I am Dr. Amanda Ellwood, a qualified Nutritional Therapist and wellbeing coach based near Manchester. I bring 40 years' clinical, healthcare and nutritional experience to improve your life. I have helped 100’s of people and I know I can help you.
My philosophy is simple – I want to make a difference for my patients, to give them the nutritional and lifestyle support to restore their enjoyment of life and their overall wellbeing.
I provide unique answers to your unique requirement. I use my training, experience and support from my many healthcare contacts to create your own specific programme. It is holistic, it centres on you and it answers your particular nutrition and lifestyle needs. My passion is to help patients enjoy life once more and become aware about nutrition’s role in their health.
My foundation medical training
I qualified as an nurse (RGN) and worked in coronary and intensive care, before gaining a 1st class degree in Biological Sciences. I then obtained a PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology, before moving to drug development and management with Astra Zeneca.
My passion for good nutrition
My mother made her own bread and we always ate good, locally sourced produce. This started my lifelong interest in the links between food and health, especially with my own family. I decided to blend my growing interest for good food with my healthcare training. So I trained as a Nutritional Therapist with the respected Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London. This not only started a professional career but also ignited my passion for sound nutrition.
My nutritional qualifications
I hold the Nutritional Therapy Diploma (DipION), from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. This leading qualification in clinical practice allows me to be:
- Accredited member of the Nutritional Therapy Council (NTCC)
- Registered member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT)
- Member of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
My thirst for Nutritional knowledge
I continue to learn. Nutrition is always developing, and it is necessary to keep up to date with emerging science, clinical practice, as well as completing the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of my professional body (BANT). I am expected to complete at least 30 CPD hours per year.
1) Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Gastrointestinal Module 2013
20 hours of CPD, to broaden my expertise and to enable to support my patients with gastrointestinal concerns such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and crohns disease), IBS, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), indigestion, acid reflux etc.
2) Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Head to toe Workshop 2014
18 hours of CPD with IFM to enable me to undertake physical examinations and anthropometrics (body composition and vital signs) as well as the interpretation of laboratory analyses (blood tests from you GP / Medical specialist).
3) DNA Life - 2015
DNA life certification course. 3-day course (17 hours). This very specialised training enables me to order specific DNA laboratory tests to assess your genetic risk for disease / health imbalances. View here.
4) Chrysalis Effect Wellbeing Coaching - 2018
The course is an in-depth online and practical training to become an wellbeing coach. Coaching offers a further tool to enable me to help and support patients as they make changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to achieve greater wellness. This course is accredited with the Institute of Leadership and Management.
5) Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) - 2018
This in-depth intensive 5-day course consolidated my knowledge of the application of functional medicine and was a great opportunity to update my knowledge and skills.
6) Chrysalis Effect Practitioner
This specialist training has equipped me to support people with chronic exhaustive conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (also know as ME) and fibromyalgia. This amazing programme takes a truly holistic, personalised approach to recovery.
7) LifeCode Gx - Genotyping Analysis - Nutrigenomics Practitioner 2024
Specialised training has enabled me to develop a greater understanding of the science of genetics, and the subtle effect that our "blue print" can have on our health. What are our risks and what are our strengths from a genetic perspective? And what can we do to mitigate the risks? This is where nutrition and lifestyle changes are so powerful as they can affect gene expression and therefore impact our health now, and in the future.
8) Gene in Mind - Specialised training through LifeCode Gx - in-depth nervous system training
A deep dive into gene, environment, neurotransmitter interactions, unravelling the neuro bio-chemistry behind labels such as - ADHD, anxiety, impulsivity, OCD, depression, anorexia nervosa, bipolar, fibromyalgia and autism, and illustrating the power of nutrigenomics to support and optimise nervous system health.
I continue to explore many areas of training to fulfil the continuing professional development requirements and focus my training in the areas I work to enable me to better serve my patients.
Amanda’s in-depth knowledge and experience of different aspects of medicine mean she really knows what she is talking about.
Jenny