Weight Loss
Supporting You In Weight Loss
Weight loss is not just about calories in and calories out. If this were true, the phenomenon of dieting would actually work. When you reduce the calories you consume, your calorie expenditure also drops; if you drop from 2000 calories to 1500, your body immediately reduces your energy expenditure and you may end up feeling tired, cold, hungry and sluggish.
Other than our genetics, fat gain can be a result of interactions between our environment, behavioural patterns and hormones. The environment around us has a huge role to play in promoting weight gain. It can interfere with our hormonal and metabolic signals and amplify fat storage instead of fat burning.
It is therefore crucial to address the complex biological systems in the body that work closely together to keep our metabolism in check. Our team of weight loss specialists work progressively through your body systems to see which is challenged and may be obstructing your weight loss. They will consider all the potential factors driving excessive hunger or interfering with your bodys’ hunger signals.
The diagram below presents some of the variables that can lead to weight gain.
MEET SUE, CLINICAL DIRECTOR & HEAD OF NUTRITION
Sue shares the benefits of working with our expert nutrition team at the HealthMatters Group
BALANCING BLOOD SUGAR
When you eat starchy or sugary foods they are broken down in the body into glucose which is carried around in the bloodstream to be utilised in the cells for energy.
The level of glucose in the blood is carefully controlled by a hormone called insulin. When blood glucose rises after a carbohydrate-rich meal, insulin is released to bring blood glucose levels back down to ‘normal’ levels. However, if your blood glucose rises too rapidly, the body can end up releasing too much insulin. This causes the blood glucose to swing to low again, making us feel tired, grumpy and once again, hungry. We call this blood sugar imbalance, as the effects of high and low sugar rollercoasters throughout the day.
If your blood sugar is constantly imbalanced, the body starts to ignore the insulin message, a condition called insulin resistance. This leads to permanently high blood sugar levels which can cause weight gain and can eventually lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
BOOK A CALL WITH OUR FRIENDLY ASSESSMENT TEAM
Please check Our Fees page before booking a call.
Choose a day and time that works for you.
Tell us what is going on for you.
Let us explain how we can help.
OUR FEES
Our initial 30-minute consultation is free of charge, with therapy sessions starting from as little as £120, and nutrition sessions from £200.
Packages and multi-session bundles are available – we’ll guide you to the most suitable option when we speak.
Balancing Hormones
If you are unable to lose weight it could be because of male or female hormone imbalances or the effects of chronic stress. Below are some examples of key hormones that impact our ability to lose weight:
- Oestrogen levels that are too high or too low can both contribute to weight gain. High levels of oestrogen in the body can play a role in insulin resistance, rising blood sugar levels and weight gain. Low levels of oestrogen can also cause a very stubborn type of weight gain. That often happens during the menopausal period. The ovarian cells no longer produce oestrogen, so the body starts looking for oestrogen elsewhere. One source is fat cells. The body may start converting extra energy sources into fat, leading to weight gain, particularly around the waist line.
- Cortisol – Under chronic stress, sustained levels of cortisol are released. Ordinarily this hormone helps regulate energy levels and energy mobilisation, however high levels can lead to raised blood sugar levels, causing increased visceral fat deposition, fat cell maturation and therefore added weight on your body.
- Thyroid hormones – The thyroid gland is part of the body’s hormone system and has the main job of regulating metabolism – the rate at which we produce and use energy in the body. Thyroid hormones help stimulate different metabolic functions in the cells, regulate body temperature, help provide energy and contribute to ideal weight maintenance. If there is an underproduction of thyroid hormones (hypothyroid) this can affect many different body functions, and weight gain is a common symptom.
Improving Sleep
Poor sleep increases your appetite making you more likely to eat larger amounts. It also raises your cortisol levels and makes it more difficult to manage calories as effectively, especially the levels of sugar in your blood.
Why does our appetite increase? Our appetite is regulated by our satiety hormone, leptin and our hunger hormone, ghrelin. Inadequate sleep decreases levels of leptin and increases levels of ghrelin, leaving you feeling less satisfied by the food you are eating. It also affects what you choose to eat and often results in a craving for sweets, carbohydrate-rich snacks and salty snacks. Less appealing are the healthier proteins and essential fats.
When you are sleep-deprived and unable to manage your calories as effectively, you may have less energy to move and therefore become more sedentary. And so, it becomes a vicious circle of reduced energy expenditure and increased energy intake through the diet.
We work with you to assess these kinds of imbalances and find ways to optimise these body systems to find a path back to optimal health and appropriate weight. This will include personalised diet plans and weight loss coaching, to support you in achieving sustainable weight loss goals.
Addressing Gut Health
Our gut is home to our microbiome, which is a complex ecosystem that supports the optimal function of our metabolism. Our microbiota (the trillions of microbes found in the gut) can influence the energy that is extracted from food.
Those with more diverse microbiota and a greater abundance of commensals (beneficial bacteria) produce by-products which help us metabolise food efficiently. A reduced diversity of microbiota and commensals in our gut (gut dysbiosis) is associated with adiposity. It is hypothesised that having gut dysbiosis induces low-grade inflammation, which can lead to the development of obesity.
