Understanding the Anti-Inflammatory Diet for PANDAS

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in January 2025, promoting a diet like the Mediterranean diet and increasing fiber intake can help reduce inflammation in patients with pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders like PANDAS. For families navigating the complexities of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), understanding dietary interventions is key to managing symptoms.

Quick Summary

An anti-inflammatory diet for PANDAS focuses on whole foods to reduce neuroinflammation triggered by immune dysfunction and supports brain-gut health. It emphasizes nutrient-dense foods and essential fatty acids while eliminating inflammatory triggers like gluten, dairy, and processed sugars.

Key Points

Core Principle: The diet reduces neuroinflammation linked to immune dysfunction by eliminating inflammatory foods and emphasizing nutrient-dense options.
Foods to Include: Focus on fruits, vegetables, omega-3 rich fatty fish, lean proteins, and fermented foods to provide antioxidants and support gut health.
Foods to Avoid: Eliminate common inflammatory triggers like gluten, dairy, refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy oils.
Gut-Brain Connection: The diet helps heal gut dysbiosis, which in turn regulates the immune system and reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Gradual Transition: Implement dietary changes slowly, introducing new foods one at a time to ease the transition and manage potential restrictive eating patterns.
Adjective Therapy: This is a complementary strategy to be used alongside conventional medical treatment, not as a replacement for it.

An anti-inflammatory diet for PANDAS patients is designed to minimize systemic inflammation that can exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms. The core principle involves removing foods that can trigger inflammation and adding nutrient-dense options that support brain health, gut health, and immune regulation. This nutritional strategy is an adjunctive therapy and should be managed alongside conventional medical treatments, not in place of them. The ultimate goal is to calm the overactive immune system response believed to contribute to the disorder's debilitating behavioral and neurological symptoms.

The Role of Gut Health in PANDAS

Research continues to highlight the profound connection between gut health and brain function, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. For children with PANDAS, imbalances in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis) can heighten the inflammatory response. When the immune system is already on high alert due to a streptococcal infection, an unhealthy gut can perpetuate chronic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet works to heal the gut lining and repopulate beneficial bacteria, which, in turn, helps regulate immune system activity. By prioritizing gut health, it's possible to reduce systemic inflammation and support overall neurological healing.

Foods to Embrace for an Anti-Inflammatory PANDAS Diet

Building a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can be a powerful tool for managing PANDAS symptoms. The focus should be on whole, unprocessed foods that provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Fruits and Vegetables: Emphasize a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially berries (strawberries, blueberries), leafy greens (kale, spinach), and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage). These are packed with antioxidants and polyphenols that combat inflammation and protect brain cells.
Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for calming inflammation and supporting brain function. Good options include fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel), avocados, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
Lean Protein: Choose lean, high-quality protein sources like chicken, turkey, and fish. These provide essential amino acids for neurological function and general bodily repair.
Herbs and Spices: Utilize potent anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric (curcumin), ginger, and garlic. These can be easily added to meals to boost their anti-inflammatory power.
Probiotics and Fermented Foods: Introduce foods rich in probiotics, such as kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, to help restore a healthy gut microbiome.

Foods to Avoid or Eliminate

Certain foods are known to increase inflammation and should be significantly reduced or eliminated from the diet, especially during a PANDAS flare. An elimination diet can help identify specific food sensitivities that may trigger symptoms.

Gluten and Dairy: For many PANDAS patients, removing gluten and dairy is a crucial step, as these are common inflammatory triggers. Alternative grains like quinoa and brown rice can be used, and non-dairy milks and cheeses can substitute dairy products.
Refined Sugars and Processed Foods: These are highly inflammatory and can disrupt blood sugar balance, which affects behavior and mood. This includes sugary drinks, baked goods, and most packaged snacks.
Unhealthy Fats: Avoid processed vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids, like canola and sunflower oil, which can increase inflammation. Opt for healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil instead.
Food Additives and Preservatives: Minimize foods containing artificial chemicals, colorings, and preservatives that can irritate the system.

