Nurturing Your Child's Mental Health: Understanding the Role of Genetics and Environment

food choices & feeding mood learning & behaviour nutrients & supplements

Parenting a child with anxiety, inattention, or irritability can be challenging, but behavior always comes from somewhere. Understanding the roots of these behaviors is crucial so you can put an effective plan in place to help them.

Genetics plays a significant role, but it's only part of the story. The interplay between genetic predispositions, environmental factors, life experiences, and nutrition is what shapes a child's mental health.

The Genetic Blueprint

Think of genetics as a blueprint; genes don't determine everything but they provide a base for potential outcomes. Genes provide the blueprint for how our bodies and brains function, influencing how we respond to stress and external stimuli.

Here's a simplified overview of why I find nutrigenomic testing valuable for parents:

Genes tell enzymes what to do and then enzymes go and do the thing.
A simplified example: the MAOA gene tells the MAOA enzyme how to break down serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine - these are neurochemicals that influence how we feel. With the help of nutrients (like magnesium and B vitamins), the MAOA enzyme then goes to do its job.
If genetic testing reveals variants in the messaging between the MAOA gene and the MAOA enzyme, there may be variants in how that enzyme does its job. The result may be a functional difference in how the body uses those neurochemicals and thus a shift in how a person feels.
These variants in messaging are called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (or SNPs). They don't tell us exactly what's happening or help us diagnose disease, but they do tell us which enzymes may be struggling to function so we can then support them.

Another simple example:

HFE and TMPRSS6 are two genes that tell enzymes how to use iron. When there are variants in the messaging between gene and enzyme, a child may be prone to low iron.
Iron is a crucial nutrient for growth and development and low levels are associated with poor sleep, poor immune function, low appetite, and low mental and physical energy.
Parents who find variants here will want to make sure their child eats lots of iron-rich foods and have their doctor monitor iron levels.

Genetic testing, specifically nutrigenomics testing like what we run, offers insights into your child's unique genetic vulnerabilities so we can then use specific nutrients and parenting styles to support them through stress and life.

Nutrigenomics Testing: A Tool for Understanding

Nutrigenomics is an innovative field that examines how our genes interact with our diet, nutrition, and environment. We use nutrigenomics tests to help parents gain insights into how their child's body may respond to certain nutrients, environmental chemicals, and even parenting styles.

For example:

If a nutrigenomics test indicates a genetic variation that affects how a child processes vitamin D, or Zinc, or Omega 3 Fatty Acids - all of which are linked to mood regulation - parents can adjust the diet to ensure adequate intake and monitor blood levels.
If testing finds a child is prone to slow activity in their COMT enzyme - the one most important for dopamine regulation - they will probably need more emotional support, consistency, and structure. Magnesium may become their best friend and they probably need lots of B vitamins.

This personalized approach to nutrition and parenting can be a game-changer in managing and even preventing mood-related issues. By understanding your child's genetic predispositions, you can tailor their diet and environment to support their stress capacity and mental health.

Limitations and Benefits of Genetic Testing

While nutrigenomic testing provides valuable insights, it's not definitive. Genetics offer probabilities, not certainties. But understanding your child's genetic predispositions empowers you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps in supporting your child's stress response and mental health.

The Bottom Line: Is genetic testing helpful?

Yes. However it's important to remember that having certain SNPs doesn't guarantee a child will experience problems related to them. It's like having a genetic predisposition for high blood pressure - it raises the risk, but lifestyle factors play a crucial role in whether or not it develops.

Parenting a child with mood and behavior challenges is a journey of discovery. By combining insights from nutrigenomics with a nurturing environment, we can better support our children's mental health.

Remember, the goal is to equip our children with the tools and support they need to thrive.

=======

Select References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32574581/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21483845/

https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab-podcast/iron-and-mental-health

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23792050/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17419009/

About Jess Sherman, FDN-P, M.Ed, R.H.N

Jess is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and a trauma-sensitive Family Health Educator specializing in brain health & resilience for kids. She is also a teacher, with a Master's degree in education. Her Calm & Clear Kids introductory course, her Amino Acids (with kids!) Quickstart program, and her signature Resilience Roadmap, along with her book Raising Resilience, have helped families in at least 44 countries improve the lives of their children with learning differences, anxiety, ADHD, and mood disorders and reduce their reliance on medication. She is the 2019 recipient of the CSNNAA award for Clinical Excellence for her work with families, and she continues to bring an understanding of the 5 Core Needs For Resilient Health to the mainstream conversation about children’s mental health, learning, and overall resilience through her blog, courses, workshops and as a contributor to print and online magazines.

Let's Raise Resilient, Healthy Kids Together!

Join our mailing list to stay connected and receive the latest news & updates so you can raise healthy, resilient kids. Your information will never be shared.

By submitting this form you are consenting to receive email from Jess Sherman

The content on this website and in the guides and courses offered here is meant to provide information so that parents can make informed decisions and discuss these issue with their health care teams. It is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or individualized care.