News13th February 2012 What are the diffrences between Nutritional Therapists and Dieticians?Please read this eloquently written ANH FEATURE: Dieticians and nutritional therapists: never the twain shall meet? by follwing this link:http://anh-europe.org/news/anh-feature-dieticians-and-nutritional-therapists-never-the-twain-shall-meet
30th January 2012 BCNH response to WHICH magazine article ‘Are Nutritional Therapists Gambling With Your Health?’
Response by Breda Gajsek, Principal BCNH
The article is truly shocking and if the undercover researchers’ reports accurately reflect the information received, we agree that the practitioners in question are dangerous and should not be practicing. However, I wish to add that in every profession, even the medical profession, there are some bad apples and those do not make the whole profession disreputable. I’d like to analyse a few parts of the report and express my personal opinion which I am sure is also the view of my colleagues at BCNH:-
BNH Comment: We (and I believe any CNHC registered practitioner) would never & under any circumstances, advise against a medical treatment. We agree that such an advice is dangerous and highly irresponsible. 2. Re: researchers posing as sufferers of severe tiredness and unexplained weight loss. BCNH Comment: We would consider such symptoms as red flags and immediately refer the client to their GP. Prescribing supplements for the thyroid without functional tests is also unacceptable. 3. Wheat and dairy ‘are not nutritious’.
BCNH Comment: We do not consider these foods as being not nutritious. However, some clients’ do experience adverse reactions to these foods, albeit not immune related. For example enzymatic food intolerance (such as in lactose intolerance), which could be genetic or temporary, can be tested by a Hydrogen Breath Test, available on the NHS via a GP. Lectins in foods such as cereals (wheat) legumes, etc. can also produce undesirable symptoms. We usually recommend a 2-week exclusion test as part of the elimination-reintroduction diet, which is free, and the clients monitor their symptoms themselves while avoiding the food. We always recommend alternative foods to compensate for any nutritional deficiencies. Naturally, if the client’s symptoms are severe, we would refer them to their GP for further investigation.
4. Re: quack analysis
BCNH Comment: At BCNH we do not use iridology or any other ‘quack’ analysis, however, we do find using Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA) useful, and we are aware of the controversy over the HMA accuracy. While HMA is considered inaccurate for measuring nutrient minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium, etc.) it is more helpful for detecting exposure to toxic metals (Hambidge 1982) (e.g. lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminium, nickel, etc.). We are also aware that HMA is more accurate for some toxic metals than others; for example, Shamberger’s (2002) review found HMA related well to body burden for most toxic metals including mercury, lead and nickel, though not aluminium, which is known to preferentially deposit in bone (Eastwood et al 1990). Hair samples may be contaminated by external sources such as air pollution and cosmetic hair products, hence the HMA is used as a tool and not a definitive answer. There also exist doubts due to different techniques used by laboratories and variability in results from different laboratories (Frisch & Schwartz 2002). At BCNH we use tests by Genova Diagnostics which is a fully accredited medical laboratory in the United States, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services which oversees clinical labs under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA). In conclusion, we feel that HMA is a valid indication of toxic metal burden, alongside dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors, followed up with blood and urine testing to achieve the most accurate assessment.
In our view this report highlighted the need for regulation of nutritional therapy, which NTC accreditation is designed to achieve. We are equally concerned that the provision of nutrition advice in the UK is currently unregulated and we recognise the need for such a regulation.
