The Importance of Whole-Systems Biology in Children’s Health

What Is Whole-Systems Biology?

Children’s bodies are dynamic and rapidly developing, with their physical, mental, and emotional systems evolving simultaneously. When a child develops a chronic health condition, a whole-systems biology perspective can help to:

• Identify Root Causes: Symptoms in one of the body’s systems often stem from dysfunction or imbalances in another. For example, recurrent infections might not just be an immune issue but could reflect underlying nutritional deficiencies or chronic stress.
• Promote Synergy: Proper function of cells, tissues and organs arises from systems communicating and working in harmony. Treating only one system without addressing its interactions with others may lead to incomplete healing or unintended consequences. It helps to recognize that there are connections.
• Support Development: Childhood is a critical period where systems such as the brain, immune system, and endocrine system are developing simultaneously, each in a particular order. Early interventions that consider a whole child’s development can help prevent long-term health complications.
• Enhance Emotional and Social Health: Emotional well-being is intricately linked with physical health. For example, chronic illness can lead to anxiety or depression, which, in turn, may exacerbate physical symptoms or impact relationships and family dynamics.

What Are Examples of Whole-Systems Biology Interactions?

Some of the most exciting recent advances in science show us how different systems of the body interact. You may already be familiar with some connections, such as the relationship between the heart and the lungs or muscles and nerves, yet there is so much more to appreciate. Here are several examples of how systems in the body such as the microbiome, nervous system, immune system, and mitochondria interact and support one another, with a shout out to the heart, lungs and muscles, too.

Microbiome and the Nervous System

The gut and brain communicate bidirectionally via the vagus nerve and body’s microbiome through what is known as the gut-brain axis (also known as the gut-brain-immune axis).

• Example: Have you ever felt nervous and noticed your stomach feels weird, like “butterflies”? That’s the gut and brain talking to each other through the gut-brain axis.
• How it works: The microbiome (the helpful bacteria in your gut) produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin that affect your mood and brain function. In fact, 90% of your body’s serotonin is made in the intestines where it also helps move your bowels. A healthy gut can help you feel calm and focused, but if your microbiome is unbalanced (like after eating a lot of junk food), it might make you feel stressed or anxious.
• What goes right: A healthy diet full of whole, nutrient-dense foods supports gut microbiota, leading to better mood regulation and cognitive function.
• What goes wrong: Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) can contribute to conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, or autoimmune disorders, not to mention unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.

Immune System and Microbiome

About 70% of the body’s immune system resides within the gastrointestinal tract, and it is profoundly influenced by the composition of the gut microbiome (also referred to as gut flora).

• Example: Did you know that the friendly flora in your gut help train your immune system and when you acquire pathogenic flora, your immune system jumps in to fight off the invaders.
• How it works: Your microbiome teaches your immune cells to recognize harmful bacteria and ignore the harmless ones.
• What goes right: A healthy diet supports helpful gut microbiota, leading to better immune-system function.
• What goes wrong: If the microbiome is unhealthy (like after taking antibiotics), your immune system might overreact, leading to allergies or autoimmune disorders.

Mitochondria and Nervous System

The body’s mitochondria are akin to an ancient bacterium producing power in nearly all of our cells (100,000 or more per cell). Their lineage is passed down from our mothers, not our fathers. The body’s mitochondria power not only the body’s muscles but also the brain and nervous system.

• Example: Have you ever felt physically or mentally drained, without a clear reason? When you’re solving a math problem or playing video games or doing something more demanding, your brain cells need a ton of energy to keep you sharp.
• How it works: Mitochondria, the “power plants” of your cells, provide energy to brain cells so they can process information and send signals quickly.
• What goes right: Mitochondria are more efficient if they are fed with proper nutrients such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, CoQ10, vitamin E and acetyl-l-carnitine.
• What goes wrong: If your mitochondria aren’t working well (due to nutritional deficiencies or toxicity), you might feel tired and have trouble concentrating.
  

Microbiome and Mitochondria

The gut microbiome processes nutrients from food that are used to build and power the body’s mitochondria.

• Example: Have you ever noticed how you feel more energetic after eating a moderate amount of healthy food? That’s partly because of the teamwork between your microbiome and mitochondria.
• How it works: The bacteria in your gut help break down food into nutrients that your mitochondria use to make energy.
• What goes right: Nutrients such as choline, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, CoQ10, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and acetyl-l-carnitine are processed into building blocks for cellular energy as well as cell membranes.
• What goes wrong: If your microbiome isn’t balanced, your body might not absorb nutrients or have good access to them, leaving you feeling tired.
  

Nervous System and Immune System

Chronic stress causes the body to create excess cortisol and other stress hormones that hamper the immune system from functioning properly.

