric symptoms when his worried parents reached out to us. 18 months later, after working through a transformational gut healing programme, Joshua’s physical and emotional wellbeing have been restored, and today he is a bright, happy, and energetic little boy.

Four-year-old Joshua suffered from chronic diarrhoea and frequent stomach pains. His worried parents had exhausted every medical avenue available to them in their mission to try to help their child. Nothing had made any real difference and, despite experiencing two prolapses, Joshua’a symptoms had been dismissed as ‘something he would grow out of’.

Joshua’s poor gut health was taking its toll in other areas. He was showing some challenging behaviours at school, and his speech was developing slowly.

Working under the guidance of Brainstorm Health Practitioner Jo, Joshua’s parents got to grips with his diet, and worked through a comprehensive nutritional programme designed to address his unique needs. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but over the course of 18 months, Joshua’s physical and emotional well-being began to transform.

Joshua is now thriving, growing and coming on leaps and bounds at school. His gastric symptoms are a thing of the past, and he no longer picks up every bug that does the rounds at school. His story is so inspiring and I know it will resonate with many of you.

If you would like to explore how our holistic approach to healing could help your family, we’d love to talk to you.Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call with one of our practitioners today.

Stella Chadwick, BSc (Hons) mBANT CNHC

Founder, Functional Medicine Practitioner & Registered Nutritional Therapist

In May 2023, four-year-old Joshua had struggled all his life with poor gastric health. Medical professionals had investigated but found no clinical cause. He struggled to maintain weight and picked up frequent infections. There were also behavioural challenges, and Joshua’s speech was developing slowly.

Over 18 months, Brainstorm Health Practitioner Jo worked with Joshua’s family on a comprehensive gut healing strategy that has had profound impacts not only on his physical wellbeing, but also on his cognitive function and behavioural regulation.

Read on to discover how Jo helped Joshua regain his health and vitality.

Hi Jo. Tell me a bit about your patient and the symptoms they first came to you with

Joshua was coming up to four years old when I first met his family. He had been struggling with poor gut health from infancy. He had chronic diarrhoea, regular tummy and back aches and had recently suffered two prolapses, which had been very distressing for Joshua and his parents. Joshua’s stools were always loose, pale in colour and were strong smelling. He had also got into the habit of withholding stool while at school as toilet trips were distressing for him. Joshua was on the smaller side for his age, and would lose weight easily when he had bouts of diarrhoea.

Joshua had had a number of nasty infections in his life that had required antibiotics to treat. He picked up lots of bugs and frequently had a runny nose. He also sometimes complained of pains in his legs and feet at night.

In addition to his physical challenges, Joshua was starting to display some challenging behaviours at nursery - biting other children and staff on occasion, and throwing. There were concerns about his language development too. His speech was repetitive and less advanced than his peers. His parents described him as often being ‘in his own world’, and despite wanting to play with other kids, he struggled with social interactions.

How were these symptoms impacting Joshua's life?

Joshua’s gastric symptoms were distressing, and medical investigations had not revealed anything. He had been diagnosed with ‘toddler diarrhoea and rapid transit’. He was offered medication which only helped while he took it, and his parents were told to limit his fluid intake. The frequent hospital visits and medical procedures were distressing for everyone, and not leading to any long-term improvement.

At nursery, Joshua was being considered for a behavioural assessment due to his challenges there, so it was a worrying time for his parents.

What were your initial steps in helping them?

We started off by removing gluten from Joshua’s diet to establish whether that was a trigger for his gastric symptoms. We did this with a phased approach to replacing some of Joshua’s favourite foods over several weeks. It was clear from Joshua’s symptoms that his bowel was inflamed, so we added in some simple supplements to support the repair of the gastrointestinal lining. These included a homoeopathic formulation, and Colibiogen - a preparation made from metabolites of beneficial gut bacteria that has anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties.


What lab tests did you do? What did the tests reveal and how did that shape your therapeutic approach? 


A comprehensive stool analysis was essential to fully understand the status of Joshua’s gut health. We also did a food intolerance test to help identify dietary triggers of inflammation; a urine organic acid test, and a hair mineral analysis.

The food intolerance test revealed an elevated immune response to wheat and gluten.

In Joshua’s hair sample, we found elevated levels of titanium, antimony and aluminium, and evidence of adrenal stress. The stool test revealed very high secretory IgA (an inflammatory marker), as well as an imbalanced gut microbiome, including the presence of a parasite. In the organic acid test, we saw further evidence of significant imbalance in the gut microbiome, including yeast overgrowth. Oxidative stress was high, and Joshua was not converting food into energy optimally. There was also some imbalance in the serotonin pathway, and this can influence digestive function as well as mood and sleep patterns.

To start addressing yeast overgrowth, I advised reducing foods in Joshua’s meals that promote yeast proliferation, including high sugar foods, juices and some fruits, refined carbohydrates and fermented foods. We also added in bone broths to support gut healing. From a supplements point of view, we layered in minerals and liver support as well as adrenal support to prepare Joshua’s body for more focusssed work on his gut to balance the microbiome.

How long did it take before seeing positive changes to symptoms?

By the first follow-up appointment, Joshua’s parents reported improvements after cutting gluten from his diet. Even though they had not yet introduced any supplements, the progress was significant: Joshua was going to the toilet independently at his new nursery. Bowel movements had become less frequent and firmer as soon as gluten was removed. He no longer complained of stomach or back pain, and he was maintaining weight.

