What is a Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional Therapy incorporates the science of nutrition to support overall health and wellbeing, customised to individual needs. The principle of Nutritional Therapy utilises the nurturing power of food and nutrients obtained from nature to help us optimise our wellbeing. Nutritional Therapy uses principles of functional medicine (lifestyle medicine) to help identify the root cause of symptoms and tackle potential imbalances in the body. The broad spectrum of services available can support you in maintaining a healthy weight, optimising your energy levels, staying in control of your blood sugar level, improve cognitive health, improving digestion or resolve food intolerance issues. We are all unique individuals and requiring tailored individual care.
Issues faced from modern life such as stresses (both environmental and physical), a convenience driven lifestyle, poor sleep from a hectic schedule combined with our overall health and inherent conditions can overwhelm our bodies’ resulting in often interconnected symptoms. Such symptoms can be physical but can also manifest in behavioural and metal symptoms or a combination of all three.
Mainstream medicine typically treats symptoms, however it rarely investigates or diagnoses the root cause. For example, a person suffering with headaches may take painkillers to resolve the issue, but pain is an early warning sign. Painkillers don’t tackle the source of the problem they’re only masking it!
Imagine yourself tired and fatigued reaching for an afternoon sugary snack to pick you up. This seemingly innocent routine could become problematic over the long run (potentially leading to diabetes type II). Understanding the cause of cravings and taking action during early stages could prevent the development of disease and life long ailments.
Nutritional therapists use different methods and tools (such as food intolerance tests, nutrigenomics, mineral deficiencies test, comprehensive stool analysis, hair mineral analysis, body measurements (BMI, skin fold) etc.) to establish and investigate potential imbalances in the body.
Working alongside the client we tailor a realistic nutritional programme incorporating the clients’ lifestyle and unique nutritional needs to help them achieve their health goals.
We suggest small achievable changes to ones diet and lifestyle which are shown to have a significant impact on overall health and wellbeing!
When you make HEALTH your number one priority, the rest comes naturally!
Nutritional Therapy should be approached as complimentary medicine and not a substitute for medical practice. Clients with any symptoms potentially associated with an underlying clinical condition (“red flag” symptoms) are referred to seek medical advice at their GP. Nutritional Therapists usually collaborate with medical practitioners (GP) and other therapist to optimise the effectiveness of the client’s care. Ongoing research demonstrates that lifestyle adjustments and healthy nutrition can be beneficial in healthcare by supporting the main systems of the body (including immune, digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, muscular and reproductive).
You can find a database of your local BANT Registered Nutritionists here.