Therapies: Nutritional Medicine

Using nutrition to treat illness is not new – it has been used for centuries as evidenced by the work of Hippocrates who firmly believed in the healing power of food. He was known to cure ills using food elimination diets and administration of certain foods as medicine.

Today, nutritional therapy is based on a scientific, evidence-based understanding of nutrients and the human body. It still uses a holistic approach, however, treating the whole person and the underlying cause of an illness, not just the symptoms. It recognises that each of us is unique and therapy is tailored to the individual.

Many factors influence the nutritional requirements of each individual – age, sex, genetics, disease states, stress, pollution, to name a few. A nutritional therapist will assess your nutritional status and devise an individually tailored programme for your needs. Laboratory tests may sometimes assist the process, and supplements, or herbs, may be recommended.

You will be asked to complete a food diary and nutrition questionnaire in advance of the first consultation, and this typically lasts an hour and a quarter. Follow-up consultations last 30-40 minutes and are usually held 2-4 weeks later, depending on the problem.

Good nutrition is a fundamental requirement for good health, and optimising nutritional status can improve the management of almost any health problem. Conditions that respond particularly well include:

Bloating & IBS
Chemical Sensitivities
Chronic Fatigue
Constipation
Digestive Disorders
Fertility Problems
Food Intolerance and allergies
Migraine
Fungal infections
Hormonal Problems
Joint pains
Lack of energy
PMS & Menopause
Skin problems, e.g. eczema
Stress disorders
Weight Management

< Back to Therapies Index