My story

Many Nutritional Therapists come to study functional medicine as a result of personal experience, and I am no exception.

A decade ago, when our youngest son was four years old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. There was no family history of the illness. Indeed, genetically, my husband and I seem to have been dealt a generous hand, with long-lived ancestors and relatives mostly in robust good health. 

I have spent much of the past ten years investigating possible triggers and asking myself what I could do to support my son’s health. I continue to do so. Most of us are now aware how much Type 2 diabetes is impacted by diet and lifestyle — Type 1 diabetes is, too. Like most teenagers, my now 14-year-old son is not particularly enthusiastic about doing what I tell him. But, while he makes mistakes and will doubtless make many more, I hope that I have embedded some good habits and taught him that, ultimately, he has a great deal of control over his health. 

What I hadn’t expected, when I enrolled at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, was to discover how much my diet and lifestyle was impacting my own health. For most of my life, I had suffered with anxiety, IBS and – for fifteen years – frequent and debilitating migraines. What shocked me most, during my years of study, is that I hadn’t bothered to educate myself. I had seen a string of consultants over the years and each time was usually sent on my way with various pills, which I took in ever-increasing quantities. Of course, there was another reason for this. I was busy. I have been a journalist all my life, working to tight, often daily deadlines. I had stories to research, three children to raise, a long commute. Everyone else seemed to outsource their health to experts. Why should I be any different?

I am so grateful that I did start to ask questions. It is a silver lining to our son’s diagnosis, which – I cannot pretend otherwise – was a life-changing blow. Not only am I now migraine-free, I am pretty much headache-free. My digestion issues are largely resolved and I feel happier, calmer and generally more well than I can remember.

My story is not uncommon. Most of us invest so much of our energies and attention in our work, our families, our hobbies, that we have neglected the things that are fundamental for good health: fresh, delicious food enjoyed at relaxed meals with family or friends, pure air, clean water, sunlight, movement, laughter, love. Sadly, these things seem to be harder to come by than ever before and, because of that, they require thought, and they require our attention. I won’t pretend it’s easy. Change requires effort and it requires self-discipline. But where there is a will, there is a way, and I hope that I can help you find yours.

Emily Hohler is a Registered Nutritional Therapist mBANT, CNHC, dipION (Distinction). I am fully insured and registered with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).