#386 ADHD, Autism, Eating Disorders and PANDAS with Erin Falco, RD

Send us Fan MailThis week on The Less Stressed Life Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Erin Falco, a functional medicine dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition, mental health, and autoimmune conditions. I met Erin at a national registered dietitian conference and LOVED her presentation because it was loaded with case studies. Inspired by her son’s journey with PANS/PANDAS, Erin shares how she helps families tackle complex conditions like ADHD, autism, eating disorders, and anxiety by addressing nutrient deficiencies, gut health, and inflammation.Erin highlights the critical role of targeted nutrition in mental health, with case studies that showcase life-changing transformations, including a nonverbal young adult with autism who spoke his first words after dietary and mitochondrial interventions. She also shares how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been a game-changer in her and her son’s healing journeys.KEY TAKEAWAYS:The difference between PANS and PANDAS and how infections can trigger mental health symptomsKey nutrient deficiencies like zinc, omega-3s, and cholesterol that impact brain function and mental healthHow gut imbalances, like clostridia overgrowth, can drive symptoms of OCD and anxietyThe role of mitochondrial support in improving symptoms of autism and ADHDHow hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduces inflammation and supports healing for neurological and autoimmune conditionsABOUT GUEST:Erin Falco is a functional medicine dietitian specializing in mental health, pediatric nutrition, and autoimmune conditions. Certified in Functional Medicine for ADHD and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, she integrates targeted nutrition and therapies to support healing. Erin is also dedicated to educating healthcare providers and mentoring dietetic interns. Outside of work, she enjoys surfing, yoga, and creating allergen-free recipes with her family. Subscribe to Erin's newsletter at the bottom of her homepage to access her FREE Mental Health Guide! WHERE TO FIND:Website: https://www.roothealthnj.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roothealthnj/ WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeLeave a review, submit a questions for the podcast or take one of my quizzes here: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksNUTRITION PHILOSOPHY:Over restriction is dead; if your practitioner is recommending this, they are stuck in 2010 and not evolvingWhole food is soul food and fed is bestSustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)You don’t have to figure it out aloneDo your best and leave the restSPONSOR:  Thanks to Jigsaw Health for sponsoring this episode! Try their MagSoothe or MagSRT for better sleep and less stress. Use code LESSSTRESSED10 at JigsawHealth.com for 10% off—unlimited use!