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

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.

This episode is brought to you by:

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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

Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.