Understanding the Microbiome: The Key to Enhancing Your Health
The human microbiome has become a central focus in the quest for better health and wellbeing. It is a complex community of...
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AUTOIMMUNE NUTRITIONIST LONDON
Strengthening Your Immune System with Nutritional Therapy
A healthy immune system is vital for maintaining overall wellness, as it plays a key role in protecting you from illness and keeping your body functioning at its best.
Strengthening your immune health helps you fend off infections, recover more quickly from sickness, and lowers the risk of developing chronic conditions. When your immune system isn’t functioning optimally, you may feel constantly fatigued, experience frequent illnesses, or struggle with ongoing health issues like autoimmune diseases. By supporting your immune system through balanced nutrition, quality sleep, regular exercise, and stress management, you can enhance your body’s natural defences and improve your overall health and resilience.
If you’re dealing with recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases, or immune-related conditions, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. As a Registered Nutritional Therapist in London, I offer both online and in-person support to provide personalised guidance to help you strengthen your immune system and restore balance to your health.
Signs Your Immune System Needs Support
A poorly functioning immune system can present itself in various ways, including:
Frequent Infections: Finding it hard to shake off common illnesses like colds or flu, with infections lasting longer or hitting harder than usual.
Long COVID: Also known as post-COVID syndrome, long COVID happens when symptoms linger for weeks or even months after the initial infection has passed. Ongoing fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain that linger for weeks or months after the initial infection, making it tough to feel 'normal' again. It’s a frustrating cycle that leaves you feeling stuck.
Autoimmunity: Chronic fatigue, persistent inflammation, and feeling unwell as your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leaving you drained and uncomfortable.
Food Sensitivities: When the body perceives certain foods as harmful, it can lead to symptoms like digestive discomfort, bloating, headaches, and fatigue. While these reactions may not be as immediate as allergies, they can still significantly impact daily wellbeing and quality of life.
Slow Recovery: A compromised immune system can slow down the body’s ability to heal from injuries, surgeries, or infections, leading to prolonged recovery times and an increased risk of complications.
Fatigue and General Unwellness: Persistent tiredness and feeling run-down due to an overworked or struggling immune system
If you can relate to the above, it might be time to explore how your immune system is affecting
your overall health.
What if you could feel like this?
Strong and resilient immune system that supports you rather than holding you back
In control of flare-ups, managing symptoms with fewer disruptions to your daily life
Energised and not constantly feeling drained by your immune system’s ups and downs
Balanced and calm, with manageable symptoms and more stability in how your body feels
Confident in understanding your body’s needs and naturally supporting your immune health
Let’s work together to uncover the root causes and create a personalised plan to help you
feel better and regain your energy
AUTOIMMUNE HEALTH PLANS
What Happens When The Immune System Malfunctions?
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend your body against invaders like bacteria, viruses, and toxins. It’s your body’s natural shield, constantly working to keep you healthy. Understanding how it functions lays the foundation for recognising when things go wrong.
When the immune system malfunctions, it can either become too weak to protect against infections or turn against the body, leading to autoimmune diseases.
These conditions are increasingly common, now affecting about 1 in 10 people in the UK.
This rise in autoimmune diseases is influenced by a combination of factors, including environmental changes, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and genetics. Increased awareness and advances in diagnostic methods have also led to earlier identification of these conditions.
UK ONS
Around 1 in 5 people with Long COVID report having symptoms lasting for two years or more.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, thinking they are harmful invaders. This confusion leads to inflammation, discomfort, and a variety of symptoms, depending on where it affects the body. Here are some of the most common autoimmune diseases:
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Attacks the joints, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness.
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Lupus: Affects multiple tissues, leading to symptoms like skin rashes and joint pain.
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Coeliac Disease: Triggered by gluten, causing damage in the small intestine.
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Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Inflammatory bowel diseases affecting the digestive tract.
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
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Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Involve the immune system attacking the thyroid gland.
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Psoriasis: Affects the skin, causing red, scaly patches.
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Type 1 Diabetes: Destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
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Sjogren’s Syndrome: Attacks the glands producing tears and saliva, leading to dry mouth, eyes, and skin.
If autoimmune issues are affecting you, or if you have a family history of autoimmune diseases, taking action early is key, because early intervention can make a significant difference in managing symptoms and preventing further complications. Our personalised plan is tailored specifically to your unique needs, considering factors such as family history, lifestyle, and current health status.
DID YOU KNOW...
With over 70% of the immune system located in the gut,
gut health becomes pivotal for effectively managing autoimmune conditions.
The 3 Stages of Autoimmunity
Autoimmune conditions don’t develop overnight. They often unfold gradually in different stages, over years and for some over decades. Understanding these stages can help you recognise what’s happening in your body and give you time to take action early.
1
Silent Autoimmunity
At this point, your immune system starts attacking healthy tissues, but you won’t notice any symptoms. This is the “silent” phase, and the only way to detect what’s happening is through specific tests showing elevated antibodies, even though you feel fine.
