Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy
Hippocrates famously said “Let food be your medicine, let your medicine be your food.”
Most of us get very stuck in our ways with regard to our diet: we are creatures of habit and we tend to eat a fairly small range of foods. Coupled with the fact that many people live in a constant state of stress and that heavily processed and refined food is readily available, few people can really claim to be 'optimally nourished.' Soil depletion also means that many fruits and vegetables have less than half of the mineral content they had in the 1950s. Nutritional deficiency, however small, can be the underlying cause of many diseases.
If you are suffering from poor energy levels, weight gain, sugar cravings, bloating, aching muscles, recurrent infections, constipation, IBS, skin problems, food intolerances, headaches or insomnia, or if you feel your immune system keeps letting you down, then you maybe in need of some Nutritional Therapy.
A well nourished body, with efficient digestion, detoxification and elimination systems, along with a healthy lifestyle and a positive mental attitude stands a good chance of warding off disease and ageing gracefully. But there are many factors we cannot control: gender, genetics, age, accidents and operations, stress, the menopause, exposure to environmental toxins, drugs, anti-biotics and viruses, all can take their toll. There are many times in life when nutritional support may be necessary and the purpose of Nutritional Therapy is to help you make informed choices about nutrients and supplements that have the potential to help you.
A consultation takes around 90 minutes, during which you will be asked a range of questions regarding your past and present health, any medication you have been prescribed and questions relating to various areas of your diet and lifestyle. You will be asked to keep a 'food diary' for around one week prior to the consultation and your nails, tongue and irises will also be analysed. Building up a 'health picture' is vital to this holistic method of treating you as a 'whole' person rather than treating the particular symptoms you are experiencing. It is in this way your own particular 'pathway' to ill health can be identified and suggestions made to turn this around. Nutritional Therapy has the potential to dramatically improve your wellbeing. If tests, such as for Homocysteine, or Hair Mineral Analysis are appropriate, these can also be arranged.
After the consultation you will receive a written report with details of recommendations discussed. These may range from dietary adjustments and vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements (including dosages), to digestive aids (such as enzymes), lifestyle suggestions and information about other and complementary therapies. I will also include links to appropriate research and further information where appropriate.