Dr Marina Iacovou is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in paediatric nutrition and dietetics. Marina’s experience includes working with NDIS participants, fussy eating and kids with ARFID, maternal and women’s health, and gastrointestinal conditions/digestive health in both adults and children. Marina completed her doctorate in 2016 with the Department of Gastroenterology at Monash University where she discovered an effective dietary therapy for breastfeeding mothers who have babies diagnosed with infantile colic.
Marina is also a senior research scientist working at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research with the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases. At the research centre, Marina is working on a world first project that is testing the naturally occurring food bacteria (the good ones) and seeing what benefit they have in the human gut. This project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council titled: Should you be eating that? – food-derived bacteria and their role in treating disease.
In a world of diet trends and mixed messages about food, dietitians stand out as the experts, using evidence-based practices to guide both kids and adults towards healthier lives. Dietitians are clinically trained to take into account your medical condition, lifestyle, culture, family dynamics, and more – transforming the way we think about food.
What sets dietitians apart is their expertise in nutritional science. They can separate fact from fiction, and offer reliable advice based on the latest research. Dietitians cater to diverse needs, from managing chronic conditions to enhancing sports performance.
For Kids:
From conception through to adolescence– this is a critical time for shaping lifelong health habits in children to carry into adulthood. Dietitians specialising in kids’ nutrition understand how to make healthy eating tasty and fun. From managing allergies to expanding young taste-buds dietitians can provide support and guidance for lifelong health.
For Adults:
Navigating adulthood often leaves little time for ourselves, and therefore our own health. This is where dietitians step in, armed with strategies and a focus on individual needs to empower adults to make sustainable changes, and strike a balance between health and enjoyment, making well-being achievable and enjoyable.
Nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle. Dietitians will consider factors like sleep, stress, exercise, and mental well-being. By collaborating with other healthcare professionals, a comprehensive approach is provided that addresses all aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Digestive health and gastrointestinal conditions:
Digestive health impacts overall well-being, and dietitians specialising in this area are your best allies. They navigate food’s impact on digestion, address conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis), and Coeliac disease. They have a deep understanding of your condition and provide a tailored and personalised approach to ease symptoms and enhance your quality of life.
Marina works at the Sum of Us Kids Therapy Hub on Mondays 🙂