2
Autoimmune Reactive
As the immune system continues to attack, you might start to feel something is off, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what. Maybe you're more tired than usual, have random aches, or experience a bit of brain fog. The symptoms might be vague and come and go, making them easy to overlook.
Autoimmune Disease
This is when the condition becomes clearer, and you’re likely to get a diagnosis. Symptoms become more consistent and noticeable, depending on which tissue or organ is affected—whether it’s joint pain with rheumatoid arthritis, skin issues with lupus, or gut symptoms with coeliac disease.
3
FEED YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
How Nutritional Therapy Can Help Autoimmune Diseases
Nutritional therapy can be transformative for managing autoimmune diseases by targeting the root causes rather than just masking symptoms.
By focusing on personalised dietary changes, we can help reduce inflammation and support a healthier immune response, starting with the gut. Since over 70% of your immune cells reside in the gut, maintaining optimal gut health is essential for overall immune function. Tailored testing and supplements as part of a nutrition plan can address imbalances, soothe the gut lining, and identify any food sensitivities that might be triggering immune flare-ups. This approach not only strengthens your immune system but also helps manage autoimmune symptoms and promotes long-term well-being.
With the right guidance, you'll learn which foods nourish your body and which may be contributing to your symptoms. This empowers you to take control of your health, balancing your immune system and making you feel better from the inside out.
DID YOU KNOW...
Poor sleep or less than 6 hours a night can weaken your immune system, increasing the risk of colds and flu.
ONLINE OR IN-PERSON CONSULTATIONS
Personalised Nutrition for Autoimmune Disease Management
Having personally experienced autoimmune issues, I understand how overwhelming it can be to manage flare-ups, fatigue, and conflicting health advice. This personal insight shapes the way I work with my clients.
I take a highly personalised approach, creating tailored nutritional plans that address your specific symptoms and conditions. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, even for clients with similar symptoms.
I carefully consider your unique health history, lifestyle, and needs, which means two people with the same condition might follow completely different plans. By combining advanced testing, targeted supplements, in-depth consultations, and ongoing support, I ensure your plan evolves with your progress to help you achieve the best possible outcomes. Ready to take control of your immune health and tackle the root causes of your symptoms? Book a consultation today. I offer both online sessions and in-person consultations in London.
DID YOU KNOW...
Drinking too much alcohol can suppress immune function and increase the risk of infections.
The role of Functional Testing
Advanced autoimmune testing is invaluable for those dealing with persistent, unexplained symptoms that haven’t improved with conventional treatments or who have a family history of autoimmune diseases. Our comprehensive approach considers your unique challenges, examining how factors like lifestyle, nutrition, and genetics impact your immune health.
Functional tests can uncover hidden triggers such as nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and environmental influences that may be worsening your symptoms. This targeted approach allows us to provide personalised support aimed at restoring immune balance, managing symptoms, and empowering you to take control of your health. We’ll recommend the most suitable tests tailored to your needs, including urine, stool, or saliva tests, conveniently delivered to your door. If advanced blood testing is required, we’ll assist in locating a local phlebotomist to ensure a seamless experience.
By gaining deeper insights into your body’s unique needs, we can develop a personalised plan to help reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and support your long-term well-being. As a trusted London-based nutritionist, I provide tailored, evidence-backed guidance, available both in-person and online, to suit your preference.
Dive into our blogs for simple, effective strategies to enhance your overall health.
Quiz - How Is Your Immune System?
If you’re wondering how well your immune system is functioning, this quick quiz to find out.
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How often do you catch colds or infections?
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Rarely
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Occasionally
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Frequently
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Do you feel fatigued or run down even after a good night’s sleep?
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Rarely
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Sometimes
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Often
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How would you rate your stress levels?
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Low
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Moderate
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High
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Do you experience digestive issues (e.g., bloating, constipation, diarrhoea)?
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Rarely
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Occasionally
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Frequently
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How is your diet?
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Balanced with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods
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Mixed, with some processed foods
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Mostly processed and lacking variety
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Do you have any diagnosed autoimmune conditions?
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No
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Not sure
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Yes
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Do you have any family members diagnosed autoimmune conditions?
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No
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Not sure
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Yes
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How often do you exercise?
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Regularly (3+ times a week)
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Occasionally (1-2 times a week)
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Rarely or never
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Do you suffer from allergies or skin issues (e.g., eczema, rashes)?
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No
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Mild
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Frequent/severe
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How well do you sleep at night?
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Consistently well (7-8 hours)
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Inconsistent (5-6 hours)
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Poor (less than 5 hours)
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Do you smoke or drink alcohol frequently?
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No
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Occasionally
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Frequently
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Scoring:
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Mostly 1s: Your immune system seems strong. Keep up the good work!
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Mostly 2s: Your immune system might need a bit of support. Consider adjusting your lifestyle and diet.
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Mostly 3s: Your immune health could be compromised. It might be time to make some changes and seek professional guidance.
This quiz is a guide and not a diagnostic tool. For personalised advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m here to help.
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