



Nutritional Therapist
Course Content
Below is the contents of the Nutrition Therapist Course. You will also be required to complete online clinics and at least one 4 Day Clinical Event. View the contents of Year 1 of the Nutrition Course here. For the contents of the Anatomy & Physiology Course please view that section of the website.
Contents overview:
Unit 5 - Naturopathic nutrition
Naturopathic philosophies
Core principles
Cause of disease
Movement of disease
Naturopathic concepts
Naturopathic case taking
Unit 6 - Supplementation & named diseases
Mineral and vitamin supplementation
Other types of supplement
Red flag conditions
The ideal diet
Nutritional support for organs and systems
Nutritional protocols for named diseases
Unit 7 - Functional testing
Adrenal stress laboratory testing
The adrenal stress profile
Stool laboratory testing
Biological testing
Hair mineral analysis
Blood tests
Food allergy and intolerance testing
Unit 8 – Clinical studies
Case study format and templates
Interpretation of case history
Diet and supplement prescriptions
Follow-up consultations
Example case studies
Setting up in practice documents
Below is a bit more of an outline of the syllabus - if you would like the full list of learning outcomes and a more detailed contents description please contact us.
Unit 5 – Naturopathic philosophy
Nutrition can be a rather ‘dry’ subject if we just concentrate on the bulk nutrients, macro and micro minerals. There are many advances in our nutritional understanding on a daily basis and probably more research done in nutritional medicine than any other subject. Explore this exciting research on the course and read about many different nutritional philosophies throughout time. Learn the core naturopathic principles for a healthy lifestyle and uncover wisdom from ancient Greece, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Cause of disease
The nature of disease and its origins is studied here, drawing on homeopathic and naturopathic philosophies from some of the pioneers of modern medicine, such as Claude Bernard, Rudolf Virchow and Elie Metchnikoff.
Movement of disease
How does disease move through the body? Explore this idea from the perspective of Ayurvedic medicine, which says that perfect health is being in balance with the five elements. These elements are held in the body by the Tri Dosha and it is the Tri Dosha that are then responsible for anabolism, catabolism, metabolism, our food preferences and elimination. You will also study the process of disease as viewed by homeopaths and naturopaths.
Naturopathic concepts
Explore the concept of good health at a cellular level and find out in detail why the balance of the electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium) is crucial to health, through their effect on pH and body acidity. This valuable knowledge is based on the work of Max Gerson and is not included in many nutritional therapy courses but provides a strong foundation for you to explain and address your clients’ symptoms at a cellular level.
View: Unit 5 Movie Lectures
Unit 6 – Supplementation and named diseases
Nutritional supplementation
There is an ever-growing interest in nutritional supplements. Find out for yourself about the issues involved in supplementation, including not only vitamins and minerals but also probiotics, EFAs, digestive enzymes, amino acids, anti-microbials and certain herbs. Each individual will have different requirements, abilities to absorb and susceptibilities to large doses, so what works for one person may not work for another. Explore how the different body organs and systems can be successfully supported through supplementation.
Named diseases and nutritional protocols
Take a look at some of the more common named diseases and how nutritional protocols can help. It’s important to remember that every individual will react to dietary changes and supplements in their own individual way. The role of a good therapist is to understand what is happening on a more energetic level and recognise that changes of a physical nature can have a profound effect, influencing cellular energy production and, often, a detox reaction. This section also covers ‘red flag’ symptoms which are indicative of pathology that must be checked by a medical doctor.
View: Unit 6 Movie Lectures
Unit 7 – Functional testing
Laboratory tests
In this unit you will be introduced to some of the most useful laboratory tests that you might use in your practice. Lab testing is not essential to create a good nutritional prescription, however it can sometimes provide valuable extra insight into a patient’s case. For example, dietary changes and standard supplements not appearing to help in the way you would expect. There are a huge number of lab tests available and we recommend you build up your knowledge slowly, as there is a danger of results being misinterpreted by an inexperienced practitioner. This unit gives you in-depth knowledge of three very useful tests – adrenal stress profile, stool testing and hair mineral analysis.
Adrenal stress profile
A simple, non-invasive saliva test which measures the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA at specific times of day and can help identify imbalances which could be causing symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, obesity and dysglycaemia.
