Nutritional Therapy – The importance of Nutrition

Nutritional Therapy uses the latest scientific knowledge in relation to the use of certain foods and individual nutrients in order to improve your energy, health and nutrition.

It is a naturopathic approach to health and nutrition based upon the understanding that eating a balanced healthy diet of natural foods in their whole unprocessed state - a whole food diet approach - will be more beneficial to the body than eating parts of the food. The whole is usually better than the sum of its parts.

It also identifies when food, by itself, is not enough to maintain health and well being and when nutritional supplements may be needed to improve metabolic function. It also identifies when certain foods are not right for an individual and should be minimised or avoided.

Treatment is person centred, not disease centred, so that nutritional advice and supplement prescriptions are personalised not standardised.  We treat the person not the symptoms.

Prior to a nutritional consultation you will be asked to fill out an in-depth questionnaire.  This questionnaire will ask you in detail about your health issues, your health history, your diet and your lifestyle. It will be discussed in detail at the first consultation. During the first consultation certain clinical tests may be carried out or recommended before we can work out a way in which the use of a balanced healthy diet and nutritional supplements may help you.

You will be given an individual dietary plan with key objectives and milestones. You will be monitored through regular follow up appointments and you are encouraged to keep in touch between appointments by email or telephone. The emphasis is on an individualised and balanced healthy diet that is practical to follow and which incorporates all food groups, proteins, fats (including essential fats) and carbohydrates enhanced by herbs and spices.

Nutritional supplements may be recommended after taking into account the results of any tests (see Laboratory Testing and Vantage).  

Conditions commonly helped by Nutritional Therapy are:

• fatigue
• depression
• digestive problems and IBS
• sinus problems/frequent infections 
• hormone imbalances
• stress and anxiety
• weight problems
• skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and acne
• chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease