Nutritional therapy
Recognised as a complementary medicine, both nutritionists and nutritional therapists aim to target the root cause of the problem and not just manage the symptoms
Nutritionists and nutritional therapists work with healthy people to prevent illness, or with those diagnosed with an illness to help minimise symptoms. Using a whole-body approach they will look at stress, hormonal imbalances, low energy and autoimmune conditions to realign the nutritional balance of the body.
Unlike dietitians, they are not permitted to prescribe medication, but can recommend nutritional supplements.
Nutritionists will advise individuals and organisations on evidence-based nutrition, using the most up to date research. Nutritional therapists use specific laboratory testing to measure how the physiology of the body is functioning.
Training
Although similar practices, nutritionists and nutritional therapists undertake different training and voluntary registration.
Nutritionists are advised to complete an undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
Nutritional therapists can train at undergraduate degree, postgraduate diploma and master's level and are advised to complete a course accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC).
Regulation
There is currently no statutory regulation in the UK, but both nutritionists and nutritional therapists are guided by the self-regulating professional bodies.
For nutritionists, this is the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN). Membership verifies you're a qualified practitioner.
There are three voluntary regulatory bodies for nutritional therapists. The accredited register of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT) and the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).
Professional bodies
Registered Nutritionists (RNutr) and Registered Associate Nutritionists (ANutr) can join The Nutrition Society (NS), the largest professional association for nutrition in Europe.
- If registered with the GRCCT, nutritional therapists can join the Federation of Nutrition Therapy Practitioners (FNTP)
- If registered with the CNHC, nutritional therapists can join the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
- Nutritional therapists who practise in accordance with naturopathic principles, may want to join the Naturopathic Nutrition Association (NNA).