Comparison of Standard vs. Anti-Inflammatory Diet for PANDAS


Feature	Standard Western Diet	Anti-Inflammatory PANDAS Diet
Key Foods	Processed snacks, sugary drinks, red meat, refined grains, dairy, gluten	Fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean protein, fermented foods
Inflammatory Effect	High - contains ingredients that can increase neuroinflammation	Low - focuses on foods that calm the immune system
Gut Health	Can lead to gut dysbiosis and leaky gut	Promotes a healthy microbiome and repairs gut lining
Brain Function	Can impair cognitive function and mood due to inflammation	Supports neurotransmitter balance and brain cell protection
Elimination	No specific eliminations	Often includes removing gluten, dairy, sugar, and food additives
Nutrient Density	Often low in essential vitamins and minerals	High in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3s

How to Transition to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Changing a child's diet, especially one with complex food sensitivities or restrictive eating patterns common in PANDAS/PANS, can be challenging. Start slowly and focus on what can be added, rather than what is being taken away.

Introduce New Foods Gradually: Begin by incorporating new, anti-inflammatory foods one at a time. For instance, add a handful of berries to a morning smoothie or a new green vegetable to a meal.
Make Gradual Swaps: Instead of immediately eliminating all dairy, try swapping cow's milk for an alternative like coconut milk or almond milk. Replace sugary snacks with fresh fruit.
Prioritize Gut Healing: Introduce a high-quality probiotic supplement or fermented foods to help restore gut bacteria, which is particularly important if the child has been on antibiotics.
Stay Hydrated: Encourage drinking plenty of filtered water throughout the day. Hydration is vital for detoxification and overall body function.
Be Patient and Persistent: It takes time to see results from dietary changes. Keep a food diary to track new foods and any potential symptom changes. For guidance and support, consider working with a functional nutrition practitioner.

Conclusion

For children with PANDAS, an anti-inflammatory diet is a powerful and complementary approach to managing symptoms. By reducing inflammatory foods and increasing nutrient-dense, gut-supporting options, families can help mitigate the neurological and behavioral challenges associated with the condition. While dietary changes alone are not a cure, they can significantly improve a child's overall wellness, reduce symptom severity during flares, and support long-term recovery. Adherence to this diet, along with proper medical care, hydration, and stress management, provides a holistic strategy for supporting children with PANDAS.

Additional Resources

For more information on the functional and integrative approach to managing PANDAS and PANS, consider exploring the resources provided by the Restorative Wellness Center.

What is the anti-inflammatory diet for PANDAS?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, diet alone cannot cure PANDAS. An anti-inflammatory diet is a complementary approach that can help manage symptoms by reducing neuroinflammation, but it must be used alongside conventional medical treatments prescribed by a healthcare professional.

The time frame varies for each individual, but some families have reported noticeable improvements in symptoms within weeks to months of consistent dietary changes. Patience and persistence are key, as is tracking your child's progress.

Many families find significant improvement by eliminating gluten and dairy, as these are common inflammatory triggers. It is not universally required, and a healthcare provider or functional medicine practitioner can help determine if an elimination diet is right for your child.

Picky eating is common in PANDAS. Start with small, gradual changes, focus on adding new foods rather than removing favorites immediately, and try incorporating new foods into familiar dishes, like blending vegetables into sauces or adding seeds to smoothies.

Supplements often recommended alongside an anti-inflammatory diet include high-quality probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and zinc. A medical professional should always be consulted before beginning any new supplement regimen.

An unhealthy gut microbiome (dysbiosis) can increase systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, exacerbating neuropsychiatric symptoms in PANDAS. A healthy gut helps regulate immune function, which is critical for managing the condition.

Yes, some literature and functional medicine practitioners support the link between diet, gut microbiota, and neuroinflammation in PANDAS. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that anti-inflammatory diets can improve outcomes by addressing underlying inflammation.