About
My background and beliefs
Hello, my name is Mark Bennett and I am a functionally trained Nutritional Therapist (essentially a nutritional scientist working in clinical practice), having achieved a first class honours nutritional therapy science degree from the ‘Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management’ (accredited by Middlesex University). Functional medicine looks at the body as a whole and is focussed on identifying the causes of chronic disease rather than symptomatic relief. By intelligently identifying the root cause of symptoms and disease, targeted and individually tailored dietary and lifestyle interventions can be recommended.
I am a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) which is our professional body, the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council (CNHC) which protects the public with an expected code of conduct, ethics and performance for registered complementary practitioners, as well as being a registered Certified Gluten Practitioner.
The Functional Approach
This is a dynamic approach to assessing and providing the support that the body may require in order to deal with chronic disease/conditions.
The Functional approach is based on the premise that the body is composed of several highly interconnected sophisticated functional systems (digestion & assimilation, detoxification & elimination, communication, defence & repair, energy, structural integrity and transport) that when working efficiently, promote optimal health and wellbeing.
We are all biochemically individual. What makes you, you, is unique to you. The Functional approach recognises that it is the summation of your environmental inputs (toxins, stress, diet, & lifestyle) over your life that are likely to have contributed to your current health concerns and that most chronic illness is typically preceded by a lengthy period of decline in one or more of the body’s functional systems.
My Core Beliefs
Food can be both a powerful medicine and a slow poison.
The most powerful tools at your disposal for regaining and maintaining optimal health and wellbeing are your food, lifestyle and environmental choices.
Supplement wisely and cautiously only using the highest quality products.
Any diagnostic testing and supplementation recommendations will be provided to you at cost. My impartiality is central to my practice.
Good science is the pursuit of truth not consensus.
The health of your digestive tract plays a crucial role in the manifestation of disease.
Our food and environment have changed beyond recognition since the 1950s.
The current system of modern healthcare is unsustainable.
The person that knows the most about your health is you.
Good science
Functional medicine looks at the body as a whole and is focussed on identifying the causes of chronic disease rather than symptomatic relief. By intelligently identifying the root cause of symptoms and disease, targeted and individually tailored dietary and lifestyle interventions can be recommended.
Diagnostics
Designing a specialised diet and health plan often begins with thorough diagnostics aimed at understanding an individual’s unique physiological needs and health markers. These diagnostics can include comprehensive blood tests to assess nutrient levels, genetic testing to identify genetic predispositions related to metabolism and dietary requirements, and assessments of current health conditions and dietary habits.
DNA testing
DNA/genetic testing can used by a specifically trained practitioner to combine the results with the client’s history, in order to provide a meaningful and powerful intervention to the clients health. As Nutrigenetic Councillors using a specific laboratory for DNA/genetic testing, we use science to support any interpretations of the genes being tested.
Biochemical diversity
You are biochemically individual. What makes you, you, is unique to you. Your state of health, typically reflects the summation of your environmental inputs (e.g. toxins, stress, diet & lifestyle) that you have experienced over your life time.
Evidence based
Evidence-based science refers to the rigorous application of scientific research and data to inform decisions about dietary choices, health interventions, and lifestyle recommendations. It involves systematically gathering and evaluating empirical evidence from a range of controlled study types.
Complementary
Complementary diets play a crucial role in optimising health by focusing on the synergistic effects of combining different food groups and nutrients. These diets often emphasise balance and variety, incorporating foods that complement each other in terms of nutrient absorption and overall health benefits.
How can we help you?
Achieving your
Optimal Health
While we have a good understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to achieving optimal health. By understanding your genetic predispositions through tools like genetic testing, you can make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and preventive measures that suit your body’s specific needs.
Supporting Chronic
Conditions & Disease
The treatment of chronic diseases and illnesses is evolving with the integration of holistic approaches and DNA testing, aiming to provide personalised care that addresses both the symptoms and underlying factors contributing to these conditions. By testing holistically, we can search for the genetic predispositions that influence how individuals respond to different treatments and interventions, and offer insight as too which will be most effective.
Client Testimonials
Are you ready to get started?
If you would like to ask any further questions or book a initial session to please use the online form and we will be in touch about next steps.