Functional Nutrition Clinic

We use functional nutrition, food strategies, lab testing and lifestyle improvements to understand what drives imbalance in the body and to provide results and relief for our clients.

Contact us to ask how we can help.

What is Functional Nutrition?

Functional Nutrition, born from Functional Medicine, optimises how the body is functioning, rather than focusing on conditions or disease.

We offer an evidence-based approach using a whole health approach rather than looking at issues in isolation. Our speciality is to analyse the systems of the body and how they function together.

We use functional testing which is different from the tests ordered by the doctors who are looking to diagnose or check for disease. In Functional Nutrition, we are looking for the underlying imbalances that can be driving health issues, such as hormone or digestive issues.

If a client came to us with weight gain issues but appeared to be eating all the correct foods, we would ask the question why. We would investigate what is driving the weight gain and address these issues rather than just applying a standard low-calorie diet.

Everyone is at a different life stage, with a unique history, biochemical makeup, gut microbiome and lifestyle. With our functional nutritional approach, clients receive a tailored solution for that individual, rather than a standard protocol that applies to the general population.

Where could your symptoms be coming from?

We often find imbalances in the body come from the endocrine system or the digestive system. There are hundreds of hormones in the body that when imbalanced can become a root cause of symptoms. We like to think of health as an iceberg. The issues we see above the water with the potential causes below the water. And in our clinical practice, we are interested in identifying and balancing the whole iceberg.

How is Hormone Wellness different?

We are trained in the cutting-edge research in functional nutrition. We review your health history including:

how your diet and any food intolerances could be impacting your hormones and gut
whether you use the pill or coil which can contribute to hormone imbalances
what stress you are dealing with
how much exposure you have to oestrogen mimicking chemicals
how you process and absorb your nutrients and hormones
if any regular lifestyle choices are potentially contributing to imbalances

In this video we explore blood sugars which play an important role in our functional nutrition approach.

What does our functional approach include?

Biochemical

Food choices, food intolerances, targeted supplementation and education around contraceptives and hormone replacements

Emotional

Emotional coaching and other techniques to clear blocks and stress that can be contributing to symptoms

Electrical

How lifestyle factors such as electronic devices are contributing to stress and hormone imbalances.

Structural

Our team are trained in kinesiology theory which makes muscle / organ connection to identify where imbalances can originate from. We also explore physical issues, exercise and movement and how this is having an impact on hormonal health.

Why Are We Unique?

Our functional approach focusses on a dysfunctional hormonal connection between blood sugar hormones, stress hormones and reproductive hormones. This interplay is often the underlying cause of inflammation, hormone imbalances and most chronic conditions affecting people today. Discover more in the video below.

Client Success Stories

We have worked through a number of health and hormonal issues all triggered by stress. They really know their stuff when it comes to stress, hormones and digestion - I would really recommend.

Emily Perry

I had tried too many other therapies to mention, read self help books and had taken courses and most of them didn't work. Hormone Wellness had me feeling better emotionally and physically after just two sessions.

Anna Davey

I am always so impressed by their infinite knowledge and expertise. I couldn’t feel in safer, more secure hands. Each appointment I’ve come out feeling like a different person and better for it!

Sophie Andrea-Jones

How do Hormones Affect the Digestive System?

When we eat a diet that is high carbohydrate, highly processed or contains inflammatory grains, we imbalance our blood sugars.

This has a knock-on effect with digestive hormones such as motilin which is the hormone that is released in the upper small intestine. It stimulates gastric and small intestine motility, causing undigested food to move into the large intestine.

Imbalanced blood sugars create adrenaline and cortisol which can cause the oesophagus to go into spasm, increase the acid in the stomach, and reduce enzyme output from the pancreas.

With heightened stress, we see the leg muscles rotate in the legs which can misalign the pelvis. This in turn misaligns the ileo-cecal valve which causes digestive disturbance and pain.

With high insulin, high cortisol and impaired motilin and serotonin, we see an increase in stress and oestrogen and a reduction in sex hormones like progesterone.

High oestrogen and gut disturbance contribute to high histamine, increased inflammation and a heightened immune response which can show itself as allergies or food intolerances.

If the body is unable to process and balance these hormones, we stay in the blood sugar rollercoaster which adds to our desire to eat erratically.

To balance the hormone bowel storm, we start with the basics of avoiding food intolerances, balancing blood sugars and reducing stress.

Will I need lab tests?

We order lab tests if necessary and we work with a leading European distributor called Nordic Labs who provide DUTCH testing. If the test results indicate you need medical support, a prescription or HRT, we can book you in with one of our functional nurses for a consultation.

The most common functional lab tests we order include

DUTCH Test
The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP)
Elite Thyroid
SIBO Breath Test
Metabolomix+ (nutrient deficiencies)

Click here to see our DUTCH tests and other lab tests.

We can also use kinesiology muscle testing in our clinic to test a hair sample which can be a quick route to identifying imbalances and the best supplementation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies on the person, their problems and how well they follow any changes recommended to their food and lifestyle. Generally, people feel a significant improvement within their first one to three appointments. Once optimum health has been attained, regular appointments keep the body balanced and prevent further ill health.

Do I need a lab test?

We offer different lab tests for clients who want to understand more about the potential drivers to imbalances.

To review our range of DUTCH tests, click here.

To review our range of other lab tests including gut, click here.

Where is your clinic?

We offer remote consultations via zoom so can work across the UK and internationally.

How long is an appointment?

Appointments take 30 minutes. Prior to the first session, all new clients will be required to fill in a comprehensive medical history form and consent form.

What happens in an appointment?

All our sessions are on video call and within your session, your practitioner will review your health history form, analyse your food and nutrition, discuss your priorities, offer hormone education where necessary, offer food, lifestyle and supplement recommendations and coach you on areas in your life you are finding challenging. There is often homework for you to adopt and your coach will discuss further sessions with you.

Interested in becoming a functional nutritionist yourself?

We partner with the College of Functional Wellness to offer diplomas in functional coaching. This 2 year training is delivered online and via zoom and is accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists. Click here to discover more.