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Karen Devine

Karen Devine

Karen Devine - Author

Registered Nutritionist & Naturopath Technical Support, Nutri-Link

Karen Devine, CNHC Registered Nutritionist and Naturopath, is a Colonic Hydrotherapist and Functional Medicine practitioner (AFMCP). Since 2007, she has provided technical support for Nutri-Link Ltd, advising practitioners and patients on nutritional products. Trained at The Plaskett College, Karen has run her own clinic since 1999 and continues to consult privately. She regularly attends postgraduate seminars to stay current in functional medicine. Karen has appeared on The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses, sharing insights on detoxification and naturopathy.

Nutritional strategies to support seasonal allergy symptoms

Seasonal allergies are no longer a minor inconvenience for a small subset of the population. Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, now affects a substantial proportion of adults and children in the UK, with prevalence continuing to rise year on year. In recent research around 49% of people reported suffering with hay fever symptoms.[i] Beyond the familiar sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion, hay fever is associated with poor sleep, daytime fatigue, reduced concentration and impaired...

Immune Health Adrenal Health Stress Management Sleep

How Chronic Stress Disrupts Cortisol, Immunity & Energy And How to Restore Balance Naturally

Stress is often thought of as something that comes purely from a busy lifestyle, emotional pressure, or mental overload. While these are common triggers, stress on the body is far broader than emotional strain alone. The nervous system responds to many different challenges as stress, including psychological trauma, unresolved emotional experiences, acute or chronic infections, inflammation, blood sugar instability, poor sleep, over exercising, nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposures...

Immune Health Children's Health Vitamins

Key nutrients to support immunity during measles in the UK

Measles: What it is and how nutritional status influences outcomes What is measles? Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the measles virus (a morbillivirus). It spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after exposure. After infection, the virus initially affects the respiratory tract and then spreads systemically. Symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure...

Immune Health Digestive Health Stress Management

Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Causes, symptoms and support

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for chronic, immune-mediated conditions that cause ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. The two main forms are: Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus. Ulcerative colitis, which primarily affects the colon and rectum. Unlike functional gut disorders such as IBS, IBD causes visible inflammation and tissue damage, which can be seen on imaging or during a colonoscopy. Symptoms often...

Detoxification Fertility & Pregnancy Women's Health

Endometriosis and functional medicine: Evidence‑informed insights for clinical practice

Endometriosis affects approximately 10–15% of women of reproductive age and remains one of the most challenging chronic inflammatory conditions encountered in women’s health practice. Characterised by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, it is an oestrogen-dependent, immune-modulated and inflammatory disorder associated with chronic pelvic pain, infertility and significant quality-of-life burden. Although conventional management, including...

Ageing Brain Health Stress Management

Cognitive longevity - a systems approach to healthy brain ageing

As longevity increases, cognitive healthspan has become a defining clinical challenge. While neurodegenerative conditions remain multifactorial and complex, converging evidence suggests that cognitive decline is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, but rather the cumulative outcome of modifiable metabolic, inflammatory, vascular and lifestyle inputs. A systems-based approach, integrating nutrition, sleep biology, movement, stress physiology and targeted nutraceutical support, provides a powerful...

Mental Health Detoxification Energy

The health benefits of dry January - Why taking a break from alcohol matters

As we head into January, many people choose to close the door on alcohol for a month, taking a break to prioritise their health and wellbeing. This ‘time out’ has become a popular way to reset after the festive season and reflect on personal habits. Alcohol consumption is widespread across the world, and in the UK alone, it’s estimated that around 80% of adults drink alcohol (alcoholchange.org.uk). Alcohol is deeply ingrained in many cultures, yet its physiological impact is profound. Beyond the...

Mental Health Stress Management Sleep

Real experiences from real people. Zen: tested and reviewed

If your clients or patients are struggling with stress, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty achieving calm, you know how essential it is to recommend nutritional tools that are safe, effective, and backed by real‑world data, not just theory. Zen by Allergy Research Group, distributed by Nutri‑Link UK, has rapidly gained attention among clinicians thanks to its combination of Safr’Inside™ saffron extract and vitamin B6, two ingredients increasingly recognised for supporting...

Mental Health Nervous System Stress Management

Anxiety & stress: Natural solutions to support a calmer mind

Stress and anxiety are part of life, but when they become constant, they can steal your peace, disrupt sleep, and dysregulate our hormones. Whether it’s exam pressure, work deadlines, or emotional ups and downs, finding ways to restore balance is essential for your health and happiness. Why stress feels overwhelming Stress triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In short bursts, this helps us cope. But when stress lingers, due to pain, loss...

Essential Fatty Acids Brain Health Cardiovascular Health

Cod liver oil vs fish oil

The global fish oil market is booming with a projected growth from USD 10.4 billion in 2025 to USD 24.6 billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. This growth is driven by rising consumer awareness of omega-3 its health benefits. * However, when it comes to fish oils, choosing the best quality fish oil supplements should be non-negotiable due to the risk of contaminants and/or oxidised (rancid) oils that can create inflammation and damage cellular structures. Nordic Naturals...