Ruth’s Story

How discovering the power of root cause medicine inspired a mission to transform lives.

My Journey

My path to becoming a Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner began with a relentless pursuit of answers to my own chronic health issues. Despite countless blood tests coming back "normal," I was far from well. Diagnoses like depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and migraines came with a cocktail of medications, none of which gave me my health back. Desperate for solutions, I turned to functional medicine, where I finally found someone who could connect the dots, uncover the root causes of my symptoms, and guide me to real recovery.

Little did I know that falling through the cracks of conventional medicine was to ignite a journey that would lead me down the path of healing and self-discovery and towards my true purpose. This transformative experience not only restored my health but ignited a passion to help others navigate their own health journeys. I pursued qualifications in Nutritional Therapy at the College of Naturopathic Medicine and further training in Functional Medicine with the world leading Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in the USA.

A Personal Mission

The journey took on a new level of meaning when my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. Feeling relieved at finally receiving a diagnosis, after an endless, frustrating and expensive road, I was naïve to think that having the diagnosis would somehow ‘fix things’ and make life easier for him.  In reality it was just a label.  He still struggled every day with acute anxiety, difficulty communicating and socialising, poor attention and dysregulated behaviour.  Determined to find answers and provide him with the best possible support, I delved into the research, connected with experts, and immersed myself in understanding the intricate connections between nutrition, genetics, environment and neurodevelopment. 

This was not about trying to cure him or change who he was, but about helping him to be the very best version of himself and to reach his fullest potential.

Lab tests shed light on imbalances which informed dietary changes - these made an immediate difference that spurred us on to dig even deeper.  The results have been profound. While it wasn’t always easy—especially convincing a child with sensory challenges to embrace dietary changes—the results have been life-changing. Today, he is a happy, confident teenager, excelling at school and enjoying friendships, sport, and music. Helping him reach his fullest potential reinforced my belief in the power of root-cause medicine to transform lives.

The Evolution of Re:Health

What started as a personal journey to reclaim my health has evolved into something much bigger. Re:Health was born out of a calling to create a collaborative, client-centred clinic that brings together skilled practitioners, each with their own areas of expertise. I envisioned a practice where we could work as a team to provide comprehensive, personalised care that is greater than the sum of its parts.

At Re:Health, we unite our knowledge and experience to uncover the root causes of complex health challenges, providing clients with a clear roadmap to wellness. This collaborative approach allows us to support clients in a way that no single practitioner could achieve alone, offering expertise in gut health, brain health, women’s health, autoimmunity, and chronic complex illness. Together, we aim to transform lives through the power of functional medicine and a shared commitment to excellence.

Professional Bio

Ruth Etches LLB(Hons) PGDip mBANT rCNHC

Ruth is a Registered Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner, specialising in brain health, neurodiversity, mood disorders and complex illness.

Ruth qualified with a distinction in Nutritional Therapy from the College of Naturopathic Medicine and has undertaken her Functional Medicine training with the industry-leading Institute of Functional Medicine in the USA.

She has completed advanced training and certifications, including:

  • Psychiatry Redefined - Fellowship in Integrative Psychiatry (ongoing) with Dr Greenblatt

  • Functional and Integrative Medicine for ADHD

  • Kharrazhian Institute Certified Practitioner with expertise in Mood disorders, Neuroinflammation, Childhood Developmental Disorders, Gut Health, Cognitive Decline & Autoimmunity

  • Dr Dale Bredesen - ReCode Alzheimer’s Protocol for preventing and reversing cognitive decline

  • Nutritional Genomics Practitioner with Lifecode Gx & specialist Genes in Mind training.

  • Shoemaker Proficiency Partner in mould illness and CIRS

  • Micro-immunotherapy Advanced Practitioner Training

Ruth regularly updates her training and qualifications - travelling worldwide to keep up-to-date with the latest knowledge in the industry.

Ruth is a member of:

  • The Royal Society of Medicine

  • Institute of Functional Medicine

  • British Association of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)

  • Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

Ruth holds a degree in Law from the University of Sussex.

Based in Cornwall, Ruth lives with her husband, two sons, and Labrador. She works with clients nationally and internationally through her virtual clinic.