Location, Contact & About Us

A Bit About Me...

 

I've worked in science and healthcare since my career began, but I only claimed my own health back in the last ten years.  Like most people, my focus was in other places and if I felt ill, a visit to the GP for a prescription seemed to deal with any symptoms at the time.  However, I was chronically unwell.

 

My own timeline would tell you that I had a genetic condition called BRCA1 - a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer.  I was pre-diabetic and had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies, chronic insulin resistance, and most of the time carried an extra 20 lbs than I would rather.  I loved to run but never pushed myself, my diet was primarily processed with a weakness for carbohydrates and I never made time for myself to relax - for so long, I put my career ahead of my own health.  Severe insomnia, hormonal acne, low mood and at times, crippling anxiety.  I usually had multiple throat infections each year leading to frequent use of antibiotics, whether I needed them or not.  There were also various triggering events, including the loss of a parent, multiple surgeries, a relationship breakdown and adjusting to life as a single Mum, with one child diagnosed with ADHD - and chronic stress!  Writing this down and reflecting, it's a wonder that things are thankfully very much different now. This was all despite how much I already thought I knew.  

 

I was determined to stop feeling unwell.  I educated myself further in biochemistry, metabolism, nutrition, and functional medicine and began to make changes.  It took an overhaul of my diet, using nutrition as therapy, close monitoring and understanding of my own biochemistry including my ability to process carbohydrates (insulin sensitivity) and monitoring of my biomarkers.  Steady weight loss, healing my gut and ensuring nutritional deficiencies were addressed, balancing my hormones through early / surgical menopause using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and managing stress.  It sounds a lot, but with clarity, support and coaching it can be done steadily, so that it becomes sustainable.  Each day that you have a better sense of well-being, motivates you to continue. 

 

My career has since had an overhaul.  I've worked in the fields of immunology, dermatology, oncology, cell and molecular science and nutrition since 1998.  Having a family history of cancer is what led me in this direction and I have never stopped studying since.  Today and since 2016, I am the very proud owner and director of The Beauty Sanctuary and Sanctuary Skin Clinic, incorporating Longevity  (visit www.sanctuary-bramhall.com for details of our wonderful beauty and skin clinic).  I have a first class honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, extensive advanced training in Skin Rejuvenation and Dermatology, further education in Nutrition Biosciences, followed by a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics via The University of Chester, HCPC registration as a Dietitian with NHS clinical experience across acute, community and paediatrics, Functional Medicine Practitioner accreditation through the Institute for Functional Medicine and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy through the prestigious Marion Gluck Training Academy - and ongoing private practice and CPD.  I continue to immerse myself in this subject and it brings me great joy.  I am also now the healthiest I have ever been as an adult and nothing pleases me more than to help others on their path to optimum health.

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My story may resonate with you, or you or a loved one may just want some dietetic guidance, help with weight management or bloating, therapeutic food plans or elimination diets, gut issues, menopause or hormone balancing, allergy testing and support, help with child / paediatric nutrition, immune system boosting, skin concerns or functional testing.  You may just feel you lack vitality or have recurrent illnesses or infections and don't know where to start.  We can help.  Longevity is offered out of our Sanctuary Skin Clinic, based in Bramhall, Cheshire and via virtual on-line consultations.  Visit our Plans and Pricing page for more details.  I would be delighted to work with you!

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