Reducing toxic load in children with ADHD and autism: simple steps for supporting detoxification and improving wellbeing

Did you see my post last week about why we should all be paying closer attention to our toxic load?

I talked about how this is especially important for children with ADHD or autism, who often have more difficulty with detoxification due to genetic differences impacting methylation and antioxidant pathways, higher oxidative stress and gut imbalances that affect how the body processes toxins.

Research shows that both children and adults with ADHD and autism can have lower levels of glutathione - the body’s main detox antioxidant - and greater sensitivity to environmental toxins such as heavy metals and chemicals. These issues are often more pronounced in children because their detoxification systems are still developing and they have a higher toxic burden relative to body size.

How do heavy metals affect the brain and gut?

👉 Neurotoxicity – heavy metals like lead, mercury, and aluminum can disrupt neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, affecting mood, focus and impulse control.

👉 Gut microbiome disruption – mercury and lead can alter gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis, inflammation and increased gut permeability ("leaky gut").

👉 Oxidative stress & inflammation – heavy metals contribute to chronic inflammation in both the gut and brain, worsening symptoms of ADHD and autism.

👉 Nutrient depletion – heavy metals can interfere with essential minerals like zinc, magnesium and selenium, which are crucial for brain function and detoxification.

Genetic variations and detoxification issues

Some individuals have genetic differences that make it harder for their bodies to clear out toxins.

These include:

🧬 MTHFR gene mutation – affects methylation (a key detoxification process) which can lead to higher levels of toxins, inflammation and nutrient imbalances.

🧬 GST & SOD genes – impact the body’s ability to neutralise oxidative stress, making individuals more sensitive to environmental toxins.

🧬 CYP450 enzymes – affect how the liver processes and eliminates heavy metals and chemicals. Some people with variations in the CYP450 genes detoxify more slowly, leading to toxin accumulation.

🧬 COMT gene mutation - affects detoxification by influencing the methylation of toxins, including heavy metals. People with slower COMT activity may have more difficulty processing and eliminating these toxins, leading to a higher toxic burden.

Where do heavy metals and toxins come from?

⚠️ Contaminated water

Lead and arsenic can be found in drinking water due to environmental pollution, old plumbing and industrial runoff. These metals accumulate in the body and are difficult to eliminate, potentially affecting kidney function and neurological health.

⚠️ Certain fish

Mercury is commonly found in large predatory fish like tuna, swordfish, and sharks, due to industrial pollution of the oceans. Mercury can bioaccumulate in the food chain and, when consumed, can damage the nervous system, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.

⚠️ Some vaccines

Older versions of vaccines contained aluminium and mercury-based preservatives (such as thimerosal), which have been phased out in many cases. These metals, when used as preservatives or adjuvants, can accumulate in tissues.

⚠️ Processed foods with artificial colours/additives

Many processed foods contain artificial colours, flavourings, and preservatives that may be contaminated with aluminium or other toxic metals. These chemicals can contribute to oxidative stress in the body, affecting liver function and overall detoxification.

⚠️ Industrial pollution and chemicals

Pesticides, herbicides and industrial chemicals used in farming and manufacturing are common sources of toxins. These chemicals can enter the body through contaminated food, air and water, accumulating over time and potentially interfering with hormonal and immune system function.

⚠️ Skin care, cosmetics and cleaning products

Many cosmetic and personal care products contain parabens, phthalates and heavy metals like lead and mercury. These substances are absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in the body, contributing to toxic load and potential hormonal disruptions.

⚠️ Air pollution

Heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic and lead are present in air pollution, especially in urban areas and near industrial sites. Breathing in these toxins can lead to respiratory issues and increase the body’s overall toxic burden.

What can you do to support healthy detoxification and reduce future exposure?

✅ Minimise exposure to toxins in the environment

- avoid artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and additives in food

- switch to natural personal care products (e.g. deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo)

- use low-tox or homemade cleaning products (see previous post!)

✅ Ensure regular bowel movements

This is especially important for children with ADHD and autism, who often struggle with constipation due to nervous system imbalances affecting gut function. The body eliminates toxins through stool, so constipation can lead to toxin reabsorption.

- increase fibre and fluid intake

- consider magnesium citrate or glycinate for children prone to constipation (consult a health practitioner for dosage advice)

- make smoothies, chia puddings or fruit purees to boost fibre in a child-friendly way

✅ Support liver function

- include foods that support the liver and promote healthy detoxification, e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, beetroot, pumpkin, garlic, avocado, leafy greens, nuts and seeds. It may be necessary to adapt your cooking methods to accommodate sensory issues and picky eating (very common in ADHD and autism). Different ways you can adjust textures to suit textural preferences include grating vegetables into sauces, casseroles or baked goods, or offering raw carrot sticks or sweet potato fries

- bone broth (or mineral-rich veggie broth) can also support liver detoxification pathways if tolerated

✅ Optimise methylation

- choose folate-rich foods like leafy greens, avocado and legumes (lentils, beans and peas)

- include choline-rich foods such as eggs, chicken, turkey, sunflower seeds and peas

- consider activated B vitamin supplements if MTHFR variants are present (seek professional advice)

✅ Boost glutathione production (glutathione is the body's "master antioxidant" and helps remove heavy metals).

- include sulfur-rich foods like garlic, onions, chives and leeks (can be finely chopped or hidden in meals)

- consider supplements such as NAC (N-acetylcysteine) or liposomal glutathione under supervision

✅ Increase antioxidant intake

- include berries, turmeric, green tea and vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, kiwi fruit, capsicum)

- smoothies and ice blocks can be a good way to sneak these into a picky eater's diet

✅ Support gut health

- include fibre-rich foods like oats, ground flaxseeds, bananas and vegetables

- add probiotic-rich foods (e.g. yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir) if tolerated

- consider a broad-spectrum probiotic

✅ Reduce exposure to chemicals through water

- use a high-quality water filter to lower exposure to heavy metals and other contaminants.

✅ Consider testing

- heavy metal and genetic testing can help identify individual detoxification challenges.

I am a big fan of these tests, particularly as most are affordable, non-invasive and don’t require taking blood (can be challenging with children!)

As always, I recommend using a small steps approach and picking one area to focus on as a starting point. My top priorities when working with children with ADHD and autism are always reducing chemical exposure (eliminating food additives and switching to a low-tox lifestyle) and supporting regular bowel movements.

Just these two simple changes can make a huge difference to your child’s health, behaviour and overall wellbeing! 💙

In case you missed my last post, you can read it here

References

Sá-Carneiro, F., Calhau, C., Coelho, R., & Figueiredo-Braga, M. (2020). Putative shared mechanisms in autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a systematic review of the role of oxidative stress.. Acta neurobiologiae experimentalis, 80 2, 129-138 . https://doi.org/10.21307/ane-2020-013.

Corona, J. (2020). Role of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Antioxidants, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111039.

Zhang, M., Chu, Y., Meng, Q., Ding, R., Shi, X., Wang, Z., He, Y., Zhang, J., Liu, J., Zhang, J., Yu, J., Kang, Y., & Wang, J. (2020). A quasi-paired cohort strategy reveals the impaired detoxifying function of microbes in the gut of autistic children. Science Advances, 6. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aba3760.
Chen, L., Shi, X., Liu, H., Mao, X., Gui, L., Wang, H., & Cheng, Y. (2021). Oxidative stress marker aberrations in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 87 studies (N = 9109). Translational Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-01135-3.