Nutritional Therapy Diploma

Module 1 The Inflammation Syndrome
This first module concentrates on exploring what we mean by "The Inflammation Syndrome", in relation to our health and well-being. We look at what causes inflammation within our bodies and what triggers it. We also consider the value of anti-inflammatory drugs in combating inflammation, or whether we need to look more closely at what we eat and drink and the supplements we take, in order to prevent disease and illness in the long-term.

Module 2 Profiles of differing foods and drinks
Having discovered that the key to healthy living in the long term is the food and drink we consume, in this module, we concentrate on the beneficial effects that differing foods and drinks have on our health.

We divide the foods into 6 groups, namely, vegetables, fruit, grains and cereals, dairy products, meat and fish, and look at certain "superfoods" within these categories like, for example, yoghurt, broccoli and turkey. We also think about the healing properties of certain foods and the key nutrients they contain.

Certainly, the human body couldn't survive without sufficient water, so we also look at why and how we can go about ensuring we consume enough. Finally, we explore some facts about alcohol and how our bodies metabolise it, as well as the effects of alcohol on our health.

Module 3 - Health and nutrition during differing life stages
Healthy living is important throughout all the stages of our life. In this module, we discover that babies have special nutritional needs and shouldn't consume the same as others in the family. Similarly, as children are growing up, they have different nutritional requirements at different stages of their lives. Growing children need full-fat dairy products, rather than low-fat versions and teenagers need high energy foods. In this module, we discover why?

This pattern of growth slows down in adulthood, but, as we grow older, problems can arise, if we don't eat healthily and remain active. This module, therefore, identifies all our nutritional needs throughout these differing stages of our life.

Module 4 Food safety
People no longer only consume food, which they have grown themselves, so we no longer know the processes our food goes through from when it is first grown to when we buy it.

In this module, we try to discover what these processes are and raise questions about food safety, including the careful handling, cooking and storage of foods. We also look at the substances, which are added to foods to help preserve it and what we mean by genetically modified foods.

We then reflect on ways of avoiding food poisoning and the key things we should know about food when travelling.

Module 5 The organic question
Many people choose to buy and consume organic products, because they want a safer and healthier alternative to foods that may contain toxic pesticides and chemicals. Organic food is nowadays a lot easier to find, not only in health food stores and supermarkets, but also in restaurants and many schools and colleges.

This module looks at what organic food is and how it is produced, as well as why it is healthier than conventional choices. It also considers the disadvantages of conventional foods, such as the cost, not only to our health and well - being, but also to the environment.

We hear a lot about detoxification and its health benefits, so we consider this in detail in this module as well.

Module 6 Treating ailments and illnesses through nutrition Part 1
As its title suggests, this module gives advice on how to treat ailments and illnesses through good nutrition, with particular reference to skin disorders, digestive illnesses, respiratory illnesses, urinary diseases and ailments of the ears, nose, throat, mouth and eyes.

Module 7 Treating ailments and illnesses through nutrition Part 2
Following on from Module 6, this module concentrates on aiming to treat other disorders through good nutrition, alongside conventional medicine, namely heart and circulatory disorders, disorders of the immune and nervous systems, brain disorders and cancer.

Module 8 Treating ailments specific to women
Throughout their lives, women have a tendency to suffer from disorders specific to them including, premenstrual tension and the menopause. In this module, we identify these disorders and examine how nutrition can help alleviate many of the symptoms of these disorders. We also consider pregnancy, in relation to healthy living and good nutrition and look at how women might be able to prevent certain cancers, for example, breast and ovarian cancer.

There is evidence to suggest that many foods may slow down the ageing process. We will identify these in this module and see how regular consumption of these foods may improve the strength of our skin and slow down the age-related damage, which affects our eyes.

Module 9 Treating ailments specific to men
In this module, we concentrate on the issues, which mainly concern men, that is, hair and muscle loss, impotence and prostate and testicular cancer.

With a man's metabolic rate being at its highest when he is 27 years old, with it dropping by 12% each year until he reaches the age of 47, it follows that if he continues to consume the same amount of calories, he will put on weight. We look at how a man can increase and maintain muscle mass and, consequently, help to lessen this fall in his metabolic rate.

We link weight to lifestyle in this module and also show how stress can make you fat.

Module 10 Setting up in business as a nutritional therapist
In this final module, we deal with all the issues concerned with setting up in business as a nutritional therapist, from presenting yourself and your business to clients, any legal issues involved in setting up your own business, to how you can build and maintain a successful nutritional therapy business.

You may want to work on your own as a nutritional therapist or you may find that you would prefer working for someone else. We reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of both, to enable you to make an informed decision. Indeed, you may simply want to use the information gained from completing this diploma for your own purposes or to advise family and friends.