Karen Alexander MSc, NTDip, BA Hons
About me
A Nutritional Therapist, with an MSc in Personalised Nutrition with Distinction. I have a special interest in thyroid disease and digestion issues having studied this area throughout my career and as part of my masters. I practice Nutritional Therapy in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire but if you are not local to this area I can also complete consultations via video call or phone.
I use Nutritional Science to promote my client's health, vitality and performance. By assessing an individual's unique influences that is preventing optimum health, I create personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans and provide ongoing support. I work on the basis that if you understand why your health may have deteriorated and why you are making the changes you’re much more likely to embrace your plan with excitement and longevity.
In a consultation, I review the client's complete health history and their family's, ask about current and past symptoms, look at diet and lifestyle, assess nutritional status and order functional testing when appropriate.
I regularly contribute in the media to magazines, newspapers and online publications such as The Telegraph, Rude Health Magazine, Wild Nutrition and Yoga Matters.
What to expect during your Nutrition Consultation:
- When you book your appointment you will be sent a food diary and questionnaire.
- I will ask you to complete your food diary for 3 days including a weekend day.
- During your consultation, I will ask you questions about your medical history, family history, health conditions and medications you have been prescribed.
- Depending on your symptoms some laboratory testing may be recommended.
- Your nutrition programme will be designed specifically for you and will fit in with your lifestyle.
As with all change, it will take some dedication and commitment but I will do my very best to make this manageable and achievable.
Training, qualifications & experience
- MSc with Distinction in Personalised Nutrition from CNELM via Middlesex University.
- NT Dip
- BA Hons
Member organisations
British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy
The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy is the professional body for Nutritional Therapists.
There are different BANT membership classes, including Full Member, Fellow Member and Student Member.
All BANT practitioners must have met the required standards of training, be fully insured and adhere to the BANT Code of Ethics and Practice.
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
The CNHC encompasses many types of alternative therapy, including massage, aromatherapy and nutrition.
In order to be admitted to the register a practitioner must have studied to the National Occupational Standards for that profession/discipline, or have reached the equivalent of the National Occupational Standards through other relevant training or at least three years of experience and been assessed by their peers.
A practitioner must also have professional insurance and agree to abide by the CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Nutrition topics
If you have been diagnosed or suspect you may have this medical condition, you should consult your GP for advice, diagnosis and treatment and always inform your health professional before starting any alternative or additional therapies, treatments or making any major changes in your diet or exercise programme.
Fees
Bronze Package - £140
- Initial Consultation – lasting 1 hour this gives me the opportunity to get to know you really well, to understand your health history from birth to the present day and to establish your goals and expectations.
- Bespoke Nutrition Plan based on your health goals.
- Personalised recommendations for functional testing such as blood tests (tests priced separately).
- Personalised supplement guidance and schedule.
Silver Package - £280
16 week Bespoke Health Plan
- Initial Consultation – lasting 1 hour this gives me the opportunity to get to know you really well, to understand your health history from birth to the present day and to establish your goals and expectations.
- Two 30 minute follow-ups to assess progress, revise your plan if needed and provide motivation and on-going support.
- Bespoke Nutrition and Lifestyle Plan based on your health goals.
- Personalised recommendations for functional testing such as blood tests (tests priced separately).
- Interpretation of test results you may have had recently to incorporate into your health plan.
- Personalised supplement guidance and schedule.
Gold Package - £450
32 week Bespoke Health Plan
- Initial Consultation – lasting 1 hour this gives me the opportunity to get to know you really well, to understand your health history from birth to the present day and to establish your goals and expectations.
- Four 30 minute support follow-ups every 4 weeks to assess progress, revise your plan if needed and provide motivation and on-going support.
- Bespoke Nutrition and Lifestyle Plan based on your health goals.
Personalised recommendations for functional testing such as blood tests (tests priced separately). - Interpretation of test results you may have had recently to incorporate into your health plan.
- Interpretation of test results and any resulting plan revisions.
- Personalised supplement guidance and schedule.
Platinum Package - £1495
Providing 1 year of nutritional support
- Using functional medicine this programme will thoroughly assess many health markers to provide an in-depth analysis and pick-up on areas which have been missed in the past or have never been tested before.
- Initial phone call to determine which laboratory functional tests are required. While I have a set of comprehensive tests I can use for this package, it could be that the client is concerned about a particular area, such as heavy metals, which they would like to be checked.
- Initial Consultation – lasting 1 hour this gives me the opportunity to get to know you really well, to understand your health history from birth to the present day and to establish your goals and expectations.
- Bespoke Nutrition and Lifestyle Plan.
- Interpretation of test results and any resulting plan revisions.
- 6 follow-ups to assess progress, revise your plan if needed and provide motivation and on-going support.
- This package covers the cost of comprehensive functional tests using the latest scientific knowledge to accurately measure and assess your health and look for the root causes of common health problems.
This includes:
– thyroid (commonly responsible for fatigue, weight gain or loss, thinning hair and irregular bowel movements)
– adrenal cortisol (stress)
– sex hormones (oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone)
– nutrient levels and deficiencies if present including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
– carbohydrate, protein and fat absorption efficiency
– oxidative stress markers
– energy metabolism (analysis of Krebs cycle)
– Gut health assessing presence of bacteria (both beneficial and harmful), parasites, yeast
– inflammatory markers
– methylation (important for energy, detoxification, healthy ageing) - Interpretation of test results and any resulting plan revisions.
- Personalised supplement guidance and schedule.
Interpretation of test results you may have had recently, (from other practitioners) to incorporate into your health plan
Individual Follow-ups - £85
