Claire Clerkin Nutrition

03/07/2025

I am absolutely loving my regular infrared saunas - relaxing, rejuvenating and my skin feels great.

This is a fabulous special for the summer months (especially if the 🌞doesn't appear!).

#241

13/04/2025

Really looking forward to hosting Lisa's wonderful mindfulness and breathwork classes at the Belfast Chiropractic Clinic & Complementary Therapies

I recommend both mindfulness and breathwork to clients as they are proven to aid stress management and build resilience to stress.

A six-week course will furnish you with skills for life!

08/03/2025

✨I am delighted to announce that I have recently become Clinic Director and Co-Owner of the wonderful Belfast Chiropractic Clinic & Complementary Therapies!✨

When I moved to Belfast in 2015 I was looking for the right place to set up my practice. The moment I walked into the clinic I knew it had to be there. The beautiful space, professional therapists, excellent reputation and integrated health ethos were up my street!

I felt privileged that Anne Matthews felt I was good enough to join her team, and am so grateful to her for trusting me and my co-owner (and husband!) Noel, with this next chapter of the clinic.

In 2009 I hobbled into a chiropractic waiting room in London as my 'last resort'. Working with that chiropractor changed my life - I was pain free AND finally realised that I wanted to work in health and wellbeing. I signed up for my nutritional therapy diploma a few weeks later and the rest is history.

I have developed and grown my functional medicine-based practice over the years, and the clinic environment and team of colleagues has been central to this.

I am honoured to be able to lead the exceptional team of chiropractors and specialist practitioners at the clinic. I truly believe that we are one of the best integrated body/mind clinics in NI.

Noel and I will endeavour to keep up the high standards set by Anne, Claire Murray and the rest of the team (who all remain in situ!) and hope to see you at the clinic soon!

12/02/2025

Looking forward to this evening all about Women's health across the ages!

Belfast College of Naturopathic Medicine’s latest health talk is one for women’s health month in March.

BALANCING HORMONES THROUGH GUT HEALTH

TUE 25th March, 7pm - 9pm
Stranmillis College, Belfast

Please book your £5 early bird ticket via the link

https://shorturl.at/Kbei1

17/01/2025

Cancer: Reducing Risk, Naturally
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE

Tuesday 28th January, 7-9pm, Stranmillis College

A great opportunity to learn from a great expert! This talk is selling out, but I have been given access to a few free tickets.

Please use the link in the comments below and use the code AMBASSADOR2024 to get a free ticket.

What to Expect:
· In-depth discussion on the link between diet and cancer risk
· Exploration of plant-based nutrients
· Practical advice on how food choices can promote a healthier, longer life
· Expert guidance on foods that support disease prevention

Why Attend:
· Learn how specific foods can reduce cancer risk and improve overall health
· Gain a deeper understanding of the essential plant compounds in your diet
· Leave with actionable knowledge to enhance your diet and lifestyle choices

06/01/2025

Some great advice on avoiding a common source of microplastics.

If you are concerned with exposure to these chemicals, you can download my Home Detox Audit via the link in my bio (scroll down to Free Downloads).

What's in your cup of tea? ☕

Did you know a single tea bag could release billions of microplastics into your cup? 😨

Researchers have found that different types of tea bags—especially those made from plastic—leak tiny particles that could make their way into your body. These particles can interact with your cells.

Switching to loose-leaf tea or using plastic-free tea bags is an easy step toward reducing your microplastic intake. 🌱

💡 Tips to Avoid Microplastics in Your Tea:

1️⃣ Choose loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel or glass infuser.
2️⃣ Look for tea bags labeled plastic-free (often made from paper or plant-based materials).
3️⃣ Avoid nylon or polypropylene tea bags—these release the most particles.
4️⃣ Brew your tea in ceramic or glass instead of plastic cups.
5️⃣ Go the traditional route and use a teapot for steeping!

Your health and the planet will thank you. 💚

Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-single-tea-bag-could-release-billions-of-microplastics-into-the-body

05/01/2025

At this point in January, many of us start thinking about health and changing our diet.

