You notice the small things
There is something that happens in a parent long before a diagnosis or a lab test. You notice the small things: digestion that never quite settles, foods that don’t sit well, energy dips, mood shifts, sleep that feels a little off. Constipation that keeps coming back. Sensitivities to dairy, eggs, or gluten. A sense that your child isn’t thriving the way they should.
Most of the time you don’t get a clear picture — you’re told it’s normal, they’ll grow out of it, everything looks fine. You’re still left thinking: something isn’t right. You are not overthinking. You are paying attention.
Two children, different pictures, same root
The first child had “mild but ongoing” concerns: digestive issues, mild constipation, dairy intolerance, and a family history of mold exposure. Mold is one of the most underestimated stressors on mineral reserves — it pulls on the immune system, burdens the liver, disrupts the gut, and drains minerals.
Her mineral pattern showed a slow metabolic state — something that should not be happening in a young child. Children are designed to run fast. Severely low potassium stood out: potassium helps cells respond to thyroid hormone. Without enough of it, the body may make thyroid hormone but not use it as well — so basic labs can look “normal” while cellular energy production may be limited. Copper dysregulation and background heavy metals (lead, aluminum) added stress to an already under-resourced system.
Support began with a custom Vykon blend from her results, plus digestive enzymes, bile/liver support — rebuilding so her body could handle residual mold and environmental stress without being overwhelmed. Not forced detox. Building a body that can do that work naturally.
The second child looked the opposite — not slow, but fast: high energy but not stable, more reactive, headaches, food allergies to eggs, dairy, and gluten, and a history of bouncing between practitioners. Her mineral results showed a high-output stress state: sodium and potassium running very high, consistent with a stress system working overtime, deeply depleted in magnesium, calcium, boron, and manganese, plus the same copper dysregulation pattern.
A body running fast without foundational minerals creates instability everywhere. The goal wasn’t to “calm her down” or restrict more foods — it was to stabilize her system with a custom blend, digestive support, and beef liver capsules at the right time.
Side by side they looked completely different. Underneath, the root issue was the same: their bodies did not have the mineral foundation they need. Children don’t exist in isolation — mold, mineral depletion, and chronic stress often affect the whole family system. That isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.
Gentle places to start at home
- Epsom salt baths — magnesium through the skin; often helps sleep and overall regulation.
- A simple electrolyte drink — cellular hydration, especially for depleted or stressed kids.
- Gentle digestive enzymes with meals — if digestion has been a concern.
- Homemade milk kefir or a well-formulated probiotic (including bifidobacterium and saccharomyces when appropriate) — to begin restoring microbiome balance.
These aren’t replacements for targeted support, but they are a meaningful place to start while you gather more information.
If you’ve been wondering
If you’ve been told everything is fine but you know something is off — if you’re tired of trying things that only partially help — this is your invitation to look deeper. HTMA lets us see how systems are communicating, where the body is under stress, what it’s burning through, and what it’s asking for. You stop guessing. You start building with intention.
How I can help
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is available for men, women, and families — from the comfort of home. I mail you a test kit; you collect a small hair sample and send it to the lab; I also send a lab order for your Functional Lab Panel, a fasting blood draw at a Quest Diagnostics location. Then your results are delivered by email, and I send your custom mineral plan along with a custom mineral blend made for you through Vykon.
The New Leaf Mineral Reset ($539) includes your HTMA test kit, the Functional Lab Panel, a written results report and review, your custom mineral plan, with a custom mineral blend made for you through Vykon, and six months of support and plan updates. Supplements and custom blends through Vykon Customs are separate from the package price (typically $200/month or less). I intentionally keep this personal and limited so I can walk closely with the people I work with.
If something in this article resonates and you’re wondering whether minerals could be part of the picture, reach out by email.
Barbie Fisher · Certified HTMA Practitioner · New Leaf Health
coachbarbwithnewleafhealth@gmail.com
This article is intended to provide helpful, informative material. Barbie Fisher is a certified HTMA practitioner and health coach, not a medical doctor; this content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition, dietary changes, or health objectives. This article is educational and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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