Nourish Medical
12 week bespoke, medically guided health improvement and behaviour change programs aimed at reducing, stopping, or preventing reliance on medication.
An evidence-based, clinical approach to health improvement and behaviour change to help you improve and manage medical conditions without relying solely on medication.
Many of my patients are battling with:
Unwanted weight they can’t shift despite trying multiple diets and weight loss approaches they can’t seem to lose weight and keep it off.
Prediabetes or previous gestational diabetes and are fearful of developing type 2 diabetes and ending up on pills.
Type 2 diabetes on 1, 2 or even 3 medications yet still struggling to control their blood sugars and are scared they end up having to inject insulin.
Irritable bowel syndrome which comes and goes without a clear trigger leaving them embarrassed and frustrated with their windy stomach, grumbling bowel or rushing to the loo!
Anxiety and fluctuating mood and have been on medications for years. They don’t want to take tablets everyday but fear a relapse if they stop.
Exhaustion and stress trying to juggle all of their work and life demands, compromising on sleep, lacking in motivation and finding themselves turning to processed foods for comfort.
High blood pressure and although they are compliant with medication, they wish there was another way to reduce their blood pressure and improve their health without taking pills
The traditional medical approach of taking pills isn’t always the best way to reduce your symptoms, improve your blood tests or optimise your health.
Traditional healthcare views each new diagnosis or set of symptoms as a separate entity. Medication is usually the default treatment with a sprinkle of “eat less move more” advice.
It’s not the NHS’s fault or the people within it. They’re all trying their best but the organisation is bursting at the seams. A 10 minute GP consultation isn’t long enough to get to the root cause while educating and empowering patients to create lifelong habits and behaviour change.
The patients I support want to improve their health. They’re curious and interested in what they can do to reverse disease processes and reduce medications.
By using Lifestyle Medicine we can reduce symptoms, reverse disease and reduce reliance on medications AND we can prevent additional medical conditions occurring in the future!
Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based, clinical care that supports behaviour change through person-centred techniques to improve mental wellbeing, social connection, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and minimisation of harmful substances and behaviour as defined by The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM).
BSLM is a community of healthcare professionals and patients, committed to a new approach to healthcare, based on the emerging discipline of lifestyle medicine.
This means addressing stress, sleep, energy, mood and relationships as well as food and exercise.
In 2008 when I applied for Medical School I was desperate to become a Doctor.
In 2008 when I applied for Medical School I was desperate to become a Doctor.
After 10 years of placements, exams, night shifts and many phone calls to my Mum in tears I qualified as an NHS General Practitioner.
I stayed the course because I really wanted to help people.
I personally have struggled with stress, anxiety and depression. In 2012 I took citalopram to manage my mood and propranolol to soothe my anxiety.
It wasn’t until I improved my diet, started exercising regularly and focused on improving my sleep that my symptoms eased and I weaned off my medications under supervision from my GP.
The longer I worked in the NHS the clearer it became that the NHS isn’t a healthcare service, it’s a disease management service.
I was a Doctor who had become a black belt at diagnosing and treating disease in the traditional medical way - signing prescriptions in 10 minute appointments.
Then I’d hand out more pills to combat the side effects of the pills I had already given.
Here’s some naproxen for your back pain and some omeprazole to protect your stomach from the irritation of the naproxen. Oh and you should probably take some probiotics to protect your gut from the omeprazole… and so on and so forth.
The problem was the root cause (back pain) was caused by obesity combined with poor flexibility and lack of exercise.
And obesity is caused by excess calories.
If I’d had more time I could have assessed the root cause of the excess calories. I could have asked about their diet and learned that it was mostly processed food with lots of alcohol.
I could have arranged for a fasting blood sugar to assess the patient for possibly type 2 diabetes.
I could have checked her liver function to assess for possible liver disease (as a result of excess calories, processed food and alcohol).
I may have found they also needed an abdominal ultrasound to further assess their liver.
If I were truly being the family Doctor I thought I was going to be I would have asked the patient about why she overeats. I may have learned about stress eating, comfort eating or binge eating.
I may have learned her marriage was failing, her work deadlines were insurmountable or that her self worth and self confidence were in her boots.
In 2019 I’d had enough and left the NHS for good.
To arrange the blood tests my patients truly need.
Take time to fully assess the patients root causes
And give advice on how to prevent, manage and reverse lifestyle related medical conditions so that they can live a healthier, happier and longer life.
Sadly the NHS doesn’t have the budget to provide preventative healthcare and patients are poorly informed and educated.
It’s not the NHS’s fault, or the people who work within it. It’s simply that as a population we’re living longer and we don’t have the resources to support this.
It’s our responsibility to take care of our health and protect the NHS.
I wanted to help my patients get healthier and treat the root cause of their symptoms.
