Nutrition under the microscope

AN intriguing and potentially life-changing complementary medical practice has been emerging over the last century and it goes by the name of nutritional microscopy.

This is a highly scientific study that analyses blood cells through a microscope to reveal the state of your health.

Experts in this medicine believe it is a cutting-edge preventative tool. Exeter nutritional microscopist, Marianne Greenwood, said: "The condition of your blood cells have a direct impact on your present and future health, with stress and disease appearing in the blood years before they manifest in the body.

"In a nutritional microscopy session I do two types of analysis, one test on live blood, as it is in the body, and dried blood. Both tests are aimed at showing the impact of your lifestyle on your health."

Marianne, 35, from West Hill, has worked for the NHS for 17 years, starting out in haematology laboratories and moving on to work on oncology wards.

She has a practice in Southernhay Clinic, and says just a few drops of blood can open a window on the body's health. The results can reveal a whole host of things like harm caused by smoking and alcohol, high or low sugar imbalances, incorrect blood pH and ascertain the health of your immune system.

"Creating the slides for analysis involves a tiny pin prick on the finger tip to extract a few drops of blood," she added. "These are then placed under the microscope connected to a camera and computer which enables the client to see their cells magnified 20,000 times.

"I then explain and discuss what can be seen before we create a 'nutritional and lifestyle plan' aimed at addressing any imbalances found, and building the foundations for future preventative health.

"There is a lot of information for the client to take in so I present all the observations and recommendations in a 30-page report, usually within 48 hours."

Depending on the results Marianne makes recommendations on how to improve the picture. A follow-up appointment is then planned for between four and 12 weeks later.

"This is very helpful and motivating for the client to see the improvements in their blood after making a few simple dietary and lifestyle changes," she said.

Marianne's clients include people from all walks of life, from sports people to office workers, to babies and children.

"I've had sessions with athletes and football players, which help them learn how to keep their bodies at peak performance levels," she continued. "Especially important for people in strength and endurance sports is good hydration. Even a five per cent reduction in the body's hydration level can decrease performance by over 25 per cent.

"I can very quickly establish if a person is dehydrated, which can have a big impact on people's health. The results can also confirm if people are training too hard as this also manifests in the blood in the form of lactic acid crystals.

"Corporate business people have also found nutritional microscopy invaluable — imbalances in the blood can cause low energy and a lack in concentration. If these imbalances are identified and corrected it can improve performance at work.

"Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of nutritional microscopy is in allowing the person to discover for themselves which diet can make the most difference to their health.

"It's an amazing way to educate yourself — people have told me that they have learnt more about their health in a session than anything they've ever tried.

"I am also seeing clients who came to me with very serious medically diagnosed symptoms and have made huge progress in their health. Seeing this makes my work so very rewarding."

For more information on nutritional microscopy, visit www.alchemymicroscopy.co.uk or contact Marianne via email, info@alchemymicroscopy.co.uk or telephone 07912 061678.