A warm welcome to the world of functional nutrition

Whether you are already familiar with nutritional therapy or are a complete novice, here you can discover why others came to ION and what many have gone on to achieve since graduating with us. 

At ION we have been providing training in nutritional therapy, based on functional nutrition, since 1984. Since then, many of our graduates have gone on to carve out remarkable careers and have helped to make a difference to other people's lives. As advocates of personalised nutrition, they have not only helped to change the conversations around health; they are also part of a growing movement towards nutritional and lifestyle healthcare.    

Given current and predicted health challenges, we believe that functional nutrition, through nutritional therapy, is even more important than before.  

What is nutritional therapy?

Nutritional therapy is an evidence-informed, whole-body approach to nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Addressing potential underlying causes of ill health, rather than focusing on symptoms, it is used to promote health through nutrition and lifestyle support.

Practitioners may use a wide range of tools to assess individual health status and to identify potential nutritional imbalances that may be contributing to symptoms. The focus is always on the individual because many chronic conditions, as well as day-to-day fluctuations in health and wellbeing, can be linked to individual nutrition and lifestyle.

Nutritional therapy practitioners do not diagnose or treat diseases, however they often work alongside other healthcare professionals in supporting individuals with a wide range of health concerns. 

Nutritional therapy as a career choice

Many of our students come to nutritional therapy because of their personal experience in overcoming health and wellbeing issues; many have often suffered for a number of years before discovering the power of nutritional therapy. Having experienced its beneficial impact for themselves, they want to learn more – often to help family and friends too. However, although improving one's health can trigger the start of the journey, it is not the only reason for starting a career as a nutritional therapist.

Feed your passion for food and helping others

Many of our graduates have had busy and successful careers but have wanted something more; whether it has been to feed their passion for health and wellbeing, help to make a difference to other people's lives, or simply to be their own boss with a flexible portfolio career. Listen to or read some of our graduates' stories.  

Enjoy a flexible, varied career

Working as a nutritional therapy practitioner can give you the power to design your own work practices as well as the type and hours of work you do, giving you the flexibility to enjoy your life to the full.

There are so many different things that you can do once you qualify. Many people just think of clinical practice, but our graduates go on to create their own careers, drawing on their strengths and previous experience. From running wellbeing retreats to developing products, from writing books and blogs to teaching and training, from working as an expert supporting organisations to creating health videos or appearing on TV. These are just some of the options that will be open to you. 

If you wish to consult a nutritional therapy practitioner, please contact the Optimum Nutrition clinic.