Holistic, Personalized, Evidence-Based Wellness for Children and Adults
Naturopathic Integrative ADHD Care in Markham
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 5-10% of children and 3-6% of adults, and it is more than just having an excess amount of energy or being easily distracted. It is actually a developmental disorder, where the development of the brain’s executive functions is delayed. This system helps us plan, organize, and regulate our emotions. Research shows that for people with ADHD, these skills can develop about 30 to 40 percent slower than in their peers.
Dr. Julie Chan is a Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Acupuncturist, and she has been working with children and adults with ADHD for 20 years. She understands that raising a child with ADHD can be exhausting and challenging. You might feel like you or your child is constantly facing cognitive blocks or that small frustrations turn into intense emotional meltdowns in seconds. As a Naturopathic Doctor in Markham, Dr. Chan does not just look at behaviours. She investigates how physiology and neurological health work together. She provides a calm and supportive space to find out why a patient’s nervous system is struggling and how to help it reach a state of balance.
Understanding the ADHD Brain: Why It Is Hard to Focus and Emotionally Regulate
The prefrontal cortex acts as the regulatory center of the brain and is often working under significant stress in people with ADHD. This leads to a few common struggles:
- Executive Function: This makes it hard to retain instructions, maintain time awareness, or initiate a task even when you know it is important.
- Emotional Regulation: For many, emotional responses can escalate to a high intensity instantly. This can lead to a low frustration tolerance or feeling deep distress when you perceive criticism.
- Sensory and Sleep Issues: The environment can feel overwhelming due to light or sound. At night, the nervous system often has trouble transitioning to a restful state, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
How Naturopathic Medicine Fits In
If ADHD is a delay in the brain’s regulatory system, Naturopathic Medicine helps by identifying the missing pieces and providing the brain and nervous system with what it needs. One of the most important are essential nutrients that support the nervous system’s development which may often be deficient. These are physical factors in the body that can worsen ADHD symptoms. In addition to nutritional deficiencies, gut-brain imbalances, metabolic issues, toxin exposure, metabolic inefficiencies can all contribute to more ADHD symptoms and are barriers to a healthy brain and nervous system.
Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits
The Gut-Brain Axis
Metabolic Function and Energy
Lifestyle and Sleep Habits, Environmental Exposure
A Healthier Foundation for Focus
Dr. Julie Chan’s goal is to improve the biological function of the brain. When the body is healthy and has the correct nutritional, gut, metabolic, lifestyle and environmental support, behavioural therapies and school strategies are much more successful.
- How We Work Together
- A Clinical Assessment: We spend time listening to your full medical history, not just the symptoms.
- Functional Diagnostic Testing: We use modern lab tests to identify exactly what your biochemistry needs.
- An Individualized Care Plan: We create a plan using clinical nutrition, professional supplements, and lifestyle adjustments that fit your family’s life.
What Lab Test Do We Offer?
- Adrenal Function Tests
- Autoimmune testing
- Celiac Screen
- Comprehensive Blood Tests (blood chemistry, nutritional markers, hormones and others)
- Detoxification Profiling
- Food Allergy Tests
- Food Intolerance Tests
- GI MAPS Comprehensive Stool Analysis
- Heavy Metal Tests
- Inflammatory markers
- Leaky Gut Analysis
- Metabolic Screens
- Organics Acids Tests
- Parasitology and SIBO
- Saliva and Urine Hormone tests
- Vitamin and Nutrient tests
Request an Appointment
Schedule your appointment online or call us at 905-604-8480
