🧠 Pediatrician’s Secret Weapon for Kids’ Health

This week on The Doctor’s Farmacy, Dr. Mark Hyman sat down with pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song—Stanford- and UCSF-trained expert in integrative medicine—for a conversation every parent needs to hear.

No expensive supplements. No complicated protocols. Just real, practical strategies for helping your kids feel better, focus more, and stay healthy.

Here’s your 5-minute protocol digest from the interview.

👶 The Root of the Problem? The Gut.

If your child struggles with:

• ADHD or focus issues

• Anxiety

• Behavioral problems

• Skin issues like eczema

• Frequent illness

…you must start with the gut.

🧬 Why? 80–90% of your body’s serotonin is made in the gut—and that affects everything from mood and behavior to immunity and focus.

🥦 The 5 Gut-Healthy Habits Every Kid Needs

Dr. Song teaches this in elementary schools—yes, really—and calls them “Microbiome Magic”:

1. Eat the Rainbow: More colors = more gut diversity. Aim for red, orange, green, purple on the plate daily.

2. Fiber Is Fuel: Think beans, oats, chia, lentils, berries, and cooked veggies.

3. Cut the Crap: Remove ultra-processed snacks and artificial dyes—especially red, yellow, and blue food colorings.

4. Move Daily: Even short bursts (aka "exercise snacks") help the gut and brain. A 10-minute walk or dance break counts.

5. Sleep on Schedule: Poor sleep disrupts the gut and weakens focus. Make wind-down routines part of the evening rhythm.

Bonus: Let kids read nutrition labels. Dr. Song’s 3rd graders spotted 35g of sugar in a boba tea and made their own decisions to cut back. Empower them.

⚠️ Sneaky Gut Disruptors to Avoid

Dr. Song warns of 3 major everyday issues parents overlook:

• Antibiotics when not needed (70% of child prescriptions may be unnecessary)

• Chronic stress (school pressure, screen overload, poor sleep)

• Ultra-processed food additives like emulsifiers and preservatives (many banned in Europe)

These all inflame the gut lining and wipe out beneficial bacteria—leading to everything from eczema to attention issues.

🍽️ Small Change, Big Results

💥 One patient of Dr. Song’s with sensory issues and behavior struggles completely changed after just two weeks of removing artificial food dyes.

He went from fighting with teammates and avoiding hugs… to calmly connecting with his mom again.

Sometimes, it’s not a condition. It’s what they’re eating.

🧪 Optional (but Powerful): Get Curious About Nutrition

Want to go deeper? Ask your pediatrician about testing:

• Vitamin D

• Ferritin (iron storage)

• Zinc and magnesium (common in picky eaters or anxious kids)

• Omega-3 levels

• Blood sugar and insulin—even in “fit” kids

Most kids—even in health-conscious families—have suboptimal levels.

💡 Your Action Plan This Week

• 🥬 Add one new veggie or fruit color to your child’s plate

• 💧 Swap one sugary drink for coconut water or water with lemon

• 📦 Check food labels with your child—look for dyes, sugar, or additives

• 🛏️ Create a calming bedtime routine (screens off, lights low, maybe a story)

• 🏃 Add one "exercise snack"—jump rope, stretch, or take a walk

💬 “We're not depriving kids—we're helping them thrive.” – Dr. Elisa Song

You don’t need fancy tests or expensive programs to start. Just food, movement, rest, and knowledge.

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