The Functional Nutrition Clinic
We focus on the interconnectedness of mind, body, soul and all things in between which can help make today a great day and tomorrow even better.
What is ‘food’
Food is so much more than what I eat. It is connection, and family, celebration and tradition. But before this, food is information. At the cellular level, food provides the elements needed for cells to function. The nutrients I eat and the information they provide not only effect larger bodily functions like gut health but can turn certain genes ‘on’ and ‘off’. This is the basis of Personalised Nutrition. Information is not based on large-scale clinical trials but the ‘n-of-1 trial’ which focusses on the optimal or best intervention for an individual person using scientific-driven criteria.
If you feel you would like to explore the fascinating field of optimised personal wellness, the Functional Nutrition Clinic may be a good place to start.
Food is so much more than what we eat. It is connection, and family, celebration and tradition. Food is deeply intertwined with our social history, a powerful symbol of cultural expression, personal identity and beliefs about health, morality and social status.
But before this, food is information. At the cellular level, food provides the elements needed for cells to function. Food delivers large molecules needed such as protein, fat and carbohydrate for building and repairing cellular structures. Vitamins, minerals and other smaller molecules can influence hormones, brain function, immune response, the gut microbiome and every other vital bodily function. The information we receive from food can also influence how genes function.
We all love to talk about our ‘genes’. Which are our ‘good’ and ‘bad’ genes, and which parent is responsible for each. Nutrigenomics is a field of science that explores how food interacts with our genetic makeup and how our genes influence our response to food. The nutrients we eat and the information they provide not only effect larger bodily functions like gut health but can turn certain genes ‘on’ and ‘off’.
This is the basis of Personalised Nutrition. Information is not based on large-scale clinical trials but the ‘n-of-1 trial’ which focusses on the optimal or best intervention for an individual person using scientific-driven criteria.
As a dietitian, this is what I believe is the most powerful way to present nutritional information to my clients. What information does your body need to elevate and optimise your human experience. How do we discover this? What symptoms are you having that we can focus on improving? And how do we translate this to practical applications in daily life? Are you deficient in Vitamin B12? Are you struggling cognitively as a result? Can we see this deficiency in blood tests? What is the best method to increase your Vitamin B12 level and in so doing, are your symptoms improving over time?
If you feel there is something that you’re not quite happy with, whether that may be fatigue, bloating, pain, poor sleep, sticky weight, or simply that you feel you’ve lost your ‘sparkle’ there is a way to dig a bit deeper into the ‘root cause’. The WHO defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. I feel we can take this one step further – to optimise your life – how do we make today better than yesterday? And how do we make tomorrow better than today?
If you feel you would like to explore the fascinating field of optimised personal wellness, the Functional Nutrition Clinic may be a good place to start.
About
Hi, I’m Philippa
Human beings are multifaceted multidimensional beings. Most of our physiological processes have not changed since ancient times. If we see nutrition and health as a one dimensional therapy ‘eat less, move more’ we are ignoring the beauty and depth of the human body. Single-minded modalities, in my experience, don’t work. They may for a short time but they are not sustainable long term.
I see each new client as a singular individual, with their own life experiences, genetic make-up, needs and hopes. Just as all of us are interconnected, so are our physiological pathways. By focussing on that interconnectedness, we are able to identify true and lasting wellness.
After completing my undergraduate degree (BSc Dietetics) in 1997, I gained an honours degree (BSc Med Hons Nutrition and Dietetics) from UCT in 2001. As many of my friends did at that time, I then left South Africa to experience life in the UK. While there, my dietetic career covered everything from General Medicine to Oncology and Enteral Nutrition. It wasn’t until I started working in the Mental Health sector that my passion for understanding the psychology of food and how nutrition effects not only the body, but the mind and soul was born. This led to further studies in Behaviour Change (Leeds University) and a postgraduate diploma in Counselling Skills (Middlesex University). For my last 4 years in the UK, I was the Primary Bariatric Dietitian at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Returning to South Africa in 2013 was a challenge. Working in the private sector is an adjustment from being part of a diverse medical team. I felt the needed to challenge myself once again and became passionate about the emerging science behind Nutrigenomics and Functional Medicine. I became a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach through the FMCA (USA) in 2019.
