"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu
Why Nutritious Minds Trust was Founded
There is always a why?
The journey which led me to the foundation of Nutritious Minds Trust has been a long one. Challenging and empowering, life-changing and life-affirming, it has made me realise how difficult it is for ordinary people to find understanding and support when dealing with conditions such as ADHD and Dyslexia. I’ve described that journey in this real life story – one that took me from estate agency to academia and beyond. Now, reaping the benefits of experience and expertise, my mission is to give disadvantaged families the understanding and support they need.
My credibility as Founder of this Trust rests on my various professional achievements and my status as a a Registered Nutritionist. You can find out lots more about my work, published papers and areas of expertise on my website Dr Rachel V. Gow. But above and beyond the qualifications, I’m also a mother to two wonderful (grown-up) children. They inspire and amaze me, and bring great joy, purpose and meaning into my life. And, if you followed that real life story link above, you’ll also see that the challenges faced by my son, diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine, were there at the very beginning of my journey. My Credentials – Scientist and Nutritionist Having studied for approximately 14 years, Dr. Rachel V. Gow is considered one of the U.K.’s leading authorities on the role of nutrition in ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr Gow received her Ph.D. in Child Neuropsychology in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, at the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), King’s College London in 2012. During her training at the IoP (2008-2012), she worked in clinical research alongside world-renowned ADHD expert, Professor Eric Taylor, Emeritus King’s College London, and neuroimaging expert, Professor Katya Rubia. Dr Gow received world-class training in electrophysiological recordings of brain activity, biochemistry, conducting structured clinical interviews, screening, and assessment for ADHD and comorbid conditions. Between 2012 and 2016, she worked as a Guest Researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, United States in the Section of Nutritional Neurosciences. During this role, she co-designed and managed the worlds first clinical trial testing the role of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in reward-related processes using neuroimaging techniques in adults with ADHD. Rachel currently works alongside world-renowned scientist, Dr Robert Lustig, computer scientist, Andreas Kornstaedt, business leader and creative solutions expert, Wolfram Alderson, and medical doctor and culinary food wizard, Timothy Harlan. Together they have published their first team paper which is available to download for FREE on Frontiers in Nutrition titled: The Metabolic Matrix: Re-engineering ultraprocessed foods to feed the gut, protect the liver, and support the brain, and continue to work together supporting the Metabolic Matrix initiative. Rachel also lectures at various academic institutes including the University of Surrey, the University of Bournemouth, and London Metropolitan University. She is currently a Guest Research at the University of Roehampton, working on a collaborative research project with Dr Simon Dyall. She continues to supervise students all over the world. Memberships & Collaborations Rachel is a Science Fellow of Think Trough Nutrition, and a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and, expired but long-standing member, of International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids (ISSFAL). In addition, she is a Trustee for Professor Michael Crawford’s, The Mother and Child Foundation, and also works with other charities including NutriTank, and Food and Behaviour (FAB) Research. TV Work Rachel has worked as an adviser on the BBC TV show Trust Me, I’m a Doctor. She has previously given interviews and featured on GMTV, Sky News, LBC and BBC radio on the subject of ADHD. She has provided behind-the-scenes consultancy to Betty TV during an episode of the Food Hospital on Channel 4, London. Books Rachel's first book, Smart Foods and Brain Health was published in 2021 by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, part of the Hachette Book Group and can be ordered via the JKP website or Amazon. |