Nutritional Medicine

What you eat is the foundation of how you feel. But it’s not just about eating well — it’s about whether your body is actually absorbing, using, and making the most of what you give it.

At a Glance — What is our approach to nutrition at MNHC? Benjamin Deutscher and Andrea Pryor are both experienced naturopaths practising at MNHC. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) and a Diploma of Nutrition; his approach combines functional testing, herbal medicine, and clinical nutrition to identify and resolve the underlying drivers of poor health. Available at MNHC, 265a Waverley Road, Malvern East. Book: (03) 9572 3211.

Most people know that diet matters. What they don’t always know is why eating well isn’t always enough — and why two people can eat the same food and have completely different health outcomes.

The difference usually comes down to what’s happening beneath the surface: how the gut is absorbing nutrients, whether the liver is processing them efficiently, how hormones and inflammation are interacting with metabolism, and what the body is actually deficient in versus what it’s consuming. These are not questions a standard dietary consultation addresses. They are questions a naturopath-nutritionist with access to functional testing can answer.

At MNHC, nutrition is never treated in isolation. It is one pillar of a whole-body clinical assessment — combined with herbal medicine, functional testing, and 30 years of clinical experience identifying what standard approaches consistently miss.

What Nutritional Medicine at MNHC Actually Involves

A nutritional consultation at MNHC is not a generic meal plan. It is a clinical investigation into how your body is processing food, which nutrients it is deficient in, what is driving your symptoms, and what dietary and therapeutic changes will actually move the needle.

1. A thorough case history

Your first consultation runs up to 60 minutes. Your naturopath — Benjamin or Andrea — takes a detailed health history covering current symptoms, digestive function, energy, sleep, stress, hormonal patterns, food reactions, and everything you’ve already tried. This is not a tick-box intake form. It is a clinical conversation designed to understand your full picture before any recommendations are made.

2. Functional nutritional testing

Where standard blood tests measure whether you are deficient enough to be flagged as abnormal, functional testing reveals subclinical imbalances — the zone between optimal and disease that explains why so many people feel unwell despite being told their results are normal.

Nutritional tests offered include:

Comprehensive vitamin and mineral testing — conducted in clinic with results available the same day
GI-MAP comprehensive stool analysis — gut microbiome, inflammation, permeability, pathogen load
OMX Organic Metabolomics — cellular energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism, B vitamin status
Hormone testing — cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and metabolic pathways
Live blood analysis — real-time assessment of red blood cell health, inflammatory markers, immune activity

3. A personalised treatment plan

Based on your case history and test findings, your naturopath develops a specific plan — not a generic template. This typically includes dietary recommendations tailored to your biochemistry — informed by functional testing, including heavy metal testing where relevant — therapeutic nutritional supplementation at clinical doses, herbal medicine where relevant, and practical lifestyle guidance you can actually follow. Where a specific dietary framework is clinically appropriate — whether that’s a Mediterranean-style approach, a low histamine protocol, ketogenic, or plant-based — it will be built into your plan and adapted to your individual biochemistry, not applied as a one-size template.

The goal is not to hand you a list of foods to eat and avoid. It is to explain why your body is responding the way it is, and give you a clear, evidenced path forward.

Why a Naturopath-Nutritionist Is a Different Proposition

A nutritionist provides dietary guidance. A naturopath-nutritionist does that — and then goes considerably further.

Our naturopaths’ qualifications span naturopathy, herbal medicine, and nutrition. In practice this means that a nutritional consultation at MNHC can draw on the full toolkit: functional testing that most nutritionists don’t have access to, herbal medicine to address the underlying conditions affecting nutrient status, and a clinical framework built on decades of treating people with complex, unresolved health problems.

If your gut is not absorbing nutrients properly, a dietary change alone will not fix it. If your liver is overburdened or your hormones are dysregulated, your metabolism will resist every dietary intervention you try. Identifying and resolving those underlying drivers is what changes outcomes — and it requires more than a meal plan.

Who This Is For

Nutritional medicine at MNHC is particularly well suited to people dealing with:

Persistent weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite dietary effort
Chronic fatigue, low energy, or poor recovery
Digestive problems — bloating, reflux, IBS, irregular bowels, food reactions
Hormonal imbalances — thyroid, adrenal, reproductive, or metabolic
Skin conditions linked to gut or nutrient status
Mood instability, anxiety, or poor cognitive function
Nutritional deficiencies identified on testing or suspected from symptoms
Anyone who has been told their results are normal but still doesn’t feel well

Telehealth consultations are available for clients outside Melbourne. Herbal and nutritional remedies can be posted Australia-wide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a naturopath-nutritionist different from a dietitian?

