Renowned nutritional therapist, speaker, and author Kate Cook has been appointed as the first female patron of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) — marking a significant milestone for one of the UK’s most respected institutions in nutritional health education.
The Institute for Optimum Nutrition, established in 1984, is an independent educational charity offering leading undergraduate and postgraduate courses in nutritional therapy. ION is widely recognised for its role in advancing the science and practical application of nutrition, through high-quality training, CPD opportunities, and practitioner support resources.
As the first female patron of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Kate brings over two decades of industry expertise to the role, alongside a deep, personal connection to ION as a former student and advocate of its mission.
“I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to be the first woman patron of ION. In my opinion, it is the best training college in nutritional therapy — the oldest and the best.
The foundation I received at ION set me on a path to a career that has allowed me to help change lives, improve health outcomes, and positively impact society. Even after more than two decades in the field, I remain inspired and energised by the incredible work nutritional therapists do every day.
What makes this especially meaningful is that ION is a charity — dedicated not just to education, but to a mission. It nurtures talent, trains the best, and continues to inspire generation after generation of practitioners. I’m proud to support that mission.”v
Kate’s appointment as ION’s first female patron reflects both her professional impact and the Institute’s commitment to highlighting leadership and diversity within the field of nutrition. She will help champion ION’s educational work and support its mission to train the next generation of expert nutritional therapists.
