The First Case Study of 2025: Jack’s Journey

As a parent of a child who has faced similar struggles, Jack’s story feels personal to me. I know the heartbreak of seeing your child change before your eyes and feeling powerless to help. That’s why I want to share Jack’s journey. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and the difference a clear, targeted plan can make.

When Jack came to Brainstorm Health, his family were desperate. After scarlet fever in 2024, he was overwhelmed by anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, and exhaustion so severe that even walking the family dog left him drained. His parents watched helplessly as their bright, funny, active 11-year-old struggled with challenges that consumed him.

With the expert guidance of our practitioner, Mémé, we started Jack on a personalised plan. His family made dietary changes, introduced targeted supplements, and began Microimmunotherapy to calm his immune system and reduce inflammation. Supporting his gut health and nervous system were key first steps.

The progress has been remarkable. In just four months, Jack’s OCD symptoms and intrusive thoughts have eased. His energy has returned, he’s trying new foods, and he’s more relaxed and engaged with the world around him. His parents are seeing the spark they thought they’d lost, and for the first time in a long time, they feel hopeful.

As a mum who has walked a similar path, I know how overwhelming and lonely it can feel. But Jack’s story is proof that things can get better. With the right support and steps, change is possible. I hope his journey inspires you as much as it has inspired us. Read on to learn how Jack is thriving and what helped him along the way.

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

When he first came to Brainstorm Health, 11-year-old Jack had been suffering from a number of challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms triggered by a scarlet fever infection in 2024. Fears, OCD and anxiety were taking their toll on his physical and mental health.

Working with Brainstorm Heath Practitioner Mémé, Jack’s family have introduced dietary changes as well as targeted supplements and Microimmunoherapy to support his gut health and regulate his immune system. In just four months, Jack’s OCD and intrusive thoughts have significantly reduced, and physically he is thriving as well. Read on to discover how Jack is overcoming his health challenges and loving life again.

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

Jack is an 11-year-old boy. When I started working with him in September 2024, his main symptoms were anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts and fears that had developed following a streptococcal infection. He also tired easily - he was fatigued after walking the family dog for example. Other concerns that his parents had included cognitive impairment - for example, he was writing some letters in reverse, as well as sensitivity to textures of both clothing and food, and peri-anal itching.

Of note in Jack’s history: he was born via C-section; he had a sensitivity to cow’s milk and soy products in infancy, and he had had scarlet fever at two-and-a-half years of age and again last year. Anxiety had started when he first went to nursery; it had worsened during the Covid lockdown and ramped up again after the most recent scarlet fever (strep) infection.

Also of note, Jack had spent a year living in a house where he was exposed to mould. His parents had observed improvements in the past when Jack had taken zinc and probiotic supplements.


What were your initial steps in helping Jack?

Given Jack’s history of food intolerance and infections, and his current symptoms, I focussed on gut health to begin with, to optimise his absorption of nutrients. Supporting his nervous system to regulate the stress response was also a key starting point. The third area of my initial focus was regulating his immune system.

We began to shift towards a dairy-free diet. Jack had a history of dairy intolerance in infancy, and dairy is a common dietary trigger of inflammation and can fuel the proliferation of strep bacteria.

I recommended Epsom salts baths to help calm Jack’s nervous system, and introduced supplements to support the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining, as well as Microimmunotherapy to down-regulate the inflammatory response.


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


We started with a comprehensive stool analysis. We found a stubborn bacteria that is linked to colds and infections: Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as another potentially pathogenic bacteria - Citrobacter freundii.

Lysozyme and secretory IgA were both at the high end of normal ranges. These markers can indicate gut inflammation which may be driven by food intolerances, infection or dysbiotic bacteria. Yeast overgrowth was also detected. I recommended some dietary changes to discourage yeast proliferation.

We also carried out a urine organic acid test which revealed elevated lipid peroxides - a marker of oxidative stress, and low levels of many essential nutrients. The results indicated that Jack’s detoxification and methylation pathways were not working optimally and that heavy metal load in the tissues may be high.

Urinary neurotransmitter markers were indicative of low dopamine, which has been linked to OCD tendencies. Urinary copper was above range: copper dysregulation is also associated with anxiety, OCD and irritability. Jack also had low levels of omega 3 fatty acids as well as poor conversion of omega 3 fats, which are essential for cell membrane health, as well as playing a role in controlling inflammation.

