“It was a comment that made me stop and think."

“I’ve never heard of Biomedic Nutritionist®”. And what’s that CellNurish all about? I don’t even know what a Biomedical Scientist is.”

Hearing comments like these over the years makes me realise that many people don’t know the story behind my professional identity or the journey that led to Biomedic Nutritionist® and CellNurish. They also make me realise that while I know exactly what these names mean to me, they may not mean very much to other people.

So, I thought I’d explain the story behind them.

What is a Biomedical Scientist?

Although Biomedical Scientists are central to modern healthcare, many people are unfamiliar with the profession and the work we do behind the scenes. Yet biomedical scientists are involved in millions of patient diagnoses every year. In fact, around 90% of patient diagnoses are made with the help of a laboratory test.

Biomedical Scientists work behind the scenes to provide the laboratory information that is relied upon to diagnose disease, guide treatment and monitor health.

Although you may never have met one before, there’s a good chance a Biomedical Scientist has already been part of your healthcare journey.

If you’ve ever had a blood test, urine sample, biopsy, cervical screening test, operation where tissue was examined, or investigations to help diagnose an illness, a Biomedical Scientist has been involved in analysing those samples. From identifying infections and diagnosing cancer to monitoring kidney disease, diabetes and many other conditions, Biomedical Scientists are an essential part of modern healthcare.

I spent almost three decades working within the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology, specialising in the dissection and examination of tissue samples, and preparation of microscope slides. It is a profession, and is a career, that I absolutely love, along with working in the NHS. It was built on science, accuracy, quality and always putting patients first.

Alongside this, I also spent 25 years volunteering in mental health support, listening to and supporting people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That experience taught me as much about people as my scientific training taught me about disease. It showed me that health is never just physical, and that listening without judgement can be as powerful as any test result.

Biomedical science gives me an in-depth understanding of disease processes, pathology, laboratory investigations and what is happening inside the body.

How did I become interested in nutrition?

Alongside my laboratory profession and my mental health support work, I developed an increasing interest in how nutrition influences health. What started as curiosity became formal Master’s degree level study, leading me to qualify first as a Registered Nutritional Therapist and also as a Registered Dietitian. Rather than leaving one profession behind to pursue another, I have brought them all together.

What is a Dietitian and Nutritional Therapist?

Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals qualified to assess, diagnose and treat nutritional problems using evidence-based medical nutrition therapy. As a Registered Dietitian, I help people use nutrition safely and effectively as part of their healthcare.

Nutritional Therapists take a personalised approach, considering nutrition, lifestyle and individual circumstances alongside current scientific evidence. As a Registered Nutritional Therapist, I look beyond a diagnosis to understand the wider factors influencing a person’s health and wellbeing.

Today, I combine all three professions, alongside 25 years of mental health support experience. That combination is what makes my approach unique.

Together, these professions complement one another and shape the way I support every person.

So why “Biomedic Nutritionist®”?

The answer is actually very simple, well it is to me...

It is a name that reflects who I am professionally, and one that immediately felt like me.

“Biomedic” represents my biomedical science background, while “Nutritionist” reflects my work in nutrition. Together, they describe my professions that bridge laboratory medicine, biomedical science, clinical dietetics and nutritional therapy.

It isn’t the name of any profession or a qualification, it is the name of my profession, which is personal to me. It is my registered trademark and my professional identity, representing the unique combination of knowledge, experience and perspectives that I bring to my work.

People can ask whether I’m a Biomedical Scientist, a Dietitian or a Nutritional Therapist? The answer is that I am all three, alongside 25 years of experience supporting people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

As a Biomedical Scientist, I developed a deep understanding of pathology, disease processes and laboratory medicine. Nearly 30 years in the NHS taught me the importance of evidence, precision, quality and understanding what is happening inside the body. Although I no longer work in the laboratory full time, that scientific way of thinking remains the foundation of everything I do.

As a Registered Dietitian, I provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy that works alongside healthcare. Whether supporting people living with kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, malnutrition or many other health concerns, my role is to translate complex scientific evidence into practical, personal, individualised and holistic nutritional care. So you’re never given generic advice that ignores your medical reality.

As a Registered Nutritional Therapist, I also recognise that no two people are the same. Looking beyond a diagnosis, I consider nutrition, lifestyle, health history, symptoms, routines, wellbeing and personal goals to develop recommendations that are realistic, achievable and tailored to the individual. This personalised approach complements my work as a dietitian and biomedical scientist. So the plan you leave with actually fits your life, not just your diagnosis.

Alongside these professions, my 25 years of experience listening to and supporting people through mental and emotional difficulty gave me something that cannot be taught in a lecture theatre or a laboratory: the ability to truly listen, to sit with someone in distress, and to understand that behind every health concern is a person, not just a set of symptoms or results. So when we work together, you’re heard, not just assessed.

Together, these professions allow me to see health from different perspectives. I understand the science behind disease, the clinical evidence supporting nutrition, and the importance of treating each person as an individual. That combination shapes every consultation, every educational resource and every piece of work I produce.

CellNurish

Over the years, my work has continued to evolve, and that journey eventually led to the creation of CellNurish.

CellNurish brings together everything I have learned throughout my career. It is where biomedical science, dietetics, nutritional therapy, education, mental health and wellbeing, come together with one shared purpose: helping people understand their health, make informed choices and feel supported throughout their journey.

Whether I’m working one-to-one with clients, delivering education, writing resources, developing my CellNurish Framework™, creating my wellbeing guide The Power of a Pause, supporting kidney health, or building the CellNurish Club, the principles remain the same. My work is rooted in science, guided by evidence, delivered with compassion and centred around personalised care.

Looking back, I never imagined my career would follow this path. From dissecting human tissue, preparing microscope slides in the laboratory, managing and leading teams, to supporting people directly through nutrition, every stage has built upon the last. I haven’t left biomedical science behind; it continues to be part of how I practice, influences how I think, how I interpret information and how I support those who place their trust in me.

Reflection has been an important part of my own journey too. It’s one of the reasons I wrote my wellbeing guide, The Power of Pause, to encourage people to create space to pause and reconnect with what matters to them.

So, if you’ve ever wondered why I’m called Biomedic Nutritionist® and why CellNurish, now you know. They are much more than just names.

Biomedic Nutritionist® reflects where my career began, how it evolved and the values that continue to shape everything I do, while CellNurish represents the future of that journey—a place where science, nutrition, education and wellbeing come together to help people feel well, live a good life and continue being themselves.

You Don’t Have to Be “Ill Enough” to Focus on Your Health

One of the most rewarding parts of working independently in our local community is showing everyone that you don’t have to wait until a crisis to take care of yourself. Your everyday quality of life, your energy levels, and your confidence matter. I understand this not only professionally, but personally too, having navigated my own health difficulties along the way.

Whether you are navigating a complex health concern, trying to make sense of your recent health results, or simply want to feel more like you, you can find a safe, practical space here.

We can have a Chat!

If you’re curious about how a personalised approach to nutrition can support your lifestyle, we can have a chat. You can book a free, short Enquiry Call to ask questions and see if we’re a good fit, book a Check-in and Reset or 1:1 assessment appointment.

Speak soon. Anna x

• Website: www.cellnurish.me

• Email: anna@cellnurish.me

• Phone: 07586 960099