A dietitian is a government-registered health professional trained specifically in medical nutrition therapy — managing diagnosed conditions like diabetes, renal disease, or eating disorders through diet. They are the right choice for medically managed dietary conditions and are eligible for Medicare rebates under chronic disease plans.

A naturopath-nutritionist takes a broader functional medicine approach. Rather than managing a diagnosed condition through dietary guidelines, the focus is on identifying why the body is not functioning optimally — using functional testing, herbal medicine, and clinical nutrition together. See our Dietitian vs Naturopath-Nutritionist page for a full comparison.

Do you provide meal plans?

Yes — and they’re a very different proposition from a generic plan. Every dietary recommendation at MNHC is built around your test results, health history, and real life. That means specific foods, quantities, timing, and practical guidance you can actually follow — not a template with your name on it. The goal is to give you a clear, evidence-based framework that makes sense for your body and sticks.

Can you help with food intolerances?

Yes. Food reactions are often a symptom of an underlying gut issue rather than a standalone problem. We offer food intolerance testing through Naturopath — one of Australia’s leading functional pathology labs — which can identify specific food triggers accurately and efficiently. We then investigate the root cause of those reactions — whether that is intestinal permeability, microbial imbalance, enzyme insufficiency, or something else — rather than simply providing a list of foods to avoid.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed. You can book directly by calling (03) 9572 3211 or booking online at mnhc.com.au.

Are consultations available via telehealth?

Yes. Phone and video consultations are available by appointment. Herbal and nutritional remedies are dispatched Australia-wide.

We see clients for nutritional medicine from Malvern East, Malvern, Toorak, and Glen Iris, and from Hawthorn, Camberwell, South Yarra, Armadale, Carnegie, and Caulfield.

Book a Nutritional Medicine Consultation — (03) 9572 3211

265a Waverley Road, Malvern East · (03) 9572 3211 · mnhc.com.au

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Holistic Nutrition

When it comes to achieving optimal health through nutrition, it’s important to have guidance from an nutritional expert who understands more than just calories, vitamins, and minerals. Our Naturopaths practice “holistic nutrition”, meaning we take into account how your body processes food, the absorption and functionality within the body systems, detoxification, excretion and how your nutritional status may be contributing to your body-mind connection. To assess all of these factors our Naturopathic nutritionists take a thorough case history where we allow 60 minutes at your Initial Consultation to fully understand your needs, goals and unique lifestyle factors.

Specialised health screening tests

Nutritional Testing is available at Malvern Natural Health Care including both medical and functional nutritional testing methods, such as specialised in house vitamin and mineral testing, hair tissue mineral analysis, heavy metal testing as well as testing that we use via labs such as the DUTCH test (Dried Urine testing), OATS Testing (Organic Acids Test), Hormone tests, Microbiome mapping and more.

Body Composition Analysis (Bodyscan) using high tech Bioimpedance Analysis can be used to quickly monitor your results. This helps us adjust your treatment and track your results. You’ll receive a detailed colour printout of your progress which helps with maintaining motivation to stay on track to achieve your goals.

MNHC Nutritionist service is conveniently located in Malvern East, servicing the greater Melbourne area with additional telehealth and phone options Australia wide.

Your personalized nutrition plan is specifically tailored to your lifestyle, emotional needs, and unique requirements for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and essential fatty acids.

Emotional Wellbeing

Our Naturopathic Nutrition Specialists take pride in combining nutritional assessments, a functional medical approach, and a focus on emotional support to help you succeed in your journey towards optimal health. We stay up-to-date with the latest science and evidence-based medicinal information to provide you with the best possible care.

Ready to take the next Step? If you’re serious about your health and want to achieve abundant energy and vibrant health, book an assessment with our expert nutritionists in Melbourne. We’re passionate about helping you transform your life through nutrition, developing healthy habits, and life coaching to set you on a path to lifelong health and wellbeing.

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Achieving Optimal Health with Our Expert Nutritionist Melbourne and Surrounding Areas

The journey to optimal health is a personal one, and it often starts with understanding the importance of nutrition. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat,” and this couldn’t be more accurate. Nutrition plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being; having a professional guide you through this journey can make all the difference. This is where a nutritionist Melbourne comes in.

Welcome to Malvern Natural Health Care, your trusted partner in holistic nutrition. We believe in a comprehensive approach to health, considering not just your dietary needs but also your lifestyle, emotional well-being, and unique body processes. Our team of experienced nutritionists is dedicated to helping you achieve your health goals, whether you’re in Glen Iris, Mount Waverley, Carnegie, Toorak, Malvern, or the heart of Melbourne.

Embracing Holistic Nutrition with Nutritionist Melbourne

Holistic nutrition is a unique approach to health that considers the whole person, including their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It goes beyond just counting calories, vitamins, and minerals. Instead, it looks at how your body processes food, how nutrients function within your body systems, and how your nutritional status contributes to your mind-body connection.