Following the lab tests, we introduced a binder and liver support supplements as well as some minerals to prepare Jack’s body for an antimicrobial protocol to balance his gut microbiome.

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

By the follow-up appointment, Jack had become more sociable and engaged in interests - he was talking about forming a band. The OCD symptoms and intrusive thoughts had almost resolved. His parents felt that his work with a play therapist, alongside our interventions, especially Microimmunitherapy had led to these significant improvements.

Jack’s focus had also improved. However he was still experiencing racing thoughts, anxiety and symptoms of histamine excess at times - for example, his lip would swell on occasion.

At the third appointment, Jack’s fatigue had reduced. He was not so tired after taking the dog for a walk. He was also trying more foods, including vegetables. He was more relaxed and able to talk about his phobias rather than reacting. He also had a growth spurt over the winter, which was unusual for him. His immune system seemed more resilient. He had avoided catching a cold twice when other family members had been unwell.

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

Introducing Microimmunotherapy was a game changer for Jack. We saw a significant reduction in many of his symptoms when he started that, including a reduction in ‘stimming’ type behaviours.

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

Jack is doing really well and I am so happy with his progress so far. It is relatively early days in our protocol and I would like to do more comprehensive work to address the root causes of his symptoms - namely balancing his gut microbiome and building in the nutrients that support methylation - a fundamental biochemical process that underpins many metabolic functions.

I have also recommended that Jack’s parents explore reflex integration therapy alongside our work together, as letter reversal in his handwriting is an ongoing issue.

I am excited to see how Jack will continue to recover and thrive in the future.

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.

GI Repair Powder by Vital Nutrients

Does your child often deal with tummy troubles, struggles to absorb nutrients, or seems to pick up every bug going around? GI Repair Powder could make a real difference. This thoughtfully crafted supplement brings together key ingredients like glutamine, aloe vera, and liquorice root extract to gently support and strengthen your child’s gut health.

🌿 Supports gut lining health: Glutamine, a key ingredient, is an amino acid that plays a vital role in maintaining and repairing the intestinal barrier, helping to reduce gut permeability or 'leaky gut'.

💧 Soothes the digestive tract: Aloe vera and liquorice root extract have calming properties, helping to reduce inflammation and digestive discomfort.

💪 Promotes nutrient absorption: By supporting the integrity of the gut lining, this supplement helps ensure that essential nutrients are absorbed efficiently.

🛡️ Supports immune health: A healthy gut is closely linked to a healthy immune system. GI Repair Powder supports microbial balance and immune function.

Key Features

✔️ Comprehensive gut support: Combines multiple ingredients known to nourish and heal the gastrointestinal system.

✔️ Gentle and effective: Designed to be easily absorbed and well-tolerated, even for those with sensitive stomachs.

✔️ Neutral taste: Mixes easily into water, making it easy to take, even for children

Enjoy a 10% discount on GI Repair Powder using the code L8FQQL

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

Food of the week: Oxtail

Oxtail is known for its rich flavour and tender texture. When prepared in a pressure cooker, or slow-cooked on a low heat in the oven, it transforms into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy. Check out our delicious recipe at the link below.

Oxtail is packed with collagen, meaning it is great for gut health, but also to help keep joints and connective tissue strong. For this reason, it is great for children who struggle with hypermobility or fatigue. Pressure cooking also releases the rich bone marrow, and makes minerals like zinc - essential for healthy immune function - more available, super-charging the nutritional content of this wonderful cut of meat.

Oxtail is also fantastically good value. It is cheaper than many more high-end cuts but scores top marks both for flavour and nutrition without the high price tag - perfect for feeding a family on a budget.

Oxtail – a winter winner

🍖 Packed with collagen, supporting joint and gut health ✨

🍖 High in protein and essential amino acids for tissue repair and growth 💪

🍖 Rich in iron and zinc, supporting immune function and energy production 🛡️

🍖 Full of flavour and perfect for creating hearty, warming dishes that nourish the whole family 🍲

Oxtail is widely available at butchers and farm shops. If you can’t find a local organic supplier, we love these online shops: Pipers Farm Organic, Kimbers Farm Shop and Eversfield Organic.

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, Emma and Carolyn, 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 New Patient enquiry 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