Optimum Nutrition

Nutritional therapist Dominique Ludwig joins host Natalie Li to share the simple, no‑nonsense habits that have transformed the health of thousands of clients.  She explains why ditching ultra‑processed foods, eating three proper meals a day and prioritising protein and fibre can rapidly boost energy, mood and satiety.  Dominique reflects on 30 years in the field, how nutrition science has evolved,...

Functional dentist Dr Victoria Sampson joins host Natalie Li to explore why the mouth is one of the most powerful – and overlooked – indicators of whole‑body health.  From the oral microbiome to menopause, and even dental care for astronauts, Sampson breaks down how what happens in the mouth reflects what’s happening everywhere else. Discover why saliva is a diagnostic goldmine Learn how bleeding...

We speak with Emily Johnson, a bestselling author, founder of Live Well with Arthritis, and creator of Arthritis Foodie, about growing up with autoimmune arthritis, the years of confusion before diagnosis, and how a science-informed anti-inflammatory lifestyle helped her find steadier ground alongside medication. Now studying a part-time BSc degree in Nutritional Therapy with the Institute of Opti...

In this episode we sit down with Dr Jenna Macciochi, leading immunologist and author of Immune to Age , to explore the powerful connection between immunity and aging. Macchiochi has spent 20 years studying the immune system. From infectious disease to autoimmunity, lifespan vs. healthspan, and the science of inflammageing, Jenna explains how your immune system is your lifelong health ally. We disc...

In this episode of the Optimum Nutrition podcast, host Natalie Li speaks with Tom Baxter, farmer and founder of the Bristol Fungarium, which produces the UK's first organic certified medicinal mushrooms. Tom explores the journey of mushroom farming, the health benefits of various mushrooms like Reishi and Lion's Mane, and the science behind their medicinal properties. Tom shares insights...

In this episode, Dan Kittredge – founder of the Bionutrient Food Association and the Bionutrient Institute – takes us on a journey from his roots on an organic farm to leading a global movement for better food.  He breaks down the concept of nutrient density, why soil health matters more than ever, and how citizen science is empowering everyday consumers to demand higher-quality food.  Dan shares...

We're back for season four! Julia Bradbury is a renowned British television presenter, journalist and environmental advocate, best known for her work on nature documentaries like Countryfile and Britain’s Best Walks .  In this enlightening and inspiring conversation, she shares her health journey with Natalie Li, Communications Officer at ION.  She discusses the importance of nutrition, stres...

Hannah Dolan is a dynamic food innovator with a passion for creating nutritious, trend-setting meals. As Head of Food at Nursery Kitchen, she’s revolutionising children's nutrition, ensuring young minds grow with wholesome, delicious food. Previously, at Potage, she streamlined operations and elevated product quality, driving higher customer satisfaction. Her six-year tenure at Pret A Manger...

In our latest episode we chat to Kate Cook, a trailblazer in health and nutrition, with over 20 years of expertise transforming lives and workplaces.  As a nutrition and wellness expert, author and keynote speaker, Kate has worked with more than 7,000 clients, including corporate giants like JP Morgan and Pret a Manger, to create healthier, happier teams. Her journey began in her late twenties, le...

Welcome to our latest episode where we dive into the world of marathon running and sports nutrition with nutritional therapist Janie Perry. From solicitor to a 20-time marathon runner, Janie transformed her career and life, now dedicating herself to offering holistic and sustainable solutions for weight management and sports nutrition.  Janie shares her journey and her mission to help women achiev...

In this latest episode we delve into the world of obesity with our guest, Dr Natascha (Tasch) Van Zyl, who has dedicated her career to helping individuals living with obesity achieve their best lives.  According to Tasch, it’s not just about losing weight or fitting into a smaller frame, but about maximising health outcomes through sustainable lifestyle changes.  With a focus on compassion, care,...

In the second episode of our third series ION graduate VJ Hamilton, aka The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, discusses her career shift from chartered accountant to nutritional therapy. She reflects on her journey of self-discovery and how she turned to nutrition after suffering with chronic fatigue and alopecia. VJ has lived symptom free for more than eight years.  VJ Hamilton is a Registered Nutrition...

