‘Prescribing Hope: The Science and Practice of Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry’
Dr Georgia Ede

After decades of standing still, the exciting new subspecialties of nutritional psychiatry and metabolic psychiatry are transforming the way we approach mental health conditions, using therapeutic diets to bring hope and relief for people with “chronic” and “treatment-resistant” disorders that have not responded to medications or psychotherapy. Yet these two schools of thought can sometimes appear to be at odds with each other, as they view root causes differently and therefore propose different dietary solutions: modern nutritional psychiatry favors the high-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet while metabolic psychiatry favors the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. How can both of these diets be good for the brain? Do different patients need different diets? How do we practitioners help our patients navigate the perpetual confusion and controversy in the headlines and guidelines surrounding nutrition—superfoods, supplements, antioxidants, plant-based diets, carnivore diets, cholesterol, saturated fat?

In this presentation, I will show you how to have the best of both worlds: by combining the truth about brain food with the cutting-edge science of brain metabolism, you can confidently counsel your patients about nutrition and tailor your treatment plans to their dietary preferences and their metabolic needs. In the first half of the presentation, we will focus on the fascinating world of nutrition science; in the second half, I will teach you practical strategies for safely incorporating ketogenic diets into your care of people with mental health conditions

‘Food Addiction: What can we agree about prevalence, co-morbidities, causes and treatment?’
Dr Jen Unwin. BSc, MSc, DPsy, C Psychol, FBPsS

This talk will cover the latest consensus and research in the field of food addiction. There have been considerable debates on the naming of the condition that comprises cravings and compulsions to eat certain foods, eating more of those foods than intended and needing more, avoiding other activities, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit and continuing to eat certain foods despite knowing they are doing you harm.

We will discuss why ultra-processed food use disorder (UPFUD) is the agreed best term. There is a wealth of research on the prevalence of these symptoms of addiction in relation to foods (nearly always UPF) in different chronic health conditions seen in clinic. Several mechanisms have been put forward to explain the symptoms and these will be described. New research is emerging on the effectiveness of treatment for UPFUD. Data will be presented which show significant sustained improvements in UPFUD using a real food, low carbohydrate food plan with education and support in group settings. A simple screen tool and advice that can be used in clinic will be described and resources for further learning and signposting will be provided.

Dr David Unwin will chair an interactive panel discussion following Dr Jen Unwin’s talk

Dr. David Unwin, MD, is an award-winning general practitioner (or family doctor) known for pioneering the low-carb approach in the UK. Through the years, Dr. Unwin has been highly recognized for his work within his field.

In 2015, Dr. Unwin was made a UK Royal College of General Practitioners expert clinical advisor in 2015 for his dedicated efforts within the areas of patient communication and type 2 diabetes.

Then, in 2016, Dr. Unwin won the prestigious NHS Innovator of the Year award for his work with diabetes patients.

From 2017 to 2018, his practice saved £57,000 on drugs for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions by offering patients a dietary alternative to medications.

Also in 2018, Dr. Unwin was named the ninth most influential general practitioner in the UK by GP magazine Pulse. Moreover, he is a clinical expert in Diabetes at Fellowship of the UK Royal College of General Practitioners where he was elected as a Fellow back in 2008.

Additionally, Dr. Unwin is the medical advisor at the popular Low Carb Program and is doing his best to spread knowledge about low carb among doctors, dietitians, and nurses.

Dr. Unwin has also written several peer-reviewed papers to strengthen the science behind low-carb diets.

Dr. Unwin’s work has been covered by BBC, New Scientist, Daily Mail,  and The British Medical Journal.

‘Rethinking Cardiovascular Care: Integrating Evidence, Innovation, and Individualised Pathways’
Pete Williams – M.Med. Sci, CSCS, IFM Certified Practitioner, Bredesen trained practitioner

This lecture examines how social media shapes practitioner and patient beliefs about the causes of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, emphasising the need to rely on the totality of evidence rather than selective data.

It reviews emerging insights into ApoB, Lp(a), nitric oxide, and the vascular glycocalyx—key factors reshaping current lipid and cardiovascular guidelines. Throughout the session, practical clinical examples illustrate how precision-led lifestyle, pharmacological, cardiac imaging, and cardiac AI-driven technology can be combined to create the most accurate personalised cardiovascular care pathways

Event compere

The event will be compered by our host, nutritionist, author, and presenter of the IHCAN magazine Podcast, Kirsten Chick.

Kirsten Chick, MSc is a UK-based nutritional therapist, educator, author, and speaker who offers a warm, evidence-based, and empowering approach to nutrition.

Kirsten is the author of Nutrition Brought to Life, a comprehensive guide that weaves together scientific research, practical tips, reflection, and 50 recipes.

She is also Nutrition Lead for the cancer charity Yes to Life, a partner member of Proud Wellness, and a member of professional writing guilds for both food and health.