What is nutritional therapy?

“We are what we eat”. Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it. So, by ensuring your body is getting all the nutrients it needs and avoiding or helping it eliminate those that do it harm, we improve our health. 

Conditions in the body need to be in balance (‘homeostasis’), otherwise symptoms/diseases arise. Nutritional therapy seeks out and addresses imbalances, helping your body to restore homeostasis and health. The approach is holistic as everything within the body is interconnected, including the mind. If you are familiar with functional medicine, it is very similar. 

The media promote extreme diets and generic advice. But you are unique; and what is right for someone else, may not be the best advice for you. Nutritional therapy treats the individual and provides personally-tailored advice, which is evidence-based and accompanied by comprehensive explanations as to why it is being given to you. The advice must also be practical and achievable within your lifestyle constraints, though it may not always feel easy, at least to begin with! 

who can benefit from nutritional therapy?

Everyone! Nutritional therapy is not just about addressing specific conditions/symptoms, but best of all it may help to prevent them. No one has a perfect diet - even nutritional therapists lapse occasionally! If we each aim to optimise our own health, there are always improvements that can be made to everyone’s diet and lifestyle.

Disclaimer: Nutritional therapy is not a replacement for medical advice. Any person suffering from conditions/symptoms requiring medical attention should see a doctor. Nutritional therapists are not permitted to diagnose or claim to treat medical conditions.

WHAT IS NATUROPATHY?

Naturopathy is based on key principles: the body contains inherent healing systems, a vital force or living energy in people is what ‘cures’, the person is treated not the disease and it is the whole person (as everything in the body is interconnected). Naturopathy prefers non-invasive treatments which minimise the risk of harmful side effects, with the priority ‘first do no harm’. A naturopath will try and find, and if possible remove, the cause of the symptoms/disease, and then educate the patient to take responsibility for their own health. A naturopathic approach can prevent symptoms/disease occurring or prevent minor illness from developing into more serious or chronic conditions. Regardless of the person’s current state of health, the primary goal is to achieve and maintain optimum health and to promote wellness.

how does a consultation work?

Consultations can be in person or online. All information provided is treated with the strictest confidence. 

Before: I ask you to complete a questionnaire and a food diary. These help me to understand why you are coming, what you hope to achieve, what is going on inside your body and they show me your current dietary pattern.

During: I investigate your medical history, current concerns and overall health and lifestyle. I discuss your food likes and dislikes, shopping and cooking preferences.

After: I email you a personalized plan, with diet and lifestyle recommendations. Supplements may also be included. I may also recommend testing, which can be done either through your GP or privately, depending on the test. I will also undertake further research as required. 

Follow up consultations usually take place approximately 6-8 weeks afterwards, during which we discuss your progress, what has been successful, what was challenging and why. I then amend your plan accordingly.

what does the cost include?

The cost of a consultation includes not only the consultation time but also the time taken to analyse your questionnaire and food diary beforehand; do further research and prepare your personalised plan with additional recommendations afterwards. It also includes ordering of any tests and analysis of test results. However, it excludes the cost of any recommended tests or supplements.

I offer a limited number of pro bono appointments.

whaT is the reaction of most people after THEIR FIRST CONSULTATION?

They are surprised by the depth we go into. I thoroughly investigate not only your diet and health now, but your entire medical history going right back to your birth. Most symptoms don't just suddenly appear, but manifest over time from imbalances within the body. Similarly, I may spot an imbalance now before you have started showing any symptoms, enabling us to address it before they appear. My aim is your optimal health.

Book a free (up to) 15 minute telephone call to meet me, find out more and receive answers to your questions.

Any other questions?

Please contact me if you have any further questions.