Features | NV Health & Nicola Vaughan: Applying Aerospace Precision to Nutritional Therapy

The journey of NV Health, founded by Registered Nutritional Therapist Nicola Vaughan, is rooted in science, not trends. Nicola's background, which includes a first-class Masters in Physics and years spent as an aerospace engineer, informs the rigorous, "health detective" approach of her practice.

This scientific precision is the core philosophy behind NV Health, which is dedicated to solving complex health issues by identifying root causes rather than simply treating symptoms.

From Physics to Functional Medicine: The NV Health Origin

Nicola Vaughan’s career shift was catalyzed by a personal health crisis: her eldest child was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Unwilling to accept an "idiopathic" (unknown cause) diagnosis, she applied her research expertise to the world of nutrition and functional medicine, eventually witnessing her son thrive and come off medication.

"I am a nutritionist. I'm a scientist as well. So I find that what I love the most is this unique blend of how the body really works, how we can understand when things are going a little bit wrong and how to correct it with nutrition." - Nicola Vaughan

NV Health was born from this understanding, focusing on four essential pillars of health: sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress.

Core Features of the NV Health Approach

NV Health specialises in using personalized, evidence-based nutritional therapy to address:

• Metabolic Issues: Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and unexplained weight gain.

• Autoimmunity and Chronic Fatigue: Addressing underlying drivers of systemic inflammation.

• Gut Health: Repairing the gut lining and balancing the microbiome to support immunity.

The "FutureStrong" Metabolic Programme

A flagship offering from NV Health, the "FutureStrong" programme, is designed to rebuild metabolic health from the ground up, moving beyond simple calorie counting. The programme emphasizes:

• Understanding Food as Information: Calories are just an energetic value; the body's hormonal response (like insulin) to what you eat is far more complex and determines if energy is burned or stored as fat.

  "Our bodies are so complicated. they are dependent upon hormones that'll be influencing different ways in which energy is stored versus ver versus energy is burnt. So it's much more complicated than that." - Nicola Vaughan

• Building Muscle as a Metabolic Engine: The programme uniquely combines nutrition education with daily strength training, recognizing that muscle tissue is a "glucose sink" vital for regulating blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and promoting longevity.

• Eliminating Snacking: NV Health advocates for going 3-4 hours without eating between meals to allow the digestive system a "clean out" period, crucial for optimal metabolism.

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The Problem with Modern Food & The Need for Science

Nicola highlights the dangers of ultra-processed foods, which are "designed to be super palatable, highly addictive" and nutritionally devoid. NV Health’s scientific approach helps clients navigate this environment, providing robust evidence on topics like:

• Calorie Counting vs. Quality: Why an avocado (higher in calories) is fundamentally better for your body than low-calorie white toast and jam.

• Glucose Spikes: While spikes are a normal physiological response, the length of time your body takes to return to a healthy range is the key sign of metabolic efficiency.

Interested? Watch the full podcast on the Aleksandra King Youtube Channel or discover more about Nicola's nutritional advice.