Healing My Son Changed Everything: Khadija Sami’s Journey to Purpose

When doctors had no answers, Khadija Sami turned to the power of nutrition to heal her son’s chronic gut issues. What began as a desperate search for relief became the foundation of her life’s work—empowering others to reclaim their health through food, functional testing, and compassionate care.

The journey was anything but easy—marked by sleepless nights, strict protocols, and moments of deep emotional struggle. But through it all, Khadija discovered the body’s remarkable ability to heal when given the right tools. Today, she’s not only a nutritional therapist but also a passionate advocate for holistic wellness and a living testament to the resilience of a mother’s love.

Can you share the story of helping your son overcome candida and parasite overgrowth—and how that shaped your practice today?

I remember when Yahya first started complaining of stomachaches after each meal. I was still in my third year of studying nutritional therapy. I began taking him to the GP to find out what was happening. He was feeling weak, had no energy, and would lie down in pain after every meal. He couldn’t walk or run properly, while other kids his age were full of energy and couldn’t sit still.

After a few visits to the GP, they referred Yahya to a specialist at the hospital. As usual, the appointment took a long time to come through. While we were still waiting, we went on holiday to Dubai. I still remember how Yahya screamed in pain, it was so bad that we had to rush him to the hospital. He ended up staying there the whole day. They told us he had two serious bacterial infections in his stomach and needed strong antibiotics. We left with two different antibiotics that he had to take for two weeks. Looking back now, I understand how antibiotics can affect the diversity of the microbiome and have a big impact on gut health.

When we got back, unfortunately, the antibiotics didn’t help; Yahya wasn’t any better. We finally attended the hospital appointment, and I was advised to give him fibre powder with each meal. But there was no clear explanation of what was going on or why he was experiencing these symptoms. At this point, I felt disappointed and frustrated. I started digging deeper, trying to figure out what could be making my son so weak. He couldn’t enjoy food; he couldn’t run or have fun like other kids his age. He was thin, constantly in pain, and he was only six years old.

By that time, I had graduated and decided to use everything I had learned to help him. I enrolled in a gut health and testing course and ordered a stool test to understand what was going on with my microbiome. So many health issues are connected to gut health, and I knew that once I identified the problem, there would be a solution.

When the results came back, I was shocked. Yahya had a candida overgrowth, parasites, and imbalances in some of his beneficial gut bacteria, none of which had been detected in any of the hospital tests. That’s when I permitted myself to take full responsibility for his recovery. I knew that if left untreated, candida and parasite overgrowth could lead to even more serious health issues. So, I created a comprehensive protocol and designed a diet plan focused on gut healing. I gave the plan four months to work, to consult a doctor for an anti-parasitic prescription if it became necessary. It was an incredibly challenging journey, especially having to explain to a six-year-old why he was feeling this way, what we needed to do, and that he wouldn’t be able to eat many of the foods he loved. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

Treating candida and parasites is incredibly tricky. They can feed on even the smallest amount of sugar, even from healthy foods like bananas or mangos. They’re able to hide, disrupt the immune system, and when they die off, they release toxins that can make symptoms worse before they get better.

I was making every single meal at home from scratch, even his treats like cupcakes and crepes. I often involved him in preparing the meals to help him feel part of the process. There were moments when he would sit down crying, asking for sweets. I would hug him, remind him why we were doing this, and then give him a moment to think and choose for himself. He’d get frustrated when I left the decision to him, but he’s a smart boy. Deep down, he knew the answer, and he followed through.

After four months of daily planning, cooking, giving him his supplements, offering emotional support, and encouraging him every step of the way, we repeated the stool test. I still remember, we were in Türkiye when I got the results: he was completely free of candida and parasites. Yahya started dancing with joy, and I still have the video and photos from that moment. The first thing he asked for was chocolate ice cream.

That experience deeply reinforced my belief in the body’s natural ability to heal. With the right support, through food, herbs, movement, and emotional well-being, the body can restore itself. This is exactly why I practice nutritional therapy: to share this truth and help others understand that they do have the power to heal themselves through the right dietary and lifestyle choices.

How are gut issues like bloating, acid reflux, and poor digestion connected to overall health and even life expectancy?

When you have uncomfortable gut issues like bloating, acid reflux and indigestion that means your gut is not in its best shape which means that your body is not getting the nutrients (vitamins & minerals) that it needs from food which can affect your overall health, for example a constant untreated deficiency in iron can lead to a serious conditions and worsen of any ongoing chronic disease like chronic kidney disease, inflammatory disorder, immune system and heart disease also in older adults it can contribute to cognitive decline caused by poor oxygen supply to the brain and that how it can affect life expectancy.

What’s your initial approach when a client comes to you with multiple chronic symptoms like fatigue, bloating, and headaches?

I begin by getting to know my client and understanding their goals. We go through a detailed health history assessment and discuss their current symptoms, making connections between their symptoms and their personal health history. From there, we focus on addressing gut health as the foundation for healing, using a combination of diet, herbal support, targeted supplements, and lifestyle changes.

What are your go-to tips for someone just beginning their gut healing journey?

Start by giving your digestive system a break from processed foods and focus on eating as many whole, natural foods as possible.

For just a few days, try removing common irritants like dairy, gluten, hydrogenated oils, and sugar, and notice how you feel.

Support your digestion with calming herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, lemon balm, and fennel, it is like giving your gut a warm hug in a cup.

Before eating, take a few deep breaths to activate your “rest and digest” mode, chew your food well, and enjoy your meals.

Prioritise hydration throughout the day and aim for good quality sleep; both are essential for a healthy, thriving gut.

You have a rich life outside of work—how do activities like calligraphy, baking, and time in nature support your health?

Research shows that practicing activities you’re passionate about can significantly improve health by lowering stress levels and activating the dopamine reward system, which in turn reduces inflammation in the body.

Believe it or not, engaging in enjoyable hobbies has also been linked to more balanced blood sugar levels, better cardiovascular health, and even stronger immune function.

I believe that when you feel good, you naturally do good and that positive energy motivates you to build even more healthy habits into your daily life.

What do you hope people truly understand about their potential to heal and thrive? 

It is possible. If I were able to heal myself and my son, anyone can.
The body has an incredible ability to heal itself when it’s given what it truly needs. When you’re healthy, you can accomplish anything.
This body is your home, your shelter, and it’s worth building it in the best way possible: physically, emotionally, and mentally.

If you could leave one lasting message about health and healing to the next generation, what would it be? 

Your body was created to empower you in countless ways. Nourish it with the right food for your unique needs, honor it with daily movement, and you’ll discover there are truly no limits to what you can achieve.

Looking back at your journey so far, what are you most proud of—and what legacy do you hope to leave through your work?

What I’m most proud of is healing my son from Candida, the look in his eyes when he started to feel better is something I will never forget. I hope to continue my work with others, because every client is so special.

Being there with them, guiding them to make different choices, and witnessing the results, seeing how it transforms their health and the quality of their lives, brings continuous moments of pride and happiness. My legacy is to leave behind a message of hope: that healing is always possible, and that small changes can create powerful, lasting transformations.