The Holistic Approach of Our Nutritionist Melbourne

At Malvern Natural Health Care, our nutritionist Melbourne, practices holistic nutrition. We understand that each person and their nutritional needs are unique. We take the time to understand your needs, goals, and lifestyle factors. Our initial consultation lasts 60 minutes, allowing us to take a thorough case history and fully understand your unique situation.

Holistic nutrition has numerous benefits. It can help improve digestion, boost energy levels, enhance mood, and even help manage chronic conditions. Our nutritionist has helped many clients achieve their health goals through this approach. For instance, one of our clients, a busy professional juggling work and family life, was struggling with low energy levels and frequent digestive issues. Through a personalised holistic nutrition plan, we were able to help them improve their energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being.

Understanding the Role of a Nutritionist

A nutritionist is a health professional who specialises in food and nutrition. They use their expertise to help individuals improve their health and manage diseases. They can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, public health clinics, private practices, and more.

The Expertise of a Nutritionist

A nutritionist’s expertise lies in understanding how food and dietary habits impact health and well-being. They have a deep knowledge of:

The nutritional content of different foods
How the body uses nutrients
How diet affects health and disease

Nutritionist Mount Waverley – Specialised Health Screening Tests

Nutritional testing is a crucial part of our holistic approach at Malvern Natural Health Care. We offer a range of medical and functional nutritional testing methods, including specialised in-house vitamin and mineral testing, hair tissue mineral analysis, heavy metal testing, and more. Our nutritionist Mount Waverley is well-versed in these testing methods and can guide you through the process.

The Role of Health Screening Tests in the Approach of Our Nutritionist Mount Waverley

These tests help us understand your nutritional status and identify any deficiencies or imbalances that may be affecting your health. For instance, our in-house vitamin and mineral testing can reveal deficiencies that could be contributing to symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, or weakened immunity. Our nutritionist Mount Waverley can then use this information to create a personalised nutrition plan that addresses these deficiencies.

We also offer more specialised tests, such as;

The DUTCH test (Dried Urine testing)
Body Composition Analysis
Iridology
Live Blood Analysis
Digestive Stool Analysis
Baseline Hormone Profiles
Tissue Mineral Analysis

These tests provide a deeper understanding of your health and can help us identify underlying issues that may be affecting your well-being.

Our nutritionist in has seen firsthand how these tests can transform a person’s health. One of our clients, for example, was struggling with unexplained weight gain and fatigue. Through comprehensive testing, we were able to identify hormonal imbalances that were contributing to their symptoms. With a personalised nutrition plan and targeted supplements, they were able to regain their energy and manage their weight effectively.

Body Composition Analysis by Our Nutritionist Carnegie

At Malvern Natural Health Care, we believe in using the latest technology to provide the best care for our clients. One such tool we use is Body Composition Analysis (Bodyscan), using high-tech Bioimpedance Analysis. This tool is particularly useful for our nutritionist Carnegie to monitor your results quickly.

How Our Nutritionist Carnegie Utilises Body Composition Analysis?

Body Composition Analysis provides a detailed look at your body composition, including fat mass, muscle mass, and water balance. This information is crucial in understanding your current health status and tracking your progress over time. Our nutritionist Carnegie uses this tool to adjust your treatment plan as needed and track your results effectively.

You’ll receive a detailed colour printout of your progress, which can be a great motivator to stay on track and achieve your goals. One of our clients, an avid runner, used Body Composition Analysis to understand their body better and improve their performance. With the help of our nutritionist, they were able to adjust their nutrition plan and training regimen, leading to improved running times and overall fitness.

The Working Methodology of Our Nutritionists

Initial Consultation

The process usually begins with an initial consultation, where our nutritionist gathers information about the client’s health history, dietary habits, lifestyle, and health goals. This information is crucial in creating a personalised nutrition plan.

Creating a Personalised Nutrition Plan

Based on the information gathered during the initial consultation, the nutritionist will create a personalised nutrition plan. This plan will take into account the client’s;

Nutritional needs
Health goals
Dietary preferences
Lifestyle factors

Ongoing Support and Monitoring

Our nutritionist provides ongoing support and monitoring to ensure the client is making progress towards their health goals. They may adjust the nutrition plan as needed and provide education and resources to help the client make healthy dietary choices.

Personalised Nutrition Plans by Our Nutritionist Toorak

Your personalised nutrition plan is at the heart of what we do at Malvern Natural Health Care. Our nutritionist Toorak specialises in creating nutrition plans tailored to your lifestyle, emotional needs, and unique requirements for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, carbohydrates, protein, and essential fatty acids.

