Rowena Paxton DipION, mBANT, CNHC
About me
After 20 years of clinical practice, the power of nutrition to restore health and resilience continues to delight and fascinate me. I studied with the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London and have practised in the Salisbury area since 1999.
I came to nutrition not as a practising health professional, but as the owner of a small catering business and a lifelong love of good food. The chance to really understand the biochemistry behind how we use food has taken me on an amazing journey with new research opening up ever more exciting possibilities from week to week. I have developed a keen interest in both the functional medicine approach to health and naturopathy and now enjoy integrating both these models in my practice.
On the basis that every chemical reaction in our body is totally reliant on the nutrients absorbed from what we eat, there can be nothing more important than a healthy diet. I have also come to understand the fundamental importance of our emotional health and the importance of building-in both mental and nutritional resilience. It is a privilege to help my patients back to biochemical balance and optimum health through a healthy diet and lifestyle and an optimistic outlook.
My initial consultation lasts 90 minutes, when I will take a full health history of my client including discussion of their general diet and eating habits. From this information I will use my clinical experience to form a picture of where the stressors (physical, emotional, dietary) are having an impact on health and symptoms and from that picture formulate a nutritional plan to go away with. It may be that tests could help inform this plan and if so that will be discussed. Supplements may also be recommended to move things along more quickly, but the foundation of good nutrition should always start with a good diet.
It is important to rember that changing dietary and lifestyle habits is always a process and rarely an event. We need to give ourselves time.
Training, qualifications & experience
I graduated from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 1999 and since then have undertaken many hours of continuing professional development through seminars, lectures, research literature and professional journals to stay abreast of new advances in scientific nutritional understanding. I have also completed the Applying Functional Medicine in Practice course, held in London.
Apart from seeing patients in clinic, I have done research and developed recipes for four books with The Food Doctor; formed part of the NHS Wessex Chronic Fatigue support group; give regular CPD lectures, local talks and demonstrations and contribute to local radio and publications. For several years I ran the Nutrition for Wellbeing course for Neal's Yard Remedies and currently supervise the Yr 2 nutrition student clinics for CNM in Bristol. I have been responsible for formulating their own brand supplements for Neal's Yard Remedies andI have contributed the research element of the book Food Heroes from Radiant on Raw.
I am a member of BANT and registered with CNHC.
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.
Nutrition topics
Information about health conditions (*)
Nutritional therapy can help enhance the well-being of individuals diagnosed with serious medical conditions, but should not take the place of medical treatment and advice. If you have been diagnosed with - or suspect you may have - any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor before starting nutritional therapy or making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Fees
An initial consultation lasts one and half hours and costs £75.
A follow up consultation lasts 45 minutes and costs £40.
There is a discount for a block booking of three consultations (one initial and two follow-ups) at £145.
I am happy to offer a free telephone conversation prior to booking to explain the process and answer any questions.
