87: Nutritional Therapy for ADD/ADHD with Holly Carter, FNTP
In this week’s podcast we’re talking with Holly Carter, FNTP, who went from a career in engineering to homeschooling her two young children with ADD and ADHD. After much trial and error and self-education, Holly eventually became a Functional Nutritional Therapist and now helps families navigate a holistic approach to brain health.
Listen in as Holly shares all the books, supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes she used with her own family and now in her nutritional therapy practice.
EPISODE 87: Nutritional Therapy for ADD/ADHD with Holly Carter, FNTP
SHOW NOTES
(0:00) Intro
Welcome back to the club!
Today we are welcoming guest Holly Carter, FNTP to talk about Nutritional Therapy for ADD/ADHD
(2:39) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how you came to be an FNTP who specializes in brain health?
Background in engineering:
Worked for GE 17 years - loved problem solving and collecting data and finding solutions
Why Holly’s priorities shifted and she went part time at GE
(6:27) I'm interested to hear a bit more about why you left your engineering career to homeschool your kids. Can you tell us more about what happened?
Starting to understand WHY God had called me to homeschool...because my kids need my help to solve the brain-related health issues that we started to face.
Out of the blue felt like God was calling to homeschool
Heard a clear voice - ‘Why are you looking to serve me outside your home?’
4 years later - started had inkling as to why:
Daughter later diagnosed with ADD (inattentive type) high functioning
Holly discusses some of her daughter’s learning challenges, and how she came to thrive in school.
Her son really struggled - hard to hold attentions, sensory processing disorder, - got diagnoses of ADHD with hyperactivity component , also diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia - “good, all in the brain” Holly figured she could resolve all 5 issues
Pediatrician recommended ritalin - said “can’t hurt”
After first time on the meds - He read 50 pages (used to read 4-5 pages)
Never saw an advancement like that again, but still an improvement
Tried for 1 year - didn’t gain weight, affected appetite, didn’t grow, wet the bed, irritable when it wore off, stomach aches
Tried other meds - in process weaning off of that
Developed seizures - on warning label of ADHD medication
Seizure meds for 2 years
“I have to nourish his brain” - maybe will help with seizures
Diet - gluten and dairy (his 2 favorite things)
Enzymes
Gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and sugar do damage to the gut and digestive system.
(36:00) Since medications didn't seem to be the answer, can you tell us a little bit about what you were able to find or do from a nutrient or therapy standpoint that had a positive impact?
I'll then talk about the specific nutrients I used initially, how we integrated other therapies and lots of physical exercise into our healing plan and that the biggest impact was made when we healed his leaky gut (tripled his attention span).
Omega 3s, - high doses had similar effect to ritalin
Multi-vitamin
Vitamin B 6
Added zinc, magnesium, probiotics
Digestive enzymes in lieu of changing diet
Stop inflaming gut
Heal gut
Really made progress with elimination diet - (candida, eliminating inflammatory foods)
Addressing Candida
His attention span tripled!
Bounded forwarded with learning
Big growth spurt
Off seizure meds and haven’t had seizure in 11 years
Ritilan affects mineral levels in body - leads to seizures
Systemic Inflammation
Leaky gut and leaky brain
Leaky blood brain barrier
(59:48) Is there anything that you know now that you wish you'd known then?
Support digestion first
Eliminate inflammatory foods/substances
Supplementing wisely:
Mineral patterns
Side effects of medications
Sleep:
Glymph
Exercise
Various Therapies:
Amino acid therapy
Take advantage of school accommodations.
**For all supplement suggestions mentioned during this podcast, see Chelsea’s online dispensary at Fullscript. You can find the supplements according to category (ie: digestion, Omega-3s, vitamins & minerals)**
(115:05) How to contact Holly:
Website: Cornerstonenutritionllc.com
Email: holly@cornerstonenutritionllc.com
(117:02) Anchor Questions!
Anchor meal
Anchor verse
(1:21:04) Outro & Disclaimer
Resources Mentioned:
Books:
Women Leaving the Workplace – Larry Burkett
Finally Focused – Dr. Greenblatt
Enzymes for Autism and Other Neurological Conditions – Karen DeFelice
The Out of Sync Child & The Out of Sync Child Has Fun – Carol Stock Kranowitz
The Mood Cure – Julia Ross
Books that weren’t mentioned but that are also very helpful:
Healing ADD – Dr. Amen
The UltraMind Solution – Dr. Hyman
Reading System for Dyslexics:
Therapies:
HANDLE – Holistic Approach to Neurodevelopment Learning Efficiencies
Occupational Therapy
Energy Medicine
Connect with Cornerstone Nutrition and Wellness:
e: Holly@cornerstonenutritionllc.com
w: Cornerstonenutritionllc.com
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!