WELCOME
Every child is unique.
A personalised approach to their health and development is available.
Using principles of Functional Medicine, I seek to discover how and why illness occurs in each individual. By addressing the interconnecting genetic, biochemical, nutritional, and lifestyle factors that underlie dysfunction, a multi-layered approach to healing can be created to treat the cause, not just symptoms.
Every child deserves a chance to be their best self.
~ Amanda Downsborough ~
The Essentials Explained
Metabolism and Biochemistry
Metabolism refers to how our body converts food into energy, and Biochemistry refers to the chemical compounds and processes within the body. What we consume through food and drink has a profound influence on our Biochemistry and Metabolism, with nutrients playing a vital role in cell health and function. A personalised biochemical analysis can be gained by thorough history and examination, nutrition analysis, food and environmental allergy and sensitivity testing, stool analysis, immune and hormonal testing, and genetic testing.
Genetics
Genes are the set of instructions that the body uses to make specific proteins to build, regulate, and maintain health. A variation to a gene, called a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, or SNP (pronounced “snip”), can cause an alteration to the proteins that are made, which can then affect cell function. SNPs can affect nutrient absorption, metabolism, elimination, and biological effects. Genetic analysis allows assessment of many genes, so that SNPs in various biochemical pathways can be identified.
Nutrition and Lifestyle
A number of modifiable lifestyle factors impact our health and wellbeing. These factors include nutritional status, exercise or activity, sleep and relaxation, stress, and relationships. Individually designed dietary and lifestyle recommendations help to optimise health outcomes, and with added support from nutraceuticals when required, allow more efficient functioning. Combining Nutrigenomics with Functional Medicine enables an even more precise plan for individualised health care, enabling your child to achieve their best possible health sooner.
"The greatest medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it"Hippocrates
Services
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Health Conditions
Almost all chronic health conditions can benefit from addressing underlying genetic, metabolic and nutritional factors. With this as my main focus, I am able to treat a wide variety conditions in children. These include Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD/ADHD, mood and behavioural disturbance, allergies and intolerances, eczema, gut issues, autoimmunity, sleep disorders, and more.
Working With Your Doctor
Your Doctor may have referred your child to me so that together we can achieve the best possible outcome. This has a significant advantage because we will approach their health from different perspectives. It is important that you continue with a regular GP, as well as any Specialists required. I cannot provide a medical diagnosis or prescribe pharmaceutical medicines.
Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics is a term that describes the interaction of genes and nutrients, and how each impacts the other. To consider how the body functions, it is useful to think of a single biochemical pathway like one cog of an extensive and intricate clock. Blocking or hindering one cog from turning will complicate the entire mechanism.
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