The Nutritional Supplement

1. What course(s) did you graduate from at CNELM and when did you graduate?

I achieved a first-class BSc in Nutritional Therapy in 2006 validated by Middlesex University, and taught at CNELM, and then went straight on to an MSc in Evidence Based Practice in Nutrition and completed this course with merit in 2007. This MSc programme was taught partly at CNELM, and partly at Middlesex University.

2. What made you decide to embark on this course of study?

 At the age of 24, I was ill with rheumatoid arthritis.  Upon doing research, I thought that changing my diet could have profound effects.  When I asked my rheumatologist she said that it would not have an effect (without even asking me what my diet was).  Nevertheless, I completely turned around my diet, and it had the most profound and life-changing effects.  Within 2 weeks I was out of bed, within a month I was at work, and 6 months later I had no further problems associated with it.

I left school with one GCSE, have cross-lateral dyslexia, and English is my second language (I’m Dutch). I didn’t think of myself as an academic person.  Yet this dramatic change in my health, drove me then, and still drives me now, to continue my studies in nutrition.  Before I embarked on my degree at CNELM, I completed an ITEC course to see if I would enjoy studying nutrition.

My first year of the undergraduate programme was extremely challenging, but taking the advice of my tutor and using books on punctuation and ‘how to write essays’, my marks began to improve and my passion for studying was ignited.

3. Did you work during your studies in the health field?

My background is in the IT industry. At the beginning of my undergraduate studies, I worked in a recruitment agency.  Afterwards, wishing to gain experience in the health field I worked as a Health Care Assistant in a psychiatric hospital on an eating disorder ward.  This experience was an eye-opener for me.

4. What was your first role after graduating?

During my undergraduate studies in 2005 I suggested to the director at CNELM, Kate Neil, that the Centre could offer short courses like the ITEC so other people could see if studying nutrition was for them before committing to the degree. Kate agreed and said once I was qualified I could undertake this project. I was thrilled.  ITEC want their teachers to have teaching qualifications, so between 2005 and 2009 I also studied a teaching diploma (DTLLS) at East Berkshire College. By the time I graduated with my BSc in 2006, ITEC had changed their entry requirements so only qualified complementary health practitioners could do the ITEC course.  Kate suggested I also set up a similar, interest only course for those who, like me, just wanted to see if they enjoyed studying nutrition – we call this the Food for Health course.

5. How did your current role at the college evolve?

Teaching the ITEC and Food for Health courses gave me some great teaching experience and doing my teaching qualification at the same time meant that I was obtaining input into my teaching style and approach.  Teacher training also involves a lot of reflective practice which I have applied to my own teaching and clinical practice.  Over time I took on more teaching roles at CNELM whenever the opportunity arose and eventually became module leader for three level 6 modules including Clinical Training and one MSc module in Personalised Nutrition and Longevity.  In 2011 a colleague, Julie Pegler, encouraged me to go for the Deputy Head of Education role and since then I’ve gone on to become the Head of Education at CNELM. It’s a role that I love doing because it gives me the opportunity to help the students achieve to the best of their abilities, just as my tutors did for me.

6. Are you currently practising? Do you specialise in a particular area of health?

I currently practice as a Nutritional Therapist.  But I don’t specialise, as I think seeing clients from a broad range of spectrums will enhance my teaching.  If I was to begin again and decide to specialise, it would be in auto-immune disorders. Both my BSc and MSc research focused on sulphate and sulphation.

7. How did you kick-start your practice?

A friend of mine developed a website for me.  At the beginning, I saw a lot of clients and 8 years later I may still see some of the same clients, amongst others.  However, my current focus is not seeing clients.  I am studying for a D. Prof 2½ days a week and work at CNELM 3 days a week.

8. Can you expand on the Research you are currently undertaking?

a. E.g. Where are you undertaking the research? / What type of Doctorate?

In 2012 I started a Doctorate at Middlesex University. Rather than a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) I’m studying for a D. Prof (Doctor of Professional Studies). It’s modular, part time and work-based so fits well with all my other commitments.    

b.    What is the aim of your research?

My research project aims to develop robust clinical tools for personalised nutrition and obesity management.  These tools will collect health data (in the form of questionnaires), from an obese population and statistically analyse the effect of changing variables (diet, supplements, sleep, stress etc.) on health. These tools could provide an evidence base for personalised nutrition which can use Bayesian analysis to make probabilistic predictions on the outcomes of interventions from empirical data. In short, it is the development and validation of tools which are clinically appropriate, yet also gather statistically robust data.

c.    What do you see as the benefits of this research?

The development of these tools would be extremely beneficial in clinical practice.  Often individuals do not fit the models of clinical trials. So, we need to gather a different type of data, and look at data differently, to provide nutrition practice with more robust evidence.  This may further enable acceptance of nutritional therapy into mainstream healthcare.

d.    Have you had any research published? If so where?

I have had some articles published in the Nutrition Practitioner.  Otherwise not really, although this is something I will be doing soon.  In research circles they say either ‘publish or perish’, so I will have to write up the results of my research and publish them before the end of my D. Prof.

e.    How do you see your research impacting on your future career / future of CNELM?

I see this project of mine as a lifetime’s work, it is something I am passionate about.  It will take time to plan and then I would like to see the idea through to fruition, and develop an online tool for practitioners and clients; as well as support other students to develop and validate further tools.

CNELM has plans to build a research centre. So I would like to apply for funding from them to build this web application and pool all the data that would be needed to develop the evidence base.  I was at Cambridge University to present my research to the Nutrition Society and the responses I received were really positive.  I was invited back to speak with the Need for Nutrition Education/Innovation Programme (NNEdPro) about my research and CNELM’s research aims. I am looking forward to seeing how that will go and what the future will bring.

9.    Have there been any particular influences, or influencers e.g. tutors, other practitioners, books etc. that have inspired you in your work?

Kate Neil has been my greatest mentor. She was the one who originally inspired my undergraduate and postgraduate research, as well as starting me off on my teaching career.  Now working at CNELM in the academic environment, it continues to inspire my studying and my studying influences my teaching!

Credit also goes to Fiona Mealing who was inspirational and supportive during my ITEC course and was the one who informed me of all my study options.

Also, Anne Woodriff Beirne who was a tutor at CNELM when I was an undergraduate student, was incredibly supportive and spent time with me to improve my study and critical analysis skills.

10.  What advice would you give to those who are just starting their training?

Studying can be an emotional rollercoaster, when it feels like it is a struggle that means there is probably growth and development. The learning curve is when you are out of your comfort zone!

11.  What advice would you give to those who are just about to graduate?

Keep trying and don’t give up.  Try lots of different things and open as many doors as possible, to see what you enjoy and what flourishes. 

12.  Do you have any tips, hints, regrets….??

I managed to get where I am through hard work and enthusiasm. Showing positive energy and passion for what you are doing will get you a long long way. Mistakes are a learning curve, so make sure you are in an environment where you can learn from your mistakes, and reflect on yourself, your strengths and how you can get to where you want to.