Joshua had also started working with a speech and language therapist, and there had been an improvement in his speech, with clearer, more specific, longer sentences and questions. His parents had noticed a marked behavioural improvement when his gut health improved.

Since introducing Epsom salt baths, Joshua had not complained of pain in legs and feet at night.

What has been the biggest ‘breakthrough’ moment on Joshua’s journey?

There have been a few. Cutting gluten was a game changer for him. We had Joshua on a dairy-free diet as well for a while, but after some comprehensive gut work, including a parasite cleanse, we have been able to gradually reintroduce dairy, and he is tolerating it very well. Joshua continued to have some behavioural challenges at school for a while, but more recently, family members and teachers have remarked that he is calmer and more focussed. His speech has also come on leaps and bounds, and his need for additional support in this area is now marginal.

This year, his immunity has been much more robust as well, and infections have been few and far between, in contrast to last winter when his nose was constantly running.

How is Joshua doing now? What will you focus on next?

Joshua is doing brilliantly. At a recent follow up, I was delighted to hear reports of a healthy, happy little boy who is bursting with energy and making excellent progress both socially and academically at school. He is growing well too and consistently gaining weight. We are gradually moving towards a maintenance protocol of a few simple supplements to help keep Joshua in optimal health.

I could not be happier for this amazing little boy and his wonderful parents.

Always consult a qualified practitioner before introducing new supplements. Book your free discovery call today to discuss how we can help your child achieve optimal health.

BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops (L.reuteri probiotic)

We love this powerful single-strain probiotic that is gentle enough for babies. In clinic, we often recommend it for older children too as it is so safe, well-tolerated and easy to take, especially for very sensitive individuals, or as an early intervention where there are significant gut imbalances. The product contains Lactobacillus reuteri, a bacterial strain that has been clinically proven to have unique health benefits.

Health benefits of BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops

• Supports digestive health 🦠: Lactobacillus reuteri is known for its ability to balance gut flora, supporting healthy digestion and reducing discomfort from issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.

• Supports immune function 🛡️: Strengthens the immune system by enhancing the gut barrier and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, helping protect the body against harmful pathogens.

• May help improve mood and behaviour 😊: Regular intake of L.reuteri has been linked to improved emotional wellbeing, reducing anxiety and stress levels by supporting the gut-brain communication.

• Reduces digestive discomfort in children 👶: L.reuteri is effective for symptomatic relief for children suffering with colic and stomach upsets.

• Supports overall health 🌱: L Reuteri helps maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria, which is essential for long-term digestive and immune health.

Key features

• Clinically proven: L reuteri is a well-researched strain with proven effectiveness in supporting gut health and immune function.

• Gentle and safe: BioGaia Protectis is ideal for children and babies.

• Free from additives: No artificial colours, preservatives, or chemicals.

• Easy to take: Simple dropper format that can be added to food or drinks.

Enjoy a 10% discount on BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops using the code SMC010

Please consult your practitioner or medical professional before adding any new supplement to your plan

Food of the week: Cabbage

Hear me out! Cabbage may not be the most obviously child-friendly food, but this nutritious and seasonally abundant veg can be cooked in so many ways that it can be possible to get it into some of the fussiest eaters!

Whether roasted, sautéed, chopped finely in soups and stews or even juiced, cabbage is a versatile and economical addition to many meals.

Cabbage is packed with powerful nutrients, including glutamine, an amino acid known for its ability to support gut health by promoting the repair and maintenance of the intestinal lining,

Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamins C and K, which support immune health, promote strong bones, and help reduce inflammation. With its high fibre content, cabbage helps keep the digestive system in tip-top shape.

Fresh cabbage – a winter powerhouse!

🥬 High in vitamin C to support immune health and protect against seasonal illnesses 🛡️

🥬 Rich in fibre to aid digestion and promote gut health 🌿

🥬 Packed with antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation ✨

🥬 A natural source of glutamine, supporting gut health and immune function 🌱

Cabbage is in season right now and will be a reliable staple through the winter months. Check out your local organic supplier for a wide range of heritage varieties of cabbage to try.

Please only introduce new foods or supplements under the guidance of your healthcare practitioner and remember dose is important! We always recommend that people start with a very small dose and work up. Supplements are not meant to be used long term. These are general recommendations only and not intended to diagnose or treat any health issues. If you are already a patient of ours, feel free to ask your practitioner if these are suitable and don’t forget to use the discount codes listed below.

Meet our practitioners
We are a unique clinic in that each of our practitioners is a parent. Many of us have a child with special needs, and we all have different passions and expertise. Please head to our website to meet Jo, Sarah, Haley, Mémé and Emma, and get in touch if you'd like to know how to work with us. 

Appointments
If you’d like to become a new patient please follow this link to our appointment page and follow the directions.

Existing patients can book follow-up appointments with their practitioners using this link. Please note Discovery Calls on this page are only for people we have not seen yet, and not for existing patients.

Buying supplements from our trusted suppliers

We recommend our patients buy supplements from the below suppliers. Note any supplement mentioned in the above article is for educational purposes only. You should only try new supplements with your child with the approval of your healthcare practitioner. If you have already gotten approval, please feel free to make use of the exclusive Brainstorm Health® discount codes we have negotiated with our suppliers. Some suppliers support Brainstorm Health® with a small commission which we reinvest into creating quality content like this newsletter to give as much free support to our community as possible.

The Natural Dispensary
Discount Code: SMC010

Amrita
Discount Code: L8FQQL

Your Health Basket
Discount Code: Brainstorm10