From 2013, I worked as a dietitian in private practice in Johannesburg and started my own practice, ‘Intuitive Nutrition’ based at the Village Medical Centre in Parktown North, JHB.
My relationship with Hermanus started during infancy. My grandmother bought property in Hermanus in the 1930’s. Each generation thereafter has fallen in love with Walker Bay and everything it has to offer. My parents retired here in 2017 and while I found deep satisfaction in both my professional and social life in Johannesburg, the dream of becoming a part of the Hermanus community has always been strong. I finally moved to this not-so-little fishing village in February 2024 and have never looked back.
Services
I love the way I am able to work with clients. I often feel like I am a custodian of a clients past, present and future health, which is a true privilege. I am blessed to be able to spend time with each of my clients in order to get to know their individual selves.
It is impossible to understand what is going on in someone’s life in 30minutes. Appointment times are catered to each part of a client’s programme. We initially start out with 90minutes appointments so all facets of a person’s life can be explored. From there, I like to be lead by my clients. Some people need the accountability of more regular, shorter appointments while others prefer time to implement suggestions and catch up during monthly appointments or via WhatsApp.
The more a client feels comfortable chatting and sharing their daily experiences, the more I see positive results. I love the connectedness I have with clients outside appointment times. It is in this space that clients live. I am a far better resource to clients through regular WhatsApp interaction than merely at scheduled appointments.
As a dietitian, I’m able to assess and address health issues such as nutritional deficiencies, gut health, inflammation and fatigue. As a health coach, I’m able to pull health concerns into lifestyle approaches in order to guide each individual towards optimal well-being.
Because each client I see has their own unique set of symptoms, challenges, experiences, and preferences, I focus on providing a personalised treatment plan. This is always developed in partnership with each client. We start with information gathering and testing. I will always take into account individual symptoms, medical history, current protocols, what’s worked, what hasn’t and everything in between. With each appointment we tweak and adjust until the client feels comfortable and empowered to continue on their own.
Every bit of information we can gather adds to the picture of an individual’s health status. No one piece of information supersedes another. Blood tests are crucial in identifying any obvious reason for certain symptoms. Without a peak into biochemistry I am not informed enough to provide helpful guidelines. For example, without checking an iron profile, how can one suggest high iron foods, dietary supplements or referrals to other health practitioners. I do, however, believe that we still focus on treating the patient and not the results of a blood test.
No two supplements were born the same. Unfortunately many supplements we pick up from the shelf claim benefits that are not possible due to the form, bioavailability or dosage of a particular molecule. I believe that supplementing with targeted nutrients can help with addressing many conditions. It is always, however, an adjunct to optimising health. Supplement prescriptions are regularly audited as they should provide either a qualitative or quantitative benefit. If a supplement cannot fulfil that requirement, it is probably not necessary.
Nutritional genomics, also known as nutrigenomics, is a science studying the relationship between the human genome, human nutrition and health. Nutrigenomics helps identify individual genetic variations that impact nutrient metabolism and response to dietary interventions, allowing for customized nutritional plans. Testing is quick and easy – collecting cells that contain DNA from a cheek swab and sending it to one of South Africa’s leading genetic labs. The lovely thing about this is that DNA doesn’t change so only one test is needed. However, that one test can be reread over the course of one’s life to uncover more information about each specific health goal.
Viome Gut Intelligence Testing
This test can identify and quantify the living microorganisms in your gut microbiome, analyse what these organisms are producing, and provide you with personalised nutrition recommendations that help you optimise your gut microbiome
GI-MAP (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus)
This is a comprehensive stool test which can be extremely helpful in detecting parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more which our pathology labs are unable to detect. By analysing the microbial composition, the test can reveal imbalances or dysbiosis, which may contribute to digestive issues. GI-MAP results can guide personalized treatment plans for various digestive and systemic conditions, such as diarrhoea, bloating, food sensitivities, and autoimmune disorders.
