Nutritional Therapy and The Functional Medicine Approach
Nutritional Therapy is the application of nutrition science in the promotion of health, peak performance and individual care. Registered Nutritional Therapists use a wide range of tools to assess and identify potential nutritional imbalances and understand how these may contribute to an individual’s symptoms and health concerns. This approach allows them to work with individuals to address nutritional balance and help support the body towards maintaining health.
Nutritional Therapy is recognised as a complementary medicine and is relevant for individuals with chronic conditions, as well as those looking for support to enhance their health and well being.
A Nutritional Therapist offers personalised diet & lifestyle advice which is tailored to your individual health needs and goals. This includes carefully chosen dietary recommendations, practical meal suggestions and recipes as well as tips on how to incorporate the changes into your lifestyle.
How can Nutritional Therapy benefit me?
Nutritional Therapy is suitable for everyone, young and old, for those who would like to alleviate specific symptoms, as well as those who would just like to improve their overall health and well being. In a nutshell, Nutritional Therapy helps you to identify the foods that make you look and feel your best.
What health concerns will benefit from Nutritional Therapy?
• Digestive Problems (Constipation, Diarrhoea, bloating, IBS, Reflux, Food allergies/Intolerances, diverticulitis)
• Weight problems (Weight gain/inability to lose weight, sugar cravings, blood sugar imbalances, diabetes)
• Cardio-Vascular Health (Raised cholesterol, high blood pressure, Metabolic Syndrome)
• Hormonal Imbalances/Women’s Health (infertility, PMS, PCOS, Endometriosis, Menopause symptoms, Recurring Thrush, Cystitis.)
• Skin Conditions (Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea)
• Mental health & General Wellbeing (Low mood, Anxiety, Fatigue, Poor Concentration)
• Autoimmune conditions ( such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, that often do not respond to conventional medicine).
What kind of diet & lifestyle advice can I expect to receive from a Nutritional Therapist?
As part of the consultation process, a nutritional therapist will go through the client’s medical history and assess current health status. The clients personal health symptoms, needs and goals will be discussed and a personalised nutrition plan will be devised on this basis.
Nutritional Therapy focuses on natural unprocessed whole foods which heal the body and boost overall health. A Nutritional Therapist will work with the client to devise a meal plan that is nutritionally balanced, practical, enjoyable and sustainable. If any foods need to be reduced or eliminated for a period of time, viable alternatives will be suggested that will maintain nutritional needs.
Where necessary, a Nutritional Therapist may also prescribe natural supplements in safe doses e.g. probiotics, vitamins & minerals to help alleviate certain symptoms or optimise nutritional status. However, natural foods are always the first line of treatment.
Nutritional Therapy is not intended to replace conventional medicines but to complement them, and, where necessary, dietary changes can be made under the supervision of a Medical Doctor.
