Heather Richards
BSc (Hons), Dip (Nut), Dip (Nat), mBANT, rCNHC.
I am a Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in personalised nutrition, advanced testing and root-cause investigation of complex health concerns.
Through my clinical work I support individuals experiencing ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, digestive issues, metabolic imbalance and other unresolved health concerns. I also work with individuals seeking preventative strategies or nutritional support alongside cancer care.
Over the past 15 years, I have worked both in clinical practice and nutrition education.
I co-founded Sano School of Culinary Medicine, an online education platform through which I have helped educate thousands of students, including healthcare professionals, in applying nutrition science in practice.
I have also served as Nutrition Lead for the College of Medicine and Integrated Health, where I lectured and contributed to professional education.
This experience allows me to combine clinical practice with a strong foundation in nutrition science and practitioner training.
How I Work in Clinic
In clinical practice, I take a structured and evidence-based approach to investigating and supporting health concerns.
My work focuses on identifying the underlying drivers of symptoms rather than simply managing them. This involves detailed case history analysis alongside appropriate clinical and functional testing. This may include blood chemistry analysis, nutrigenomic assessment and other functional testing where appropriate.
This information allows me to develop highly personalised recommendations covering nutrition, lifestyle and targeted supplementation.
My approach is informed by the functional medicine model, recognising that diet, lifestyle, environment and genetics all interact to influence health. I apply current scientific research to ensure that recommendations are both evidence-based and practical to implement in everyday life.
I am a member of The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT). Food, movement, sleep and healthy lifestyle choices are the foundations of vitality and continued well-being. I have studied nutritional sciences to a Degree level equivalent and have been trained to work with individuals clinically. Any recommendations on food choices are informed by the best scientific research ensuring that you have the most up-to-date evidence-based information.
I have also completed additional postgraduate training in Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Support in Cancer Care, and I am listed on the relevant specialist registers within the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT).
I am regulated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for Health and Social Care. This ensures that I adhere to rigorous professional and ethical standards, including the CNHC's code of conduct, ethics, and performance, which mandates care based on current evidence and best practices, with regular continuing professional development (CPD) required to maintain registration.
Being a member of The British Association of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) I am bound by strict codes of Practice and have professional indemnity insurance. I am also registered with the Department Of Health's Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council.