FOOD AS MEDICINE
clinical nutrition & nutrigenomic support
PERSONALISED MEDICINE, WITH BENEFITS FOR BODY, MIND, HEART & SOUL
We support our clients with personalised dietary and nutrition advice and therapeutic nutritional strategies. Nutrigenomic DNA testing is an essential part of being able to provide a highly targeted personalised service.
Genetics only explains a small percentage of chronic health conditions. Diet and lifestyle factors are important epigenetic factors in the presentation and development of most chronic conditions, including Autism. No amount of nutritional supplements or therapies will be of sustainable value, unless daily food & nutrition habits, a key foundation of health, are addressed as well. Diet quality and quantity are important levers for health, and it is important to assess and monitor nutritional health from an early age to optimise health outcomes.
At Personal Health Leadership we primarily work with the Gut Ecology and Metabolic Modulation (G.E.M.M) Protocol, as it emphasises a food first and whole diet approach as the foundation of health, plus added nutritional therapeutic support aimed at restoring normal cellular function.
How to get started?
- Connect & learn – start by exploring the concept of personalised nutrition and download a free sample genetic report below.
- New client onboarding and intake – submit registration forms, undergo a consultation, and complete a non-invasive nutrigenomic DNA test.
- Treatment plan start-up – begin with a tailored nutritional support plan based on your genetic profile and other factors.
- Support sessions – attend regular sessions (in person or online) for personalised guidance and adjustments to your plan.
- Annual Review – evaluate your progress and discuss future goals, considering additional testing and potential adjustments.We welcome anyone who is interested in our services to connect and proceed with the intake process. Anyone with or without a health condition can benefit from personalised dietary and nutrition advice based on a nutrigenomic DNA test. We have a special interest in supporting children with Autism and will fast-track the intake process where possible.
OUR APPROACH
“Let medicine be thy food, and food be thy medicine”
Hippocrates (460-377 BCE)
‘father’ of modern medicine
The focus is on health – person-centred nutritional health support
What you focus on is what you get. Instead of diagnosing and treating disease, we focus on the appropriate personalised diet and nutritional therapy strategies that promote health and healing, we teach healthy nutritional lifestyle habits that help to optimise long term health outcomes.
you get what you measure – test, measure & evaluate results
The initial consultation provides an opportunity to discuss health concerns and history in relation to nutritional health as well as goals and objectives. Nutrigenomic testing is an essential part of the baseline assessment for the personalised nutrition recommendations and support strategies. Additional testing may be required. Therapeutic support and regular evaluation are an important part of staying on track.
Personal Health Leadership in action – empower with practical strategies
We focus on empowering clients and families with the nutritional support plans, tools and strategies needed to best support health at home. Home is where daily health habits are formed. We know how challenging things can be, and how important it is for clients, parents and carers to feel supported so they can be empowered in their day-to-day nutritional health and lifestyle habits.
upstream and downstream – caring for the individual cells and person
The diet and therapeutic nutritional strategies are personalised to the specific health situation, addressing both the current nutrition related symptoms and challenges as well as any challenges with underlying cellular pathways as highlighted in the nutrigenomic blueprint. Regular therapeutic sessions provide the opportunity to review and modify diet and nutritional support based on results and progress.
investing in health – for Life time benefits & rewards
Every day invested in nutritional health and wellbeing, is a day contributing to optimising health outcomes for the longer term. The whole family will benefit from this learning journey in nutrition for health, and it is our aim to empower families to become more self-sufficient and self-reliant in achieving nutritional health and wellbeing.
About Petra
Hi, my name is Petra Hooyenga. I am the principal Clinical Nutritionist at Personal Health Leadership.
My journey with nutrition and health started 21 years ago, when my then infant child was diagnosed with a rare genetic abnormality, and the years following with ADD and Autism.
Personal Health Leadership has been my mantra ever since a medical specialist told me there was nothing I could do for my child, because “it was genetic”. Perhaps I could not change the genetic code itself, however I learned that through epigenetics I could make a positive difference to the health of my child with daily choices in healthy food and nutrition and other healthy lifestyle exposures. I felt empowered as a parent in my ability to support my child at home with healthy nutritious food, which subsequently led me to study nutritional medicine, and go on to support people with a wide range of health concerns.
