Sophie Nielsen Nutrition, Maldon (2026)

17/11/2025

✨ 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗡𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 ✨
 When supporting children to optimise their gut and brain health, I prefer to 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨. Children can present with similar behaviours, such as hyperactivity, irritability or aggression, but the root cause can be very different.

Here are some of the tests I frequently run in clinic:

💇‍♀️ 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 A non-invasive test that can give helpful insight into key minerals like magnesium, zinc:copper balance, and potential exposure to heavy metals. These minerals play a crucial role in nervous system regulation, influencing our mood, resilience to stress, and sleep.

💧𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 (𝗢𝗔𝗧) This is one of my favourite tests for children with emotion dysregulation. It’s a simple urine test that looks at a wide range of biochemical markers, helping us understand things like nutrient status, detox pathways, gut-brain interactions, and metabolic output. It can detect a yeast infection, and it’s the only test to directly measure HPHPA (an inflammatory marker produced by an overgrowth of clostridia species).

🧬 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 (𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗚𝘅) This test provides deeper insight into your child’s dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, melatonin and GABA pathways. When combined with the OAT, it helps to build a clearer picture of how their 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 (e.g., nutrient status, stress, sleep, toxins, etc.,) is interacting with their unique 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒄𝒐𝒅𝒆.

Every child is unique and their support plan should be too. By looking at their biochemistry and genetics, we can make more informed, personalised decisions to help them thrive 🌿💛

25/10/2024

We have nerves in our gut (the enteric nervous system, ENS) - sometimes referred to as the body’s second brain 🧠

The main role of the ENS is to control digestion, but it’s made up of the same 𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖 cells and uses the same chemicals as those found in the brain.

𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
The ENS may not be capable of thought or long devision, but it communicates back and forth with our brain via the vagus nerve (a long wandering nerve connecting the gut to the brain).

𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟-𝕥𝕠-𝔾𝕦𝕥: when you’re cooking or smelling something tasty, the brain sends signals to the gut to prepare for the arrival of food (i.e., produce digestive juices). And I’ve spoken about those ‘butterflies’ or the sudden urge to go when you’re feeling nervous or anxious 💩

𝔾𝕦𝕥-𝕥𝕠-𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟: the gut sends messages back to the brain about hunger, satiety or toxicity in the gut. Our gut bacteria can also influence mood and behaviour.

So what are these chemical messengers made in the gut & brain? ℕ𝕖𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤

Our gut bacteria and enteric nerve cells produce more than forty neurotransmitters in the gut, including GABA, serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenaline.
➞ A whopping 95% of the body’s serotonin is thought to be made in the gut!

Scroll to find out more about these neurotransmitters and how they relate to ADHD and mental health.

21/10/2024

Avocado and pesto toast 💚

✨ Food for Gut & Brain Health ✨

Avocados need no introduction these days! They are a great choice for breakfast or lunch to support gut health, balance hormones and boost brain function.

🥑 Avocado contains high amounts of healthy (monounsaturated) fats and fibre. They are prebiotic food for our good gut bacteria, anti-inflammatory and linked with lower levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. They also contain magnesium, potassium, folate, B vits, vitamin C, E and K!

🌿 This delicious tangy pesto contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals from fresh basil, garlic and your choice of nuts and seeds - and added olive oil to make it the perfect gut loving food 💛

🛒 Ingredients

1 large avocado
1 large bunch basil (~25g)
1 lemon (juiced)
1 garlic clove
4 tbsp of nuts and seeds of your choice (I used pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds, flaked almonds)
Pinch sea salt
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water
Chilli flakes (optional)

✨ Recipe

Place the basil, nuts, seeds, olive oil, water, lemon juice and a pinch of salt into your food processor. Blend until combined and finely chopped.

With a spoon, scoop out the avocado flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork. Add 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Spoon the avocado mixture onto toasted sourdough bread. Top with some black pepper or chilli flakes.

10/10/2024

World Mental Health Day 💙

We talk a lot more about mental health today which is incredibly positive - but there is still so much more awareness, understanding and 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 needed.

There are many of us living with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Often trying to hide it from those around us, not feeling comfortable to share our inner struggles.

If we’re not looking after ourselves, not listening to what our body needs, the mind can become very fragile. Mental health really matters. It should be a priority.

🌱 With more of us working from home, it’s quite easy to feel lonely or isolated. Pursuing a new hobby or interest can be a powerful way to make new connections, find a new community, and start to feel like yourself again.

If you are struggling with your mental health or addiction, talk to someone. This could be a friend, colleague, mental health practitioner or volunteer from a charity. Take that first step. One small conversation can make all the difference ♥️

Mentalhealth.org.uk have some useful links if you need someone to talk to.

Address

Maldon
CM9

Telephone

+41788344285

Website

http://urbanwellness.co.uk/

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Sophie Nielsen Nutrition