Stool testing
Stool tests are available to investigate conditions such as candida, coeliac disease, leaky gut, lactose intolerance and the presence of parasites, viruses and bacteria. As symptoms of different conditions may often appear similar, finding the exact underlying cause helps to identify the most effective treatment strategy. The client can take the sample in their own home without the need for any specialised equipment.
Hair mineral analysis
This is a useful test to identify mineral imbalances in the body which can affect things like blood sugar balance, thyroid function, adrenal function, mental and emotional state and a client’s overall vitality. It is also a commonly used to test for the presence of heavy metals such as mercury, which is common in clients with amalgam fillings. Again, it is a simple test that can be taken in the client’s home and the sample posted to the laboratory for analysis.
View: Unit 7 Movie Lectures
Unit 8 – Clinical Studies
Case studies
This final module is a Case Studies module, providing you with the chance to put all of your nutrition theory into practice.
Detailed instructions and templates are provided to help you gather information and format your case studies. You will get plenty of practice in interpreting cases and building safe and effective nutritional prescriptions, with a full rationale to support your recommendations. You will complete 5 sample cases and receive detailed tutor feedback before finding a live case study of your own.
Example Case study: John
Live video consultation: Amy
Case study 1: Debbie
Case study 2: Jenny
Case study 3: Susan
Case study 4: Helen
Case study 5: Annette
Live case study
Setting up in practice documents
In addition, you will receive useful documents and information to assist you in setting up your own practice, including a sample letter to a GP, consent forms, privacy notices, data protection policy and legitimate interest assessment. This completes the information you need in order to set up and run a successful nutritional practice.
View: Unit 8 Movie Lectures
4 Day Clinic Practice
The clinical event is designed to provide you with the confidence to practice effectively as a Nutritional Therapist in everyday clinical practice. To obtain the most from this intensive 4-day training you attend it towards the end of your Nutritional studies (Unit 8) so that you can set up in practice upon completion of the event.
The teaching is lively and interactive and includes practical case taking, working in pairs, lectures and open discussions. You will learn how to put theory into practice in a safe therapeutic environment, meet fellow students and listen and learn from their experiences and, of course, make new friends.
Phase 1 · Case receiving: The client and clinic nutritionist view the case, allowing you to watch and take notes of the case being received.
Phase 2 · Personal analysis: You work on the case for 10-15 minutes, quietly on your own. The object is to develop a general overview of what is going on for the client and what needs to be cured – the broad brushstrokes.
Phase 3 · Triad or pairs analysis: Working in subgroups allows you to further develop your overview of the case and to begin to develop ideas. The clinic nutritional therapist will guide and help where required.
Phase 4 · Group analysis: One member of the working subgroup addresses the entire group, giving a résumé of the triad group’s perceptions. Others then follow suit. You are encouraged to use the white board to schematise and show your workings, thus many opinions are gathered and worked on cooperatively. Prejudiced points of view and collusion with the client’s state are usually unearthed during this process by peer review. Thus, you work through the synthesis of case material, identifying themes and assembling symptoms which belong to the disease and are representative of the client.
Phase 5 · Treatment plan: We then arrive at a group decision for a treatment plan. Diet, foods and supplements are then discussed. Finally, we consider any naturopathic and adjunctive advice, or interface with other health care providers, we may wish to give the patient – all of this is discussed by us in the group.
Research and additional reading references
The course includes many references for opportunities to further your learning, with additional research areas and specialist books, so you can deepen your learning in areas of personal interest.
Key Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand the structure, function and key sources of macronutrients in the diet
- Understand how the balance of macronutrients in the diet can affect health
- Understand the role and importance of dietary minerals and vitamins
- Understand the health impacts of dietary vitamins and minerals and the pros and cons of supplementation
- Understand topical issues in nutrition, diet and health
- Understand the composition of a healthy diet and individual needs
- Understand the dietary contributions to allergies and additives
- Understand naturopathic philosophy and its principles
- Understand named diseases and nutritional protocols
- Take a complete medical case history from a client
- Analyse and interpret a case history to produce a treatment plan
- Gather additional data to enable further investigation
Prices & enrol online

Nutritional Therapist Course Yr 2
Price includes:
Nutritional Therapist Course
Units 5-8
Movie lectures
Clinical event
Core books
Personal tutor
Tutor marking
Online clinics
Discussion groups
Tutor group meetings
Tutorials
1.5 year study period (can be done in 9-12 months)
Certification
Post & Packing
(Booklist required)