About Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional science recognises that the benefit of diet goes far beyond calories, carbohydrates, protein and fats. The food we eat contains complex molecules that have a profound effect on our health.
The correct nutrition and lifestyle choices can support the optimum function of the major systems of the body including the digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine (hormonal), nervous, reproductive, immune and integumentary (hair, skin and nails) systems.
Nutritional Therapy is a recognised complementary therapy, which applies principles from the latest research in nutritional science to support these systems and promote optimum health and peak performance.
Nutritional therapists can identify potential nutritional imbalances and how they can contribute to symptoms by using a functional medicine approach.
This approach considers how factors such as diet, exercise,
external stressors and internal metabolic processes have an impact on the health of all the systems of our body and mind, and further considers how these systems are linked. We aim to establish the root cause for each patient’s individual reason for ill health, and work to support the appropriate systems to achieve optimum health.
Nutritional therapy recognises that each human being has a unique biochemical makeup. The concept of biochemical individuality underpins our approach. Nutritional therapists take time to gather a detailed case history from each client, working with them in a two way process to create a personalised plan, rather than providing a “one size fits all” prescription. Many clients appreciate the education and care that
comes with nutritional therapy in order to understand what is happening in their body.
Each client receives a tailor-made plan. This includes dietary and lifestyle changes. Non-invasive functional laboratory testing may be recommended to assess where interventions are required and to direct the course of action, and nutritional supplements are also recommended where appropriate.
Practitioner : Alexis Prior
Prices:
Initial consultation (1 – 1.5 hours) – £90
Follow up consultations (45 mins – 1 hour) £65
Metabolic Balance ® – 12 week weight loss programme – £695
Please see her website for further details: www.alexispriornutrition.com
About Metabolic Balance
What is Metabolic Balance?
Metabolic Balance is a 4 Phase, tailored food plan based on your own comprehensive blood test. Results are analysed by a sophisticated computer programme maintained by physicians and nutritionists in Germany. It contains around 700 algorithms, which calculate your individual plan based on
a) your blood test results
b) personal measurements (weight, hip, waist and thigh)
c) current health issues
d) your goals (for example, weight loss, weight maintenance or weight gain)
e) These are then matched with the specific nutrient composition of foods.
It is based on natural foods and no supplements are necessary. The plan has been used successfully by over 700,000 people worldwide.
What is it not?
It is not a short-term reduced calorie diet, but a plan for life so you don’t go back to old eating habits. It can take a good 2-3 months to revise eating habits.
It is not a “blood type” diet and the blood test does not test for food intolerances or allergies. These can be discussed with your coach. The blood test parameters are used to calculate which foods, and how much of these foods are appropriate for you as an individual, taking your personal goals and health issues into consideration.
How does it work?
It supports the balance of insulin and cortisol, two of the most important hormones for long term health and healthy ageing. If you are constantly producing insulin, you are increasing fat deposits and decreasing anti-ageing hormones such as HGH and DHEA.
The diet is designed to promote more efficient metabolism of fat. In terms of fat burning, the plan retrains your body to access fat stores for fuel, rather than relying on carbohydrate as a predominant fuel.
It helps balance other appetite regulating hormones.
It is an anti-inflammatory diet. Inflammation is the underlying mechanism in the majority of human illness, for example, heart disease, cancer, obesity, alzheimers, asthma, auto-immune conditions and anything ending in “–itis”.
What does the plan entail?
1. In the initial consultation (around 1 hour) I will provide general guidelines around Metabolic Balance and take personal information such as weight and body measurements and goals. I will give you information on where to get your blood test taken, the blood test kit, and where to send the sample.
2. In the second consultation (around 1 hour), I will have received your blood test results and your plan. I will give you your plan and discuss how to carry out Phase 1 and 2 in detail.
3. There are then 5 further consultations of around 30 minutes spread over the 12 week period to help coach and motivate you through the plan and to give tips on menus, and coping with tricky moments, emotional support etc. These can be face-to-face meetings or via phone/Skype etc.
