Jennifer Derham BSc MSc BANT CNHC

Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional Therapy offers a complementary and holistic approach for recognized medical conditions and general health problems. Whether you are feeling tired, run down, stressed, depressed or you want to reduce your weight and/or cholesterol – Nutritional therapy can make a difference.

Food supplies the necessary life-giving nutrients to the body. Most diseases are either fuelled by or the result of a poor and imbalanced diet. Eating the right kind of food is one of the most important factors in attaining and maintaining good health. Often we need provided extra support and to redress the balance between what we want and what our body needs to function optimally.

With nutritional therapy each patient is advised on a unique dietary and nutritional plan based on an in-dept case history. When necessary the use of biochemical, functional and genetic testing may be used in order to establish the most beneficial health programmes. The patient may be asked to keep a 5 day ‘Food diary’ noting all food, drinks, snacks and supplements taken and at what time. This helps establish any food intolerances or allergies and allows us to assess protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, toxic load, micronutrient intake, blood sugar control and foods you may crave.

Recommendations may include practical and easy to follow eating plans, promoting and supporting improved digestion and absorption, the avoidance of toxins or allergens and the appropriate use of supplementary nutrients.

Who can benefit?

Nutritional Therapy may be used effectively and safely to treat everyone including infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Most ailments whether short-term complaints or a long-term illness may be treated successfully with dietary changes and nutritional supplements. Medical practitioners are increasingly referring patients who have chronic health problems that conventional medicine finds difficult to treat. Nutritional therapy works very well alongside orthodox treatments, often by simply helping relieve physical and mental symptoms caused by illness.

Nutritional Therapy is particularly effective with weight management, helping to lower cholesterol, food cravings and blood sugar imbalance.

Some of the other conditions that may benefit include:

Skin	Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Fungal Infections
Respiratory	Coughs/Colds, Asthma, Hay Fever, Bronchitis, Sinusitis
Circulatory	High/Low Blood Pressure, Poor Circulation, Varicose Veins
Digestive	Indigestion, SIBO, IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis, Peptic Ulcers, Constipation
Gynaecological	Hormonal Imbalances including Irregular/Painful Menstruation, PMS, Menopausal Symptoms, Fibroids, Endometriosis.
Infections, Immunity and Others	Migraine, Insomnia, Anxiety disorders, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autoimmune conditions, Prostate problems, Allergies, Urinary Tract Infections, Thrush, Low Energy.

What to Expect?

The first consultation takes between 60 and 90 minutes. A full case history is taken in order to build a complete picture of the person. This may also include a physical examination.

The second appointment usually follows within two to 4 weeks, with subsequent appointments occurring monthly or so – these should last about 45 minutes.

A course of treatment may involve specific dietary and lifestyle advice as well as an individually designed prescription. Practical, comprehensive advice for healthy eating is included.

A supplementary nutrient programme may be required and is tailored to the individual. Prescriptions / supplement programmes may be reassessed and adjusted at each visit.

A range of Biochemical and Functional tests as well as genetic testing, are available to help provide more accurate information on the presenting conditions.

How long does the Treatment take?

The length of treatment depends on the individual and condition concerned. Acute complaints may respond quickly while chronic and long term complaints may require a longer period of treatment.

With the appropriate changes in diet and a personalized nutritional programme positive changes may be seen within the first two weeks. It is important to remember that nutritional supplements have a gradual, accumulative effect and work more slowly than conventional drugs generally however their long-term benefits are long-lasting.

About Jennifer…

I have been involved in the health industry for almost 25 years.

I completed my BSc Health Science: Herbal Medicine degree at the University of Westminster in London which included over 500 hours of clinical training. After qualifying I returning to practice in Ireland and subsequently undertook my training in Nutritional Therapy as I wanted to further my knowledge in nutrition and diet, experience proving that the two therapies naturally complemented each other.

I have a MSc in Ethnobotany from the University of Kent in conjunction with The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.  For my MSc I conducted my research on dietary changes and gastrointestinal disease amongst Ladakhis in Northern India.

I am also a registered Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner and Instructor

By drawing on my extensive experience and knowledge I have been able to develop a range of innovative consultations and health care programs to suit your individual needs. This ensures you receive the highest level of health care and furthermore gets results.

I am a BANT Registered Nutritionist, and a member of the Nutritional Therapy Council, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and The Royal Society of Medicine.

Contact Details

Nutritional Therapist & Medical Herbalist, Dr Jefferies and Partners
Fulham Health Clinic
286 Munster Road
Fulham
SW6 6BQ

Telephone: 0203 953 6661

Email: info@jenniferderham.co.uk

Website: http://www.jenniferderham.co.uk