“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
Jim RohnWhat is Nutritional Therapy?
I like to describe what I do as a mix of a few different things – a food and lifestyle doctor, an investigator, a motivator, an educator and a trusted accountability partner.
By using certain therapeutic amounts of food, herbs, supplements and lifestyle changes (that address sleep, movement and stress) that are personalised to each client, I explore the root cause of illness or symptoms, by addressing the whole person not just looking at individual symptoms (we are connected after all). Working to bring the body back into balance whilst working preventatively to keep future illness away.
Knowledge is all good and well but useless if you don’t know what to do first, or how to fit it into your busy life simply and easily, whilst staying motivated and accountable – that‘s where I can also help.
Whilst everything I practice is strongly evidence-based and informed by current scientific studies or personal in-clinic experience, I don’t wear a white coat. You also won’t see me publishing any cookbooks or getting excited over the courgettes I’ve grown in my garden (although I do aspire to be that woman!). I do, however, LOVE eating good food, know how to balance a plate nutritionally and how to use food therapeutically to support healing, optimise health and promote longevity.
As women we all experience different hormonal stages at different times of life and every women will experience each differently, needing their own unique tools to help manage it. We should be embracing every life stage not fearing what it might bring as we age.
Perimenopause and menopause is not a disease or an illness, nor is it something to be ashamed or embarrassed by, it’s a period of life just like puberty where your hormones change. These changes can exacerbate any underlying issues you may have – some you may have experienced before and others appear for no apparent reason what-so-ever!
Other conditions and symptoms can also be linked during this period of time – these can include IBS & other digestive issues, weight gain, thyroid problems, autoimmunity, PMS, anxiety, insomnia, depression, increased histamine reactions – then there’s cardiovascular and bone health to consider… it can be a minefield.
Menopause can be natural or surgically and chemically-induced so can happen at any age. Some women are lucky enough to have no or minimal symptoms, others have a very long list, and it isn’t always just a reflection of how healthy or unhealthy you are. Unfortunately it’s a lot more complex than that, because we are a lot more complex than that.
There is no one ‘menopause diet’ that suits everyone, although there are lots of foods that can help support symptoms, but these vary between individuals depending on your genetics, medical history, medications, dietary preferences and ultimately what you are looking to achieve.
I have many clients who are on HRT and are still struggling in some areas, and some women who can’t tolerate it. Nutritional therapy works alongside any medication and part of what I do is to check all interactions which is why personalisation is so important.
Integrative oncology is an evidence-based area of cancer care that combines nutritional, lifestyle and complementary interventions alongside conventional cancer treatment. It focuses on the patient by supporting their whole wellbeing, health and quality of life whilst improving resilience and minimising treatment side effects to support a better outcome.
I can provide highly individualised support for any stage of the breast cancer journey – prior, during and post treatment and for those looking for additional support and guidance living with the metastatic disease.
Please note – Nutritional therapy is not designed to diagnose, treat or cure any disease, including cancer. Nutritional therapy is about supporting the body’s resilience and whole person wellbeing, aiming to work collaboratively with oncology services.
Seeing a Nutritional Therapist can be the start of a journey… discovering what works for you and having the guidance and support to work at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed.
- I won’t overhaul your diet in one appointment or give you a full weekly meal plan – it’s completely unsustainable and unrealistic – who has the time or energy for that?
- I really dislike the word ‘diet’ or ‘restriction’ (although occasionally that is necessary),
but as a rule I prefer to work using small changes and adding foods in to your current diet that maximise your nutrition, so you never feel deprived or hungry. - We work at your speed. Together we discuss and agree to do as much or as little as you can manage given your current lifeload. Small sustainable changes make a much bigger impact on your health. Don’t underestimate how little it takes to start feeling better when you’re on the right path.
- I promise to try and help you enjoy eating and preparing food if you don’t already. Eating should be a pleasure to be enjoyed, not a guilty phobia.
- I won’t lie – changing current habits does take some commitment and can often take weeks rather than days to see improvements – but then you wouldn’t have one PT session and expect to have a washboard stomach, or watch a series of Bake-off and declare you’re a famous chef… but you will have gained some essential tools to help you further yourself on your wellness journey.
In clinic I use, and have access to, private functional testing, which can be an essential insight into what’s going on inside your body dependant on your symptoms and aims.
We are all unique with different genetics, medical backgrounds and food preferences – knowing your own unique make-up can often help to get to the right answer quicker and more efficiently.
Types of testing I frequently use with my clients:
- All blood panels (if not available or accessible from your GP)
- Genetic/DNA
- Hormones
- Microbiome & gut barrier
- Food sensitivities & intolerances
Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about any aspect of testing.
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