Blog | Workingapuzzle

Zinc & Aggression in Autism: What the Research Actually Says (and a Practical Plan for Parents)

Can zinc help aggression in autism? Here’s what research says, what to test, and how to explore zinc safely—without megadosing or false promises.

Jeana Wilson

1 day ago3 min read

Glutamate & Autism: A Hopeful Update, What It Means, and Supportive Next Steps for Families

Promising Results: what new research found A new brain-imaging study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry (Dec 2025) found that autistic adults had about ~15% lower brain-wide availability of a specific glutamate-related receptor called mGlu5 (metabotropic glutamate receptor 5), measured using PET imaging . PubMed+1 Why this matters: glutamate is the brain’s primary “go” messenger, and receptors like mGlu5 help regulate how glutamate signaling works. The findin

Jeana Wilson

5 days ago3 min read

Glutamate + Constipation in Autism: Why “GO Mode” Often Starts in the Gut (and What Parents Can Do)

If your child is nonverbal or has high support needs, constipation can be one of the most overlooked reasons for sleep disruption, agitation, and sudden behavior escalations. The hopeful part: constipation is also one of the most fixable contributors once you spot the pattern. This post connects two real pieces of science— glutamate signaling and gut motility —without oversimplifying. It’s not “one cause.” But it is a useful framework for families who feel like nothing mak

Jeana Wilson

5 days ago4 min read

Nutrigenomics Testing: What It Is, What You Learn, and Why It’s Worth It

If you’ve tried “all the right things” and still don’t feel your best… You’re not alone. One of the most frustrating parts of wellness is that what works well for someone else might not help you at all, or could even make you feel worse. That’s where nutrigenomics comes in. What is nutrigenomics? Nutrigenomics is the study of how your genes interact with nutrition. This includes how your body may process certain nutrients, respond to common foods and stimulants, and show ce

Jeana Wilson

6 days ago3 min read

🧩 How Genetics Can Influence Your Child’s Response to Leucovorin

Understanding Folate Pathways and Personalized Nutrition If your child didn’t respond as expected to Leucovorin (folinic acid) — or even seemed overstimulated or restless after starting it — you’re not alone. Many families have similar experiences, and the reason often lies in your child’s unique genetic blueprint , not in anything you did wrong. Leucovorin can be a powerful tool for supporting neurological health and communication, but for some children, it can also act like

Jeana Wilson

Oct 21, 20253 min read

Stop Guessing: How Your Genetics Affect the Way You Process Nutrients

Have you ever tried “the best” vitamins and felt no different—or worse? The reason might be your genes . At Working A Puzzle , we believe personalized wellness starts with understanding how your body processes nutrients. Why your genes matter Variants like MTHFR and can change how you activate and tolerate key nutrients. Vitamin D and B12 receptor genes affect absorption and energy. What helps one person can overwhelm another—because biology isn’t one-size-fits-all. Takeaway

Jeana Wilson

Oct 19, 20251 min read

Ritual Synbiotic+: The Next-Gen “biotic” for Gut and Mood Support.

If you’ve ever looked into gut health supplements, you’ve probably heard the buzz about probiotics and prebiotics. But the newest...

Jeana Wilson

Oct 8, 20253 min read

Tics in Children: Understanding Tourette Syndrome vs. PANDAS – A Parent's Guide

As a parent, caregiver, or educator, witnessing a child suddenly develop repetitive movements or sounds—what we call tics —can be deeply...

Jeana Wilson

Jul 31, 20254 min read

Missing Piece: How Glutathione Might Transform Your MTHFR Supplement Routine

WORKINGAPUZZLE Have you been diligently following your MTHFR supplement regimen, yet still feel like something crucial is missing? If fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, or even depressive symptoms persist despite your best efforts, glutathione might just be the missing piece of your wellness puzzle. Understanding Glutathione: Your Body's Master Antioxidant Glutathione (GSH) is often called your body's master antioxidant, made naturally from three essential amino acids: cysteine, gl

Jeana Wilson

Jul 7, 20253 min read