Charlotte Meschede, who has a B.Sc. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and postgraduate diplomas in Hospital Dietetics, Herbal Medicine and Diabetes Management, runs our nutrition centre.

Charlotte brings many years of experience into the nutritional management of our patients. Her special interests include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal diseases, sports nutrition and women’s health, including menopause.

Her vast experience enables her to give you the best possible solution to your dietary dilemmas. She strives to embrace the most current research, enabling her to provide the best possible solution to your nutritional management.

Charlotte maintains that there is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ diet and emphasizes the necessity of finding a personalized eating plan that will suit your specific DNA profile, lifestyle, budget and physical abilities. Moral support is crucial when trying to make such fundamental changes and her holistic approach will nurture you until your individual goals are achieved.

The VLCD Program is a medically supervised weight management program that closely monitors and assesses progress towards better health and emotional well-being.

The program, which usually lasts 26 weeks, utilizes a full meal replacement plan that transitions to self-prepared ‘everyday’ meals, in conjunction with comprehensive patient education and support.

15% of the world population is affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Studies have a shown that a diet low in FODMAPs can help and that IBS is not necessarily a life sentence.

Pioneered by Monash University the Low FODMAP diet is an effective treatment based on science that has been shown to alleviate IBS symptoms.

Charlotte has completed an extensive course in FODMAPs through MONASH University and will be able to assist you in dealing with this complex and uncomfortable condition.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation has become a massive industry and many patients haphazardly buy over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins, minerals and herbal preparations.

A major part of consultations with Charlotte is discussing suitable, if any, necessary supplementation and a regime that does not interfere with current chronic medications.

Tired of dieting and getting nowhere?

Consider having a DNA test that can give some insight into your genetic make-up and how this may affect your ability to lose weight and keep it off.

DNA-diet tests for gene variants associated with responsiveness to fat and carbohydrates.  It will also help you to understand how much exercise is needed for you to lose weight. 

DNA-Sport will also show you how your genotype features on the spectrum between power sports and endurance exercise, your potential injury risk and recommended recovery periods. Many people are simply doing the wrong type of exercise for their genetic make-up, so results can be disappointing and difficult to maintain long term

How it works?

Make an appointment with Charlotte (011-783-1140)  so she can explain what to expect from these tests. A comprehensive diet plan and advice on the best exercise to follow, is then worked out for each patient. 

Unfortunately, much damage can be done by this drive to self-medicate, often leading to toxic excesses and nutrient imbalances. Simply being of natural origin does not mean a product is harmless (cannabis as an example).

Many OTC products do not contain the active ingredient in sufficient quantities to have any therapeutic value and there are no standards set to give the layman access to this information.

Taking supplements during chemotherapy, for example, is highly controversial and most patients fail to tell their doctors what other weird and wonderful potions they are consuming in the hope of achieving that miracle cure.