The ADHD and IBS Connection in Kids

Attentition-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) might sound like two common, yet unrelated conditions in kids. However, when we dig deeper into the elements of both ADHD and IBS, we find an interesting link.

For example, those with ADHD have a higher rate of IBS diagnosis than those without ADHD (1). Similarly, one study found even that parents with IBS have an increased risk of having a child with ADHD (2). 

Understanding this correlation can help give insight into managing and treating these complicated conditions. 

ADHD and IBS

ADHD stands for Attentition-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder which is the persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with everyday actions and development (3). 

Kids with ADHD commonly have issues with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, executive functions, and hyperactivity. It’s a growingly common diagnosis with 1 in 9 American children diagnosed (4).

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is characterized byrecurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits including diarrhea, constipation, or both.

Begin Health Expert Tip

Undiagnosed medical conditions can be a contributing factor to constipation issues in kids. Here are 3 medical conditions that can potentially contribute to irregularity.

It’s somewhat known as a “catch-all” gastrointestinal diagnosis with blurry guidelines. Because of this, we can only estimate the prevalence at 6-14% of children (5). 

The Gut-Brain Axis

The most likely connection between ADHD and IBS is from the Gut-Brain Axis. This is where the bacteria in our gut (known as the microbiome) communicate to the central nervous system. 

Think of this as a two-way phone call - the stomach and the brain are talking to each other to make sure that they both work properly. If there’s static on the phone line, neither one can function at their best. 

The real-life version of this “phone static” is called dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the type or amount of bacteria in the gut. This dysbiosis occurs in both IBS and ADHD (3,6).

How our Gut Health Impacts ADHD and IBS

Research has shown that amounts of certain bacteria strains (Faecalibacterium, Odoribacter, and Bacteroides uniformis) are linked to the presence and severity of ADHD and IBS (3,7).

These strains affect how our brain makes neurotransmitters and communicates with the rest of our body. 

This can manifest as (3,8):

• Increased hyperactivity
• Increase impulsivity
• Inability to keep attention
• Chronic constipation

So how do we heal our kid’s microbiome to avoid this dysbiosis? By feeding the good bacteria.

Feeding the Good Gut Bacteria 

Because dysbiosis is just animbalance of good and bad gut bacteria, the goal is to fuel the good bacteria to rebalance our digestive health. 

The primary way to do this is through prebiotics, which are the food that fuels good gut bacteria to grow and flourish. They ferment to form short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) which help lower gut inflammation and improve the integrity of the gut lining - helpful for both ADHD and IBS.

The chicory root fiber and human milk oligosaccharide found in Growing Up Prebiotics are two sources of prebiotics that can improve digestion and gut health in kids (9,10).

Other practical diet changes include:

• Fiber-rich Foods: Foods that are high in fiber also help feed the good bacteria in our gut and strengthen the lining of our GI tract. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans.
  

Begin Health Expert Tip 

Learn more about how to introduce high-fiber foods into your kiddo's diet here.

• Adding Probiotics: Foods or supplements with probiotics act to physically modify and rebalance the bacteria in your kid’s gut microbiome. This promotes digestive support and can reduce constipation in kids (11). 
• Reduce Food Colorings: Although the research is limited, eliminating food dyes has shown a significant, but moderate effect on lowering ADHD symptoms (12). 
• Reduce Refined Sugars: a diet high in refined sugars like candy, crackers, cookies, etc is associated with poor gut health and increased ADHD symptoms (12). Also, the blood sugar highs and lows that a high-refined sugar diet leads to can intensify ADHD symptoms.

Summary

The link between ADHD and IBS comes from the gut-brain connection which is how our brain and the bacteria in our gut communicate to each other. For kids struggling with these conditions, addressing their gut health can be a key factor in their health and well-being.