I wanted to have an impact on my patients' lives, and the population as a whole.
So I left the NHS and traditional healthcare for good.
In 2022 I shared my story on the TEDx stage.
Having a medical condition doesn’t have to mean taking pills everyday.
Some of the ways I help are…
Controlling diabetes
While the diagnostic label of type 2 diabetes cannot be removed, with improved diet, regular exercise, managing stress and improving sleep blood sugar levels can be reduced and it may be possible to stop medications provided blood tests are satisfactory.
Normalising blood pressure
I’ve had patients who have been on blood pressure medications for years and are able to reduce or stop medications completely after losing weight, improving their diet and managing their stress.
Eliminating anxiety & improving mood
Antidepressants or anti anxiety medications don’t have to be for life. Depending on your medical history it may be possible to use more natural, evidence based ways to manage anxiety and improve your mood instead of tablets.
No migraines
Some of my patients have struggled with migraines or tension type headaches. Despite being debilitating at times my patients have accepted that this is part of life. It doesn’t have to be that way. By learning how to manage stress, improve your diet, exercise regularly and optimise your sleep, migraines become less frequent, less severe and often disappear altogether.
No more regular or breakthrough medications. Instead, lifestyle changes reduce symptoms while giving you more energy, motivation and enhancing your overall wellbeing.
Lose weight sustainably.
Excess weight is associated with many medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, heart attacks, strokes and more. Most people understand the risk of weight concerns and have battled to lose weight for years to improve their self confidence and energy.
Weight loss is a complex process. Despite it being seemingly simple (eat less calories than you need) the traditional dieting approach is restrictive making it difficult to stick to. Some miss their favourite foods, others are hungry and some can’t stick to a rigid plan for more and a few weeks.
Education around calories and nutrition is rarely enough. The key here is addressing the whole person. Helping them to improve their sleep, manage stress, improve boundaries so they're less likely to turn to food as a form of comfort.
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based, clinical care that supports behaviour change through person-centred techniques to improve mental wellbeing, social connection, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and minimisation of harmful substances and behaviour as defined by The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM).
BSLM is a community of healthcare professionals and patients, committed to a new approach to healthcare, based on the emerging discipline of lifestyle medicine.
6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
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Healthy Eating
Science backed education helps you to understand what diet is best for your health and medical conditions.
Behaviour change techniques and therapeutic consultations help you build health habits for sustainable results.
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Regular Exercise
We all know exercise is good for us, but few know where to start. Others find it challenging to fit it in with a busy schedule
A combination of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training is recommended by the World Health Organisation to keep our muscles and bones strong. This helps to prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and can reduce menopause related symptoms such as flushing or brain fog.
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Mental Wellbeing
Stress doesn’t need to be a normal part of life.
Using evidence based therapeutic consultations we support our patients with tools to manage and reduce stress, soothe anxiety and improve your mood.
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Healthy Relationships
Health was defined in 1948 by The World Health Organisation as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Our social health has a huge impact on our mental and thus physical health. By learning how to nurture healthy relationships, assert boundaries and have difficult conversations with ease you can improve your overall wellbeing.
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Sleep Optimisation
It is my personal and professional opinion that sleep is the foundation to health. When we don’t sleep well we create a hormonal imbalance which makes us feel hungry, more irritable, stressed and lower in mood.
Without a good night's sleep it’s difficult to consistently eat well, exercise, take care of our mental health and nurture our relationships.An evidence based approach to getting off to and staying asleep is vital for health.
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Minimising Harmful Substances
We know about the damaging effects of smoking and alcohol yet many still use these tools to destress and unwind.
Instead of expecting yourself to step, we need to first implement new ways to destress and switch off that support our overall health and wellbeing.
Social media can also be unhelpful and at times harmful and must also be considered in this category
Nourish Medical
12 week bespoke, medically guided health improvement and behaviour change programs aimed at reducing, stopping, or preventing reliance on medication.
An evidence-based, clinical approach to health improvement and behaviour change so you can improve and manage medical conditions without relying solely on medication.
It’s a streamlined strategy to help you to…
Reduce or stop medications by making changes to your lifestyle that reduce your symptoms and reverse or manage the disease process
Prevent, reverse and manage lifestyle related medical conditions in a healthier, holistic and more sustainable way without the side effects of medications
Understand the science of sleep, exercise, diet & mental wellbeing and how they impact our blood tests and other markets of health
Build healthy habits that last for life by using evidence based clinical care and patient centred techniques combined with therapeutic consultations so you can live a longer, healthier and happier life.
In this 12 week program, you’ll have access to Dr Aileen, Medical Director & Lifestyle Physician Monday through Friday. She will personally guide you through her 4 pillar process.
