Why See a Nutritional Therapist? It’s Not Just About Food.

Let’s face it—nutrition and diet advice can be a minefield. From social media trends like high-protein, keto, carnivore, or vegan diets, to confusing health food marketing claims, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s “right.” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your body is unique—no one else has your exact DNA, health history, or lifestyle. So why would a diet that works for someone else automatically work for you?

That’s where a Nutritional Therapist comes in.

As a qualified Nutritional Therapy practitioner, I’ve undergone four years of intensive training in biochemistry, biomedicine, anatomy, and physiology. I’m trained to take a personalised, whole-body and mind approach to wellness. I don’t just look at what you eat - I explore how every system in your body is functioning, what your symptoms are trying to tell me, and how medications, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and mindset may be playing a role.

I use a range of tools including:

• Detailed health questionnaires

• Functional lab testing

• Physical signs and symptom analysis

• Nutritional deficiency screening

• Stress and sleep profiling

This approach allows me to connect the dots between body systems and identify root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

Does It All Start in the Gut? Not Always… But Often, Yes.

Why is gut health so central to our overall wellness? Because it’s home to your gut microbiome—trillions of beneficial bacteria that live in your digestive system. While your microbiome is partly genetic, it's hugely influenced by factors such as:

• Birth method (C-section babies often have lower bacterial diversity)

• Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding

• Antibiotic use (especially in early life)

• Diet quality and diversity

• Chronic stress

• Poor sleep, hydration, and lack of movement

Poor gut health doesn’t just lead to gut symptoms such as IBS, bloating and constipation gut health is directly linked to:

Immune health

70–80% of your immune system is located in the gut. Why? Because your gut acts as your body’s first line of defense—like a security system scanning what comes in and deciding what should stay out. When your beneficial bacteria are depleted, you may be more prone to infections, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.

What is Leaky Gut?

When beneficial bacteria are low, the gut lining can become compromised—a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. The tight junctions that usually keep your gut contents sealed start to loosen, allowing toxins, food particles, and microbes to pass into the bloodstream. This triggers the immune system and can result in systemic inflammation and symptoms like:

• Eczema and skin conditions

• Asthma

• Food intolerances

• Fatigue, brain fog, or low energy

The Gut–Brain–Hormone Connection

Your gut bacteria also produce neurotransmitters like serotonin—the “feel-good” chemical that influences your mood and sleep. In fact, around 90% of serotonin is made in the gut. This directly affects melatonin (your sleep hormone), impacting:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Insomnia or poor sleep quality

Hormonal Balance

Gut health also plays a big role in hormonal balance. If you're not effectively detoxifying and eliminating waste (i.e., you're constipated), hormones like oestrogen can be reabsorbed into your bloodstream. This can contribute to:

• PMS symptoms

• Heavy or painful periods

• Menopause symptoms like hot flushes or mood swings

Real Life Case Study: Balancing Gut Health and Hormones

Client A came to me with chronic constipation, PMS, and symptoms like:

• Low mood and anxiety

•  Acne and skin breakouts

•  Intense food cravings

 We ran a comprehensive stool test, which revealed a Dysbiosis (low levels and diversity of good bacteria, overgrowth of bad bacteria), gut inflammation and low stomach acid.

Her history showed frequent antibiotic use, low-fibre diet, poor hydration, high caffeine intake, and lack of exercise—all contributing to poor gut health.

With a personalised gut health plan and dietary changes focused on digestive support, I was able to:

• Improve her bowel regularity

• Reduce her PMS symptoms 

• Improve skin health and mood

Ready to Take Charge of Your Health?

If this article resonates with you and you're ready to get to the root cause of your symptoms—not just mask them—let’s chat.

I offer a free nutrition consultation where we can explore your health goals and how a tailored nutrition and lifestyle plan can support your journey to feeling your best, plus my packages ensure that you have the support to make the changes in a personalised way that works for you.

Here’s to feeling better-one step at a time.

With warmth and support,

Victoria