Most symptoms have more than one cause. Most causes involve more than one system.
I'm Rita Soares, a functional nutritionist based in Lisbon. I specialise in gut health — including SIBO, IBS, leaky gut, H. pylori and dysbiosis — alongside thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue and longevity. I work with clients online worldwide and in-person in Lisbon.
IFM Member · Ordem dos Nutricionistas 2604N Online worldwide · In-person Lisbon
WHO IS THIS FOR
When standard diagnostics don't explain the full picture
Standard blood panels are designed to detect pathology — they flag what is outside the reference range. What they don't capture is the functional terrain that sits beneath clinical thresholds: disruptions in gut barrier integrity, shifts in microbiome composition, dysregulation of the HPA axis, subclinical thyroid dysfunction, or impaired mitochondrial energy production.
These are measurable, addressable physiological states. Functional nutrition uses targeted dietary intervention, evidence-based supplementation, and lifestyle protocols to restore function at the system level — gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune, and metabolic — before dysfunction progresses to diagnosable disease.
CLINICAL AREAS OF FOCUS
Gastrointestinal function — SIBO, IBS, intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, H. pylori
Hormonal health — PCOS, estrogen metabolism, perimenopause, menopause
Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammatory response
Body composition and metabolic health
Thyroid physiology and autoimmune conditions
Mitochondrial function, chronic fatigue, metabolic health
HPA axis, sleep architecture, stress physiology and burnout
Longevity and healthy ageing
4-MONTH PROGRAMS
Structured intervention for lasting physiological change
Complex dysfunction doesn't resolve in a single consultation. Both programs provide the clinical continuity — structured follow-up, protocol refinement, and the time frame — needed for measurable, lasting change.
Gut health · 4 months
Gut Health Reset Program
For bloating, irregular bowel function, reflux, food reactions, skin issues or unexplained fatigue. This program identifies the underlying drivers and restores digestive function from the ground up.
WHAT CHANGES
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→ Reduction in bloating, reflux, and digestive pain
→. Restored gut barrier integrity and microbiome diversity
→ Identified and addressed food sensitivities
→ Clinical support for SIBO, H. pylori, and dysbiosis
→ Improved energy and cognitive clarity as gut function normalises
→ Skin conditions associated with gut dysfunction — acne, eczema, rosacea
SIBO · IBS · Reflux · Leaky gut · H. pylori · Skin conditions
Longevity & hormones · 4 months
Longevity, Hormones & Body Optimization Program
For low energy, poor sleep, weight changes, brain fog, irregular cycles, and hormonal symptoms. This program identifies the root cause and builds a protocol to restore balance.
WHAT CHANGES
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→ Restored energy production and reduced fatigue​
→ Hormonal regulation — cycle health, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause​
→ Improved thyroid function and metabolic markers​
→ Better sleep architecture and stress resilience​
→ Body composition changes through metabolic recalibration