Raising Sensitive, Spirited Kids: What My Daughter’s DNA Taught Me About Health, Hormones & Resilience
I always knew Sophia was special.
She’s fiercely smart, deeply intuitive, and full of sparkle.
But she also struggles in ways that seemed confusing — anxiety, picky eating, intense emotional outbursts, and constant sensory overload.
Like many mums, I asked myself:
“Am I doing something wrong? Is something going on beneath the surface?”
So I turned to what I know best — functional nutrition and genetics — to better understand her needs.
What I found changed everything.
Understanding Her Unique Blueprint
We ran a genetic health profile for Sophia — not to label her, but to empower her.
Her results revealed several SNPs (gene variants) that helped me connect the dots:
COMT: slower clearance of dopamine & stress hormones
GAD1 + 5HT2A: higher risk for glutamate/GABA imbalance, anxiety
MTHFR 677: reduced ability to methylate folate
DAO + NAT2: lower tolerance for histamines and additives
FUT2: clues about gut health, B12 needs, and immune strength
Suddenly her mood swings, overwhelm, and food sensitivities made sense.
And while none of this was about “fixing” her, it gave me a powerful lens to better support her — not just nutritionally, but emotionally and neurologically.
How We’re Supporting Her Naturally
Instead of fighting her body — we’re now working with it.
Here’s how we’ve adapted Sophia’s day-to-day using Legacy Nutrition’s genetic framework:
1. Brain & Mood Support
To help her stay calm, focused, and emotionally regulated:
Magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, cacao, and spinach
Omega-3s from cod liver oil and oily fish
GABA + tryptophan foods to support calm: chicken, oats, kefir
Gentle rhythm in the evenings: warm bath, storytime, no screens
Sensory-safe space at home with fidgets, weighted blanket, quiet corner
Mindful movement like yoga and nature walks to regulate her nervous system
We also noticed that loud environments and too much screen time really dysregulate her — so we’ve adjusted her days to be slower, more spacious, and rich in connection.
2. Methylation & Detox
To help her process hormones, toxins, and neurotransmitters:
Leafy greens, liver, and sprouted lentils (rich in methylfolate)
Choline + B12 from eggs, fish, and organ meats
Using filtered water, clean body products, and limiting fried foods
Regular movement to support lymphatic flow and natural detox
Encouraging daily bowel movements and fibre intake to bind and excrete excess hormones
With her MTHFR and COMT genes, we’re especially careful about her folate source, avoiding folic acid and focusing on food-form methylated nutrients.
3. Blood Sugar & Energy
Her genes show she doesn’t do well with processed carbs or late-night snacking.
We focus on:
Protein at every meal (eggs, chicken, legumes)
DHA from fish (her genes can’t convert flax well)
Blood sugar helpers like broccoli, cinnamon, and green beans
Avoiding refined snacks and juices — instead using nut butters, seed crackers, or boiled eggs as stabilising options
When her blood sugar dips, her mood spirals. With regular protein and fibre, we’ve seen big improvements in her energy and attention.
4. Gut & Immune Support
Sophia’s genes (FUT2 + DAO) tell us she needs help with histamines, gut bacteria, and nutrient absorption.
Her gut-loving toolkit includes:
Coconut yogurt and sauerkraut (low-histamine ferments)
Bone broth, egg yolks, and butter (for gut lining + Vitamin A)
Rainbow veggies to feed her microbiome
Removing dairy and limiting additives (big shift in her mood!)
Occasional probiotics, prebiotics and glutamine when flares arise
We also track patterns — for example, sleep disruption and skin flares after histamine-heavy meals. Her body speaks clearly when we listen.
5. Gentle Supplement Support
On top of her whole food foundation, we support her with:
Methylfolate drops
B12 lozenges
Magnesium at night (spray or powder)
Cod liver oil
Choline-rich foods or support if her intake drops
We don’t over-supplement. Just enough to support the gaps her genes suggest, and always monitored based on her real-time needs.
This Isn’t a “Fix” — It’s a Partnership
I’m not trying to fix Sophia. She isn’t broken.
She’s wired differently — and now, we understand why.
What she needs isn’t less of her — it’s more of what supports her.
And as a mum? This gives me peace of mind, practical direction, and confidence that I’m helping her thrive — not just cope.
This is the future of paediatric nutrition — one that honours the child’s blueprint, rather than forcing them into a system that never fit to begin with.
Want to Learn More About Your Child’s DNA?
If your little one struggles with:
Sensory overload
Gut issues or food aversions
Behavioural swings or anxiety
Sleep struggles
Picky eating or constant illness...
Their genes may hold the key.
I offer Legacy Junior Genetic Consults to help you:
Understand your child’s unique needs
Create a food, supplement & lifestyle plan that actually fits
Feel more empowered, less overwhelmed
