WELCOME

MEET THE HEALTHY GUT NUTRITIONIST

The main force behind establishing The Healthy Gut Nutritionist is a deep desire to help people achieve their health goals... and get a healthy gut!

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In early 2018 my young daughter woke up one day and couldn’t walk. Her knee was constantly swollen, red and hot and we spent months seeing specialists trying to work out what was wrong. At the same time she was constantly sick, with vomiting and diarrhea.

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With the diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), I knew in my gut I felt that there was more that we could do to help her symptoms. I didn't know what or how, but I knew I needed to do what I could to help her. 

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That’s when I decided that there HAD to be a better way. 

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I made it my life’s work to study the real science about food and nutrition, and the impact it has on all the systems in our body. I spent thousands of hours researching arthritis (including JIA), inflammation, and our immune system; and the intersection with gut health, nutrition, infections, environment, and the impact of epigenetics. I spent every single day exploring with my daughter ‘what's going on in there?’. And through this journey (with the support of her amazing health practitioners, I call them her "cheer squad") I have learned about the power of functional medicine nutrition and a healthy gut, embracing the life-changing positive impacts it's had on deep health. 

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​Which led to some pretty incredible results…. My daughter regained her health. She can run, jump, climb, hop with the swelling in her knee completely eradicated. ​She is very happy and incredibly healthy.

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And through this journey I also healed myself.

• Regained my energy after suffering from chronic fatigue for over 20 years (I've been bedridden with it 3 times in my life - I NEVER want to go back to that again)

• I banished brain fog (hallelujah!) and these days feel very sharp and clear in the head

• Put an end to 3pm snacking and sugar cravings

• Got rid of daily painful bloating and constipation (to be honest I had come to think that my distended belly was normal, but it wasn't normal at all!!!)

• Extinguished debilitating joint pain and swelling in my wrists and ankles (goodbye carpal tunnel, De Quervain tenosynovitis and intersection syndrome - x3 crippling conditions to have all at once in the wrist)

• Eliminated crippling monthly PMS pain

• Balanced my moods (I never go from zero to 1,000 nor do I suffer from anxiety)

• And I no longer suffer with annoying acne in my 40s - my skin glows! 

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These days I enjoy glowing skin, more energy, I feel happier and healthier than ever.​ I choose a healthy lifestyle that I love.​ Whilst I've always eaten well, until my study I never knew the true power of food.

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How did I get here? Like many of my clients - upgrading my nutrition and lifestyle habits (including giving up alcohol for good) in combination with a personalised plan based on my functional medicine tests (gut, metabolomics, nutrigenomics, hormones, blood etc).

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I know that a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring. I also know it can be hard, especially supporting children and other family members through the journey. Not having time, being confused by all the information out there, and also not knowing what suits you (or your child's) body best - I've been there too!

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​I am a Integrative and Functional Medicine Nutritionist who will support you and your family to optimise your health and wellbeing. My clients not only enjoy the food they eat, they love their healthy lifestyle because their symptoms reduce, they have more energy, feel and look great.

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Isn’t it time that you achieved your health goals...and got a healthy gut?

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Click here to book an initial consultation with me. I live in Australia but see clients around the world by Zoom.

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I look forward to speaking with you soon and helping you to regain your health. 

Vanessa Vanderhoek - RNutr. GDipHumNutr. BCom.

The Healthy Gut Nutritionist