Food & Metabolomics: How Your Diet—Starting in Childhood—Shapes Your Brain | Dr. Alexis Wood

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Jun 24, 2025

Dr. Alexis Wood, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics–Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine, dives into how childhood nutrition shapes lifelong brain health. She discusses the often-overlooked connections between diet, genetics, and cognitive development. Topics include the myths surrounding ADHD and diet, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and the importance of personalized nutrition through metabolomics. Listeners gain insight into how dietary choices, especially in early life, can impact cognitive outcomes and health.

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INSIGHT

Gap in Childhood Nutrition Research

Childhood nutrition and genetics is a black hole with almost no research.
USDA guidelines barely address cognitive and social development impacts from foods in young children.

INSIGHT

Genetics and Environment in ADHD

ADHD diagnosis rate is rising likely due to changing school environments, not behavior changes.
ADHD has strong genetic components proven by twin and heritability studies.

ADVICE

ADHD and Diet: Manage Expectations

Avoid blaming diet alone for ADHD symptoms, as evidence is weak.
Respect individual diet choices if they help, but population-level impact is unproven.

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In this episode, Dr. Alexis Wood, a leading researcher at Baylor College of Medicine, joins me to unpack insights into childhood nutrition, genetics, and cognitive health. Dr. Wood's work bridges genetics, dietary practices, and brain development, highlighting how early-life nutrition can shape lifelong outcomes. We explore cutting-edge research, practical strategies for parents, and the surprising factors influencing children's cognitive and metabolic health.

We cover:

Why childhood nutrition and genetics have been historically overlooked—and what it means for your family.
ADHD and diet: Separating fact from fiction.
Debunking popular diet myths: What the research actually says about red meat and processed foods.
Cognitive self-regulation: The hidden link between diet, obesity, and ADHD.
Precision nutrition & metabolomics: The future is more than one-size-fits-all advice.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or health professional, this conversation offers guidance on navigating the complex relationship between nutrition, genetics, and childhood development.

Who is Dr. Alexis Wood?

Dr. Alexis Wood, Ph.D., F.A.H.A., is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics–Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine’s USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center. Her research integrates genetics, child development, and nutrition, focusing on how genetic factors influence responses to diet and behavior.

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Find Dr. Alexis Wood at:

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lekkiwood/
Baylor College of Medicine - https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/alexis-wood-33281
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center - https://www.bcm.edu/research/research-centers/usda-ars-childrens-nutrition-research-center
Alexis Wood Lab - https://www.bcm.edu/research/faculty-labs/alexis-lekki-wood-lab

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and overview

01:25 - Current landscape of childhood nutrition and genetics

04:00 - Challenges and opportunities in studying child nutrition

07:39 - ADHD, genetics, and dietary myths

12:23 - Clinical evidence on diet and ADHD

14:18 - The Mediterranean diet and childhood nutrition

17:48 - Debunking myths around red meat consumption

22:55 - Metabolomics: Precision nutrition’s new frontier

28:39 - The genetics of cognitive self-regulation and obesity

34:50 - Nutrition’s role in cognitive health across the lifespan

39:57 - What are metabolites and why do they matter?

44:29 - Interpersonal variability in nutrition responses

48:52 - The milestone "MILES" metabolomics study

52:21 - Processed foods: Balancing health and reality

58:19 - Early life behaviors and aging

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