Nutritional Therapy

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or illness - WHO (World Health Organisation)

Nutritional therapists recognise that each person is an individual with unique dietary and nutritional requirements. These requirements depend on a number of factors, ranging from genetic predisposition to lifestyle and environment. Nutritional therapy is the application of nutrition and health science to enable individuals to optimize their health potential.

At Health Matters we believe you should have enough energy, optimism and mental resources to get the most out of this life. You should not have to suffer needlessly or feel resigned to a future that does not live up to how you envision it diminished by poor health.

How could nutritional therapy help me?

Nutritional Therapy is not intended for the diagnosis, treatment or cure of disease but when applied correctly, it can help alleviate a wide range of conditions and support recovery from ill health by implementing the recommended dietary and lifestyle advice.

Some of the conditions we work to resolve are as follows:

• Digestive health - IBS and other bowel irregularities
• Immune health - allergies, intolerances, autoimmune disorders
• Cardiovascular health - high cholesterol, high blood pressure
• Reproductive health - PCOS, infertility, menopause, PMS
• Hormone health - thyroid imbalances, diabetes
• Mental health - depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, impaired memory or concentration
• Weight issues - weight loss, weight gain/muscle gain
• Low energy – ME, chronic fatigue, nutrient deficiencies
• Musculoskeletal - osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis

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Preventative approaches are vital if we are to reverse this huge burden of avoidable and costly suffering.

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Nutritional Therapy at Health Matters

Depending on the nature of the presenting case the number of consultations required will vary. This will be made very clear on your initial call.

Following this call to discuss your concerns, you will be sent comprehensive paperwork to fill in. This will give us a better understanding of your current concerns and history.

• Pre Consultation Form 1 will be used to look at your personal and medical history along with current concerns and goals.
• Pre Consultation Form 2 is a food diary that, when completed and returned, will give us better understanding of your eating habits.
• Consultation 1 will be carried out in Health Matters HQ or via an online platform. It will last approx. 90 min. This will be our main consultation where we will dig a little deeper into your pre-appointment questionnaires and food diary. We will then present our findings and explain in detail what seems to be contributing to your current concerns. We will provide dietary and lifestyle recommendations, possibly including supplement suggestions, all based upon our findings and the latest scientific knowledge.
• Consultation 2 will be a 4-6 weeks follow-up focused mainly on how you have managed to apply the dietary and lifestyle advice from consultation 1 and to discuss any changes in the problems you presented with originally. Further dietary and lifestyle advice will be given. Although not essential this consultation is strongly advised. It will last approx. 45-60 min.

The role of good nutrition and better lifestyle habits are now fully recognised and the demand for sound knowledge and practical guidance is growing rapidly.

Nutritional therapists work only within their clinical boundaries and at the earliest recognition of diagnostic dilemmas or limitations within their clinic remit, will refer the patient back to their GP or specialist as a matter of urgency.

Seán holds an BTEC Advanced Diploma in Nutrition & Health Coaching, an HDip in Nutritional Therapy (member of NTOI: Nutritional Therapists of Ireland) and is an Advanced Sports and Exercise Nutrition Adviser.