British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY DESCRIPTOR

You can download the BANT Nutritional Therapy Descriptor at this link:
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY DESCRIPTOR

THE BASIS OF NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

Nutritional Therapy is the application of nutrition science in the promotion of health, peak performance and individual care. Nutritional therapy practitioners use a wide range of tools to assess and identify potential nutritional imbalances and understand how these may contribute to an individual's symptoms and health concerns. This approach allows them to work with individuals to address nutritional balance and help support the body towards maintaining health. Nutritional therapy is recognised as a complementary medicine and is relevant for individuals with chronic conditions, as well as those looking for support to enhance their health and wellbeing.

Practitioners consider each individual to be unique and recommend personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes rather than a 'one size fits all' approach. Practitioners never recommend nutritional therapy as a replacement for medical advice and always refer any client with 'red flag' signs or symptoms to their medical professional. They will also frequently work alongside a medical professional and will communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in the client's care to explain any nutritional therapy programme that has been provided.

WHY USE NUTRITIONAL THERAPY?

Some people simply want to check that they are on the right track with regard to healthy eating. Others may want to lose weight or get help with their symptoms.

Nutritional Therapists recognise that each person is an individual with unique requirements and take time to define personalised nutrition plan rather than a 'one size fits all' approach.

Nutrition and lifestyle approaches to healthcare have been shown to support the health of all the major systems of the body (skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory, endocrine, immune, reproductive and integumentary [skin, hair, nails]). Typical priorities in nutritional therapy consultations are support to achieve optimum energy levels, healthy blood sugar balance, emotional and pyschological wellbeing, optimum gastrointestinal health and tolerance to a broad range of food groups.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A NUTRITIONAL THERAPY CONSULTATION?

Before the first consultation, the practitioner usually provides a health and nutrition questionnaire for the client to complete. An initial consultation typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and in this time the practitioner asks detailed questions about current health concerns, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, medical history, family history, lifestyle, levels of physical activity, use of medication and supplements and diet. The practitioner then evaluates individual needs and uses the extensive evidence base for nutritional science to develop a personalised, safe and effective nutrition and lifestyle programme.

Follow up consultations are generally after four weeks in order to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments. Further follow-ups may be required depending on each individual situation.

CHOOSING A PRACTITIONER

Training:
It is important to choose a qualified nutritional therapist who has undertaken all the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of nutritional therapy. For more information follow the link - www.cnhc.org.uk/assets/2-092.pdf

Voluntary Regulation:
By choosing nutritional therapists registered with the CNHC you can be confident that they are properly trained, qualified and insured.

Professional Association:
By choosing a Nutritional Therapist who is a member of BANT you can be confident that they follow the strict BANT Code of Professional Practice, have professional indemnity insurance for clinical practice and also meet the membership entry criteria found at this link -
www.bant.org.uk/bant/pdf/memberForms/BANT_MEMBERSHIP_ENTRY_CRITERIA.pdf

NHS EVIDENCE

This document outlines the NHS Evidence introduction to Dietary and Nutritional Therapies. NHS Evidence is formerly a Specialist Library of the National Library for Health.
NHS EVIDENCE - INTRODUCTION TO DIETARY AND NUTRITIONAL THERAPIES

BANT NUTRITIONAL THERAPY LEAFLET

A CAREER IN NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

You can find information on the job profile of a Nutritional Therapist on the Direct.gov.uk website at the following link:

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY JOB PROFILE

ARE YOU THINKING OF STUDYING NUTRITIONAL THERAPY?

Exploring this link will give you good idea of how BANT members approach clinical practice, Functional Medicine Teaching Model Presentation.

There is huge interest in the area of nutrition and health, including nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. For those considering a vocational profession in this field, you may find it useful to look at our recommended core textbooks which are an essential foundation for the future of nutrigenetic counselling:

Jones, S., Quinn S., eds.,(2005). Textbook of Functional Medicine. USA: Institute of Functional Medicine www.functionalmedicine.org

Lord, R.S., Bralley J.A.,(2008). Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine.
2nd edn. Duluth, Georgia: Metametrix Institute. [Table of Errata available from www.metametrixinstitute.org/post/2008/12/11/Table-of-Errata.aspx

These books are available from the Nutri Centre Bookshop, 7 Park Crescent, London W1B 1PF at discounted rates. To receive a 25% discount for practitioners and a 20% discount for students on the books, PLUS free postage, call 020 7323 2382.