Nucliq Research Initiative Program
Gut-Brain Axis: Supporting Autistic Children
Understanding the Problem
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental conditions whose prevalence is rising dramatically. Up to 80% of autistic children face gut issues, worsening symptoms like anxiety and sensory sensitivities.
- ASD now affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S. (CDC, 2023).
- Globally, over 78 million people are living with autism or related cognitive impairments.
- Scientific studies suggest that gut microbiota imbalances (dysbiosis) are linked with behavioral symptoms, including social difficulties, irritability, and hyperactivity.
The gut and brain are connected through a communication system known as the gut-brain axis, where gut bacteria influence brain function through nerve signals, immune activity, and chemicals like short-chain fatty acids. In children with autism and ADHD, research shows a clear link between gut microbial imbalance and symptoms such as anxiety, poor focus, and mood swings. Supporting gut health through personalized nutrition may help improve cognitive ability, social behavior, and emotional regulation.
Nucliq’s Gutcheck™ platform is enabling a transformation in how autism is supported:
- Gut microbiome testing identifies specific microbial imbalances.
- Personalized dietary interventions (prebiotics, probiotics, tailored diets) are crafted with the support of physicians, pediatricians, and behavioral therapists.
- We are currently running multi-site research trials with autism-focused schools and healthcare networks, integrating feedback from psychiatrists and neurodevelopmental specialists to validate and refine outcomes.
Gut-Lung Axis: Improving Asthma and Allergy Care
Understanding the Problem
Asthma and chronic allergies are inflammatory conditions that are increasingly recognized to involve the gut microbiome:
- 25 million Americans suffer from asthma, with 5–10% having severe asthma.
- Globally, over 300 million people have asthma, and allergic diseases are on the rise in both children and adults.
- Early-life dysbiosis has been shown to increase risk for both asthma and allergic sensitization.
The gut-lung axis describes how gut microbes can influence immune responses that affect the lungs. People with asthma and allergies often have fewer beneficial gut bacteria, which weakens the body’s ability to control inflammation. By improving gut health through diet and probiotics, the immune system can better regulate airway inflammation and allergic reactions helping reduce asthma attacks and breathing issues.
Our approach to respiratory wellness involves:
- Gutcheck™ analysis to identify pro-inflammatory gut signatures in asthma/allergy patients.
- Personalized food interventions that enhance immune tolerance and support anti-inflammatory gut flora.
- We are working closely with pulmonologists, allergists, and immunologists to validate outcomes across multiple clinical trials in asthma clinics and allergy centers.
Gut-Skin Axis: Easing Psoriasis
Understanding the Problem
- Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disorder that affects over 125 million people worldwide, including 8 million in the U.S.
Mounting evidence supports a gut-skin axis, where gut health significantly influences skin inflammation and barrier function.
The gut-skin axis shows that the condition of your gut can directly affect skin health. In psoriasis, harmful gut bacteria may trigger immune overreactions that lead to skin flare-ups. Restoring gut balance through food and probiotics may help reduce inflammation, improve the skin barrier, and ease symptoms like itching and redness.
Gutcheck™ addresses psoriasis through:
- Microbiome profiling to identify pro-inflammatory patterns.
- Tailored dietary plans that include anti-inflammatory foods and targeted pre/probiotics.
- Collaborative studies with dermatologists and skin clinics, assessing changes in psoriasis symptoms and gut flora before and after interventions.