• Example: Have you ever noticed you’re more likely to catch a cold after you’ve been super stressed – before a test or deadline or presentation?
• How it works: Chronic stress signals from your nervous system can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections. Although some stress is natural and even beneficial, chronic stress can trigger inflammation, which affects both your brain and immune system..
• What goes right: Keeping yourself in a calm state or training your body to calm itself easily (returning to homeostasis) goes a long way to boosting your immune system’s function.
• What goes wrong: Stress comes not just from emotional stress but also from a whole host of potential stressors such as poor diet, poor sleeping, exposure to EMFs and more. Any or all of these factors can contribute to excess stress on the body and a dysregulated immune system.

Mitochondria and Immune System

Mitochondria act as signaling platforms for antiviral molecules and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that influence both antiviral and antibacterial immune responses. In addition, mitochondria are important for immune cell function because immune cells have a high need for energy after activation.

• Example: Did you know that when you get a cut, your immune system rushes in to heal it and it needs energy to do the job?
• How it works: Mitochondria provide the energy that immune cells need to fight off infections and repair damage.
• What goes right: When these two systems are working correctly, the body heals as its should.
• What goes wrong: If your mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, your immune response may be slower, and you could take longer to heal.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

Oxygen delivery depends on the interaction between the lungs and heart.

• Example: Have you ever stopped to think about how the heart is nestled between two soft cushions (the lungs) that push against it with each breath?  And deep breaths not only “massage the heart,” but they help to oxygenate the whole body and remove waste, too.
• How it works: The lungs take in oxygen, which is then sent to the heart to distribute to the body tissue through its arteries and capillaries. There the oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide and returned to the heart via the veins to then be exhaled by the lungs.
• What goes right: Regular physical activity improves lung capacity and heart function. In addition, breathwork and appropriate treatment from airway orthontics/dentistry can increase lung capacity.
• What goes wrong: Asthma or cardiovascular issues can lead to poor oxygenation, affecting energy levels and growth.

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Systems

Neurological signals control muscle function and coordination.

• Example: Have you ever wondered how someone might communicate through spelling but not speaking? Our muscles require input from the nervous system to contract and relax so that we can perform deliberate movements. If there is a disruption in the function of this interaction, it might more heavily impact the small muscles such as those used to form words with our mouths, than the larger ones used for pointing to letters.
• How it works: Nerves are like our internal fiberoptics, passing information from one area to the next, from your brain to your body and your body to your brain. They release charges and chemicals that impact our physical function, ability to control movements, and the function of our senses.
• What goes right: Functional nutrition and neurodevelopmental therapies after neurological injury can restore proper function. A gut-healing diet combined with bio-individual supplements and therapies go a long way to restoring function in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, dyspraxia/apraxia, developmental delays and learning disabilities.
• What goes wrong: Neuromuscular disorders such as hypotonia may lead to developmental delays if not addressed holistically. The body can only use the building blocks and movements that it is provided to restore function. A Standard American Diet combined with a lack of intentional movement means that a neurologically injured body doesn’t have what it needs to heal.

All Together: How They Work as a Team

By providing the therapies and supports that a child’s body needs – including a well balanced, nutritional diet – while eliminating root causes and stressors helps a child’s body systems work together better.

• Example: How might we help a system heal? Don’t forget the importance of a healthy diet – good nutrition supplies the building blocks for energy which powers your brain (and the rest of the nervous system) to help you stay focused in class and support a healthy immune system to keep you from getting sick.
• How it works: If you eat a healthy meal of protein, vegetables and healthy fats (free of chemicals and highly processed items), then you help feed a healthy microbiome, which trains your immune system, and helps break down food into nutrients, so your mitochondria can make energy for your cells, muscles, organs and other tissue.
• What goes right: Eating a low-glycemic, gut-healing diet helps create a healthy microbiome, lowers inflammation, provides good energy to the brain and body, and allows the immune system to function properly.
• What goes wrong: Eating junk food or being under stress can throw off your microbiome, leading to less energy (mitochondria suffer), a foggy brain (nervous system struggles), and a weaker immune system.

Considering Whole-Systems Biology for Healing and Restoration

Integrated Care Plans

Tailoring treatment to include medical, nutritional, psychological, and social interventions ensures comprehensive support.

Preventative Care

Encouraging healthy lifestyle habits—like balanced nutrition, physical activity, and stress management—can prevent issues before they arise.

Mental Health Focus

Addressing emotional well-being through counseling or mindfulness practices enhances overall functionality.

Family and Community Support

A child’s environment influences their health. Educating caregivers and fostering supportive communities is key.

Conclusion

By keeping all of our systems healthy and balanced, our body can work better as a whole, helping us stay energized, think clearly, and fight off sickness.

By considering the health of the whole child, healthcare providers can better understand how biological systems interact, address root causes of issues, and provide interventions that restore balance. This approach fosters not only healing but also long-term happiness and functionality, empowering children to thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.

About Heather Tallman Ruhm MD

She has practiced ambulatory medicine from coast to coast, first at the Whitaker Wellness Institute in California, and later multiple integrative clinics in New England. She served as a college professor for over a decade where she taught Pathology and Foundations in Complementary Health and Wellness, a course she co-designed. She is a sought-after public speaker who currently maintains a part-time private practice in Southern New Hampshire. You can find out more about her on her website drtallmanruhm.com

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