Rachel offers:
Keen to overcome my family’s health problems, I have been actively interested in the role nutrition plays in health for over ten years. I have done this by growing my own vegetables, following traditional ways of preparing food such as fermenting vegetables and grains, and eating nutrient-dense foods. Recognising that to find the answers I needed to study nutritional science and its application to health in more depth, I studied for and acquired a diploma in Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy.
My approach is influenced by the work of Dr Weston A. Price, who connected the 20th century-onwards rise in degenerative disease to the switch from traditional diets (which had certain elements in common) to the modern Western diet. Further, he contended that the mistake of modernity is to emphasize the accumulation of knowledge at the expense of wisdom. As such, when evaluating modern scientific research, I consider whether the proposed dietary intervention/supplement/lifestyle change makes sense in the context of a traditional diet.
Understanding and applying how nutrients and other genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors play a role in the body’s biochemistry has been life-changing for me personally, and my aim is to help as many people as possible to similarly regain their health.
What can Nutritional therapy help me with?
Here are some general examples:
Skin conditions (e.g. acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea)
Certain nutrients are essential for good skin health.
Many skins conditions are contributed to, for example, by the liver being overloaded. A Nutritional Therapist may advocate a reduction in environmental toxin exposure; a gut-supporting protocol to reduce toxin release from gut and to facilitate good elimination; nutrients from food and supplements to support good liver and kidney function, and intermittent fasting; saunas; and green juices to stimulate detoxification and relieve the overall toxic burden.
Essential Fatty acid levels may also play a role and can be obtained from diet and supplements.
Digestive problems (e.g. reflux, GORD, indigestion, low stomach acid, gall bladder problems, fat malabsorption, SIBO, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, Crohn’s disease, colitis)
To work optimally, the digestive organs require certain nutrients for their structure and enzymatic functions.
Stomach acid production, gall bladder function, gastro-intestinal lining integrity and fat absorption can be improved by certain foods, herbs and supplements.
Certain foods may need to be temporarily excluded as they may exacerbate gut irritation.
Probiotic foods and supplements have been shown to re-seed the colon with beneficial bacteria, having an advantageous effect on motility, bloating and problems with stomach acid.
Increasing pre-biotic foods feeds the beneficial gut bacteria.
Certain herbs have anti-microbial effects on the pathogenic bacteria in the gut, enabling the flourishing of good bacteria, and the many beneficial effects this will have all over the body.
And Nutritional therapy can also help with:
Acne, anaemia, anxiety, arthritis, behavioural problems in children, bloating, cancer, children’s health, chronic fatigue syndrome, coeliac disease, constipation, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, diarrhoea, digestive problems, depression, dermatitis, eating disorders, eczema, endometriosis, fertility, fibroids, fibromyalgia, food allergy, food intolerance, healthy aging, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, IBS, indigestion, iron deficiency, low energy, menopause discomfort, mental health issues, migraines, multiple sclerosis, obesity, osteoporosis, PCOS, PMT, psoriasis, reflux, rosacea, SIBO, stress, tiredness, weight management.
What happens in a consultation?
Nutritional therapy involves gathering information from the client through questionnaires, asking questions face-to-face, laboratory testing and observation to create a detailed picture of symptoms, health of all body systems, medical history, diet, genetic tendencies, exposure to toxins, emotional health and lifestyle factors such as quantity and quality of sleep, exercise, quality of relationships and stress levels.
The therapist analyses this information to discern the underlying mechanisms that might be malfunctioning and what the triggers and drivers might be. She then draws up a dietary and lifestyle plan to address this, with the aim of enabling the body to regain equilibrium.
The plan may involve inclusion of certain foods/herbs/supplements and exclusion of certain foods. It may also include recommendations for changes to lifestyle habits that are negatively affecting health. Specific therapies such as taking saunas, massage, and intermittent fasting may be recommended. As changes to diet and lifestyle generally take time to implement, the plan may be carried out in stages.
Fees
Initial consultation, 1.5 hours: £70
Follow-ups (first one required), 1 hour: £50
Complimentary 15-minute motivational support phone calls a week after each follow-up
BeWell members
Initial consultation, 1.5 hours: £50
Follow-ups (first one required), 1 hour: £35
Contact
Contact Rachel now to book your consultation, using the booking button below.
Visit Rachel’s website for more info: gardenofnutrition.com
Testimonials
“2018 was a difficult year health wise. I am a keen cyclist and the various issues I had in 2018 brought my racing season to an end before it had started. During the year I was diagnosed with DVT twice inside 12 weeks, my hay fever was particularly bad and this brought on my asthma that had been controlled properly for about 25 years. In relation to the DVT I had sought some long term advice from my GP and the hospital department looking after me but both were only concerned with ensuring that I had short term treatment to thin my blood and prevent further occurrences of the DVT in the short term.
Originally I was very sceptical because it seemed like another fad but following the implementation of Rachel’s diet regime I have had no reoccurrence of the DVT, my asthma is now under control and the use of an inhaler is unnecessary.
Rachel brought a solution to a problem for which traditional methods of medicine had no answers. The diet regime provided by Rachel was easy to follow and meant that addressing the issue did not require me to change my life style to a significant degree. In summary, despite initial reservations I am now a convert and would strongly recommend that if you have chronic health issues it could potentially be caused by your diet.” — Brian, Essex
“For the past year I had been feeling sleepy during the day and especially after meals. Also my anxiety levels were getting high. Rachel listened calmly to my problems and made me feel relaxed as she questioned me carefully about my eating habits and lifestyle. I have noticed a big difference in my energy levels and I’m not dropping off to sleep as soon as I sit down! Rachel was helpful and sympathetic in her approach but knowledgeable.” — Susan, East Sussex