I am often asked for miracle cures for a complaint and if I don't come up with a snappy answer within seconds, the questioner thinks I can't be much cop as a practitioner.

I remain mystified by the instant fix philosophy.

Ask a builder what he requires to build a stable house and he will provide you with an extensive list.

The same applies to the body.

If your wires are crossed or your brickwork crumbling, no single nutrient or drug is likely to mend it.

Much of what we know about health and nutrition comes from the media but most sources may be based on press releases put out by a particular manufacturer promoting a particular food or supplement.

It often leaves us misinformed and sees us running from one fad to another.

One could argue that it's up to doctors to tell us how to live healthy lives.

However, they have very little background in nutrition and much of their on-going training and medical conferences are financed by drug companies.

So perhaps nutritional basics should be taught in schools.

The reality is that what used to be cookery lessons turned into domestic science and is now called food technology.

Because of a lack of teachers and equipment, children don't learn to cook but design and market pizza packets on a computer. That's some progress!

Does it matter? You bet because food is made of "chemicals" and eating is one of the most fundamental ways to alter your biochemistry.

What you eat affects not only your body but your brain, behaviour and achievements.

Today, it's becoming almost the norm to be overfed yet undernourished, depressed or even anti-social.

Reasons not to be cheerful include deficiencies in basic vitamins and minerals.

If you have a question for Martina, email features@theargus.co.uk
Martina is a qualified nutritional therapist at the Dolphin House Clinic and Crescent Clinic of Complementary Medicine, Brighton