Meet The Team

Hi, I’m Dr. Alison 

I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. YOUR DESIRES. YOUR GOALS. YOUR TRANSFORMATION.

I’ve been in your shoes. 14 years ago, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. My health journey was one of the most frustrating, overwhelming, and disappointing experiences of my life. When I asked how do I fix this, I was told it was the luck of the draw, and there was nothing I could do; just take this medication when things start to get bad and hope you don’t get a second condition. This did not sit well with me. I knew that my lifestyle had some factor in my health; how could it not?   

This is the story I hear far too often in my clinical practice. I’m here to tell you this is not the luck of the draw. Yes, autoimmune has a genetic component to it, but what science and research have shown us over the last 10 to 15 years is there are so many things we can do to help turn on and off our genes. Our bodies don’t just start to malfunction; our immune system is trying to tell us something, it’s been triggered, and it is struggling to resolve it the problems on its own. There are so many factors that play into your autoimmune condition that are overlooked in conventional medicine; hormones, digestion, sleep, nutrition, infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic), and toxicity. These all alter how your immune system functions.

This is why I created the Autoimmune Institute; to help you overcome your autoimmune condition just like I did. We dive into the big picture and work to determine where your weak points are and how to fix them, working as a team in conjunction with conventional medicine moving you towards a place of health.   

I’m happy to say my condition has been in remission for more than 12 years, and I want the same for you.

PAULA PORTER, CNP, NNCP

As a Holistic Nutritionist, Paula sees food as the most powerful tool in your journey to health. She knows how tough and confusing dietary change can be, and she is committed to helping you navigate through it. She has enjoyed preparing delicious and healthy food for as long as she can remember, and loves to share recipes with anyone that will listen. Paula is a fermentation fanatic and at any given time her counters are full of bottles and jars of goodness, bubbling away. She is also a kitchen hydroponic gardener, attempting to grow greens indoors year-round with mixed success!

After too many years in the hectic world of high-tech Corporate Recruitment, Paula left it all to travel the world for a year and start her beautiful family. This change of pace and several years at home with young kids was a great chance to reflect on her passions, which led her to The Institute of Holistic Nutrition. She graduated as a CNP (Certified Nutritional Practitioner) with Honours in 2015 and has additionally completed certification in Live Blood Cell Microscopy. Paula is a member of CANNP – The Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners and is an NNCP (Natural Nutrition – Clinical Practitioner).