HI, I’M JOANNA,
A Certified Nutrition Practitioner.
But more importantly,
I am an EXPLORER, I AM AN EDUCATOR, I AM A GUIDE.
I specialize in the field of nutritional genetics
(that's a fancy way of saying that I look at your DNA, then tell you how to eat and live according to your unique genes).
Some may call it Gene Cuisine, others may call it magic, but the technical term is 'Nutrigenomics'.
Through the science of nutrigenomics, combined with the support of diet & lifestyle coaching, I work to provide you with your own genetic roadmap, empowering you to side-step chronic disease & freeing you up to pursue a lifetime of youthful, vibrant health.
With special training in epigenetics, aging, food sensitivities and the gut microbiome, I offer an educated and enlightened perspective on your health journey, navigating a path towards your very best potential. Together, we’ll look at your health from the inside out (literally) and we'll chart a clear path for you to achieve & maintain optimal wellness based on your genetic predispositions & your current environment.
Although the frames on my office wall include (among other things) a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition, a degree in Psychology, a diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies, and a post-graduate certificate in Communications, it's actually the decade I invested leading volunteer teams around the world that I consider to be my greatest education.
From city slums to rural community gardens, from the highlands of Ecuador to the delta of Bangladesh, from urban garbage dumps to the vast wilderness of Africa's Great Rift Valley, I repeatedly came face to face with the transformative power of nutrition to literally change people's lives. Convinced of the healing and transformative power of food, I returned to school to pursue designation as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner.
From there, my interests led to even further study in the fields of functional nutrition, microbiome analysis, aging, and (perhaps most importantly) nutrigenomics - a topic that hooked me from the very first moment I heard about it. Nutrigenomics is the study of how YOUR specific genetic variations interact with different bio-chemical compounds in the foods you consume to increase or decrease your personal risk of chronic disease. Fascinated, I devoured all the information I could find with a rapt sense of wonderment and awe, blown away at just how AMAZING our bodies really are, and how many secrets each strand of DNA holds.
Your unique genes mean that you respond to and metabolize the same food differently than I do. This is exactly why the same diet doesn't work for everyone. It's not "one size fits all" when it comes to your health. The food we consume may be the same, but our bodies metabolize and interpret that food very differently.
And now, through the science of DNA testing, we have the tools to find out what works for YOU.
In my nutrition practice, I combine DNA testing alongside personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations, to help clients side-step underlying genetic predispositions towards chronic disease, enabling them to work towards their best possible health. With a background in psychology and previous career experience in transformational development, I also support clients through the inner work required to make real change.
I offer a window: a glimpse at what you’re made of, where you currently stand, and your best future health potential (your birthright). Reaching that full potential is going to take some effort on your part. (Yes, there is work involved!) Luckily, you’re not alone! I am a helper… it’s what I do, it’s who I am, it’s in my blood, it’s in my DNA. Nothing delights me more than helping others thrive.
So, let’s sit. Let’s talk. Let’s look at what’s going on, on the inside. And together, let’s unlock the mystery of your unique biochemistry, nourishing you for a lifetime of optimal health and wellness. I promise to bring all my years of curiosity, wisdom, grace and compassion to help you get to where you want to be.
This is your journey – it is my privilege to walk with you.
Joanna Bowen, BA (Hons), CNP.