References: Eastwood JB Levin GE Pazianas M Taylor AP Denton J Freemont AJ (1990) Aluminium deposition in bone after contamination of drinking water supply Lancet 336 8713 462-4 Frisch M and Schwartz BS (2002) The pitfalls of hair analysis for toxicants in clinical practice: three case reports Environmental Health Perspectives 110 4 433-6 Hambidge KM (1982) Hair analyses: worthless for vitamins, limited for minerals American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 36 943-9 Shamberger RJ (2002) Validity of hair mineral testing Biological Trace Element Research 87 1-3 1-28
27th May 2011 We are pleased to announce that our student Claudia Gravaghi contributed to 2 recent research papers.In the first study Gravaghi et al (2011) Claudia’s role was essentially to coordinate experiments in different laboratories, keeping the experimental design updated with newest techniques, and critically analyzing data to present at International Conferences. Abstract Mammalian cells are devoid of desaturase, an enzyme that converts w-6 to w-3 PUFAs, consequently essential w-3 fatty acids must be supplied with the diet. In this publication, we have studied the effect of endogenously produced w-3 PUFAs on colitis in fat-1 transgenic mice carrying fat-1 gene extracted from a microscopic roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans), that encodes for w-3 desaturase. Briefly, instead of providing a diet rich in w-3 PUFAs we fed the mice with a diet high in safflower oil (w-6 PUFAs) and we expressed the gene that convert w-6 into w-3 PUFAs, thus monitoring w-3 PUFAs production in all the tissues to evaluate their effects on inflammation (colitis). The study shows that endogenously produced w-3 PUFAs in the colon are associated with reduced inflammatory markers. In the second study Subbaramaiah et al (2011) Claudia’s role was essentially to design the correct mouse model for obesity (diet and genetic induced), coordinate experimental tissue extractions and characterization of macrophage infiltration in MG of obese mice. Abstract It is well know that adipose tissue had an active role in triggering inflammation. This study had determined whether obesity led to inflammation in the mammary glands (MG) and visceral fat of obese and/or post menopausal mice, providing potential insights into why obese postmenopausal women are at increased risk of developing HR (Hormone Receptor) positive breast cancer. Results show that obesity not only is associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-a, IL-1b, and Cox-2) but also with elevated levels of aromatase mRNA and activity (key enzyme in estrogen production). Activation of macrophages in adipose and mammary tissues of obese mice, play a fundamental role in recruiting pro inflammatory mediators that contributed, in turn, to the induction of aromatase. Additional experiments are in progress in humans. TOP 16th May 2011 We are delighted to report that as of today, BCNH has achieved successful accreditation of BCNH Diploma in Nutritional Therapy / BSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care.Although the process was extremely stressful, it has been extremely rewarding for the college. 11th January 2011 Alia has done it again!Alia’s contribution to nutrition is magnificent. This is the pregnancy nutrition book we’ve all been waiting for. The book is well written, clearly presented, informative, easy to follow, lots of practical advice – simply a must for every pregnant woman. We look forward to seeing more of your work Alia. 9th December 2010 We are very proud to report that a BCNH graduate’s Hannah Kaye final year dissertation has just been published in African Journal of AIDS Research.Kaye HL and Moreno-Leguizamon CJ (2010) Nutrition education and counselling as strategic interventions to improve health outcomes in adult outpatients with HIV: a literature review African Journal of AIDS Research 9 3 271- 283 TOP 4th January 2010 The 100 Foods You Should Be EatingWe are pleased to announce that Glen Matten, BCNH tutor and lecturer, has published his first book, which is now available for sale in all good bookshops, from Amazon etc… Glen set out to take all of the exciting research into the potential health benefits of 100 common foods, not only to help everyday folk make sense of it, but to transform each of those foods into amazing recipes. So it’s as much a cookbook as it is a nutrition book – and designed for the kitchen not the bookshelf. We wish him lots of success with the book. I am sure it will do extremely well. 14th May 2009 Avocado to zucchiniYear 4 BCNH student Rhea Hayes, published an illustrated A to Z of fruit and vegetables book for children. Rhea wanted to write a book aimed at children that would inspire them to get interested in fruit and embrace vegetables. Passionate about educating children about the benefits of fruit and vegetables, why they should be a crucial part of everyone’s diet, and why they can be cool and interesting. Childhood Obesity has become a serious issue in modern Britain. Avocado to Zucchini is a book that will help children start off on the right track and get those disinterested in healthy food back on the wagon! Rhea explains to children how they grow (i.e. on a tree or plant), their nutritional content, and why such nutritional content is good for the body. At the same time they will also be taught really interesting facts about each fruit or vegetable, such as why carrots help us to see in the dark, and what the Romans ate to stop them going bald! This book appeals to readers as it is an exciting and educational read for children and adults alike. And if nutrition is taught at an early age it will help children to grow and develop into healthy adults. This book aims to teach children information that they can build on through their formative years and beyond. 