Tailoring Nutrition Plans – The Approach of Our Nutritionist Toorak

Creating a personalised nutrition plan starts with understanding you. Our nutritionist Toorak will take the time to understand your lifestyle, dietary preferences, health goals, and any medical conditions or concerns you may have. They will then use this information, along with the results from your nutritional testing and Body Composition Analysis, to create a nutrition plan that is uniquely yours.

Our personalised nutrition plans are not just about telling you what to eat. They are about helping you understand your body and how different foods can support your health. They are about empowering you to make informed decisions about your nutrition and health.

One of our clients, a busy mom with a demanding job, found that her personalised nutrition plan was a game-changer. She had been struggling with managing her weight and energy levels. With the help of our nutritionist, she was able to create a nutrition plan that fit her busy lifestyle, helped her manage her weight, and boosted her energy levels.

Nutritionist Glen Iris – Emotional Well-being and Nutrition

At Malvern Natural Health Care, we understand that nutrition is about more than just food. It’s about your overall well-being, including your emotional health. Our nutritionist Glen Iris takes pride in combining nutritional assessments, a functional medical approach, and a focus on emotional support to help you succeed in your journey towards optimal health.

Emotional Wellbeing – A Key Focus for Our Nutritionist Glen Iris

Emotional well-being is a crucial aspect of your health. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues can significantly impact your nutritional status and overall health. Our nutritionist Glen Iris is trained to recognise these issues and provide the necessary support.

For instance, one of our clients was dealing with high levels of stress due to their demanding job. This stress was affecting their eating habits and overall health. Our nutritionist worked with them to create a nutrition plan that not only addressed their nutritional needs but also included strategies to manage their stress levels.

Why Hire a Nutritionist?

There are many reasons why someone might choose to hire a nutritionist. Here are a few;

Managing a Chronic Condition: Nutrition can play a key role in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. A nutritionist can provide guidance on dietary changes that can help manage these conditions.
Improving General Health: A nutritionist can provide valuable guidance if you’re generally healthy but want to improve your diet and lifestyle. They can help you understand your nutritional needs and make healthier dietary choices.
Achieving a Specific Goal: Whether you’re looking to lose weight, gain muscle, improve sports performance, or achieve another specific goal, a nutritionist can create a personalised nutrition plan to help you reach your goal.
Navigating Food Allergies or Intolerances: If you have a food allergy or intolerance, a nutritionist can help you navigate your dietary restrictions and ensure you’re still getting the nutrients you need.

The Added Value of Hiring a Nutritionist

Personalised Care: A nutritionist provides personalised care tailored to your unique needs and goals. They understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition.
Expert Guidance: A nutritionist provides specialist guidance based on the latest scientific research. They can help you navigate the often confusing world of nutrition and make informed dietary choices.
Accountability: Having a nutritionist can provide a level of accountability that can help you stay on track towards your health goals.
Education: A nutritionist doesn’t just tell you what to eat. They educate you about nutrition so you can make informed decisions about your diet and health.

A nutritionist plays a crucial role in health and well-being. They provide expert guidance, personalised care, and ongoing support to help individuals improve their health, manage diseases, and achieve their health goals. Whether you’re looking to manage a chronic condition, improve your general health, achieve a specific goal, or navigate food allergies or intolerances, a nutritionist can provide the expertise and support you need.

Sports Nutritionist Melbourne – The Role of Nutrition in Sports Performance

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in sports performance. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, what you eat can significantly impact your performance, recovery, and overall health. At Malvern Natural Health Care, our sports nutritionist Melbourne is dedicated to helping athletes optimise their nutrition for peak performance.

Optimising Sports Performance – The Expertise of Our Sports Nutritionist Melbourne

Our sports nutritionist Melbourne understands the unique nutritional needs of athletes. They can guide what to eat before, during, and after training or competition to fuel your performance and aid recovery. They can also help manage weight, build muscle, and address specific nutritional concerns related to your sport.

For example, one of our clients, a competitive cyclist, was struggling with fatigue and poor recovery. With the help of our sports nutritionists, they were able to adjust their nutrition to better fuel their training and improve recovery. This led to improved performance and less fatigue.

Understanding the Role of a Sports Nutritionist

A sports nutritionist is a specialised type of nutritionist who works specifically with athletes and those leading an active lifestyle. They use their expertise in nutrition and exercise science to help individuals improve their athletic performance, recover from injuries, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Expertise of a Sports Nutritionist

A sports nutritionist’s expertise lies in understanding how diet and nutrition impact athletic performance. They have a deep knowledge of:

The nutritional needs of athletes
How different types of exercise affect the body’s nutritional requirements
How to use diet and nutrition to enhance athletic performance and recovery