HTMA – Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
This is a non-invasive medical test that provides comprehensive information about key nutrient mineral levels and ratios and metabolic status. In addition it identifies toxic levels of heavy metals and guides protocols for chelation therapy (reducing toxic burden). The HTMA lab report can be used to correct the interrelationships of essential minerals, and improve cellular function.
OptiWay Food Sensitivity
Food sensitivity is quite common, affecting approximately 45% of the population. Optiway is a Food Sensitivity Test that tests a full menu of 222 different types of food. It helps to identify and eliminate foods that negatively impact your well-being.
OAT – Organic Acids Test
The OAT provides a comprehensive nutritional and metabolic snapshot of an individual’s overall health. The OAT measures 76 organic acids from one easy to collect urine sample.
DUTCH – Dried Urine
The DUTCH hormone test measures not only your hormone levelsbuthow your body processes them. This provides a more comprehensive look at your hormone health.
Reviews
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Philippa has genuinely changed my life. I initially met her through a recommendation over 6 years ago when I was just looking to lose weight. But through her intuition, guidance and inspiration she has helped me take control of my health as a whole and changed everything from my weight to healing my burnout to helping me prepare for a long life with energy and longevity. I can’t recommend her enough, she is brilliant.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend Philippa highly enough. Working with her has been one of the most valuable steps I’ve taken in improving my health and relationship with food. More than just the science, Philippa understands the psychology behind how and why we make the choices we do. That insight made a huge difference in helping me shift old habits and build new ones that actually stuck. There was never any judgment—only encouragement, thoughtful listening, and genuine support. She celebrates your wins, big or small, and she’s there to guide you through setbacks with compassion and clarity. Her approach isn’t about one-size-fits-all plans—it’s about building something sustainable. She’s with you every step of the way: adapting, responding, and staying fully committed to your progress.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A very knowledgable dietician who individualises your treatment to suit your body I found her suggestions fascinating and always based on her sound knowledge of digestion and nutrition I cannot recommend her highly enoughTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found Philippa extremely thorough and helpful. She got down to the nitty grittiness of my problem and gave me guidance to improve my diet and lifestyle. Highly recommendable!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have a great relationship with Philippa... I've worked with many Dieticians, however her approach is different and she is very supportive! She makes you feel heard and works out a plan that genuinely suits you. With Philippa in your corner anything is possible!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have worked with Philippa for many years now and have found her to be so attuned, so skilled and so helpful. She has a deeply personal approach mixed in with solid science, years of experience and great empathy. A winning combination. I’m so grateful to her for all her help and guidance, a true gem.
Glossary Of Terms
The functional medicine model revolves around the understanding that disease is an endpoint and function is a process. It focuses on understanding an individual’s physiological, cognitive, emotional, and physical function. Functional medicine sees the body as a set of interconnected systems that all work together.
Integrative health is a holistic approach to healthcare that combines conventional medicine with complementary and alternative therapies to address the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental factors that affect a person’s wellbeing
Functional nutrition uses food as medicine to address the root causes of health concerns and promote overall well-being. It’s a personalized approach that considers an individual’s unique needs and goals, moving beyond one-size-fits-all meal plans. Functional nutrition aims to identify and address imbalances within the body, such as inflammation, stress, and nutrient deficiencies, to improve or reverse health conditions.
Nutrigenomics is a field of science that explores the intricate relationship between human nutrition, genes, and overall health. It investigates how food and dietary components interact with an individual’s genetic makeup, and how these interactions impact gene expression, protein production, and metabolism.
Intuitive eating is a non-diet approach to eating that emphasizes listening to your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, rather than following restrictive rules or external guidelines. It’s about making peace with all foods and trusting your body’s signals to make healthy food choices.
Contact
WhatsApp Philippa on the number below. Or email The Functional Nutrition Clinic.
Physical Address: 13C Aberdeen Street, Hermanus Central, Western Cape, 7200
Telephone: +27 79 092 0578
Email philippa@thefunctionalnutritionclinic.co.za
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