Although this is NOT a time of year for severe 'detox' diets or juices (if you are in the northern hemisphere), you can make simple, sustainable changes while motivation levels are high.

FreshStart is an online learning and guided nutrition reset programme. It combines sensible dietary advice with video learning modules for those who really want to understand nutrition.

Alongside the healthy eating guide and recipes, the video masterclasses include understanding liver detoxification, digestion, kicking the sugar habit and essentials for good energy.

I am offering £10 off the Essentials plan until the 15th of January. Get the discount link in my bio.

17/12/2024

A revisit from last year's festive newsletter.

These festive biscuits are a *healthier* version as they include unprocessed ingredients like buckwheat and molasses. There are also the lovely warming spices that are full of polyphenols for gut health!

Don't be fooled - there is still sugar and these will still give your blood sugar a bit of a kick. But, it is Christmas, so I do feel that some sweet pleasure is called for 🎅

Ingredients:
350g buckwheat flour (I like )
¼ tsp. fine sea salt
½ tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
70g butter or coconut oil, melted
70g soft brown sugar
25ml / 180g unsulfured blackstrap molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Orange zest - organic

Method and more details on the recipe link in the Linktree bio.

My end of year newsletter will be coming out soon! Sign up link also in the bio

23/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100045809244284/posts/1216901626513467/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Animal studies show that emulsifiers are detrimental to gut health.

Studies on *humans* show a link to inflammatory bowel disease.

We've listed some of the most common emulsifier-containing foods below...are you aware of any foods in your diet that contain these ingredients?

PMID: 33336247

PMID: 38244236

28/10/2024

New Recipe.

This is one of my favourite savoury muffins.

These combine pumpkin or butternut, cheese and herbs to make a delicious and nutritious muffin.

Great for breakfast, lunchbox or to mop up a bowl of soup!

Perfect for using up pumpkin flesh from Halloween activities 🎃

The recipe is versatile (pick and mix your squash, herbs and cheeses to suit your taste.

These healthy muffins freeze well - I currently have a batch of wholemeal spelt, pumpkin, blue cheese & sage ready to defrost as needed.

Recipe in my bio (Linktree). Enjoy!

21/10/2024

Just when you thought you'd escaped all the peri /menopause awareness messaging!

Just a reminder that The Perimenopause Support Programme is half price for the month of October.

This is nutrition, lifestyle and learning programme for women over 40 who want to:
🔐Understand their body & hormones
⚡Experience some hormone dysregulation (see the questionnaire in bio)
🤸‍♂️Ease the transition into menopause

See the link in my bio (linktr.ee) for more information - the course intro video is now available on the webpage, so you can hear me explain more about the course.


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03/10/2024

Diet is not the only solution to gut health.

There, I said it!
Basically, you cannot out-eat stress.
Which means, a 'perfect' gut friendly diet, cannot completely mitigate the effects of chronic stress on the gut.

I see clients every week to help with their digestive issues from SIBO, IBD and constipation (and everything in-between)!
I can tell you now, with no hesitation, that the nervous system is likely calling the shots in 90% of cases.

It's not that there isn't an imbalance in the microbiome, small intestine, stomach or elsewhere, it's that the root cause or trigger often comes back to the nervous system (stress, anxiety, trauma, insomnia etc).

The impact of the nervous system on gut health is profound, so trying to rebalance the gut without partnering with the nervous system doesn't make sense.

Understanding the role of the vagus nerve is key to unlocking long-term gut health. From acid reflux to diarrhoea and constipation, the vagus nerve is almost certainly playing a role. It's the conductor in the gut/brain connection.

The good news is we now understand so much more about the vagus nerve now and how to optimise its function.

So when your nutritional therapist also recommends walks in nature, Epsom salts baths, reducing caffeine, magnesium supplements or regular yoga classes, they are working on the subtle but important gut/brain connection. If they ask you to sing, gargle or take a cold shower, that's your clue that they are supporting your vagus nerve!

Find out more about the vagus nerve on my blog (link below 👇).
You can also download my FREE vagal toning worksheet (link in blog).