How My Microbiome Discovery Spared My Son From the Same Emotional & Physical Pain I Lived Through
Hi, I’m Norma Jean Flood, MS, RDN. Most people know me as an Integrative and Functional Nutritionist, but few know how I got here. I think it's an important story to share because it's a story of being misunderstood. My hope is that it sheds some light on better ways to support mental health challenges versus following the more difficult path that I took.
How My Struggles Started
Growing up in the Great North Woods, my childhood felt carefree and full of adventure. But everything changed when I started school. Suddenly, I felt different—out of place, misunderstood. Socializing was a mystery to me, something others did so effortlessly while I struggled to connect. In the classroom, I felt lost and struggled to pay attention. As focus became more difficult, I'd find myself rereading assignments and relearning material on my own. By fourth grade, I was staying up until midnight to finish homework. This continued into middle school and high school. My family thought I was smart because I was studying long hours, but in reality, I was drowning.
This struggle fueled my perfectionism. I became obsessed with getting everything just right—repeating math problems, rewriting assignments, even abandoning art when my flawless work was accused of being too perfect. Anxiety crept in, and by middle school, depression followed. I sought comfort in alcohol, a pattern that escalated in high school, leading me into dangerous situations. With a chaotic home life—ten siblings, financial stress, and tempers flaring—I felt completely alone.
Finding Small Glimmers of Hope
Sports became my saving grace, offering both social connection and a distraction from alcohol. When I was admitted to UW Madison, I believed I had found my ticket to freedom. But the lack of structure in college made my struggles with executive functioning even worse. I spiraled deeper into binge drinking, eventually developing anorexia in an attempt to gain control. By the end of my first semester, I was so weak that pneumonia took hold, and my depression and anxiety became unbearable.
A Thanksgiving break gave me a moment to breathe, but home wasn’t the refuge I needed. I threw myself into my studies, leaning on my studious roommate for guidance. This discipline helped me curb my alcohol use, but my perfectionism remained relentless. After graduating, I moved to California and began a career in pharmaceuticals. Outwardly, I was thriving, but behind closed doors, my eating disorder worsened, and I numbed my pain with excessive running and weekend partying.
When my employer required me to start therapy, I finally confronted my past traumas. Therapy helped, but it wasn’t enough—I still felt trapped in anxiety and depression.
Life Looked Ideal from the Outside
At 27, I pivoted toward wellness and pursued a master’s degree in nutritional sciences. While my professors feared this was an extension of my eating disorder, I soon realized it was my path to healing. Even as I excelled academically—earning a 4.0 GPA and being recognized as the top dietetic intern in California—I continued to struggle internally. I married a supportive partner, had two children, and built a life that looked ideal from the outside. But inside, I was still at war with myself.
By 36, I was battling debilitating migraines that consumed half of every month. My depression deepened, but it wasn’t until my second child was a toddler that my perspective shifted. I saw myself in him—his temper, OCD tendencies, and social struggles. For the first time, I realized these traits weren’t just psychological; they were genetic. This both terrified and motivated me. How could I help my son avoid the pain I had endured?
How My Discovery of the Microbiome Spared My Son
Determined to find answers, I spent five years and thousands of dollars on various treatment modalities. The breakthrough came when I discovered orthomolecular medicine through an acupuncturist. Despite my background in pharmacology and nutrition, I had never encountered this approach, which uses targeted supplementation to correct genetic biochemical imbalances.
I started taking supplements, and the results were astonishing. My mental energy improved, my chronic fatigue lifted, and my migraines decreased by 90%. But the true turning point came at age 42 when I heard a scientist from UCLA on NPR news during their "The Human Microbiome: Guts and Glory" series. The scientist shared that gut bacteria directly influence brain chemistry, affecting mood, focus, and even self-esteem. Suddenly, everything clicked—my struggles weren’t just psychological; they were deeply rooted in my gut health.
Fueled by this revelation, I dove into extensive research, studying thousands of scientific papers on the microbiome. I discovered that our gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters like dopamine (for focus), GABA (for calm), and serotonin (for mood regulation). Over 90% of serotonin, our brain’s natural antidepressant, is produced in the gut.
At the same time, my son’s teacher was raising concerns about his disruptive classroom behavior, suggesting medication. I felt that it was too early for medication, so I decided to apply what I was learning about the microbiome.
This led me into even deeper research into the factors that influence our microbiome. I not only discovered foods that support beneficial microbes but also identified dietary and lifestyle factors that can cause harm. In fact, much of what I found focused on these harmful influences, fueling my search for more answers to help my son.
That search led me to a newly published book in the spring of 2017 called Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD by Dr. James Greenblatt. His approach closely aligned with orthomolecular medicine, yet he had been applying it as a psychiatrist for 30 years, backed by clinical data proving its benefits. The information was fascinating, but I was becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what I was learning. How could I connect the microbiome with orthomolecular medicine?
Bridging the Gap Between Medicine and Nutrition
I found my answer in 2018 at the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health conference, where I was amazed by the wealth of clinical research available. Inspired, I immediately began learning from the leading experts in functional medicine and completed intensive coursework through the Functional Nutrition Alliance. I found a treatment approach that truly addressed the root causes of mental health struggles—combining genetics, microbiome health, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments.
The truth is, our culture prioritizes achievement at all costs. Kids today face immense academic pressure, competitive sports, processed foods, and excessive screen time—all of which disrupt gut health and contribute to anxiety, depression, and attention struggles. But we have the power to change this.
By focusing on whole foods, prioritizing sleep, limiting screen time, and using targeted supplementation, we can support not only our children’s health but our own. It’s not always easy, but gradual shifts can lead to profound improvements in mood, focus, and overall well-being.
A New Way Forward
I deeply respect Western medicine, but I believe the best approach is integrative—addressing both symptoms and root causes. Too often, we turn to medication without first examining nutrition and biochemical imbalances. When we nourish the body properly, medications (if needed) work more effectively and with fewer side effects.
For years, I’ve applied functional medicine in my practice, helping one client at a time. But as the mental health crisis escalates, I feel an urgency to spread this message further. We must do better—for ourselves, for our children. Healing begins when we treat problems at their source, and I am committed to guiding others on this transformative journey.
About the Author: Norma Flood, Integrative & Functional Nutritionist
Norma Flood is a busy mom, wife, friend, and Registered Dietician Nutritionist guiding adults and teens to better brain balance and gut health. Holding a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences, she is recognized as one of San Diego’s top Integrative and Functional Nutritionists. With a deep commitment to holistic well-being, Norma provides personalized health counseling and applies functional nutrition therapy to effectively support digestive health, mental health, and eating disorder recovery. She offers both in-person and group counseling as well as online education. Follow Norma Flood on YouTube as she shares small, easy steps that you can take each day to support better gut health and mental health using an integrative and functional approach.