You’ll also have access to Raeleen Thomson, our Mental Health Nurse who can support with therapeutic consultations using tools such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy
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Pillar 1: <br/>Health MOT: Assess & Diagnose
Using a combination of blood tests, medical assessment and consultation we’ll complete a health MOT.
At this stage we may uncover new diagnoses and it would be important to share these with your GP.
Together we’ll build a realistic treatment plan that addresses your diet, exercise, stress, mood, sleep, relationships and use of alcohol and social media.
We’ll discuss any requirements and timeline for future blood testing and which medications we will review in future.
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Pillar 2: <br/>Healthy Habits
Having a plan isn’t enough. We all want to be healthier but most people struggle because they struggle to stick to the plan.
Together we will help you to build healthy habits by using evidence based clinical care that supports behaviour change through patient centred techniques.
As your habits become ingrained and your body begins to respond we can review blood tests and begin to reduce medications.
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Pillar 3: <br/>Psychology
You’ll work with Raeleen Thomson, our Mental Health Nurse with a masters in psychological therapies to work through past experiences and psychological triggers that may derail you on your health improvement journey.
Raeleen will support with therapeutic consultations. She uses interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy informed techniques to help you manage anxiety, improve your mood and reduce stress.
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Pillar 4: <br/>Education
When it comes to health knowledge is power but with the plethora of information available today it can be difficult to know what’s a reputable source and who to trust.
We’ve cut through the noise and distilled the information around nutrition, stress, sleep, exercise and more so you can trust our advice is backed by science and clinical care.
You’ll be provided with information leaflets on your current medical conditions to support you with making informed choices about your health.
We’ll also discuss blood tests as well as normal ranges to ensure you have a thorough understanding of your body's response.
How it works:
Health review - together we will discuss any pre-existing medical conditions and how these can be improved by lifestyle changes reducing your reliance on medications. We will also discuss potential screening for other lifestyle related medical conditions.
Medication review - a thorough review of your current medication regimes and discuss a treatment plan for future reduction or cessation once lifestyle changes have improved symptoms and blood markers.
Blood testing - this is used to monitor current medical conditions and response to current treatment to ensure weaning off medications is safe. This can be performed by your NHS GP or Nourish can arrange for this privately.
Review previous blood tests - you may provide copies of previous blood tests performed either by the NHS or another private healthcare provider so that we can educate you on these results and use them to make informed decisions and monitor your medical conditions and response to treatment regimes.
Diet & lifestyle assessment - this will help us to get clarity on your personal situation and ensure that all suggestions and coaching are tailored to your personal circumstances.
Food diary analysis and feedback with guidance on which adjustments you need to make to improve your health.
Onboarding consultation - this consultation lays the foundation for the path ahead. Together we will discuss and decide on a clear treatment plan to support you with your health and wellbeing goals.
Personalised metabolic profile - we will calculate your calorie needs so you have scientific clarity on how to lose weight without hormonal imbalances or hunger which can cause snacking.
Personalised nutrition plan - you’ll be provided with a personalised nutrition plan tailored to your food choices and calorie targets so you can still enjoy your favourite meals and treats without feeling hungry or restricted and while still losing weight
12 x weekly check ins - this is a self reflective summary of your progress in all areas of health and wellbeing. It’s designed to help you increase your self awareness in the pillars of lifestyle medicine so that you can change behaviours for long term results. Dr Aileen will review checkin and provide video feedback to guide and support you towards achieving your goals.
Daily access to Dr Aileen through our phone app - you literally have a doctor in your pocket Monday through Friday so you can ask any questions or raise concerns in real time instead of waiting for your next consultation.
Unlimited consultations with Dr Aileen - we know that challenges can come out of nowhere. Whether it’s a concern around a blood test, a wobble with new habits or something happening at home you don’t need to wait on the phone to the GP receptionist for 30 minutes only to find out you can’t get an appointment until September 2035. Simply reach out to Dr Aileen directly and she’ll arrange a consultation at the earliest convenience.
Educational resources tailored to your specific needs each week. This curriculum covers all 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine as well as information around blood results, medical diagnosis and more. We want our patients to feel informed and empowered
We’ve also recently added some new bonuses:
1 x 1:1 Behaviour Change Consultation with Raeleen Thomson, Mental Health Nurse using strategies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy Raeleen will help you o build tools and strategies for navigating stress, anxiety, mood, snacking, cravings, boundaries, work life balance or anything else that you may want support with.
Access to Raeleen, Mental Health Nurse, through our phone app, so you can receive real time support on any psychological barriers or challenges which may arise.
Access to our custom phone app you can access Dr Aileen & Raeleen on this app but it’s also a great place to track weight, nutrition and workouts so you can visually see your progress when it comes to lifestyle changes.
Recipe book access with over 30 quick & easy family favourite recipes to help you lose weight without having to eat rabbit food.
