Getting to the Root of Your Health Concerns

A Holistic approach to Nutrition

As a Nutritional Therapist, a key focus of my work is identifying and reducing or resolving the ‘root causes’ of my clients’ symptoms or health conditions.

Lately, I’ve noticed the term ‘root causes’ being used more frequently, particularly on social media and across a variety of therapy-based services.

So, I thought it would be helpful to explain this approach, how it differs from other health services, and how it can help you. I’ll also share what this looks like in my work.

What do I mean by ‘root causes’?

If we take the example of a poorly tree: if the leaves were showing unusual mould, we might spray them with an anti-mould product. This might help initially - or even resolve the problem - if the issue is only something external affecting the leaves.

However, many other factors could be influencing the leaves. For example, very wet weather could cause the roots to become waterlogged. Woodland animals may damage the tree, triggering defence responses that affect the leaves. Or a nearby dominant tree may be draining nutrients from the soil.

Some of these causes we can’t control (e.g. the weather), but we may be able to support the tree to become more resilient. We may also be able to address certain factors, such as providing additional nutrients.

If we only treat the leaves, we miss the bigger picture. We risk overlooking other - and potentially more important - influences on the tree’s health. To truly support it, we need to consider both its internal and external environment.

How does this relate to our health?

Treating only the ‘leaves’ is similar to how conventional Western healthcare often works. Symptoms or conditions are usually treated in isolation (often with medication or surgery), without always considering what else may be happening in the body.

This can be very helpful in reducing symptoms and may help us feel better. However, it’s not usually a long-term solution if the underlying causes remain.

For example, a steroid cream may clear a skin rash, but when it’s stopped, the rash often returns. The underlying causes (such as stress) haven’t changed, so the cream acts as a ‘sticking plaster’ - a temporary fix.

Medications can also lead to side effects, sometimes requiring additional medication. They may contribute to nutritional deficiencies, which can further impact health. Many people find themselves on a ‘merry-go-round’ of treatments, with some relief but no lasting resolution.

This isn’t about avoiding medication - they can be life-saving and incredibly valuable. However, they often focus on symptom management rather than addressing root causes, particularly in long-term conditions.

A similar pattern can occur with some types of surgery. For example, removing an individual’s gallbladder may be necessary, but the factors that contributed to the issue may still remain. Removing an organ doesn’t usually address the underlying cause.

Working with root causes

The body is highly interconnected - everything influences everything else. That’s why it’s important to look at the whole picture when supporting symptoms or imbalances. Physical and mental health are also closely linked and impact each other.

Although it may sometimes feel that way, health conditions rarely come out of nowhere. 

When working with someone, I take a full case history and look for patterns, including:

• Predisposing factors - things that increase susceptibility (e.g. family history, life stage)

• Triggers - events that lead or contribute to the current issue (e.g. stress, infection)

• Mediators - factors that keep the issue going (e.g. poor sleep, diet, ongoing stress)

There is rarely a single cause. More often, it’s a combination of these factors over time.

For example, in a 47-year-old woman with an autoimmune thyroid condition:

• A predisposing factor may be her life stage (perimenopause)

• A trigger could be a simmering chronic infection activating her immune system

• Mediators might include poor gut health due to a highly processed diet

We may not be able to change predisposing factors, but we can support the body and address triggers and mediators. In this example, diet and lifestyle support may help improve resilience during hormonal changes.

Where to start with addressing root causes

A common mediator I see is what I call ‘empty food’ - food that is low in nutrients. Eating this regularly can contribute to many imbalances.

So, starting with your diet is ALWAYS a great first step. Aim to include more whole, real food, and cook from scratch where possible. Start small if needed. For example, try adding an extra vegetable to your evening meal or switching to a protein-rich breakfast instead of cereal.

I often hear that cooking real food has been de-prioritised in our busy lives. But nutrient-dense, whole food is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your health.

If you’d like support putting this into practice, take a look at my Spring Recharge programme - a 7-day whole food cleanse starting Monday 20th April. For all the details, visit: https://transitionnutrition.co.uk/your-seasonal-recharge/

About the author: Michelle Paterson is a nutritional Therapist and founder of Transition Nutrition. She helps purpose-driven people to upgrade their energy, mood, sleep and gut health by fixing the root causes, so that they feel happier and find the freedom to live a life they love (rather than just existing).