Nutritional Therapy is an individual-centred approach to healthcare that employs assessment and intervention using nutritional, lifestyle-based and related health sciences in order to assist the individual to optimise his or her physiological, emotive, cognitive and physical function.
Wellbeing and good health are a consequence of metabolic homeostasis, where the individual maintains an equilibrium in their throughput of energy to sustain body function, structure and information. Supporting homeostasis is the key focus of Nutritional Therapy, which in turn recognises that diet and lifestyle are among the factors that most profoundly influence it. Homeostasis is maintained by the constant adjustment of biochemical and physiological pathways by both endogenous and exogenous means.
In a typical Nutritional Therapy consultation, the therapist will assess the individual’s general health, family history, dietary habits, digestive function and lifestyle. The therapist will then devise a dietary and lifestyle plan suitable for the individual’s circumstances. This may include dietary adjustments, suggestions for dietary support, lifestyle changes and food or botanical supplement recommendations.
Nutrition and lifestyle approaches to healthcare have been repeatedly shown to support the health of all the major systems of the body (skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory, endocrine, immune, reproductive and integumentary [skin, hair, nails]). Typical priorities in Nutritional Therapy consultations are support to achieve optimum energy levels, healthy blood sugar balance, emotional and psychological wellbeing, optimum gastrointestinal health and tolerance to a broad range of food groups.
Catherine can offer you personalised dietary and lifestyle advice to help you feel your best and optimise your health.The first consultation usually takes about 60 minutes and follow ups about half an hour.
A consultation will involve:
- Analysis of your dietary and nutritional intake
- Health and family history taken
- A strategy for health – linking symptoms to nutritional imbalances and providing support and encouragement to change diet and lifestyle.
- Action plan – personalised advice for diet and lifestyle changes
- Supplement program - details of any recommended nutritional supplements.
- The recommendation of non-invasive clinical tests if required, to help ascertain any suspected underlying conditions.
The aim is to create a plan that is both appropriate to your needs, budget and achievable within your lifestyle.
Follow up consultations often take place around 4 weeks after the initial meeting and last about 30 minutes. This is to assess the progress of the plan and to update or change any recommendations made.
To discuss how a nutrition consultation may help please feel free to contact Catherine
