Did you know that 90% of your child’s serotonin—the "feel-good" neurotransmitter—is actually made in their gut, not their brain?

In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney sits down with functional and integrative medicine expert Dr. Laura Vanston to demystify the "gut-brain connection." We often think of anxiety as a "head problem," but Dr. Laura explains why it is a bi-directional highway. When the gut is inflamed or the microbiome is out of balance, it sends distress signals straight to the nervous system, often keeping our kids (and ourselves) stuck in a state of "fight or flight."

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The Bi-Directional Highway: How the brain talks to the gut (butterflies!) and how the gut talks back to the brain.
2. The Serotonin Secret: Why gut health is the foundation for mood, focus, and anxiety regulation.
3. P.O.P (Plants On Purpose): Simple, non-overwhelming ways to add fiber and "rainbows" to even the pickiest eater’s diet.
4. The Vagus Nerve & Breathwork: Why slowing down our breathing is the "off-switch" for the sympathetic nervous system and how it allows the gut to actually heal.
5. Beyond the Multivitamin: The specific roles of Vitamin D, Iron (Ferritin), Zinc, and Magnesium in supporting a child’s emotional stability.
6. Practical "Micro-Shifts": From fermented ketchup to "stair breathing," we explore tools that work for real, busy families.

If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s "nervous stomach" seems to coincide with their biggest meltdowns, this episode will give you the physiological "why" and a roadmap for repair.

About Our Guest: Dr. Laura Vanston is an integrative pediatric nurse practitioner who has dedicated her career to helping parents navigate health and wellness for their kids. She loves helping kids improve gut health and their gut-brain connection to help learning, their immune system, sleep, and more!

Links & Resources:

1. Fermented Ketchup Recipe: Download here!
2. Integrative Health: Dr. Laura mentions Tiny Health for individualized gut mapping. Check out her website for more info!
3. Newsletter: Sign up for the Kids These Days Newsletter for parenting tips.
4. Instagram: Follow @integratedbh for more on the Internal U-Turn and the Gut-Brain connection.
5. Website: Learn more about our specialized services at www.integratedbhs.com.

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