Navigating the complexities of autism, PANDAS, and PANS is a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. I’ve walked this path myself when my own child developed PANDAS symptoms following scarlet fever at a young age. I remember the confusion and heartache of watching her struggle, especially during puberty when her symptoms seemed to intensify.

With years of training in functional medicine and nutritional therapy, I’ve discovered strategies that truly made a difference. Believe me, I’ve been there, researching late into the night and trying every solution under the sun. Today, I want to share these hard-earned insights with you. Hormonal changes during puberty can significantly impact our children’s symptoms, but by understanding these effects and implementing practical strategies, we can help them manage and mitigate these flares.

In this newsletter, I’m sharing some of the most valuable advice and solutions I've found. Think of it as your friendly guidebook through the wild ride of puberty. We’re all in this together, and I hope these tips will make your journey a bit smoother.

Thank you for being part of our community. Remember, you’re doing a fantastic job. Keep going, and know that your efforts are making a real difference in your child's life.

If you would like to discuss how our approach could support your child in achieving better health, 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

Quick Read Summary

For the deep dive, check out my latest blog post

A perfect storm ⛈️ Puberty is a time of huge change and uncertainty for children, especially for those contending with additional health challenges, including autism, PANS and PANDAS. Brains are rapidly growing and changing, the immune system is maturing and may be more reactive, and your child may be exposed to more social and environmental stressors as they become more independent.

Add a sudden surge of hormones into the mix, and the scene is set for a turbulent few years. Buckle up!

Period power🩸 When your daughter starts her period, you may notice that her symptoms and mood wax and wane with her cycle. This is because fluctuating levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone directly influence neurotransmitter levels, cognitive function and the body’s inflammatory response.

Testosterone surge 🔥 For boys, rapidly rising and fluctuating levels of testosterone during puberty can trigger or exacerbate mood swings and in some cases aggression. Testosterone also acts on the immune response: while it can have an anti-inflammatory effect, erratic levels of testosterone associated with puberty can be pro-inflammatory and contribute to symptom flares.

How can you help?

Understanding how and why hormonal changes can impact teens’ and pre-teens’ mood, energy levels, neurology, symptoms and behaviours can help you support your kids more effectively through the stormy seas of adolescence with empathy and patience. Check out my latest blog post for lots of practical tips to support your as they navigate puberty. 

Here are the headlines:

Support Adrenals 🧘‍♂️ The hard-working adrenal glands play a crucial role in managing stress and maintaining hormonal balance. Give the adrenals a helping hand by ensuring good quality sleep. Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha may be beneficial, as well as boosting levels of magnesium and B vitamins.

Balance Blood Sugar 🍲 Maintaining steady blood sugar levels helps to stabilise the inflammatory response and regulate mood. Encourage a diet rich in high-quality protein and healthy fats and minimise the intake of refined sugars and ultra-processed foods.

Calm inflammation ️🥬 A whole-foods-based diet is key. Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts), antioxidants (found in berries, leafy greens, and nuts), and anti-inflammatory spices (such as turmeric and ginger). Supplements such as PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) and vitamin D, as well as practices like yoga or mindfulness may also be beneficial.

Address imbalances ⚖️ A nutritional therapist or functional medicine practitioner can help you identify and address the root causes of any imbalances of nutrients, hormones or neurotransmitters that may be contributing to symptoms.

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.

Please note that we do not diagnose or treat illnesses at Brainstorm Health, but we can help you advocate for the right medical diagnosis from qualified doctors if necessary.

Food of the week: Kombucha

Kombucha is a lightly sparkling drink made from fermented, sweetened black or green tea. Naturally rich in probiotic bacteria and deliciously refreshing with a slightly acidic tang, it is the perfect alternative to sugar-filled soft drinks or alcohol on a hot summer's day.

Kombucha is known for its gut-nourishing benefits and as part of a healthy diet can help support immune function and hormone balance.

Health benefits of kombucha

• 💚 Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that can reduce oxidative damage and help calm inflammation
  
• 💚 An excellent source of gut-nourishing probiotic bacteria
  
• 💚 Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome helps to regulate the immune response
• 💚 Enzymes and other compounds in kombucha support liver function and metabolism of hormones
  
• 💚 Contains antimicrobial compounds that can combat overgrowth of pathogenic gut bacteria
  
• 💚 Rich in B vitamins
  

We love Equinox kombucha, which is available from supermarkets, or check out your local farmer's market for locally brewed options. 

Although sold as a non-alcoholic drink, due to the fermentation process, kombucha does contain trace amounts of alcohol, so is not suitable for very young children, and may not be appropriate for our most sensitive kids.

MagDuo Adapt by BioMedica

BioMedica's MagDuo Adapt offers the combined benefits of two forms of magnesium, alongside the wonderful adaptogenic herb holy basil to nourish depleted adrenal glands.

At times of increased physiological and emotional stress, our need for nutrients increases significantly as adrenal output ramps up. MagDuo Adapt may help teens (and their parents!) weather the storm of hormone fluctuations associated with puberty.

MagDuo Adapt's unique blend of ingredients includes:

• Holy basil - an adaptogenic herb prized for it's stress-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties✨
• Two forms of magnesium to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and support sleep✨
• Amino acids taurine and glycine to bolster calming neurotransmitters that help regulate mood ✨
• Vitamims B1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 12 as well as folate - vital support actors for a healthy nervous system and balanced stress response✨

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

*** Use Discount Code SMC010 to get 10% off ***

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 Coriander, Jo, Sarah, Haley, Mémé and Aira, 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: IA12LW

Your Health Basket
Discount Code: Brainstorm10