161: Could This Gut Bacteria Be Fueling ADHD Symptoms with Dana Kay
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
Release Date: 06/05/2025
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
Ultra-processed food isn’t just junk. It’s engineered to hijack kids’ brains, emotions, and habits. But what happens when kids themselves decide to fight back? In this powerful episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with four inspiring brothers, Abdullah, Zain, Emaad, and Qasim Ansari, known as The Holistic Kids. They are leading a wellness revolution for their generation. These young changemakers, ages 10 to 17, have ditched junk food, launched their own health podcast, and co-authored The Teen Health Revolution, a guidebook helping kids reclaim their...
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What if your child could tell you, in their own words, what it feels like to thrive with ADHD? In this inspiring episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with 10-year-old Cain Runyan, a graduate of the ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids, to hear his firsthand story of transformation — from daily meltdowns and dysregulation to calm, confidence, and joy. Cain shares what it was like before the program, at the age of 6, how changing his diet and learning about his body helped him feel more in control, and how he navigates social moments when others eat foods he can’t. His honesty...
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You can have the perfect ADHD diet, remove every allergen, and stack the best supplements… yet your child may still struggle if heavy metals are silently clogging their system. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay, ADHD health practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Method for Kids, welcomes Dr. Wendy Myers, naturopathic doctor, #1 bestselling author, and founder of MyersDetox.com. Known worldwide as the “detox expert,” Dr. Wendy has helped thousands of families understand the hidden dangers of heavy metals and toxins. Together, Dana and Dr. Wendy reveal how...
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What if your child’s ADHD challenges weren’t a life sentence — but a signal that something deeper is going on in the body? In this deeply inspiring episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Zac and Caitlin Hogan, two parents who went from constant chaos, meltdowns, and hopelessness to calm, connection, and confidence — all through natural strategies that got to the root of their child’s ADHD. The Hogans share the emotional highs and lows of their journey: the daily struggles that pushed them to the edge, the discovery of the ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids, and how...
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Artificial dyes are in so many of the foods marketed to children,—cereals, candies, sports drinks, and even some everyday snacks. While they may make foods look “fun,” for sensitive kids, these chemicals can trigger tantrums, mood swings, hyperactivity, brain fog, and full-on emotional chaos. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay, ADHD health practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Method for Kids, welcomes back Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, board-certified pediatrician, functional medicine practitioner, and author of Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World. With over 20...
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Halloween can feel like chaos on steroids for families of children with ADHD. Sugar highs, late nights, artificial dyes, and the inevitable meltdowns can make the holiday overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay, ADHD health practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Method for Kids, is joined by regular guest, expert practitioner and mom, Andrea Daigle. Together, they unpack practical, creative ways to enjoy Halloween without sacrificing your child’s health, progress, or your sanity. From managing candy swaps to...
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Magnesium is one of the most talked about supplements for ADHD, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay breaks down why magnesium matters so much for kids with ADHD, the different forms available, and how to choose the right one without making symptoms worse. Drawing from her own experience as a parent and as an ADHD health practitioner, Dana explains how magnesium supports sleep, mood, focus, and stress regulation, and why it must be paired with a strong foundation of diet and gut health. Parents will walk away with practical...
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In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Tiffany Azzone, a brave mom who moved her family from survival mode to sustainable progress with her son’s ADHD. Tiffany opens up about the hard parts, walking on eggshells, losing friends, school crises, and a medication rollercoaster that ultimately led to an ER visit. Her story is honest, real, and packed with the kind of hope you can only get from someone who’s lived it.Dana and Tiffany trace the turning points: stepping off the “more meds” treadmill, embracing a comprehensive natural approach, running...
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Parenting a teenager can feel like tiptoeing through a construction zone — and ADHD cranks the jackhammer. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay breaks down what’s really happening in the teenage brain and why ADHD can intensify mood swings, impulsivity, and motivation slumps. This isn’t “bad behavior” or “bad parenting” — it’s a developing brain that needs different scaffolding, smarter systems, and calmer connection. Dana is joined by therapist Ashley Gobeil, who has over 15 years of experience supporting neurodiverse families. Together they unpack...
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In this inspiring episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Samantha Foote, a neurodivergent, board-certified music therapist, positive discipline parenting guide, and mom to three autistic children. Together, they explore how music—when used intentionally—can become one of the most powerful tools for kids with ADHD, supporting focus, emotional regulation, and connection without another pill, appointment, or battle. Samantha shares both her personal journey and professional expertise, explaining why music resonates so deeply with neurodivergent kids. From the...
info_outlineIn this eye-opening episode of The Soaring Child, host Dana Kay explores a hidden root cause of ADHD symptoms that most parents (and even doctors) overlook—Clostridia overgrowth, specifically C. diff. If your child struggles with meltdowns, mood swings, anxiety, or sleep issues—and nothing has worked—this episode could be a game-changer. Dana breaks down what C. diff is, how it affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, and why many kids are being misdiagnosed when the real problem lies in their gut.
Dana Kay is an ADHD health practitioner, author, and mom who has helped over 1,500 families through her ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids program. In this episode, she shares real-life stories, scientific explanations, and actionable solutions—including the power of the Organic Acids Test and a gut-healing probiotic blend called Gut Restore Essentials. Whether you're just beginning your ADHD journey or feeling stuck, this episode will give you practical next steps and a renewed sense of hope.
Link Mentioned in the Show:
My Favorite Place to Buy Supplements - http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplements
Functional Lab Testing Video - https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/lab-testing-for-adhd1
Gut Restore Essentials Cheat Sheet - https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplement-for-adhd-gut-restore-essentials
Gut Restore Essentials - https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/gut-restore-essentials.html
Links to Previous Episodes in this Supplements for ADHD Series:
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Magnesium - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-93/
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Saffron - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-136/
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GABA - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-137/
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L-Theanine - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-142/
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Bio Essentials - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-144/
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Omegas - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-146/
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Iron - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-148/
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Zinc - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-152/
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Vitamin D - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-150/
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Zembrin - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-154/
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Herbs - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-156/
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Why Most Popular ADHD Supplements Don’t Work - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-158/
Key Takeaways:
[3:40] The Hidden Role of C. diff in ADHD
[3:52] What Is Clostridia and Why It Matters
[4:56] Symptoms That Point to Gut Imbalance
[7:23] The Dopamine–Norepinephrine Connection
[9:37] Why OAT Testing Is So Powerful
[15:04] Gut Restore Essentials and Natural Support
[18:07] Action Steps for Parents
[18:46] The Importance of Functional Testing
[19:14] Final Encouragement and Where to Go Next
Memorable Moments:
What if your child’s explosive meltdowns had nothing to do with behavior and everything to do with a hidden bacteria in their gut?
C. diff is like a bully in the gut—pushing around the good bacteria and creating chaos.
Many of these symptoms are misdiagnosed as behavioral or emotional problems—but the real issue is sometimes biological.
This exact scenario has been observed on Organic Acids Tests.
Dopamine xcess can be linked to hyperactivity, agitation, or even psychotic-like behavior.
No amount of parenting strategies or therapy will work until we address what’s happening in the gut.
The OAT test gives us a window into gut bacteria, neurotransmitter imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and more.
This test is a simple urine test you can do from home.
Most pediatricians are not looking at the gut when it comes to ADHD symptoms.
You are not imagining things. Their body may be sending out very real distress signals.
Dana Kay Resources:
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- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
- Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
- Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
- ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
- ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
- Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY