#39: Functional Health with Ben Atkinson
11th Nov 2019
Today on the podcast I am speaking with Ben Atkinson.
Ben is unique in his perspective having both a formal qualification in nutrition as well as training and an appreciation for functional and lifestyle medicine. Ben is a nutritionist with the core belief that a holistic and functional approach to health is fundamental to optimal well-being. He has held research and science communications posts at health institutes and charities, always aiming to empower individuals to take control of their health by increasing access to and understanding of health information.
Ben now hosts the Functional Health Podcast and is setting up a platform to promote the integration of allied health professionals.
Functional medicine practitioners, nutritional therapists, nutritionists, dietitians and CAM professionals all provide unique perspectives on patient-derived treatment protocols. The common goal of all health professionals must be considered greater than the differences that so often prevent collaboration. It is imperative that the myriad of conventional, complementary and allied nutrition professionals unite in order to prosper in the changing landscape of healthcare.
Listen to the end for a summary of what we covered on the podcast, we talked through some of these points:
- Being true to your interpretations on diet
- Eat real food messaging
- The idea behind Functional Health -
- Utility of Functional Approaches - Timeline, Root Cause medicine, all have merit
- Being intuitive to what serves you
- Nocebo effect
- Elimination diets pros and cons
Don’t forget to check out Ben on Instagram and the new Functional Health website and do have a listen to some of the other podcasts that Ben has recorded too - you will definitely enjoy them!
Episode guests
Ben is a nutritionist with the core belief that a holistic and functional approach to health is fundamental to optimal well-being He has held research and science communications posts at health institutes and charities, always aiming to empower individuals to take control of their health by increasing access to and understanding of health information. He now hosts the Functional Health Podcast and is setting up a platform to promote the integration of allied health professionals.
References/sources
- Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care with Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753520
- Some research papers on berries and health referenced in the podcast https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana_Rodriguez-Mateos
- Cognitive effects following acute wild blueberry supplementation in 7 – 10 year old children (University of Reading)
- Whyte-2016-Cognitive-effects-following-acute-w
- Access over 800 research backed recipes
- Personalise food for your unique health needs
- #264 How understanding your genetics could improve your health with Dr Stuart J. Grice MRes DPhil
- How to reduce alcohol consumption and improve our relationship with drinking with mixologist and mindful drinking expert Cami Vidal
- #250 Health Statistics Everyone Should Know with Dr Rupy Aujla
- #240 Why Fasting, Meal Timing and Real Food Matters with Dr Sarah Berry, PhD RNutr & Chief Scientist at ZOE
- #238 How to be more productive and put the joy into your life with Ali Abdaal
- #227 The Benefits of Eating with Friends with Dr Rupy Aujla, Sakina Okoko and Órfhlaith Noone
- #210 Organic Food is it Really Worth It?
- #200 Why Culinary Medicine is the future of medical nutrition education with Dr Sumi Baruah, Elaine Macaninch & Chef Vince Kelly
- #196 Eat well on a Budget! with Dr Rupy Aujla