Our diploma programme starts with a detailed yet broad overview of the true dietary sparks of life. The micronutrients. These are the vitamins, minerals and trace elements. We call them the sparks of life as they are the true biochemical facilitators. This means that, in our body they either make something happen, or they make something that then makes something happen. The slightest deficiency can contribute to short and long term poor health and can be linked to many diseases and disease risks. 

We then begin to explore another fascinating group of substances found in our diet. These aren't nutrients per se as there are no set requirements for them and you cannot be 'deficient' in them, but they do have the power to deliver an almost pharmaceutical activity in the body. These substances are the phytochemicals or phytonutrients.

In both cases we explore what they do, where to find them, and how best to consume them. 

Assessment: Online Exam

The purpose of this module is to further familiarise you with the basic coaching skills that you will use when working with clients. This doesn’t really matter whether it’s online as an influencer or blogger, as a writer, in person in a cooking class, one to one with a client in their home. Remember, your clients will all be at different levels. Some will have been focused on improving their health for awhile, but many that you work with will be right at the beginning of their journey.

With this in mind it is important that you know how to navigate someone through the basics of dietary improvement, healthier eating, and how to enable them to make lasting change in their diet before you start getting into all the specifics of their dietary needs.

Your clients have to start their journey from the very beginning so this module is all about the tools for developing change, including a few tools and resources you can give to clients to help them on their way.

Assessment: evaluation of a case study with a written action plan.

This may be, in our opinion one of the most important modules in the entire diploma. This is because it really sets the stage for such a wide understanding of the influence that nutrition has upon disease process.

The developed World is in a healthcare crisis. Diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity are placing enormous demand upon our healthcare systems, to the point where they are about to break. These issues really are down to the way in which our modern diet and lifestyle is causing havoc and severe metabolic dysfunction. The phenomena of metabolic syndrome is well documented.

This module focuses upon this widespread metabolic dysfunction and how diet can both be a major cause, and in many cases the most relevant and effective management tool.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

Diseases of the skeleton and the joints are almost universal in an ageing population to one degree or another. Whilst not a cure all by any means, diet as an intervention can improve several aspects of joint and bone health. This can be from both the point of view of preventing premature damage and degeneration, through to directly targeting specific diseases of the joints and bones. 

This module will as always explore the anatomy and physiology of the bones and joints. We then explore disease processes for issues such as osteoporosis and the different types of arthritis. Then we progress to the role that diet can play in supporting long term skeletal health and also the part it can play in long term management of conditions.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

We are living in a time when more and more people are finding their mental health challenged. Our modern way of living does very little for our mental wellbeing.

Social isolation, life pressures, poor diet and lifestyle choices, there are many factors of our modern condition that drive this, and all of them are important for sound mental health.

This module explores the anatomy and physiology of the brain and nervous system, anxiety, and depression and their physiological attributes and causes, and then how nutrition can form PART of the therapeutic programme. Our diet can be an incredibly powerful tool in regulating so many different aspects of brain function. When you understand this, you can change your diet accordingly and take meaningful steps to create significant change. The simplest of diet changes have completely transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of clients. 

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

At no other point in history have we been so acutely reminded of how important our immunity is and how serious things can get if it is healthy and thriving. Our immune system is our defence agains everything that ails us and keeping it strong is of vital importance. Not just for warding off coughs and colds, but for protection against some of the most serious conditions that plague us. Cancer for example is a disease that relies on a strong robust immune system to be managed successfully by the body

This module explores the cells and organisation of the immune system, how they function, and how diet and nutrition can support and even enhance the way in which this vital system works.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

Skin conditions, while seldom life threatening, can be some of the most distressing afflictions that we can suffer from. It is in fact acne that set our founder, Dale Pinnock on the road to discovering nutrition, so this module is most definitely of importance to us. 

The skin is on display and skin flare ups
like acne and psoriasis can be incredibly distressing and severely affect quality of life. After exploring the anatomy and physiology of the skin, this module explores the common three skin conditions where diet and nutrition can have an impact – Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis. We explore how nutrition interacts with disease process and how it can be manipulated as a therapeutic tool for managing these conditions.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

This is the biggest module on the whole course and has very close links Heart disease and cardiovascular issues are among the biggest killers in the Western World and represent one of the biggest strains upon our global healthcare systems. Many of the modern cardiovascular issues are very much preventable and certainly manageable with changes in lifestyle. Diet being one of the most profound changes along with exercise and stress management.

In this module we explore as always the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Then we move on to exploring disease processes, both nutritional in origin and those driven by other factors. Then we explore the ways in which changing the diet can influence these disease processes from both exacerbating them, through to prevent, managing, and in some cases reversing them.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

The final module before you jump into your final major project. Digestive issues are one of the most common things that plague us in modern times. Issues that vary from the annoying, to the dangerous, knowing what dietary strategy is suitable and most importantly safe is vital for aiding clients in their self management of these issues.

As always we begin with exploring the anatomy and physiology. Then we move into pathophysiology - the changes in normal function that arise because of or establish disease. Then we look at the way nutritional intervention influences these disease processes, and can support general digestive health.

Assessment: a combination of an online exam, case study evaluation, and recipe/meal plan design project.

Once you have worked through all 9 of our taught modules, it is then your chance to take a head first leap into the depths of the area that interests you!

Whether it is auto immune conditions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease. Whatever has really gripped your interest. This is your chance to deeply research this subject and create your in depth dissertation and discussion of the role that nutrition plays in this subject.

Once you have created your write up, you will then be tasked with creating a full 7 day meal plan, researched and referenced to the highest evidence led standard.

This is a difficult one to answer as our whole philosophy is 'no deadlines, time limits, or time pressures'. We have created the course so that students can fit their studies around their day to day life. Around a full time job. Around family life. 

That being said, the average length of time that it takes students to complete the programme is 12 - 18 months studying at an average pace (what is average anyway?). 

Ultimately you can take as long as you want, or do it as fast as you want. 

Similarly this is an estimate, but it is in the region of 270 hours overall.

If you were aiming to complete the course in 12 months, that would work out at just over 4 hours study per week, so extremely manageable around a demanding life. 

Not at all. The programme is designed so that even if you have never studied any of the sciences before, you can jump straight in.

We build on the key concepts and develop you as a student step by step. We also have an open door support system. Anytime you need any help we will get on a phone or Zoom call with you and give you all the help you could possibly need. 

To give you an idea, our students range from High School students, through to NHS Doctors, Dieticians, PT's and beyond. 

Nobody has ever said that the material is too complex or too basic. We deliver it for all types of learner and build on your skills. So whatever your educational background is, you can jump into this and have a wonderful experience. 

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