Mariliza, co-founder of Upstream Nutrition, is a nutritionist and nutritional therapist. She provides advice tailored to each individual’s needs and lifestyle. She enjoys working ‘upstream’ with her clients, focusing on prevention and education. Her particular areas of interest include gastrointestinal health, metal toxicity, detoxification, and genetic predisposition. She also specialises in women’s health through various stages in life, with particular interest in pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartnum nutrition. She is increasingly focused on children’s nutrition and health education from a young age.
A mother of four, Mariliza always had a strong interest in healthy eating, cooking, functional foods and genetics. Originally from Greece, she moved to London in 2000 to study biochemistry and nutrition. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at UCL, she obtained a Master’s in Nutrition and Food Science (with distinction) from Reading University. She then worked for three years in R&D for a nutritional food supplement company.
Three years after having her first child, Mariliza encountered fertility issues. Working closely with a nutrition therapist, she identified and solved her fertility issues, naturally, through dietary change, supplements and detoxification.
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Inspired by this experience, Mariliza went on to complete a post-graduate diploma in Nutrition Therapy (with distinction) and started her training in Functional Medicine at IFM. ‘The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.’
Mariliza’s experience with functional medicine has led her to believe that finding and addressing the root cause of chronic conditions is key to a healthier and happier life. Everything is biochemically connected in our body and making lifestyle changes (including diet, sleep, stress, exercise) can often have a positive impact on our lives.
In many cases today, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the benefits of functional medicine and nutrition and Mariliza strives to increase awareness as early as possible to help prevent chronic conditions. She regularly works with women and their partners 3-6 months before pregnancy but also with children and young adults, focusing on prevention.
If you aspire for healthy ageing, it is important to know your genetic make-up and more importantly it is necessary to know what impact you can have on it through your choices in life.
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Academic Qualifications:
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Advanced Functional Medicine in Pediatrics 2017
Institute of Functional Medicine, USA
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Cardiometabolic and Immune Advanced Practice Modules
Institute of Functional Medicine, USA
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Functional Nutrition Head to Toe 2014
Institute of Functional Medicine, USA
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AFMCP London Graduate 2012
Institute of Functional Medicine, USA ​
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Post-graduate Diploma in Nutrition Therapy (Distinction)
University of Westminster, London
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MSc in Nutrition and Food Science (Distinction)
University of Reading, UK
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BSc in Biochemistry (2:1)
University College London, UK