Catherine Jeans is an experienced nutritional therapist, and founder of The Family Nutrition Expert , based in Norwich. Jeans graduated from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and has since lectured for ION and runs her own private practice which has helped over 2,000 clients from around the world. Through her online nutrition courses, private coaching programmes, and live workshops her aim is to...

Catherine Sharman is a nutritional therapist and founder of Après, formerly a hit London restaurant and now a healthy ready-meal company. In this episode, Catherine explains how she uses the principles of functional eating – a concept instilled in her while studying at ION – in her food, making little changes to food she loves in order to better support health. Joined by host Hatty Willmoth, a jou...

Dr Kirstie Lawton is a nutritional therapy practitioner and ION lecturer who specialises in paediatric nutrition, i.e. nutrition for children. In this episode of the Optimum Nutrition podcast, Kirstie addresses common questions and misconceptions about how best to support a child’s health with nutrition, particularly focusing on how to help them develop a healthy relationship with food that will s...

Giulietta Durante is a menstrual cycle nutritionist, registered nutritional therapy practitioner, and podcaster who lives and breathes her specialist subject: the menstrual cycle. In this episode, Giulietta explores why she feels it’s so empowering to embrace every phase of the menstrual cycle, with all the challenges and opportunities each brings. Joined by host Hatty Willmoth, a journalist and c...

Layla Gordon is a nutritional therapy practitioner based in Poole, Dorset, who graduated from ION back in 2021. In this episode of the Optimum Nutrition podcast, Layla explains healthy fats in conversation with host Hatty Willmoth, a journalist and communications officer. Together they explore the different types of fats and how they interact with every cell in the body. Starting with the basics,...

Amy Pamment is a nutritional therapy practitioner and ION lecturer who specialises in chronic fatigue syndrome, children’s health and neurodiversity. In this episode of the recently relaunched Optimum Nutrition podcast, Amy discusses her own experience with chronic fatigue syndrome, and the steps she took to get well, as well as CFS more generally. Hosted by journalist and communications officer H...

Sam Feltham is the founder and director of the Public Health Collaboration (PHC), a charity dedicated to improving public health and saving the NHS money through better lifestyle information. The PHC largely focuses on tackling the UK’s diabetes crisis by promoting ‘real food, low carb’ lifestyles. In this episode of the recently relaunched Optimum Nutrition podcast, Sam Feltham discusses carbohyd...

Katie Shore is a nutritional therapy practitioner and ION lecturer who specialises in fertility, pregnancy, and women’s reproductive health. In this episode of the recently relaunched Optimum Nutrition podcast, Katie focuses on fertility. She busts myths and addresses misconceptions about why it might be more difficult for some people to get pregnant, joined by host Hatty Willmoth, a journalist an...

Jenny Tschiesche is perhaps best known for her bestselling air-fryer cookbooks, but before that she was known primarily as a lunch guru - which is why she's called the Lunchbox Doctor. In the first episode of a brand new series of the Optimum Nutrition podcast, journalist Hatty Willmoth talks to Jenny about lunches. Do we undervalue lunch in Britain? Should we learn to give the midday meal a...

Dr Alex Richardson discusses the role of nutrition and diet in ADHD; from conception through to adulthood. As well as unpacking what we mean by the label ‘ADHD’, she explains why the condition often overlaps with other neurological conditions. She also discusses her research into omega-3 fats and brain development, as well as other nutrients that may help to manage symptoms of ADHD, and foods that...

Registered nutritional therapist Kirsty Cullen discusses the personal connection that inspired her to specialise in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ME. She discusses research that may have led to some of the stigma around CFS, as well as potential triggers of the condition, and the similarities and differences between CFS and long Covid. She also talks about The Optimum Health Clinic’s integrative...

Registered nutritional therapist and author Jackie Lynch joins The Optimum Nutrition Podcast to dispel the stigma surrounding menopause, and discusses how nutrition and lifestyle can help to manage symptoms.  She explains how a women’s hormones begin to change when she enters midlife, and why this can lead to specific symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings and joint pain. Jackie also provides l...

Registered nutritionist and women’s health specialist Le’Nise Brothers joins The Optimum Nutrition Podcast to dispel some of the common myths around periods, including whether people should experience pain and cramping, and exactly what a 'normal' period looks like. She also discusses the four stages of the menstrual cycle, and how nutrition and lifestyle can be used to harness the benef...