The microbiome can be influenced by our diet. We can work with you to address any existing imbalances in the gut through personalised diet plans that optimise your microbiome and target weight loss.
Functional Testing For Weight Loss
Our team of weight loss nutritional therapists work with a wide range of functional tests. The cluster of symptoms you present with and your health goals will determine which tests may be offered to you.
The tests consist of comprehensive panels, which give detailed insight into any underlying imbalances holding you back from achieving your weight loss goals. Testing allows our weight loss specialists to make recommendations based on your results and deliver personalised nutrition and lifestyle interventions. When necessary, we work with a specialised medical team to provide targeted medical support alongside our nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
What Can You Test For?
Functional Testing can give a detailed insight into how well your hormones and other key metabolic markers are functioning. Some examples of useful tests include:
One of the most comprehensive hormone profiles available is the DUTCH Profile which utilises a urine sample to look at hormone pathways and the metabolites – how the body has processed hormones through the liver. The results from the DUTCH Profile provide a detailed insight into the metabolism and excretion of hormones, helping to identify the root causes of sex hormone and adrenal imbalances in both women and men. It can therefore provide insight into weight gain in men and women.
The GI Effects Stool Profiles offers comprehensive insight into the 3 key functions of gut health:
- Digestive function (Digestion/Absorption)
- Intestinal inflammation (inflammation/Immunology)
- The Gut Microbiome
The metabolic activities of the microbiome ultimately impact the human host, therefore this profile provides important information about the potential root causes of weight issues including difficulty with weight loss.
FAQs
How quickly can I expect to lose weight?
Weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and will ultimately depend on individual factors, including dietary adherence and consistency, how strongly any lifestyle factors (diet, sleep, stress, exercise) are changed, and whether there are underlying medical or metabolic challenges. Some people see noticeable results in weeks; more significant and sustainable weight loss can often take a few months. Your practitioner will work with you to understand your health history and relationship with food, creating a personalised plan to meet your goals.
What is the difference between nutrition support for weight loss and the Metabolic Balance Programme?
Nutrition support offers a more flexible step-by-step approach for weight loss. Metabolic Balance is a structured nutritional programme that rebalances and resets your metabolism for weight loss, based on your unique results from blood tests, and an innovative algorithm that is used to produce a personalised eating plan.
What functional testing do you offer that might be helpful?
Functional testing is sometimes offered as an additional tool, to provide further insights into any nutritional imbalances, hormonal issues, or metabolic dysfunction that may be impeding weight loss. This can support your practitioner with dietary tailoring, as well as inform supplementation more precisely.
However, many people benefit simply from a well-structured diet, relevant lifestyle changes, and supportive habits.
What if I am taking a GLP-1 weight loss medication?
Medication can be useful for some individuals, and you should carry on taking any medication that has been prescribed to you. The goal for many clients is often to support or enhance medical treatment. Think of this as an integrated care model, where our nutrition practitioners can work alongside your NHS GP or Consultant to support you with your weight loss goals.
How does nutrition support differ from a GP referral?
While your GP may prescribe medication, nutrition support focuses on how food and lifestyle can be used to address any functional imbalances that may be impeding weight loss. Your practitioner will work with you to address your specific nutritional needs, and identify your personal triggers. They will develop personalised protocols which can include some or all of the following:
- Eating plans
- Lifestyle adjustments
- Behavioural support
- Symptom monitoring
- Optional functional testing and supplement protocols
How many consultations will I need, and over what time period?
After your first session, your practitioner will explain how they see support unfolding over time, and give you the first steps of guidance to start improving your symptoms. You can add flexible Time Bundles of either 1, 2,3 or 4-hours. The time bundles are used over 3–6 months, giving you ongoing review, adjustment, and accountability at your pace.
What if I have other health conditions?
Nutritional support can help manage those conditions as part of the process. It is especially important to work with a qualified nutrition practitioner who understands how those health conditions affect metabolism, weight, and individual nutritional needs. Our practitioners at Nutritional Matters specialise in a wide range of health conditions as well as weight management, and can work with people with overlapping health issues.
How much does this cost overall?
Your first session with one of our nutrition practitioners is more than just an assessment – it’s the beginning of a relationship built on trust, expertise, and care.
Initial 60-Minute Nutrition Consultation – £200
Whether you’re managing complex symptoms or just want to feel better in your body, this is the space where your journey starts with clarity and direction.
Healing your body and transforming your relationship with food takes time.
Time Bundles give you the flexibility to shape your care around your lifestyle, pace, and needs.
After your initial consultation, you can choose to continue with a 1, 2, 3, or 4-hour bundle of time, which can be used however works best for you.
- 1-Hour Bundle – £200
- 2-Hour Bundle – £380
- 3-Hour Bundle – £555
- 4-Hour Bundle – £720
NEXT STEPS
We know that getting the right support starts with being truly heard. That’s why we offer a free 30-minute enquiry call – time for you to ask questions, share a bit about your story, and explore how we can support you.
During this call, a member of our experienced client support team will:
- Listen to your health goals and concerns
- Explain how our services work and what to expect
- Match you with the most suitable practitioner for your needs
This is your time – to feel heard, to feel supported, and to start moving toward the health and balance you deserve.