The investment
The next steps are to submit an application for a complimentary consultation.
If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to a complimentary consultation with Dr Aileen. During the consultation she’ll ask questions to better understand your health goals, current diagnosis and medical regimes and any challenges you’re experiencing.
If Dr Aileen is confident she can support you together you’ll build out a bespoke treatment regime.
The investment for Nourish Medical starts at £3,800.
Here’s the next steps:
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Dr Aileen will review your application, and if you’re accepted she’ll reach out by phone or email to arrange your complimentary consultation.
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You may be provided with some resources to review before your consultation.
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Think of any questions you may have and bring them to your initial consultation.
Meet Dr Aileen
Hi, I’m Dr Aileen, Women’s Weight Loss Doctor, TEDx speaker and former NHS GP.
Over the last 7 years I’ve helped hundreds of women to take control of their health, lose weight sustainably, reduce medications and change their habits for good.
I’m a wife and step mum of 2. I enjoy walking in the highlands, long slow lunches, ice cold pinot grigio and dark chocolate that’s been kept in the fridge!
I accidentally fell into the work I do now after nearly burning out and finding myself seeking comfort in chocolate bars and ice cream.
Fast forward 10 years, and I walked away from the NHS and traditional healthcare, built a successful business, and performed a TEDx talk in 2022 to share my story and discoveries.
I’m a voice and advocate for women
There is nothing on this earth that is more rewarding than helping a woman reclaim her health and her self worth so she can finally crack the code on how to live a healthy lifestyle without compromise
I believe every woman deserves to live her healthiest and happiest life.
That includes you… your time is now.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Nourish Method has been specifically designed for professional women who want to take control of their health and lose weight by changing their behaviours.
These are women who may already have some medical diagnoses or complications of weight gain such as gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure etc. Often ladies want to reduce medications and bulletproof their health for the future.
Typically the women who seek support are aged 35-55.
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This isn’t a quick fix diet or coaching program. This is evidence based clinical care that supports behaviour change through person-centred techniques.
Dr Aileen is a qualified Medical Doctor and Lifestyle Medicine Physician. Raeleen Thomson, our Mental Health Nurse has a Masters in Psychological Therapies and uses tools such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy to support her patients in creating long term behaviour change
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Having worked in the NHS Dr Aileen is fully aware of the restrictions on time, appointment and resources. Nourish isn’t like that.
At Nourish we have the luxury of time. Dr Aileen only takes on a small number of new patients at any one time to ensure she has the time, energy and calendar space to support her patients.
It’s not that the NHS isn’t as good as Nourish. The NHS is a wonderful resource. Think of Nourish as a support system for the NHS. We’re helping individuals to prioritise and take care of their health to prevent disease and the burden on the NHS
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Dr Aileen consults with patients across the UK and to date support is delivered remotely online. There are instances where she would agree to meet patients in person but this would be the exception rather than the rule.
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As a Doctor I am able to prescribe all and any medications but I choose not to prescribe. The reason for this is two fold.
Firstly, it’s important that your usual GP is informed fully of any changes to medications as they hold your full medical notes and history.
Secondly, private prescriptions are expensive so to avoid any additional costs it’s best to leave this to your NHS GP.
Finally, our goal at Nourish is to reduce or stop medications not to start them.
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Although we only market to women Dr Aileen does have male patients. Some of her biggest transformations have come from men.
If you are a man in need, or know of a man who is looking for support with upgrading his health and making lifestyle changes please reach out.
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Your application will be reviewed by Dr Aileen. If your application is accepted, Dr Aileen will reach out via phone or email to arrange your complimentary consultation.
You may be provided with some resources, or homework to review before your consultation. It’s important that you complete these to help you better understand what support Dr Aileen and her team may be able to offer.
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These conversations are fully supported and guided by Dr Aileen and her naturally warm and empathetic nature. There’s no need to be nervous or worried.
Ladies express how safe they feel in these conversations. Dr Aileen will gently explore your desires for your health & well-being. She will support you in identifying your biggest challenges, uncover what you’ve tried before and get crystal clear on exactly why this didn’t work and what to do instead.
The goal here is to better understand your personal and medical situation as well as your health goals. Dr Aileen will make a clear diagnosis and build a customised strategy together with you right there in your consultation.
You are worthy of high-level support you’ve been craving. It’s time to let go of the food plans and fad diets and be fully supported in diagnosing and treating the root cause of weight gain.
Got questions we’ve not answered?
Feel free to reach out to us at hello@doctoraileen.com and we will answer your queries as best as we can.
Disclaimer:
This website is not intended as medical advice. Before making lifestyle or medication you must consult with a doctor.
While Dr Aileen is a doctor, she is not your doctor. Any changes to medications must be discussed with your GP who holds your full medical records.