26th March 2007 NUTRITIONAL THERAPY COUNCIL STATEMENTSubject: “Nutritional Therapy” Statement on behalf of the Nutritional Therapy Council, the regulatory body for nutritional therapy. We write with reference to the feature on Nutritional Therapy on the BBC Inside Out England programme aired on Wednesday 25th March. We share the presenter’s and contributors’ concerns that the provision of nutrition advice in the UK is currently unregulated to a large extent. We have been working in this field for some time and would like to make clear that there is a regulatory framework in place that is intended to offer the public a route by which they can verify the credentials of practitioners of nutritional therapy. The provision of training of nutritional therapists has developed considerably in the last decade, with several degree and diploma courses in nutritional therapy being available. The Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC) was established as the regulatory body for nutritional therapy, to protect patients and set standards. We have established a national registration scheme for practitioners and a programme of accreditation of courses that meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and follow a core curriculum. Our national registration scheme will enable members of the public to verify the registration status of individual nutritional therapists. The National Occupational Standards are set by “Skills for Health”, which is one of the 25 Sector Skills Councils which make up the “Skills for Business” Network. “Skills for Health” is licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Training of a practitioner to these standards takes a minimum of two years for a diploma and three for a degree. Some of this may be distance learning, but clinical skills taught in a clinical setting are required of courses aspiring to meet these standards. Several training providers, both private and university sector, are working towards accreditation of their courses and we expect the first successful accreditations this year. Some colleges have already shown that recent graduates have followed the core curriculum and will be able to apply for registration. Along with other professions in complementary medicine, we have been working towards a single national independent register. The new Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) will offer economies of scale. The Department of Health has already provided funding for this new body which plans to open for applications to register this year. The Health Professions Council (HPC) has already proposed that there should be a dialogue between the NTC, the British Dietetic Association and the Nutrition Society, as three professional stakeholders in the nutrition field, and we would certainly welcome this. There is a place for all three professions in the nutrition arena. We have one common aim; to ensure that nutrition advice given to the public is accurate, safe and relevant. Nutritional Therapy Council http://www.nutritionaltherapycouncil.org.uk/ 19th November 2008 Dr Ben Goldacre Bad Science lecture at BCNH was a great successLast night’s lecture was informative, interesting and entertaining. Dr Goldacre is passionate about his topic as much as we are passionate about nutrition. BCNH students and graduates asked the Principal to arrange another lecture With Dr Goldacre, this time on critical appraisal of research papers. They would very much like to hear his views on various trials. A BSc student summoned it up: ‘everyone in attendance is in agreement that critical appraisal from outside (and inside) can be only beneficial, as it is the start point for improvement.’ 5th November 2008 Dr Ben Goldacre ‘Bad Science’ Lecture at BCNHI have invited Dr Goldacre to talk about his pet topic to BCNH students and graduates. Having read his book, which I find rather interesting and entertaining, I look forward to his lecture. I may not agree with everything I read in his book, but I do agree that there is lot of bad science in our profession, which highlights the need for proper regulation (NTC is working very hard on this). I wish to stress that this is not a public lecture and it is not a debate about the nutrition as a profession. We want to hear Dr Goldacre’s views and criticism – and why not? Having read his book, I totally understand where his views are coming from….. Some members of our profession are not doing us any favours….that much I do agree. Having said that, there are some bad apples in every walk of life. Breda Gajsek Principal BCNH 14th May 2007 WE ARE VERY PROUD TO ANOUNCEBCNH graduate, Alia Almoayed, has just published her first book I Want Healthy Kids and is also a co-author of a book 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health. Alia runs a busy nutrition consulting office in the Kingdom of Bahrain, offering nutrition advice to the whole Middle East community. She has helped herself with nutrition and now she helps many people like you on a daily basis. Alia also writes health articles for various publications, conducts lectures and seminars and heads a number of weight loss projects. See further information on www.AliaAlmoayed.com
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