The 4 Phases
Phase 1 – Preparation Phase
Duration: 2 Days
Your body is gently prepared for the dietary changes with light foods and colon cleansing usually using Epsom Salts. It is best to plan this away from social/work activities as evacuations can be quite pronounced for some people.
Phase 2 – Strict Adjustment Phase
Duration: 14 days. Weight adjustment according to a healthy BMI (body mass index) and WHR (waist hip ratio)
A minimum of 14 days is required in this phase, which supports metabolic adjustment to a new way of eating. You will begin to feel the benefits and health improvements. You will also lose weight in this phase. If your goal is to gain weight you may lose weight in this phase, but this will re-adjust in phase 3.
Your metabolism adjusts in response to your new nutritional regime and you are also likely to experience a more positive mental outlook.
It is necessary to set aside a specific time to enjoy this period and avoid any social challenges! Heavy and /or cardiovascular exercise is forbidden during these 14 days. Instead, enjoy walking in lots of fresh air, deep breathing and gentle movements to aid lymphatic drainage and detoxification.
There are 8 basic rules to adhere to and you may only have the foods listed on your ‘meal plan’. Foods need to be weighed to ensure correct portion size. This is different for each person. This phase must be adhered to strictly. If you are unable to stick to the plan, you may restart the plan again, but it is recommended that you only undertake Phase 1 and 2 twice in any year.
Phase 3 – Relaxed Phase
Duration: Until your goal has been reached.
The duration depends on your personal circumstances and your weight from the start of Metabolic Balance®. Parameters such as your target weight or the amount of weight you wish to lose, or gain, is taken into consideration during this time and discussed with your Coach as well as ‘vacations or celebrations’!
Olive oil must be added to each meal and/or supplementation with Omega oils or coconut oil. You continue to adhere to the core principles from phase 2 and incorporate an extended food list into your daily programme.
Whilst still observing the 8 basic rules, more freedom can now be enjoyed during which you closely monitor your progress and well-being. A once a week treat meal is allowed.
A daily exercise routine can now be resumed (or begun) whilst gradually increasing intensity to optimise metabolism and overall well-being.
Phase 4 – Maintenance
Duration: Unlimited
It may take up to two years to permanently change your metabolism. To reinforce the changes already made and for maintenance of your new healthy weight, it is important to observe the 8 basic rules.
You may now experiment by adding more new foods into your programme that have not been included before and monitor your body’s response. Your body will signal foods that don’t suit you.
Enjoy the occasions when you are having a ‘treat meal’ but it is important during this time to moderate the amount of starchy foods on an ongoing basis to determine your hormonal response and mental and physical needs.
The Cost
The initial consultation of up to 1 hour is £40, and is refundable on booking the whole programme. The full programme cost is £695, and is payable up front.
The cost includes:
1. All consultations
I. Initial 1 hour consultation which includes test kit instructions, measurement taking, goal setting and general information on the plan
II. 2nd 1 hour meeting to deliver your plan
III. 5 subsequent 30-minute consultations over a 12-week period, either in person/Skype/Facetime or phone, to suit you.
2. The blood test analysis
3. Your complete Metabolic Balance Food Plan for life
4. Reasonable email support
The cost does not include the actual blood draw. This needs to be performed by a nurse or GP and the sample needs to be centrifuged. If your own medical centre doesn’t offer this service, I can recommend local hospitals. Prices for this depends on the hospital’s own charges and varies from around £18-£40.
Some clients wish to book a maintenance programme beyond the 12 week period to keep on track and this can be discussed and agreed as you progress with discounts given for block bookings.
Practitioner
Prices
Initial consultation (1 – 1.5 hours) – £90
Follow up consultations (45 mins – 1 hour) £65
Metabolic Balance ® – 12 week weight loss programme – £695
Please see her website for further details: www.alexispriornutrition.com